Outcome of the Newcastle Regional Show Day Local Public Holiday application

City of Newcastle has received formal correspondence from the NSW Premier’s Department regarding Council’s application under the Public Holidays Act 2010 for the declaration of Newcastle Regional Show Day in 2026 and 2027.

The Minister for Industrial Relations has declared Friday 27 February 2026 and Friday 26 February 2027 as local event days for the Newcastle Local Government Area. The necessary Order was published on the NSW legislation website on 22 December 2025 and is publicly available on the NSW Government website.

As part of the application process, City of Newcastle applied for a local public holiday on these dates, with a local event day nominated as an alternative if a public holiday was not supported. This approach reflects Council’s ongoing commitment to recognising the Newcastle Regional Show as an event of historical, social and cultural significance to our community, dating back to 1901.

In line with NSW Government guidelines, Council undertook community consultation via this Have Your Say page between 22 July and 19 August 2025 to inform the application.

City of Newcastle thanks everyone who took the time to provide feedback as part of the consultation process. Community input plays an important role in shaping Council’s advocacy on matters of local significance.

For more information on the Newcastle Regional Show, visit www.newcastleshow.com.au.

Thanks for having your say

Thanks for having your say! Read the engagement summary to find out what we heard.

Community feedback was considered and reported to Council at the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday, 23 September 2025. The elected Council voted to apply for a Local Public Holiday for Newcastle Show Day in 2026 and 2027. If not approved, Council will seek to have the day recognised as either a half-day Local Public Holiday or a Local Event Day.

We will keep the community updated as the application progresses.