Childrens theatre in the Hunter: kids' shows and school holiday theatre

Coming up

By age, roughly

• Toddlers and pre-schoolers: Pevan and Sarah in Concert (1 December, a 10:30am show at the Civic).
• Primary school: Disney's Frozen (10 to 25 October) and Dinosaur World Live (19 and 20 January 2027, in the summer holidays).
• Watching other kids perform: Beauty and the Beast JR (25 to 29 November) is a youth production, and the Hunter's dance schools hold their end-of-year showcases at the Vincent Street theatre in November and December.

Check each show's listing for its recommended age and running time.

Young performers

If your child would rather be on the stage than in the audience, the Hunter has youth theatre companies, dance schools and eisteddfods. The Abermain Eisteddfod's dance solos are on at Cessnock from 6 to 10 October; see our eisteddfod guide. The Vincent Street theatre also runs drama classes through the year (see its Get involved pages).

A first trip to the theatre

For young children, a first theatre visit is a big event. Choose a show made for their age, with a running time they can manage, and book seats near an aisle so you can step out if needed. Talk about what will happen beforehand: the lights going down, the need to sit and listen, and clapping at the end. Arrive early to find the toilets and settle in. Many children's shows welcome noise and movement, and some venues run relaxed performances with softer lighting and sound for children who find the theatre overwhelming.

Choosing a show by age

Under five: short shows of 45 minutes to an hour, with music, puppets, bright characters and audience participation.

Five to eight: stories they know from books and screens, musicals, magic and science shows of about an hour.

Nine to twelve: longer musicals, plays adapted from popular books, and comedy aimed at families.

Teenagers: most mainstream musicals and plays, school holiday drama workshops and youth theatre performances.

Always check the venue's age guidance, which reflects the show's themes and length.

School holiday theatre

Theatres in Newcastle and the Hunter often program children's shows and family musicals during the school holidays, with daytime sessions that suit younger children. Book early for popular titles, as matinees sell out.

Childrens theatre classes and youth theatre

Children who love performing can join drama classes, dance schools and youth theatre groups around the Hunter. Many run weekly classes during school terms, holiday workshops and end-of-year productions. Look for groups with qualified teachers and Working with Children Checks, and ask about costs, performance opportunities and what parents need to help with. The Abermain Eisteddfod also gives young performers a stage each year; see our Abermain Eisteddfod guide.

Saving on family tickets

Look for family tickets, matinee pricing, and preview performances. Some venues offer discounts for school groups and community organisations, and the Companion Card is accepted at many Hunter venues for people who need a carer. See accessible shows in the Hunter Valley.

Relaxed and sensory-friendly performances

Relaxed performances keep the house lights partly up, lower the volume, allow audience members to move around and leave and come back, and often provide a quiet space outside the theatre. They suit children with autism or sensory needs, and many families find them a gentler first theatre experience. Check each venue's listing for relaxed sessions, and contact the box office to ask about any access needs before booking.

Our short answer

The best childrens theatre in the Hunter is a show made for your child's age, at a running time they can manage, booked early for school holidays. Check age guidance, consider relaxed sessions for younger or sensory-sensitive children, and look at drama classes and youth theatre for children who want to perform.

Theatre etiquette for children

A few simple habits help children enjoy the theatre and let others enjoy it too: arrive early, visit the toilet before the show, keep feet off seats, whisper only when needed, keep devices off, and clap at the end. Children's shows are usually relaxed about noise, but mainstream musicals and plays expect quiet during the performance. Explain this before you go, and choose shows made for children for the first few visits.

Theatre on a budget

Free and low-cost options for families include library story times with performers, outdoor shows at festivals, school and youth theatre productions, eisteddfod sessions open to the public, and community theatre. These are a good way to build a love of live performance without the cost of big touring shows.

Where to find children's shows

Children's shows in the Hunter are listed on the venues' own websites, through touring companies' websites and in school holiday activity guides from councils and libraries. Newcastle's Civic Theatre and the Cessnock theatre on Vincent Street both program family shows through the year, and community halls and libraries host smaller performances for young children. Our month-by-month Cessnock shows calendar includes family shows as they are announced, with a link to each venue's listing for times and tickets.

Booking tips

Book school holiday shows as soon as dates are announced, choose morning or early afternoon sessions for young children, and check whether babies need a ticket. Many venues sell family packages, and some offer a small discount for booking several shows. Keep tickets on your phone and arrive early to collect any printed tickets from the box office.

Common questions