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Gallery: 2026 Newcastle Winter Festival delights crowds

The children enjoy mascots, rides and live fire demonstrations at the 2026 Newcastle Winter Festival Day 1.

April 30, 2026

Zianne Leibrandt Less than a minute

A group of school children dressed in blue uniforms are visibly scared while on a carnival ride. — A group of children on one of the rides.

Day 1 of the 2026 Newcastle Winter Festival has drawn strong crowds, delivering a lively atmosphere filled with excitement and entertainment.

From colourful mascots to engaging fire brigade demonstrations, visitors were treated to a wide range of activities throughout the day.

See photos here:

Two children are photographed with their dog at a local winter festival. — Hayley Kilian, Johandre Strydom and Nugget.

three children are photographed with smurfs and unicorn mascots at a festival. — Factory Plaza Mascots pose with school children.

A team of paramedics wearing red and black attire pose for a photo. — The Magenta Medical Team along with owner, Jan van Rensburg.

A woman holding a teddy poses in front of her PAWS banner. — Alet Oberholzer.

Three people dressed in yellow tshirts and denim pants pose in front of a yellow gazebo selling coffee. — The LekaBrew crew.

A firefighter is pictured allowing the children to play in the water. — A firefighter allows the children to play in the water.

A fire fighter is pictured doing a demonstration on how they put out a fire.

A vehicle is pictured while it's on fire. — A vehicle is pictured while it’s on fire.

A group of school children are photographed getting ready to enter a haunted house tour at a local carnival. — Children pictured getting ready to take on the ‘haunted house’ tour.

A man dressed in a colourful T-Shirt, sporting a grey beard and tattoos is photographed walking on a field. — Newcastle Sakekamer President, Morné Seaman.

A local firefighter gives the thumbs up while he chills on car used for demonstration purposes.

Minnie and Mickey Mouse. photographed against a red backdrop. — Minnie and Mickey Mouse.

Cocomelon photographed against a red backdrop. — Cocomelon.

Two young school girls are photographed having a fun time at a local festival. — Two young school girls having fun.

A young child is photographed having fun while on a Bee ride at a loal fair. — A young child is seen having fun while on a Bee ride.

A young child is photographed having fun at a loal fair.

Two young children are photographed having fun at a loal fair.

A young child is photographed having fun at a local fair.

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