Community invited to share feedback on Newcastle Show public holiday

City of Newcastle is inviting Novocastrians to help determine whether the first day of the 2025 Newcastle Show should be declared a local public holiday.

A community survey will gather feedback from people who live, work and run businesses in Newcastle to gauge support for the proposal, with specific questions about the economic and social benefits as well as tourism industry promotion of the region.

Executive Director Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer David Clarke said the community has traditionally supported the idea of a local public holiday.

"City of Newcastle conducted community consultation in 2023 and 84 per cent of respondents supported a local public holiday for the Newcastle Show," Mr Clarke said.

"The Newcastle Show is an important historical, social and cultural event that dates back to 1901, and visitor numbers have continued to increase since the interruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"As part of the community survey City of Newcastle will consult with chambers of commerce, banks, major employers and schools that would likely to be impacted, should the day be declared a local public holiday."

"If the day was to be declared a local public holiday it would apply to all employees whose place of work is within the Newcastle Local Government Area."

Alternatively, a local event day may be declared, as has been the case in recent years. A local event day is not a public holiday, but can be considered as one, for those employees in the area who have agreed to observe the day in their relevant industrial agreement and any other employers who want to participate.

The community survey is now open and will close at 5pm on 5 November.

Feedback will then be presented to Council for consideration, prior to an application being made to the NSW Government. 

You can have your say by completing the online survey here before 5pm on 5 November http://haveyoursay.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Newcastle-regional-show-day-2025

The 2025 Newcastle Show will run from Friday 28 February to Sunday 2 March.