Maitland Council unveils new look events program for 2024-25

Maitland City Council has locked in a refreshed events schedule for 2024-25.

Inspired by past popular events such as Maitland Taste and Aroma Coffee and Chocolate Festival, a new winter event earmarked for June 2025 is billed as a more experiential and hands on encounter for attendees, with local food and hospitality businesses contributing to the program as well as interactive attractions like lighting and projection installations.

Annual favourites like New Year’s Eve celebrations at The Levee, Australia Day in Maitland and Hunter Valley Steamfest are all set to continue along with Maitland Riverlights, which this year is headlined by event ambassador Adam Liaw.

'We’re thrilled to share our new look annual events lineup with the community. It's all about mixing things up and providing fresh, exciting experiences,' says Maitland City Council Coordinator City Events and Activation Adam Franks.

Kicking off the lineup of events is a free family day at Harold Gregson Reserve on 20 July and in February 2025, there will be a special commemoration for the 70th anniversary of the 1955 Hunter Valley floods. Our summer program will also return in 2024/25 with plans for a range of live music events, a Christmas movie night and more.

As part of this new lineup, Aroma Coffee and Chocolate Festival will not be continuing, but Mr Franks said, ‘elements of Aroma will continue and combine with what people love to inform our new annual flagship event starting in June 2025.’

Bitter and Twisted Boutique Beer Festival, a staple of Maitland’s event calendar, will be taking a hiatus in 2024 due to the ongoing closure of Maitland Gaol, as Maitland City Council continues to address significant safety concerns at the heritage listed site.

‘Bitter and Twisted Festival has become synonymous with Maitland Gaol, and given the current circumstances, Council believes postponing the event this year is the best course of action,' Mr Franks says.

More details on the new additions to the calendar will be shared soon. For more information and updates on Council’s upcoming events, visit maitlandevents.com.au