SoundBites Food & Wine Festival

SoundBites Food & Wine Festival is Newcastle’s newest signature celebration of taste,  talent and culture — launching in March 2026 as the opening event of Newcastle Food  Month. Set at the iconic Newcastle Racecourse, SoundBites brings together the very  best of the Hunter: award-winning wineries, craft breweries, artisan producers, leading  chefs and vibrant live entertainment, all in one unforgettable day. 

Across the event grounds, guests can explore more than 40+ vendors offering bold  flavours, local produce, unique creations and gourmet street-style dishes. The festival is  anchored by a premium culinary program led by special guest Miguel Maestre, who will  host a series of live cooking demonstrations alongside six standout local chefs, each  presenting their signature dish on stage. 

The day is designed to be immersive, energetic and interactive, with non-stop  entertainment including the Hindley Street Country Club as the headline act, roaming  performances, grape stomping, eating competitions, a personalised Hat Bar  experience, and a surprise activation to truly elevate the festival atmosphere. 

Blending food, wine, music and culture, SoundBites is set to become a must-attend  annual event — a celebration of the Hunter’s flavour, creativity and community spirit. 

Your SoundBites ticket gives you full access to a premium, all-day festival experience  showcasing the Hunter’s best food, wine, craft beer and live entertainment. Every guest  receives a SoundBites branded tasting glass plus 10 small tasting vouchers to sample  wines and craft beverages from any participating winery or microbrewery across the  festival. With over 10 wineries, multiple microbreweries, and 30+ gourmet food stalls,  the tasting opportunities are endless. 

Guests can enjoy front-row access to live cooking demonstrations hosted by celebrity  chef Miguel Maestre, featuring six top local chefs presenting their signature dishes on  stage throughout the day. Your ticket also includes entry to all live entertainment,  including a headline performance from the Hindley Street Country Club, roaming sets,  and interactive festival activities. 

All ticketholders can take part in unique experiences such as grape stomping, eating  competitions, and the popular Hat Bar, where you can design and purchase your own  personalised festival hat. 

Those looking to elevate their day can upgrade to the $199 Trackside Luncheon, an  exclusive dining event cooked live by Miguel with expertly paired Hunter Valley wines.

Pricing:
$65 First Release General Admission
$199 Miguel Maetre Hosted Luncheon
$5 Selected Winery Tastings

Get your tickets now: https://events.humanitix.com/soundbites-food-and-wine-festival