Bring the family to celebrate Christmas on a picnic rug in Civic Park at the Serenade under the Stars from 5pm on December 2. Featuring Newcastle Youth Orchestra and NYO Kides, Australian Army Band - Newcastle and the Conservatorium's combined choir, there will also be face painting, jumping castles and a visit by Santa.

Newcastle Region Library is offering an amnesty on late items in return for donations to help less fortunate families.  Library members will be able to clear unpaid library fines by donating non-perishable food and toiletry items as Christmas presents for needy Newcastle residents. Local emergency relief agencies OzHarvest, Street Care, Baptist Care and the Samaritans will package the goods as presents in the lead up to Christmas. Five dollars for every non-perishable food item and $10 for every toiletry item will be cleared from library members' overdue fines record. Members interested in making donations should make them over the counter at their local branch. Visit library@ncc.nsw.gov.au/library

Newcastle City Council is also supporting the Samaritans Christmas Appeal with a Giving Tree in the foyer of the City Administration Centre on King Street. Unwrapped gifts can be placed under the Giving Tree in the foyer of the round house opposite Civic Park until Friday 6 December.