IF YOU have every wanted to experience a drag show in Newcastle library, alfresco dining in Civic Park or an open-air cinema alongside the museum then you are in luck.
The Newcastle CBD is set to host more than 40 free night-time events over the coming weeks as part of City of Newcastle's Autumn Alive program.
Involving more than 50 businesses across Newcastle, the program received half a million dollars in funding from the NSW Government's CBDs Revitalisation Program to help owners and creatives recover from the pandemic.
"These programs are absolutely critical," councillor Carol Duncan said.
"We have just seen so many businesses really badly hit economically and many have failed due to the lockdowns and ongoing problems we have seen with the pandemic."
"Our artists, our creatives and our musicians - they are us. We are the community and this is what we do. It's about people supporting people."
Kicking of on April 29 with a silent disco and food trucks in Pacific Park - featuring performances by giant puppets Curious Legends and Catapult Dance Artists - the program is capped off by a party on Laman Street on May 21.
Throughout Autumn Alive, performer Timberlina will be hosting drag nights in Newcastle Library, complete with a pop-up bar.
"I have the pleasure of activating the library during the Fridays of May. I'm very excited," Timberlina said.
"The library also has themed nights on a Thursdays. So for example they have a crime and cocktail night and we are bringing that through to the Friday with our dark, grungy crime numbers. Just creating a vibe really.
"It's completely different. I don't think any other city is doing stuff like this so it's really cool that Newcastle is able to get the funding and grants to help small businesses."
Timberlina said these kinds of events are important because they not only support business, but also encourage Newcastle's culture.
"We don't just want to be a boring city that has corporate life in it. We want to be artsy and we want to be over the top," Timberlina said.
"I feel like a lot of people are still scared and I guess this program we are running is to bring people back into the city and activate the night life again and help small businesses come back to life.
"Newcastle really is an arty city so I guess we need to help activate that and show its importance."
The Kingfish restaurant in Honeysuckle will be preparing and providing takeaway picnic hampers and hand-crafted gelato for Movies in Museum Park which will run on Thursday and Friday nights throughout the program.
The full program of events for Autumn Alive can be found on the City of Newcastle's What's On web page.
