What to do in Wollongong this Week and Month. Find Events & What’s On Illawarra wide

Looking for things to do in Wollongong tonight, this weekend r the month ahead? Welcome to What’s on in Wollongong & Illawarra Guide! Your insider guide to planning best days and nights out. Find all upcoming events in the Illawarra including Music, Arts & Theatre shows in Wollongong, Our Local Illawarra Markets, Wollongong Sports & Activity Events & Family Frendly Events & Things for Kids do Illawarra wide. We can’t wait to show off our most awesome events and things to do near you!

What’s on in Wollongong Today, this Weekend and the Month Ahead – Find Events and Things to Do

Things to do in the stunning Illawarra – above photo c/o Chilby Photography
Main article photo c/o Warren Keelan Photography

What’s On – Best Events & Places To Visit THIS Month!

FINAL DAYS! Stay for 3 only pay for 2 with Holiday Haven’s Mid-Week Special!

FINAL DAYS! Say Hello to Spring and the latest Mid-Week hot deal from Holiday Haven! Book 3 nights and have a *FREE night on us. Book and stay between 1 Sep 2024 – 12 Dec 2024. BOOK NOW >>enter discount code spring24 at checkout! *Click here for participating Holiday Haven Parks!

Holiday Haven Parks are spread across the Shoalhaven and South Coast! From beachfront, lakefront or riverfront, Holiday Haven Parks are perfect for your next family getaway, short break, weekend or stop on your travels, anytime of the year. They offer a range of accommodation options such as clean, modern, fully self-contained holiday cabins, caravan and camping sites – both powered and unpowered.

Your Christmas is sorted at Dapto Mall!

The big man is almost here and there’s plenty to be excited about at Dapto Mall! From Santa photos to gift wrapping, gift-spiration to more time to shop!

Christmas magic is in the air and they are ready and waiting to help you get your Christmas sorted – including a chance for you and your loved ones to take the festive journey of a lifetime to Santa’s hometown in LapLand! Get all the Xmas fun and event details here.

Get Festive with Georgia Rose this Summer

Join them for an unforgettable season filled with creativity, cocktails & FUN overlooking the Shellharbour Marina at Georgia Rose.

Upcoming Events:

Paint & Sip: Christmas in Australia – 6 Dec
Create & Graze: Candle Making – 7 Dec
Create & Sip: Gingerbread Houses – 13 Dec
+ Happy Hour, Sunset Sessions, Tequila & Taco Fridays, Drag Trivia + more!

Limited spots – grab your crew and book here no w.

Bulli Village Christmas Market – Sunday 8 December

If you’re looking for an awesome Christmas gift for everyone this year, the Bulli Village Market Christmas market Sunday December 8, 9am – 3pm is almost here!

Set in the grounds of Bulli Showground, there will be new season cherries & Christmas trees for Christmas, fresh produce, plants and more. PLUS – Santa & Mrs Clause are dropping in at 10am and will meet the kids.

You will find over 90 specialty stalls at this Christmas market. Live music on the green with indoor and outdoor seating areas. Pony rides, Facepainting, fairy floss, henna and airbrush tattoos, and a cool sandpit area for the kids. They are a dog friendly market, so bring the whole family and enjoy the market vibes! Plan your visit now here

PLUS – check out more market dates coming up here

Turn up the heat with Steamy Sundays at Steamer’s Bar & Grill

Ease into those Sunday evening vibes with The Alto Social Club – Steamers’ two legendary local DJs bringing the perfect Sunday soundtrack from 4–6 pm. All summer long, soak in the views, savour their extended happy hour, and let the music take you to that Sunday state of bliss.

Free entry | $12 Cocktails $6 Draft beers $6 Red and white wine.

Bring your friends and end every weekend on a high note, right here on the deck at Steamers Bar & Grill. Learn more here.

Sunday Bottomless Brunch December – The Icon, Wollongong

Check out the exciting series of Bottomless Brunch events coming to The Icon, Wollongong this December! The Icon are making sure Sunday Brunch will never be the same again!

Drag Bingo Bottomless Brunch: December Sunday 1st, from 1pm – 3pm. Add some entertainment to your experience with Drag Bingo provided by Wollongong’s favourite Queens Ellawarra and Roxee Horror.

Old School RnB Bottomless Brunch: December Sunday 22nd, from 1pm – 3pm. Add some entertainment to your experience with all your favourite old school RnB classics being pumped out on vinyl by two of the greatest RnB Dj’s Wollongong has to offer, Munch Mx+ Teezus.

Book now h ere

What’s coming to The Waterfront Tavern at the Shellharbour Marina in December!

From boozy afternoon teas to seafood feasts, The Waterfront Tavern got your holiday gatherings and end of year parties sorted!

Boozy Afternoon Tea on the Deck: Held every month – dates as follows: Sat 7 December, Sat 11 January & Sat 8 February. Join us for the latest addition to the Taverns events, our Boozy Afternoon Tea on the Marina Deck! Perfect for a Christmas celebration with family or friends. Book now.
Sing & Sip – Wednesday 4 December: Join in at the Whale Bar at the Waterfront Tavern for a fun filled community choir night, where singing and sipping combine in harmony! Book your tickets
Seafood Spectacular Long Table Lunch – Friday 6 December: Book your seats now here.
Big Fat Greek Dinner – Thursday 12 December: They are turning into a Greek Taverna for a night with a Big Fat Greek Feast night on the Marina Deck presented by their Executive Chef George Sideris. Book your spot now here.

Best Christmas Party Ideas, Venues and Packages in Wollongong and Illawarra!

Christmas Party Ideas, Venues and Packages in Wollongong / Shellharbour & South Coast of NSW. Get inspired, plan for Christmas Function success. What’s on in Wollongong has researched fantastic ideas for Work, Corporate or Social Christmas Parties across the Illawarra.

Whatever your budget, these Christmas party venues, ideas and catering options will make a wonderful celebration. Get planning now here!

Illawarra Hawks Pre-Game Tail Gate Parties – Sage Hotel Wollongong

Take your NBL game day experience to the next level across the 2024/25 season and celebrate the Illawarra Hawks at WIN Stadium with a pre-game tailgate party at Sage Hotel Wollongong!

Arrive early and head to Sage Wollongong for your pre-game entertainment, live music and outdoor dining in their special pop-up beer garden.

Pre-Game fun kicks off around 2 hours before game tip-off! Learn more here + get all the Hawks Home Game dates and get planning!

Bottomless Brunch every Sat & Sun – Dreams on Crown, Wollongong

Dreaming of that perfect Bottomless Brunch? Make that dream come true! Gather your crowd and dream bottomless! Dreams on Crown in Wollongong are now offering a Bottomless Sunday Brunch every Saturday and Sunday morning – bookings essential.

Just $65pp for 2 hours of selected/unlimited cocktails, house wine, tap beer & soft drink paired with a chef-curated brunch menu. Times are 11.30am – 1.30pm or 2pm – 4pm.

If you’re wanting the balcony (very popular!), booking in advance would be strongly advised – secure your spot now here.

Sunset Cinema Wollongong is back for another unmissable summer of outdoor movies! 12 Dec – 22 Mar!

From the 12 December, screening Thursday to Saturday, Sunset Cinema Wollongong will be bringing its signature mix of new releases, family faves and all-time classics from under the stars at the Wollongong Botanic Garden. PLUS – this December there will be two weeks of Christmas Films.

Cozy up on a bean bag, grab burgers from His Boy Elroy + enjoy a fully licensed bar & fresh popcorn. Perfect for date night, family fun, or a night out with friends. Secure your tickets now.

Discover Sanctuary By Thrive – Wollongong’s leading clinic for skin health, laser treatments & holistic care

Enjoy $50 off your first skin treatment!

From tackling lines, wrinkles, scarring and acne to managing rosacea, menopause & weight, Dr. Jemima Grant’s clinic offers evidence-based care that transforms your skin & health. With advanced aesthetics & medical expertise, achieve radiant skin and long-term wellness now. Book now or learn more here.

The Ultimate Holiday Celebration Awaits at Wests Illawarra

We sts Illawarra is a fantastic venue to enjoy a night out with friends & family with a variety of entertainment leading up to the festive season! Check out the Live Shows and Festive FUN coming to the Wests Illawarra stage!

Get ready to test your brainpower at West Illawarra’s Quizzame every Thursday night! Bring your friends, family, and competitive spirit for a fun-filled evening of trivia, laughs, and a chance to win $100 worth of prizes! It’s free and open to all ages.
Christmas Wa x & Wicks: Friday 6 December. This festive workshop is perfect for beginners and candle lovers of all ages. Enjoy a Christmas cocktail (or mocktail) as you craft!
Christmas Pain t & Sip: Saturday 14 December. We’ve got you covered with high-quality canvases, paints, brushes, aprons, and everything else you need to bring your festive vision to life.
The ULTIMATE Holiday Celebration Awaits you at Wests Illawarra this December – and they’re making it a month to remember with over $50,000 in prizes to be won in their Toy Raffle, Tech & Gadget Raffle, Ham Raffles and Seafood Raffle. Learn more here

BIGWAVE Skydive Shellharbour Gift Vouchers / Summer Bookings

Enjoy a scenic flight up to 15,000ft enjoying panoramic coastal and bushland views, before jumping out and freefalling over Shellharbour’s new marina! Bigwave Skydive’s experienced and friendly team, and exclusive location provide for the ultimate skydiving adventure.

A skydive makes for the perfect gift, providing family or friends with lifetime memories. PLUS – Bigwave Skydive will beat any price or deal by $20 – for a beachside skydiving experience around Wollongong!

What’s Coming up at Five Barrel Brewing, Wollongong

Five Barrel Brewing is a family-owned and operated brewery right in the heart of Wollongong! Amazing craft beer, awesome live music and incredible food & burgers make this a popular hangout for everyone

Happy Hour Mon-Fri, 3.30pm – 5.30pm
$10 Spicy Chicken Burgers every Thursday
Live Music every Saturday + Soul Sessions on Sundays
Sunday Funday Family Game Day – 2nd Sunday of every month from 12.30pm – 2.30pm with Family Meal Deals & Drinks on offer

See you at the taproom! Open Mon-Sun. Visit the link here to learn more now.

Greenplan Plant Sales – 3rd Friday of the month at Wollongong Botanic Garden

Make your garden greener by picking up some gems from the Botanic Garden’s Plant Sales!

Large range of native ground covers, grasses, trees and shrubs suited to local conditions
Great selection of exotic plants grown by our garden volunteers
All plants are high quality, most propagated at the Botanic Garden Nursery
Great value! As a Council service, the plant prices are subsidised
Expert horticulturalists are on hand to help you select the right plants for your unique garden needs

Monthly plant sales are held on the third Friday of the month from 7.30am to 2.30pm at the Garden’s Nursery – 65 Northfields Avenue in Keiraville. Please note: The nursery entrance is separate to the Garden’s entrance on Murphys Avenue. Learn more here.

Event Dates:

Friday 17 January 2025
Friday 21 February 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
Friday 16 May 2025
Friday 20 June 2025

Ride the Christmas Train at the Illawarra Light Railway Museum, Sunday 8 December!

Ride the Christmas Train and the Mini Elf Express for a great fun filled family experience all in the spirit of Christmas, Sunday 8 December, 10am – 2pm at the Illawarra Light Railway Museum in Albion Park.

Travel into a Christmas Wonderland of Steam Train and Miniature Train Rides for all to enjoy! Catch up with Santa at 11am and 1pm with his friends as part of a wonderful day. Hawaiian theme come dressed in your best outfit! Fun day unlimited train rides large and small. Book now

Bundanon Artists & Makers Market – Saturday 7 December

The inaugural Bundanon Artists and Makers Market will bring together a curated lineup of stallholders sharing a wide range of high quality, handmade products. Held on Sat 7 Dec, 10am – 4pm. They’ve got your gift giving sorted this year. Come together and support our creative community just in time for the festive season! Learn more here.

Carols in MacCabe Park, Wollongong – Thursday 12 December

Enjoy carols, roving entertainment, the Wollcon Christmas Band & amazing youth choirs, festive facepainting, a visit from Santa + more at MacCabe Park Wollongong, Thursday 12 December, 7pm – 8.30pm. Free community event & everyone welcome! Learn more here.

Want more Christmas Carols in Wollongong, Shellharbour & the Illawarra? Find even more local Christmas Carols events now with our Local Xmas Carols Guide here.

Guide to Christmas Day Lunches & Catering – Wollongong, Shellharbour & Illawarra

Looking for the perfect spot to celebrate Christmas Day? Whether you’re after seafood specials, a casual pub or club lunch, restaurants open for a festive feast, or at-home catering for a fuss-free day, we’ve got you covered! Check out our guide here.

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas in Wollongong & the Illawarra

Looking for the perfect presents for your family, friends, neighbors, teachers, or colleagues? We’ve curated a list of the most popular & unique Christmas gifts for everyone on your list. Get our Guide now here.

New Year’s Eve Party at The Lagoon! Tuesday 31 December, 2024

Celebrate the New Year in style at the Lagoon Restaurant with delicious food, delightful drinks, and endless fun.

New Year’s Eve at The Lagoon includes a deluxe 4-course menu and a premium drinks package including spirits. Whether you’re looking to celebrate with loved ones or gather a group of friends, we have everything you need to make this night magical!

Please bo ok online to secure your ticket or alternatively give our restaurant a call on 02 4226 1677.

Celebrate NYE at Steamers Bar & Grill, Tuesday 31 December, 2024

Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2025 at Steamers Bar and Grill, Wollongong’s award-winning restaurant with a great vantage point of the 9 pm fireworks. A la carte menu plus NYE specials available.

Bookings are filling fast! Don’t miss out—secure your spot now for a night of great food, drinks, and ocean vibes. Secure your spot here now.

New Year’s Eve – The Balgownie Hotel, Tuesday 31 December, 2024

Kick off the New Year the right way The Bally! Join in for a good time, live music by Glenn Whitehall & The Getups Band Downstairs and their very own Dj Hollipops upstairs. Watch the Wollongong fireworks from their balcony too! Book here.

Experience the magic of the Illawarra Folk Festival, 17 – 19 January, 2025

Located at Bulli Showground, the Illawarra Folk Festival presents over 100 performers over 3 days, 8 venues, on-site camping and so much more. Enjoy the intimate, vibrant, community & family-friendly atmosphere the festival has become renowned for. Kids U12 are FREE.

As well as performances by some of the best national and international folk acts, the program features the intensive folk school workshops, sessions, dancing, the Youth Folk Traditions awards, instrument makers, poet’s breakfasts, and an array of beautiful international cuisines and craft stalls. Get in quick to secure your Earlybird Tickets on sale now.

MMJ Aquathon, Sunday 26 January, 2025

Illawarra’s favourite summer community fitness event, MMJ Aquathon celebrates edition number 25 on Sunday 26 January 2025 at picturesque Wollongong Harbour. It’s all out fitness across swim-run ‘aquathon’s’ and the popular Blue Mile 5k Fun run. The Aquathon is a swim and then a run with distances for Kids 6-12’s, and options across the Mini, to the Short and Long for ages 13+. Do it solo or tag team-one swims, one runs. Awesome vibe, finisher medals, family fun and a perfect community event.

A proud local event supporting local non for profits and charity partner Black Dog Institute. Don’t miss out entries are now open.

Get Inspired by Wollongong’s Top Sights & Attractions, including FREE things to do Illawarra wide!

Now’s the time to book your memorable South Coast adventure with Jervis Bay Wild!

Jervis Bay Wild offers a range of breathtaking Whale Watching & Dolphin cruise options for you, your family and your friends to enjoy all year-round.

Explore the Wonders of Jervis Bay Marine Park with Jervis Bay Wild! Discover the hidden gems of the South Coast with their Jervis Bay Passage Cruise.

Cruise past the majestic cliffs of Point Perpendicular
Relax in the protected lagoon of Honeymoon Bay
Glide along the whitest sands in the world at iconic Hyams Beach
Watch Bottlenose Dolphins, sea eagles + so much more!

Ready to experience the magic of Jervis Bay? Book your adventure now!

Catch an historic Steam Train Ride at the Illawarra Light Railway Museum, Albion Park

Visitors of all ages can enjoy rides on restored light rail vehicles and learn about the evolution and history of railways in our region at the Illawarra Light Railway Museum in Albion Park Rail.

Ride the steam trains and miniature rail trains whilst getting a fascinating glimpse into the history of our rail transport. The tours are lively and full of history, you’ll get up close and personal with all the trains. The museum features a collection of trams, locomotives, and carriages + you and the kids will LOVE riding the miniature trains. Book online!

The Museum is opened to the public for Steam Train Rides on the Second Sunday of Each Month and On the Forth Saturday of each month for Diesel Train Rides from 10am – 2pm.

With a cafe and BBQ picnic areas to enjoy, make a day of it! Visit now here.

Find The Illawarra’s BEST Beaches here. Wollongong’s coastline is stunning and diverse so we help you find the right beach or the right Wollongong ocean pool and rockpools here

Find our best Illawarra and Wollongong bushwalks, hiking trails and family friendly walks here

Want to bring your dog along for the adventure? Read our Best Illawarra & Wollongong Dog Friendly Walks, Beaches, Parks and Cafes here

Want to find the best Picnic Spots locally? Read our Wollongong & Illawarra Picnic Guide here!

Visit our sister site Parents Guide Illawarra for What to do with Kids & Families in Wollongong here

If it’s School Holidays We list all the Kids Fun, Activities, Workshops & Camps Illawarra wide here

Whether local or tourist, Wollongong’s Seacliff Bridge is a MUST DO! Click to discover best ways to enjoy the STUNNING Seacliff Bridge Guide here

Seacliff Bridge Wollongong – a must do!

Eating & Drinking Guide to Wollongong & Illawarra – with What’s On in Wollongong

Want Cheap Eats in Wollongong & Illawarra – read our best dining deals here.

Want Romantic Restaurants in Wollongong? Read our Top Illawarra Picks here

Love a Happy Hour Deal? Find Best happy Hours Wollongong wide and in your Illawarra suburb here

Discover Wollongong Best Breweries & Illawarra Distilleries here

As a team of fun loving, grateful locals, we hope our What’s on in Wollongong team have helped you navigate and discover the best events and things to do in and around Wollongong & the Illawarra!

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These lands, waters and skies are a true paradise, and a gift to experience. We offer deep respect and gratitude to the traditional custodians, the Dharawal nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respect to elders past and present.