Festival Events in Wollongong / Illawarra. Best Music, Arts & Culture, Food & Wine Festivals / South Coast NSW
On the hunt for the ultimate festivals in Wollongong, Shoalhaven and the Illawarra? Well, look no further, baby! What’s on in Wollongong has rounded up the most vibrant and diverse festivals on the South Coast of NSW. From music parties that move your body, to folk gatherings that soothe the soul. From celebrations of Art and Culture, Sport to heavenly Food, Beer & Wine extravaganzas. Wollongong’s best festivals are a fusion of creativity and community.
The South Coast of NSW region is a festival paradise, and something wonderful is happening all year round. Read on as we line up Wollongong and Illawarra’s most unmissable festival events!
You may also like to check out what awesome & mouthwatering markets are coming up in the Wollongong, Illawarra and South Coast here
New Exhibition Alert // Greetings from Wollongong – Wollongong Art Gallery
A bold new exhibition celebrating our city’s unique blend of working-class roots & activist spirit to its creative flair. Wollongong has always been more than just steel and surf – it’s a powerhouse of visual culture & social change.
Dive into iconic works by Redback Graphix, explore the films of Mary Callaghan & discover powerful new perspectives through fashion, art, music + more!
Running now until end of August, the exhibition is free to the public offering music, dance, talks & workshops. Loud, proud & uncompromising. Don’t miss it. Learn more here.
Main Photo: As part of exhibition Greetings from Wollongong, they’re thrilled to unveil a special collaboration with @wah_wah_australia – a custom knit jumper that pays tribute to the legacy of filmmaker Mary Callaghan (1955-2016) and the radical design spirit of Redback Graphix, co-founded by Mary’s brother Michael Callaghan.
Creative Dialogues, Saturday 21 June, Port Kembla
Creative Dialogues is back for 2025 – a 1-day creative explosion of art, ideas & music on Saturday 21 June in Port Kembla.
- FREE workshops, panels, installations
- Live music curated by Holy Pavlova
- Across iconic venues: The Servo, NASA Gallery, Red Point Arts & The Bank Space
- 10AM–5PM: Creative workshops, panels & art play
- 5PM–10PM: Live music takeover
- Perfect for artists, performers, creative entrepreneurs & culture lovers. Spark ideas. Connect minds. Celebrate creativity.
- Full program & details here
Eats & Beats Winter Night Market! Saturday 5 July | 4–8PM | Tongarra Road, Albion Park
Looking for a great activity the whole family will love? An unforgettable winter night is coming to town! Eats & Beats is coming to Albion Park on Saturday 5 July from 4–8pm! Tongarra Road will be buzzing with street food, live music, an outdoor cinema, silent disco, roving performers, glowing fairy floss, and heaps of free family fun. It’s the ultimate night out — vibrant, delicious, and perfect for all ages. Proudly brought to you by Shellharbour City Council.
Wollongong Comedy 2025 LINEUP IS STACKED!
From razor-sharp satire to comedy royalty, there’s a show for everyone +catch Wil Anderson in Wollongong! All shows at The Builders Club, Wollongong.
- Sat 14 June – June Comedy Showcase
- Fri 4 July – Geraldine Hickey: Meander. Multi-award-winning brilliance from one of Australia’s best.
- Thurs 10 July – Teacher Comedy Night. With Daniel Delby – Ex-teacher, full-time legend.
- Fri 25 & Sat 26 July – Wil Anderson: Whatchu Talkin’ ‘Bout Wil?. Completely improvised. One of the fastest comedy minds in the game.
- Thurs 9 Oct – Ben Knight: The Parent/Teacher Interview. Hilarious. Honest. Unfiltered.
New Exhibtion/Opening Weekend at Bundanon, 28 – 29 June: Betty Kuntiwa Pumani: maḻatja-maḻatja (those who come after) & David Sequeira: The Shape of Music.
Bundanon is proud to present its upcoming Season Exhibition, running from 28 June to 5 October 2025, featuring two powerful exhibitions that showcase leading voices in contemporary Australian art: Betty Kuntiwa Pumani: maḻatja-maḻatja (those who come after) and David Sequeira: The Shape of Music.
Pumani’s inaugural museum survey highlights key works from public and private collections, while Sequeira’s exhibition brings together four major bodies of work, including a new commission created especially for Bundanon. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience two distinct yet resonant artistic visions. Opening Weekend: 28–29 June. Learn more here.
South Coast Readers & Writer’s Festival, 5 – 6 July
Where voices connect & stories come alive! Join in for a weekend of words, ideas & inspiration with literary legends & rising stars. Expect bold conversations on speculative futures, climate grief, lost histories, womanhood, language, politics, poetry & beyond. Early Bird tickets on sale now.
(Not So) Blue Light Disco – Bundanon, Saturday 26 July
Get ready to hit the dance floor at Bundanon for a 90s disco spectacular like no other! Join us for a colour block party that’s part disco, part performance, and 100% fun. Expect an epic live DJ set, playful live art, prizes for best dressed and fiercest footwork, plus a pop-up bar, fire pits, and decade-defining dance moves.
Curated by the fabulous Aunty Jonny Hawkins, the night stars a lineup of bold performers including Glenn Twenty (Duncan Fellows), Cheryn Frost, and more surprises to come. Bundanon is located along the stunning Shoalhave River and only 1 hour from Wollongong.
🟦 Dress code: Head-to-toe colour block with your fave 90s flair
🎟️ Book your tickets now – don’t miss this unforgettable art party!
WIN Entertainment Centre & WIN Stadium
Want to see the international, biggest music acts and community festivals live in Wollongong? Cold Chisel, Roxette, The Script and many more? You can! No schlep to Sydney required. Check the upcoming bands and stars coming to WIN here.
+ WIN Stadium (right next door) is home to the St George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League – and also hosts a bevvy of live entertainment, events + more across the year here.
Ride Wollongong Festival of Cycling – Lang Park, Wollongong – 17 – 18 May, 2025
Wollongong’s annual Ride Wollongong, Festival of Cycling has been re-scheduled to Sunday 18th May 2025, with a great lineup of events to join in with or watch. Some of the events include community rides, road races, all-abilities rides, and BMX events. There’s so much on, too much to mention, so check out their events page on the link above.
Click here for more What’s on in Wollongong Illawarra, Wollongong & South Coast NSW festival and event inspo
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