Add a listing
    Add a listing

    Festival Events in Wollongong / Illawarra. Best Music, Arts & Culture, Food & Wine Festivals / South Coast NSW

    Live Music Festivals Wollongong Illawarra

    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

    Oktoberfest events across Wollongong & the Illawarra! September & October

    Oktoberfest celebrations are returning to Wollongong and the Illawarra, bringing the spirit of Bavaria to the South Coast! From traditional German food and steins of beer to live music, games, and plenty of festive fun, there are events and gatherings across the region for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re after a lively party atmosphere, a family-friendly day out, or just a chance to sample seasonal brews, Oktoberfest in the Illawarra is the perfect way to welcome spring with good food, good music, and great company. Prost! Plan your Oktoberfest celebrations here.

    Woodfest Workshop & Market, Saturday 18 October – Sunday 19 October

    Get ready for a weekend of creativity, community, and hands-on fun at Woodfest 2025, happening Saturday 18 – Sunday 19 October at Bulli Showground.

    With more than 15 workshops for all ages and skill levels, you can try everything from spoon carving, basketry, wreath making, and woodturning to pyrography, Kumiko joinery, and Aboriginal cultural workshops with spear, boomerang, and clap stick making. Kids can join special whittling and carving sessions, while adults can dive into traditional crafts or advanced projects like carving a Kuksa cup.

    Alongside the workshops, enjoy live music, gourmet food, barista coffee, market stalls, and local exhibitors. Proudly part of Sydney Craft Week, Woodfest is the perfect place to discover new skills, celebrate craftsmanship, and connect with the creative community. Entry by gold coin donation – but workshop spots are limited, so book early to secure yours!

    Reggae Music In The Evening Keeps Your Soul Tight FESTIVAL, Saturday 25 October – Seeker Brewing

    Seeker Brewing is bringing the good vibes with a special mini festival inspired by Katchafire’s words, “Reggae music in the evening keeps your soul tight.” The night will feature three incredible acts: V-Tribe, delivering an electrifying mix of Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae, Country, and Soul; Herb Majesty, laying down deep roots grooves in a dub excursion fresh from working with Jamaican Dub Master Scientist; and Javier & The Wave, spreading positive vibrations with rhythms of love, unity, and cultural roots.

    To mark the occasion, Seeker Brewing will also release a limited herbaceous beer infused with dank hemp-hop flavors—crafted especially for the celebration. Tickets are on sale now, so don’t miss out!

    Eats & Beats, Albion Park, Saturday 1 November

    Albion Park is set to come alive on Saturday 1 November 2025 as the Eats and Beats Street Series transforms Tongarra Road into a vibrant hub of colour, flavour, and entertainment. From 5pm to 9pm, the street will be buzzing with sizzling food trucks, glowing dance floors, movies under the stars, and plenty of family-friendly games and activities.

    Hosted by Shellharbour City Council, this free event promises an unforgettable evening of music, food, and fun for all ages. Don’t miss the chance to experience Albion Park like never before!

    MS Gong Ride 2025 – Sunday 2 November

    Australia’s most epic charity cycling event, the MS Gong Ride, will take place on Sunday, 2 November 2025, in Wollongong. Since 1981, tens of thousands of cyclists have taken part in this iconic ride, raising vital funds to support more than 33,300 Australians living with multiple sclerosis.

    Riders will enjoy a scenic journey through the Royal National Park, breathtaking ocean views from Stanwell Tops, and the stunning Sea Cliff Bridge, before crossing the finish line surrounded by surf, sun, and sand. Whether riding solo or as part of a team, participants can experience a fun, safe, and well-supported event while making a real difference for people living with MS. Learn more/register now here.

    Melbourne Cup 2025 Events across Wollongong, Illawarra & Shoalhaven

    Famously known as the race that stops the nation, the Melbourne Cup or Cup Day (Tuesday 4 November, 2025) is almost upon us and Wollongong’s finest establishments, restaurants and functions centres are not holding back. Find the best Melbourne Cup event packages and race day experiences Illawarra-wide. Frock up, gather your friends and treat yourself to a day of splendour and fun!

    Wollongong Makers Market, Saturday 8 November – Sunday 9 November

    The Wollongong Makers Market returns for 2025 on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November, from 9am to 3pm! Save the date now to make sure you don’t miss the Illawarra’s best handmade shopping experience, perfectly timed to help you find one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts.

    Held at the UOW Innovation Campus in North Wollongong, this free-entry, biannual artisan market celebrates high-quality handmade creations—from painters and authors to jewellers, ceramicists, and printmakers. Enjoy over 100 stalls across two levels, live jazz, and delicious food, all in a relaxed, scenic setting opposite Puckeys Beach. With free parking, nearby cycleways, and a welcoming community vibe, it’s the perfect weekend outing. Don’t miss this standout event for local creativity and talent!

    The Gong Raceday, Saturday 22 November, Kembla Grange Racecourse

    Get ready for the thrill of the Spring Carnival at The Illawarra Turf Club’s premier race meeting – The Gong! Held every November, this spectacular event combines elite racing with premium hospitality, live music, and a buzzing coastal atmosphere. Off the track, enjoy all-day entertainment on the Public Lawn, a DJ to keep the celebrations going after the last race, and free buses to get you home safely.

    Dress to impress and enter Fashions On The Field for your chance to win fantastic prizes. As the finale of the NSW Spring Carnival, The Gong is a metropolitan standalone meeting that draws Australia’s top horses and jockeys – and it’s fast become one of the region’s must-attend social events. Don’t miss out – get your tickets now.

    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

    After more events and businesses near you? Never suffer FOMO again with our Weekly Newsletter sent straight to your inbox! Sign up HERE

    You might also like:

    Explore