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

    Live Music Festivals Wollongong Illawarra

    Oh, you’re on the hunt for the ultimate festival experience in Wollongong, Shoalhaven and the Illawarra? Well, look no further, baby! We’ve rounded up the most vibrant and diverse festivals on the South Coast. From music parties that move your body, to folk gatherings that soothe the soul. From celebrations of Art and Culture to heavenly Food, Beer & Wine extravaganzas. Wollongong’s best festivals are a fusion of creativity and community.

    The South Coast 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

    Shellharbour Rocks – Albion Park, Shellharbour Village, Oak Flats & Lake Illawarra – Saturday, 22 June 2024

    Shellharbour puts all its heart into this celebration of four unique town centres with its annual music and arts festival series. This free, family-friendly festival is the largest community music and arts festival series Shellharbour City Council has ever produced. And it’s wonderfully weird too, with lots of street theatre, sideshows, circus acts and lots of colourful surprises!

    This year they’re going all out, bringing 120 homegrown music acts, as well as local artists, creators, performers, and plenty of delicious food across four distinct events.

    Check out their pages for more info here

    Chill Fest 2024, Koshigaya Park Campbelltown, 6 – 21 July

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

    Experience EPIC Winter Fun & Ice Skating these school holidays at Chill Fest – Campbelltown’s Winter Festival at Koshigaya Park, Campbelltown!

    Outdoor Ice Skating, Amusement Rides, Entertainers & more – definitely worth the drive! Starting Saturday 6 July and open 12pm – late every day of the School Holidays until July 21. Entertainment Schedule, Info and Ticketing via the link here

    Kite Flying Festival – Stuart Park, Wollongong – Sunday, 7 July 2024

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

    Wollongong is set to host its annual Kite Flying Festival next month, always a hit with the young and old alike, and with the registration fees reimbursed with a kite purchase. Not just for kite flying enthusiasts, this event has music, rides, food stalls and more. Come out for the day and participate or come and watch all the kite-flying magic this day presents.

    South Coast Readers & Writers Festival, 13-14 July 2024

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

    Join Thirroul over the weekend of 13-14 July for the 2024 South Coast Readers and Writers Festival!

    With a festival line-up featuring more than 40 stellar award-winning authors, talented new voices, acclaimed poets, broadcasters and thinkers across 22 sessions, the South Coast Readers and Writers Festival promises a weekend filled with captivating stories, thought-provoking discussions, and inspiring conversations. Secure your tickets now here.

    Kiama Winter Street Festival – 13-14 July, 2024

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

    Step into a Winter Wonderland this July at the Kiama Winter Street Festival! This Winter school holidays, the town will come alive with a vibrant two-day program filled with art, music, dance, and captivating new performances, illuminations, and workshops. Join the celebration in the heart of Kiama!

    Pedestrians and party-goers are welcome to revel in the festival atmosphere, enjoying open street dining from local cafes and restaurants. Festival highlights including engaging street performances, live mural art, interactive workshops, diverse dance performances, live music, enchanting light installations, fun kids activities, on-street dining experiences and late-night shopping. Don’t miss this magical event that promises something for everyone!

    The Berry Camellia and Floral Show – Berry School of Arts – 27-28 July 2024

    The annual Camellia and Floral Show in Berry is a celebration of winter blooms that will fill your senses with beauty! Held in the elegant 19th-century School of Arts building on Alexander Street, the show brings the best of the best in a raucous display of all varieties of cut flowers, not only Camellias! Along with private judging, fresh flowers will be on sale at the show.

    The show runs from noon on Saturday until 4 pm with a presentation of trophies at 12.30 pm, and on Sunday from 10 am – 2 pm. A gorgeous way to bring colour into a winter day!

    Admission is $5 for adults.  Children under 18 are admitted free. 
    Light lunch and afternoon tea are available at the show, (or you are spoiled for cafes in Berry village.)

    Head to their page here

    RunNation Film Festival – Gala Twin Cinema, Wollongong – 22 August, 2024

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

    Wollongong Gala Twin Cinema is hosting the RunNation Film Festival in August. 2024 is the tenth year of this festival. Film submissions come in from all over Australia and across the world. This event is “not just about running, it’s about the human spirit, using running as a storytelling medium.”

    Sydney Comedy Festival – IPAC Wollongong – Saturday, 24 August 2024

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

    Get set to have a great night of side-splitting laughter when this tour comes to town. Merrigong Theatre Company presents the Sydney Comedy Festival showcase for 2024. Held at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre in Wollongong, we get to enjoy all the laughs and fun of this annual comedy event.

    Ride Wollongong Festival of Cycling – Lang Park, Wollongong – 7-8 September 2024

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

    Wollongong’s annual Festival of Cycling is on again this September, 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.

    Folk by the Sea – Kiama – 20 – 22 September, 2024

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

    Folk by the Sea is an intimate folk festival style event featuring the sounds of folk, world, roots, Celtic and bluegrass music in the picturesque seaside town of Kiama, famous for its blowhole.

    The event will be with ticket only entry and will feature around 44 folk music artists from around Australia in 8 venues at the Kiama Showground Pavillion and surrounds.

    Beer, Food & Wine Festival – Towradgi Beach Hotel – Sunday, 22 September 2024

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

    Towradgi Beach Hotel and i98FM present the Illawarra’s Beer, Food & Wine Festival in September from 11-5 pm. Celebrating local and international quality producers, and with kids’ activities, live entertainment, guest speakers, and prizes to win, it’s set to be an awesome day out. Free entry.

    Yoga Festival – Stuart Park, Wollongong – 12 October

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

    At the Wollongong Yoga Festival, you are invited into an inspirational world of heart-opening meditation, yoga, mantras, and music. Meet with like-minded people and encourage each other in your growth journey as you learn new skills and connect at this all-welcoming and encouraging event.

    Yours & Owls Festival – UOW – 14 & 15 October 2024

    Absolute party. The crowd gives love at Yours & Owls Festival in Wollongong

    The big daddy of premium music festivals! Yours & Owls Festival is (in my opinion) the highlight of the Wollongong festival calendar. Last year a venue move to the University of Wollongong campus was an all-weather solution that worked out so well.  Yours & Owls Festival features multiple stages, food and market stalls, branded activations, and art installations, with pre and post-festival community events. Their lineups are hot stuff, with a mix of freshness and iconic Aussie and International acts to please everyone. It’s an 18+ event, and the demographic is skewed to the younger persuasion. Lots and lots of fun and dancing!

    Check out their site for updates as they’re released here

    KISS Arts Festival – Black Beach, Kiama and surrounds – 25-27 October 2024

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

    The KISS stands for ‘Kiama International Sea Side’ Arts Festival – a big, silly, funny celebration of spectacle and performance. Decidedly ‘fringe’ – this fun weekend festival is full of music, street performances and interactive experiences. They’re always experimental, welcoming local and international talent in a program that is bursting at the seams. (Seriously, there is a hula hoop or a magician or comedian on every corner!) The kids absolutely love it and the days are full of laughter. The KISS Arts Festival is super inclusive and folks from all walks of life come down to Black Beach to enjoy the silliness and mayhem. Best of all? This event is free for all ages!

    Check out their story here

    Craft Beer Market Festival – Bulli Showground – October 2024 (DATE TBA)

    Good beer and hilarious jokes? Sign me up for a day at the Craft Beer Market Fest in Bulli

    Are you a craft beer enthusiast — or maybe just up for a fun day out with mates? The Craft Beer Market Festival at Bulli Showground might be just up your alley. Think Spring weather, smiling vibes and all things beer, baby.  This little festival is a celebration of all things craft beer, from the artistry and technical skill of brewing to the appreciation of flavour profiles. Whether you’re a bit of a beer connoisseur or just curious about the craft beer scene, this event has been a hit the last two years and promises to be a real good time.

    Junior Music Festival – Wollongong Conservatorium of Music – 10 November 2024

    Wollongong Conservatorium of Music is holding the 2024 Junior Music Festival on 10 November. Offering young performers a chance to showcase their skills and perform in a friendly, relaxed setting. This is a wonderful opportunity to come along and support some local young talent, or maybe your child would like to perform. The Junior Music Festival gives young people the opportunity to shine.

    Get Together Music Festival – Wombarra Bowling Club – March 2025 (Dates TBA)

    The Get Together Music Festival is back for another year at the iconic Wombarra Bowling Club.  Once again they’ve really brought their A-game with their line-up. Expect to see a cool mix of reggae, blues, rock, soul, folk, electro-Latin, Afro-Colombian roots, funk, hip-hop, dancehall and singer-songwriters playing across three stages from Friday through to Sunday night. 

    Don’t miss this unique celebration of culture and community at what is set to be the Coal Coast’s biggest party of the year! Punters are always a big variety of ages, and everyone wears their dancing shoes!

    Keep an eye on their socials for date confirmation: here

    Port Kembla Festival – Wentworth Street, PK – April 2025 (Date TBA)

    Port has its own special vibe, and the best way to soak it up is at the festival of light and sound. Like a cool mini Vivid — the Port Kembla festival is as eclectic and grassroots as PK itself.

    This free-entry event is hosted across multiple venues — including live music venues, alleyways, gardens and even the vintage motorcycle store. This year will feature more than 20 artists from around Australia, immersive art experiences, markets, exhibitions and, of course, light installations that bathe in the streets in colour. The festival is designed to encourage exploration of Port, and having lived there I can confidently say, this steel town has plenty of adventure to offer.

    Keep an eye on their socials for updates here

    Click here for more What’s on in Wollongong Illawarra, Wollongong & South Coast NSW festival and event inspo

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