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    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

    Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup 2026 – WIN Entertainment Centre, 30 Oct – 13 Nov

    Get ready for world-class sporting action as the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup 2026 comes to Wollongong! Catch some of the world’s best athletes battling it out in this fast-paced, action-packed international tournament at WIN Entertainment Centre from 30 October to 13 November 2026! Featuring eight nations and 20 thrilling matches, including the World Cup Final, it’s an incredible opportunity to experience elite wheelchair rugby league right here in the Illawarra! Explore the fixtures and secure your tickets here!

    A New NBL Season is Here – Get Behind the Illawarra Hawks!

    Looking for an awesome thing to do in Wollongong? Catch the Illawarra Hawks live at WIN Entertainment Centre! A Hawks home game at the WIN Entertainment Centre brings together fast-paced NBL basketball, big-game atmosphere and live entertainment for an exciting outing with family or friends. Cheer on Wollongong’s home team, experience the action courtside and make a night of it in the heart of the city. With home games throughout the NBL27 season, + community events, basketball clinics and kids’ programs, there are plenty of ways to get involved with the Hawks – explore flexible 3-game & 5-game memberships, group bookings + more.

    Ultimate Christmas Guide to Wollongong, Shellharbour & the Illawarra is HERE!

    Discover everything you need for a fabulous festive season, all in one place! From Christmas events, carols & FREE family fun to the best local gift ideas, Christmas party venues, festive raffles, Christmas Day lunches & catering – we’ve got your Christmas planning sorted! Explore our Illawarra Christmas Guides & start planning now!

    Plus – Check out our Family Christmas Guide: Christmas Markets, Lights, Carols, Meet Santa & Kids Gift Ideas in Illawarra over at our sister site, Parents Guide Illawarra, here.

    Switch Disco at Scorpio Bar, Saturday 5 December

    International DJ Sensation Switch Disco LIVE at Scorpio Wollongong! Get ready for an epic night of dance anthems on Saturday 5 December as platinum-selling, BRIT-nominated DJ duo Switch Disco hit Wollongong! With over 500 million streams, viral hits & collaborations with ALOK, Sam Feldt & Ella Henderson, these international dance music stars know how to bring the party! Book your table for dinner here & get ready to hit the dance floor!

    Celebrate the start of Christmas at Wollongong Central – Santa Parade, Santa Photos, Christmas Shopping + MORE!

    FREE Christmas Fun at Wollongong Central! Bring the kids along for Santa’s Arrival Parade on Sunday 8 November, 10am–11:30am, and kick off the festive season with magical family fun! Plus, enjoy Santa photos from 8 November, festive photo opportunities, Christmas shopping, gift wrapping + the Giving Tree Appeal. There’s plenty of Christmas magic coming to Wollongong Central! Discover all the festive fun here at Wollongong Central.

    Dapto Mall – Santa’s Arrival, Santa Photos & Christmas Events

    Christmas Magic is Coming to Dapto Mall! Santa, The Grinch + Festive Family Fun! Get ready for a magical Christmas season at Dapto Mall, kicking off with Santa’s FREE Arrival Parade on Saturday 14 November, featuring favourite characters, live entertainment, face painting + balloon sculptures! Then, don’t miss the FREE Grinch Meet & Greet on Sunday 15 November for some mischievous Christmas fun. Plus, make lasting memories with Santa Photos at Dapto Mall, including Sensitive Santa sessions, Pet Photos, special discounts + your chance to WIN a $10,000 family holiday!

    Reminisce 80’s & 90’s – Scorpio Bar – Friday 11 December

    Retro is BACK, Baby! FREE Old-School Party Night at Scorpio Bar! Get ready to dance the night away on Friday 11 December as Wollongong’s favourite old-school DJs, Stan Tha Man & Claude, hit the decks for one last epic party before the year ends! Bring your friends, dust off your dancing shoes & relive the best retro beats. FREE entry all night! Book your table for dinner here & make a night of it

    Santa Fest 2026 – North Gong Hotel, Saturday 12 December

    Santafest 2026 at North Gong Hotel – Festive Family Fun, Live Music & Christmas Celebrations! Get ready for a huge day of Christmas fun on Saturday 12 December, all supporting Surf Life Saving Illawarra! Bring the family from 12pm–4pm for Santa photos, a Christmas Tree Decorating Race and live music from Dave White and Gang of Brothers. Then, from 4pm, the celebrations continue with live music from A Shuffle and an 18+ Santa Pageant with $1,000 cash up for grabs! Gather your friends and family for a festive day out while supporting a great local cause. Grab your Santafest tickets here.

    NYE at North Gong Hotel ft. Will Sparks

    New Year’s Eve at North Gong Hotel – Featuring WILL SPARKS! Get ready for one of Wollongong’s biggest NYE parties as North Gong transforms its beer garden into an epic outdoor dance party! Ring in 2027 with international electronic music star Will Sparks, bringing an hour of high-energy techno and rave beats, alongside Jessi Lowkey, Ember and Jaida Rose, who’ll keep the party pumping through the midnight countdown and beyond! Gather your crew, get your dancing shoes ready and grab your NYE tickets here before they sell out!

    The HONK! Oz Street Music Festival, 7 – 9 January 2027

    Get ready for a colourful explosion of music, dance and street entertainment as the FREE HONK! Oz Street Music Festival returns to Wollongong on Saturday 9 January 2027! Wollongong’s city centre will come alive with local, national and international street bands, infectious rhythms, world music, circus performers, dancing and vibrant costumes. Bring the family, soak up the atmosphere and even join the fun with your own instrument in the HOOT pickup band! The festivities kick off early with performances at Eat Street Markets on Thursday 7 January and The Servo in Port Kembla on Friday 8 January. Completely FREE and a brilliant summer event for all ages!

    Australia Day Breakfast by the Lake, Tuesday 26 January

    Celebrate Australia Day, Tuesday 26 January 2027, at beautiful Reddall Reserve, Lake Illawarra! Bring your picnic rug + the family for a morning of delicious BBQ brekkie, live music, market stalls + FREE family entertainment by the water. Running 8am–12pm, it’s the perfect way to kick off Australia Day with family + friends! Plan your day out here!

    MMJ Wollongong Aquathon, Tuesday 26 January, 2027

    Illawarra’s favourite summer community fitness event, the MMJ Wollongong Aquathon, is back on Tuesday 26 January 2027 at beautiful Wollongong Harbour! Now in its 25th+ year, this much-loved event brings together swim-run Aquathons for kids aged 6–13 and adults, solo and tag-team options, plus the popular Blue Mile 5K Fun Run. Expect a brilliant community atmosphere, finisher medals, family fun and plenty of fitness by the harbour, all while supporting local not-for-profits and charity partner the Black Dog Institute. 2027 entries open October 2026 here!

    Sculpture in the Garden, Wollongong Botanic Garden, 20 March – 28 April, 2027

    Explore 18 stunning sculptures by Australian artists set amongst the beautiful surrounds of Wollongong Botanic Garden. This much-loved biennial outdoor art exhibition is a fantastic family-friendly outing, with FREE artist tours, talks, creative workshops and children’s activities to enjoy. Wander through the gardens, discover the stories behind each artwork and revisit past winning sculptures displayed throughout the grounds. Discover Sculpture in the Garden 2027, including events, workshops and exhibition details here!

    Wings Over Shellharbour, 22 – 23 May 2027

    Wings Over Shellharbour Returns 22–23 May 2027 – EARLY BIRD Tickets ON SALE NOW! Get ready for an unforgettable family weekend at Shellharbour Airport, featuring spectacular aerial displays, thrilling aerobatics, historic warbirds and incredible aircraft up close! Plus, there’s loads of fun on the ground with carnival rides, jumping castles, face painting, food trucks, markets, live entertainment and more! Families can grab an unlimited Kids Zone rides pass for just $22.95, while Early Bird tickets offer savings of up to $40 per ticket until 31 January 2027. Don’t miss one of the Illawarra’s biggest family events! Grab your discounted tickets here!

    Run Havoc Wollongong Running Festival, Sunday 6 June, 2027

    The Run Havoc Wollongong Running Festival is back Sunday 6 June 2027, bringing runners of all ages and abilities together along Wollongong’s spectacular coastline. Choose from the Half Marathon, 10km, 5km Fun Run or Kids 2km Fun Run, with options for serious runners, beginners and families wanting to join the fun. All finishers receive a themed medal, post-race snacks, sponsor giveaways and an online finisher certificate, with Half Marathon and 10km runners also receiving a premium event tee. 2027 registrations are open now, with entry prices increasing closer to race day.

    Friday & Saturday Night LIVE Music is kicking off at Centro CBD Wollongong

    Friday and Saturday nights at Centro CBD are set to be something special in 2026, with up-close, intimate concerts taking over the Sorrento Room in the heart of Wollongong. Expect an exciting lineup of iconic tribute shows and live performances in a venue where every seat feels close to the action, plus the option to pair your night out with a Dinner & Show package featuring Centro’s much-loved Italian cuisine. New shows have just been added and tickets are selling fast, so lock in your seats early and get ready for unforgettable nights of live music at Centro CBD.

    Wollongong Comedy Events in 2026!

    Bringing big laughs to the region since 2006, Wollongong Comedy is the Illawarra’s longest-running comedy club, showcasing the best of Australian stand-up and rising local talent at The Builders Club, Wollongong. Known for professional shows, open mic nights, and unforgettable entertainment, it’s the perfect destination for a night out full of laughs and fun. Get all the upcoming comedy events coming to the Wollongong stage now here.

    Live Music Events at Dicey Riley’s Hotel

    If you’re chasing live music in Wollongong, it doesn’t get more iconic than Dicey Riley’s Hotel – Wollongong’s only Irish pub and a true cornerstone of the local music scene. Pull up a stool at the bar, order a proper pint & settle in

    • 𝓕𝓻𝓲𝓭𝓪𝔂: Live music rock cover bands from 9pm. Free Entry.
    • 𝓢𝓪𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓭𝓪𝔂: Dicey’s Saturdays with rock, punk, hip hop, country and alternative gigs presented by Yours & Owls from 9pm. Free entry.
    • 𝓢𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓪𝔂: Rock over bands from 3pmFree Entry. Free pool & darts from 5pm & pool comp at 7pm. Last Drinks DJ from 9pm til late.
    • Late-night pizza from 10pm til close all weekend long!

    Gather your crew now!

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

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