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!

School Holiday events have LIFT OFF! What’s on for Kids this Summer

We’ve found the best Wollongong, Shellharbour and Illawarra School Holiday programs, events, activities & low-cost kids holiday FUN. The school holidays are fast approaching, but don’t worry there are plenty of fun things to do with kids. Read here for the best What’s on for Kids School Holiday Guide.

Need more Illawarra School Holiday Activity inspiration – we have even more school holiday ideas at Parents Guide Illawarra 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.

The last week of school holidays calls for a final hurrah at Treetops Adventure Nowra – with 20% off!

Looking for a thrilling summer experience? Take on varying skill levels of ziplines, treetop rope courses, and unforgettable adventures at Treetops Adventure Nowra!

But hurry – this exclusive 20% off deal is only valid for bookings made before 27 January 2025 for visits between 23- 31 January 2025. Perfect for a long weekend day out or a last hurrah before the school holidays end! Challenge yourself, bring your friends or partner, and make memories soaring through the trees.

Book now and secure your spots – use code SUMMERFUN at checkout.

What’s on 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 l ages.

What’s on this week and beyond at Five Barrel Brewing:

NEW Summer Offer: $20 Pints & Prawns every Thu – Sun all day.
NEW Trivia Night with awesome prizes: 2nd Thursday of every month
Happy Hour Mon-Fri, 3.30pm – 5.30pm
$10 Spicy Chicken Burgers every Thursday
Live Music every Saturday + Soul Sessions on Sundays

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

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

Basketball fever is in the air, and Sage Hotel Wollongong is at the heart of it all with their awesome Illawarra Hawks Pre-Game Tailgate Parties!

Join Sage Hotel for the ultimate tailgate experience & get ready to cheer on the Hawks at the WIN Entertainment Centre!

Live music, Food trucks + Outdoor bar- All located outside the main entrance of the hotel- Pre-game festivities kick off 2 hours before tip-off.

Remaining Home Games: Sat 18 Jan vs. Melbourne United & Fri 7 Feb vs. Sydney Kings

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.

Get 2 Weeks FREE Training – Xtreme B-Force Martial Arts now enrolling for 2025

Start 2025 strong with a new challenge at Xtreme B Force Martial Arts! Whether you’re a preschooler (4+), a primary schooler, high school student, or adult—this is your chance to level up your skills, confidence, and fitness with 2 WEEKS FREE of training. Offer ends: February 8th!

Preschoolers (4+): Build confidence, coordination, and focus from an early age!
Primary & High School: Learn discipline, self-defense, and leadership while staying active and focused!
Adults: Get in shape, relieve stress, and master martial arts techniques that last a lifetime!
Free Trial also available.

Don’t miss out—this offer is available for a limited time only. Sign up today and get started on your martial arts journey.

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.

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!

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

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

Bring your garden to life with high-quality plants & expert advice! Held on the 3rd Friday of each month (except Dec), these sales are the perfect opportunity to grow your green thumb.
Wide range of native ground covers, grasses, trees, shrubs + stunning exotic plants.
All plants sold at subsidised prices.
Chat with expert horticulturists to find the perfect fit for your garden.
Plant Sales kick off 2025 from Friday 17 January 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.

City Skate: The Roller Remix, 18 – 22 January

Join us in Crown Street Mall for a free roller-skating experience at City Skate: The Roller Remix! From 18 – 22 January, you can glide, spin, and have a blast with family and friends on an open-air roller rink.

Skate to the rhythm of 70’s tunes and enjoy the awesome vibes summer. Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate skater, this rink is designed to offer a fun and safe space for all skill levels. Learn more here.

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.