Summer School Holidays in Wollongong

School holidays in Wollongong are always a special time and these Summer school holidays are no exception.
This is our pick of the top activities and events happening in and around Wollongong.
Disclaimer: Event details may change and/or are subject to weather conditions. Please confirm details with individual event holders prior to attendance.

Fun-damentals – Sports and Movementfun-damentals-school-holidays

When: 19 Dec – 24 Dec and 2 Jan – 27 Jan
Where: Lindsay Park Primary School
Always popular during the school holidays, the Fun-damentals Summer School Holiday Program offers affordable fun for primary school aged children.
Held at Lindsay Park Primary School in Wollongong, the focus is on developing fundamental movement skills in a fun and exciting environment.
Activities include laser tag, cricket, soccer, tennis, basketball, netball, gymnastics, Lego, dominos, life-size Jenga, dance classes with Taylor, talent competitions, plays and performances and so much more.
1st child $50 – discounts for siblings (CCR and CCB available). Iif you pay taxes you are eligible for the CCR which means you only pay half the advertised fee.
Open 19 Dec – 24 Dec and 2 Jan – 27 Jan from 8.00am – 6.00pm daily (in all weather conditions).
BOOKINGS: For more information and bookings contact Daniel Morris on 0423 661 911 or email [email protected]
Visit fun-damentals.com.au 

Burgh’s Summer Campburghs-summer-camp

When: 16 – 20 January
Where: Burgh, Helensburgh
CIRCUS, CLIMBING and PARKOUR workshops are preparing to take over the Burgh these Summer School Holidays.
It’s all about adventure, with the core activities set up outdoors in a week full of exciting workshops, giving the kids the chance to learn amazing new skills.
Workshops include outdoor parkour, acrobatics, outdoor aerials, unicycling, stilt-walking, tree climbing, slacklining and abseiling.
Suitable for children aged 6 – 14 years. Full days 10.00am – 3.00pm or half days 10.00am – 1.00pm.
Full week: $285.00 | Per day: $60.00 | Half day options available (10.00am – 1.00pm): $40.00 | Lunch option: $5.00 per day
Special Offer: Mention this ad when booking Burgh’s Summer Camp and receive a free child’s lunch for each day booked.
Visit burgh.com.au

Early Start Discovery Spacediscovery-space-school-hols

When: 3 – 29 January
Where: Building 21, University of Wollongong
Escape the heat and celebrate the best of summer at the Discovery Space from Tuesday 3 January until Sunday 29 January 2017 (closed Mondays and Australia Day).
Each week of the school holidays your child can enjoy special activities, crafts and workshops based on fun summertime themes:

  • Week 1 (3-8 January): Into the Garden – BOOK NOW!
  • Week 2 (10-15 January): Pool Noodle Party! – BOOK NOW!
  • Week 3 (17-22 January): Bursting with Bubbles – BOOK NOW!
  • Week 4 (24 -29 January): Aussie Games – No Bookings required

Once you enter the Discovery Space there are a variety of FREE public programs. These do not require a reservation.
Bring along your hat & sunscreen and participate in the Sun Smart Scavenger Hunt, a self-guided activity running all day, every day during school holidays!
Discovery Space also offers a variety of interesting paid workshops which do require advanced booking and have limited spaces.
Visit earlystartdiscoveryspace.edu.au

Fun Club Holiday Programfun-club-banner-image-870x310

When: 19 – 27 January
Where: 13 Fun Club Locations throughout the Illawarra
The Fun Club December/January school holiday program is jam-packed with activities for kids aged 5-12.
Operating on weekdays from 19-23 December and 3-27 January, programs are run from 13 Fun Club locations and each centre has their own fun-filled program planned to make sure the kids won’t be bored these holidays.
The kids will have a blast on excursions like Luna Park, Jamberoo Action Park, Cables Aqua Park and Go Karting.
There’s also plenty of water fun at the centres with waterslides, slip ’n’ slides and water fights. The centre days are packed full of fun with activities like colour run, console games, discos, tie-dyeing, Lego, art and craft, celebrating Australia Day and so much more!
The centre days are packed full of fun with activities like colour run, console games, discos, tie-dyeing, Lego, art and craft, celebrating Australia Day and so much more!
Costs are applicable for the child care benefit and the 50% government rebate.
Book in for Fun Club’s School Holiday program by visiting bigfatsmile.com.au/funclub. Fill in the electronic booking form and email directly to your Fun Club centre.

Sunset Cinema Wollongongsunset-cinema-wollongong

When: 16 Dec – 18 Feb
Where: Wollongong Botanic Garden
With three screenings each week including family movie nights, the kids will love a night at the cinemas under the stars.
You can grab a Family Pass for only $45 plus booking fee. The Family Pass is only available online, otherwise grab your General Admission at the Gate on the night.
There will be a delicious range of snacks and drinks from the snack bar for your movie-viewing enjoyment including Cobs Popcorn, Bulla Family Dairy Choc Tops plus special treats available for the adults, MadFish Wines and 4 Pines Brewing Company beer.
Family Movies
Pete’s Dragon – 23 Dec
Storks – 29 Dec
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – 30 Dec + 14 Jan
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children – 6 Jan
Trolls – 13 Jan + 21 Jan
Red Dog: True Blue – 27 Jan
Moana – 3 Feb
Sing – 17 Feb
Visit sunsetcinema.com.au/wollongong

32nd Illawarra Folk Festivalillawarra-folk-festival

When: 12 -15 January
Where: Bulli Showground
With over 150 acts jamming it out over 4 days, the annual Illawarra Folk Festival will take the holidays up a notch.
Over 4 exciting days get set to discover folk, world, roots, bluegrass, gypsy and celtic music plus poetry, comedy and dance with local and international acts.
Come for one day or come for all four. Why not make it a truly magical experience and camp out under the stars of the Northern Illawarra escarpment with camping and onsite parking available.
This is an all ages event. Children aged 12 and under are admitted free (with a paying parent). Ages 12+ require a ticket. All minors aged 18 and under must be accompanied by a ‘responsible adult’.
Fringe Events
Fringe events include the Honk! Oz (15 to 17 January 2017), Folk Music School open to all ages with approx. 40 workshops (11/12 January 2017), Green Music Train (14/15 January 2017), Tripe Dinner and Dinner Italian Style (12 January 2017) and more.
Check the FRINGE EVENTS Calendar
View the Full Program including scheduled artist details.
SPECIAL OFFER
When you purchase a ticket to the 32nd Annual Illawarra Folk Festival and enter the promo code ‘FestivalCD‘, you will receive a Festival Souvenir CD (double CD with 42 artists) absolutely FREE!
Offer applies to all Adult 4 Day (with or without camping), Adult Weekend and Adult Day (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) Passes. Offer expires midnight on Monday 9 January 2017.
Anyone using the promo code will be given their Festival CD when they arrive at the Festival.
Visit illawarrafolkfestival.com.au

Wollongong Youth ServicesWollongong Youth Services

When: 3 – 25 January
Where: 85 Burelli Street, Wollongong
All activities and events at the Wollongong Youth Services are free.
Catering for young adults aged 12 – 24 year, activities include Girls Cafe, Creative Den, DJ Workshops, live performances by local musicians, movie screenings, screamer water slide, sports spectacular or just ‘hang out’ and play some basketball, pool or table tennis.
To make a booking or to find out more information contact the Youth Services Team on 4227 8222 or email [email protected]

Mister Maker and The Shapesmister-maker-the-shapes_ft

When: 21 January
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre
Mister Maker and The Shapes is a brilliant, fun, fast paced and interactive show everyone will enjoy these summer school holidays.
Bring the whole family to join the ultimate arts and craft hero for some arty adventures.
There will be a big ‘make’ to take part in, super songs and dances to join in with and of course, his fantastic sidekicks The Shapes!
Tickets at ticketmaster.com.au

Inflatable Fun at Albion Park Poolinflatable-fun-at-albion-park-pool_ft

Inflatable Fun at Albion Park Pool is back for Summer.
The toy will be in the pool on a variety of dates, from 1.00 – 3.00pm.
Wednesday 21st December 2016
Friday 30th December 2016
Wednesday 4th January 2017
Friday 6th January 2017 (Pool open day)
Wednesday 25th January 2017
Friday 27th January 2017
Entry fees apply.
More info at shellharbour.nsw.gov.au

Honk Oz! 2017Honk Oz

When: 19 – 21 January
Where: Wollongong Arts Precinct
HONK Oz is a collision of musicians, friends, families, outrageous costumes and irresistible music.
A fringe event of the Illawarra Folk Festival, it all happens in and around the Wollongong Arts Precinct from 19 – 21 Jan.
Check out the FULL SCHEDULE or REGISTER NOW for Kids Honk! Band 2017 (suitable for children 9 years +).

Christmas Lights Around Wollongongchristmas-lights-in-wollongong

You can’t have Christmas holidays without a visit to the local Christmas Lights.
Kids love to see the lights and so do the adults! Make sure you check out our list of Christmas Lights in and around Wollongong.
Visit Christmas Lights in Wollongong.

MORE SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

ART
Wollongong Art Gallery Workshops
THEATRE
The Listies Ruin Xmas – 23 Dec
Storytime Ballet: The Nutcracker – 8 – 11 Jan
The Very Hungry Caterpillar – 13 – 14 Jan
Disney’s Beauty and The Beast – 20 – 28 Jan
SPORTS AND FUN
Superslides at Reddall Reserve – 7 Jan
SCIENCE
Science Centre and Planetarium
Wollongong Global Game Jam 20 – 22 Jan
FREE
Your Local Library – Various free activities throughout the holidays.