There’s a bunch of after-dark, food and music festivals happening in the Illawarra and beyond this weekend.
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Here’s your free guide to what’s on from Friday to Sunday, September 20 to 22.
1. Folk by the Sea, Kiama
The Kiama folk festival returns with three days of folk, world, roots, Celtic, bluegrass and gypsy music.
Headline acts include Indigenous violinist Eric Avery (Marrawuy), Victorian genre-bending neo-folk act Apolline, Queensland group Cigany Weaver and the revered Fred Smith.
When: Friday to Sunday, various times.
Where: Ten venues, Kiama Showground, Pavillion and surrounds. Details here.
2. Illuminate Wollondilly
Wollondilly’s three-day festival of art and light is filled with family-friendly fun and stunning light projections.
Crowd favourites include the carnival, street performances, fire dances, glowing buildings and fireworks display.
Where: Various locations including Picton Town Centre, Hume Oval and Picton Botanic Gardens. Details here.
3. Towradgi Beer, Food and Wine Festival
Dozens of eateries, winemakers, craft breweries and distillers will set up stalls outside Towradgi Hotel to showcase the best food and beverages the region has to offer.
Entry is free, with live entertainment and children’s activities to keep the whole family entertained. Dogs are allowed.
When: Sunday from 11am to 5pm.
Where: Towradgi Beach Hotel. Details here.
4. Mario Kart Live, Port Kembla
Gamers play Mario Kart while a live band plays the music, responding to every move on the big screen.
Get a star? Hear the music change. Make it to the final lap? Hear the band speed up. Gaming but not in your bedroom.
Where: The Servo Food Truck Bar, Port Kembla. Details here.
5. Runt the movie, Warrawong and Shellharbour
If your child loved Craig Silvey’s best-selling novel, you won’t want to miss the much-anticipated movie adaptation.
Runt tells the heartfelt and hilarious tale of 11-year-old Annie Shearer and her best friend Runt, an adopted stray dog with remarkable abilities.
When: All weekend, various times.
Where: Hoyts Warrawong and Event Shellharbour.
Bring your four-legged friends along for a day of tail-wagging fun.
Dedicated to raising awareness about pet adoption, the event will feature live entertainment and music, the rescue dog adoption parade, a playtime ball pit, pet market stalls, a puppy art table and dog comps.
When: Saturday from noon to 4pm.
Where: North Gong Hotel, North Wollongong. Details here.
7. Wollongong Colour Frenzy, North Wollongong
Expect a riot of colour and plenty of fun as hundreds of people walk, jog, run or crawl through various powder, bubble and obstacle stations.
The popular kid-friendly event supports local animal rescue services.
When: Sunday from 8.30am.
Where: Stuart Park, North Wollongong. Details here.
8. Tulips After Dark, Bowral
The Southern Highlands blooms will be lit up at night, with live music, local wine and beer, and food stalls completing the festival vibe.
Bring your own chairs and picnic rugs.
When: Friday and Saturday from 6pm to 9pm.
Where: Corbett Gardens, Bowral. Details here.
9. Horse movie premiere, Port Kembla
Grab a bite to eat from the Lost Pizza food truck and sit down to watch the premiere of Wollongong lensman James Kates’ new surf film, Horse.
The film follows surfer Noa Deane on international trips to Ireland and the Canary Islands.
When: Friday from 6pm to 10pm.
Where: Servo Food Truck Bar, Port Kembla. Details here.
10. Strange Folds Zine Fair, Coledale
A collaboration between Baby Teeth Journal, the South Coast Writers Centre and Society City, the second annual fair will showcase local zine makers and artists, as well as mags and organisations from out of town.
Come along and find your new favourite artist.
When: Sunday from 10am to 3pm.
Where: Coledale Community Hall. Details here.
Enjoy a day of fun, food and entertainment while raising funds for a local school.
As well as market stalls and rides, the school fete will deliver a petting zoo, reptiles, coffee, pizza, a sausage sizzle, ice-cream, doughnuts and more.
When: Saturday from 11am to 3pm.
Where: Calderwood Christian School, Calderwood. Details here.
12. Miniature train rides, North Wollongong
Tucked away in leafy grounds across from Stuart Park, the miniature train rides offer a great day of fun for young train buffs.
Facilities include several timber-fired BBQs, some picnic tables and a canteen for snacks.
When: Sunday from 10am to 2pm.
Where: Illawarra Live Steamers, North Wollongong. Details here.
13. WollCon public performance day, Keiraville
The free music concert features performances by clarinet, piano, flute, violin and guitar students, as well as choirs and the symphonic wind band.
When: Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
Where: Gleniffer Brae, Keiraville. Details here.
14. TASTE festival, Camden
The annual festival brings thousands of people together to enjoy a huge range of food, drink and produce stalls, chef demos, entertainment and live music.
For the kids, there’s face painting, games, a fire truck and cooking experiences.
When: Sunday from noon to 5pm.
Where: Camden Town Farm, Camden. Details here.
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