May is going to be marvellous!
Our event directory is loaded with over 350 events for you to choose from to keep you busy, bright and enjoying the last month of autumn.
Let’s May-ke [he he] the most of this month with our pick of awesome activities to get amongst around the Illawarra.
COMPOSTABLE // FOGO Behind the Scenes Tours at SOILCO
Ever wanted to get the dirt [hehe] on what happens to FOGO once the bin man takes it away? Now’s the chance to take a behind-the-scenes tour of SOILCO during Compost Awareness Week. See scraps become soil, learn the process, and score your own bag of GO-compost to take home and place in the garden. Here’s how to book.
SIP & SAVOUR // Grab a bite and a cuppa from RÜH
We’re pretty much always in need of a good cuppa and a tasty brekkie, brunch, or lunch. Luckily, there are 3 RÜH locations around town to get our fix! Hit up their Bulli, Fairy Meadow, or Wollongong spots for a quality coffee and deeeelish dishes. They’ve got all our faves like toasties, breakfast classics, burgers, salads, and more… mmmmm!
Not your nanna’s bingo [or maybe it is, we don’t know her, TBF], but this sounds like a rockin’ good time! Every Thursday night, Wests Illawarra hosts FREE musical bingo. Perfect for anyone who can still name every song from their high school mixtape and those who spent their early years glued to Countdown or Channel V.
LOVE YOU MUM // Celebrate Mother’s Day
Time to treat your mum, grandma, favourite aunty, godmother or any of the incredible women who make our lives so special. From Paint ‘n’ Sips to High Teas, brekkie buffets, luncheons and more. Check out our directory for ideas on how to make the most of this Mother’s Day.
COASTAL CREATIVES // Thirroul Seaside & Arts Festival 2025
This weekend full of artistic goodness right on the coastline in Thirroul is back for another year, aw yeah! The Thirroul District Community Centre will host art shows on Saturday and Sunday. There’s also a Family Kite Day, and a Festival in The Park with food trucks, rides, markets and free entertainment.
SEIZE THE CLAY // Good Stuff Market
Clay Wollongong is holding a market full of incredible makers and artists, conveniently just in time to pick up something gorgeous for Mum this Mother’s Day, wink wink. We love supporting and gifting local and this is a great opportunity to do that.
OUT OF TOWN // Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase
One of Australia’s biggest comedy festivals is taking the show on the road this year and will be at Anita’s Theatre on the 23rd. Highlighting some of the best talent from this year’s festival, we love that we don’t have to head up to the big smoke to get the giggles.
POP CULTURE // Comic Gong 2025
Whip out your cosplay costumes, it’s time for Comic Gong. Now at its new home, Dapto Ribbonwood Centre, the event brings stalls, cosplay, gaming and exhibits under one roof. There’s all-ages fun too, with roving performers, LEGO robotics, pinball, and more. “To the Batmobile!”… yep, it’ll be there too!
GET INVOLVED // Wollongong Volunteering Expo
Head along to the Volunteer Expo during National Volunteers Week and find out how you can make a real difference in our community. Meet local not-for-profits, learn about awesome volunteering opportunities, and see just how rewarding it can be to lend a hand. Entry’s free, and everyone’s welcome.
CLAN-TASTIC // Berry Celtic Festival
A total highlight on the Illawarra festival calendar, the Berry Celtic Festival is on again this month. Don’t miss the street parade, singing, dancing, bagpipes and of course the jousting which has become a real smash hit.
TRAVELLING TIPPLE // Yakka Comes To Thirroul
Fresh off their success in Berry, Yakka’s pop-up bar is hitting the road again, heading north to Buck Hamblin in Thirroul for 4 Friday nights in May. They’ll be pouring a selection of their favourite wines, and Chef Rob Doll will be curating the menu. Bookings are now open.
CUPCAKES FOR A CAUSE // The Albion Park Biggest Morning Tea Market Fundraiser
Bigger and better than last year, with awesome stalls, live tunes, tasty treats, raffles, and all for a great cause. Mark your calendars for the 17th so you won’t miss out on the fun.
ON YA BIKE // Ride Wollongong Festival of Cycling
We’re super keen to start celebrating everything on two wheels at this 2-day festival in Wollongong. Get the crew registered for one of the family fun rides and make sure those bicycle bells are polished and ready to go. Ever since the UCI rolled through town in 2022, we’ve been bike-mad, and we’re excited to embrace that energy again!
CHESTNUTTY // Castagne Day 2025 at The Fraternity Club
We’re pumped for the legendary Castagne Day at The Frat with market stalls, carnival rides, live entertainment and those oh-so-delectable roast chestnuts happening on the 18th. Bellissimo!
DAY FOR IT // Red Hot Summer Tour
It’s coming to Stuart Park this time, cool. This time, catch absolute rock legends ZZ Top as well as George Thorogood & The Destroyers, The Living End, Baby Animals, Rose Tattoo and Dallas Frasca… what a line-up! Tickets are still available, but be quick before they sell out.
END THE WEEK // Fridays & Sip Series
We reckon this is a most magnificent way to wrap up the working week. Every Friday at Number 99 in Port Kembla, they’re running a new Fridays & Sip Series. BYO your favourite bevvie and get stuck into something creative. This month it’s beading, embroidered cards, air dry clay and watercolour. Aaah, we want to try them all.
PAST MOMENTS // Illawarra in the 1940s and 50s – 8mm Film Screening
As part of the 2025 Australian Heritage Festival, Wollongong Library will be screening footage of the Illawarra and its locals from the 1940s and 50s on the 14th. Lay eyes on footage from a 1950’s Surf Carnivals, the Queen’s Coronation Celebration Parades and some local soccer games all on an original 8mm projector.
GIDDY UP // Country Music Race Day
Yeehaw! Time to break out the boots because Country Music Raceday is rolling into Kembla Grange. With live racing, cold drinks, tasty eats and all the country tunes. General admission gets you bars and bites with limited seating available, or go fancy with a sit-down lunch, make sure to book ahead.
TUNE OUT // Beats for the Blues 2025
This Port Kembla based event returns with a full day of music, food and community at Servo Food Truck Bar. Expect music, live art, drumming, mental health panels, stalls and speakers. Free and open to all, with pay-what-you-feel donations welcome.
DREAM BIG // Women Illawarra Fundraiser 2025
Get your whimsy on at the Women Illawarra’s May Daze fundraiser where the theme is “dreaming big for a better tomorrow”. There’ll be tasty bites, local talent and loads of feel-good fun. Dress up, sip something sparkly, play a game or two and help raise funds for a better tomorrow.
MAMMA MIA // ABBA: Thank You For The Music
We adore any ABBA tribute show, so obvs we’re gonna be excited to check out ABBA: Thank You For The Music on the 23rd. We’ll be Dancing Queens all night long and will probs be yelling Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! an encore at the end.
MORE TRIBUTES // Last Stand | Chisel Barnes Show
Keeping with the whole tribute act theme, catch Last Stand as they bring all the sounds of Cold Chisel and Jimmy Barnes to Warilla Sporties on the 3rd. Tix are $25 and can be booked online.
BOOK LAUNCH // Sue Williams: The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress
Bestselling author Sue Williams presents The Governor, His Wife, and His Mistress, a true story of love, betrayal, and resilience in early Australia. Sign up to hear Sue talk, plus afternoon tea, and book signing on the 3rd.
Phew May is shaping up to be a cracker of a month!
For more event inspiration, dive into our Events Directory. And hey, while you’re out enjoying the fun, remember to show some love to our local shops, as well as food and beverage outlets!
Let’s go.
