Must Do Events + Experiences To Head To In The Illawarra This Long Weekend
We love love love love three-day weekends – cos’ three days are better than two, right??
Our Event Directory is jumpin’ and pumpin’ with loads of events, activities, classes, workshops and more.
Here’s what we’re going to be doing [apart from sleeping in with a side of day drinking].
1 :: Bulli Village June Long Weekend Market
Mark Sunday for a visit to this lovely market at the Bulli Showground. There’ll be loads of yummy food stalls, artisan goodies like cheeses, olives and salamis and gorge collectables and coastal wares.
Kiddos will love the sandpit, pony rides, face painting and hair braiding and fur babies are welcome too!
2 :: Lost Astronaut
After its huge success last year, we’re thrilled to see this spectacular light show return to Blackbutt Forest Reserve and run over the long weekend as well as other dates through June. It’s like our very own mini Vivid, and this year’s theme, ‘Lost Astronaut,’ sounds amazing. Head here to find out more about getting those tix stat!
3 :: Channel Your Inner Farmer Hoggett
Book accommodation at a gorgeous Illawarra farm stay and visit a local winery or brewery or distillery in between collecting your own eggs for brekkie, picking fruit from the orchard on the farm and chillaxing!
4 :: Heat Up
So winter is here! If sub zero temps and chilly winds aren’t your thang, warm up at a local sauna. Yes, it will warm you up, but saunas also have plenty of health benefits too – think stress reduction, a bit of detox action, better circulation, pain reduction, anti-aging [haiiiiii helloooo] and loads more.
5 :: Hit up a festival
There are so many awesome festivals happening over the long weekend it’s hard to pick just one [and we’re secretly trying to hatch a way to visit them all atm].
The awesome Winter Wine Festival is back for 2024 at Crooked River Wines and the lineup includes big names like Icehouse, Alex Lloyd and The Rubens. At this stage, there are still tickets available but we’re not sure for how much longer so get bookin’ stat.
Another festival that also sounds wine-tastic over the long weekend is the Fine Wine Fest in Kiama on the 8th. Catch millennial icons Sneaky Sound System as well as bevvies from loads of the South Coast’s well-loved wineries.
We’re also super interested in the Distilled @ The Co-Op event in Gerringong with 2 days of music as well as specialty cocktails [um, yes] and nommy food trucks.
AND if that wasn’t enough Resin Brewing in Bulli is kicking off the weekend with Blues & Brews on the 7th. Good tunes and good brewskis – excellent combo!
6 :: Layered Landscapes 2-Day Workshop
Take some time over the long weekend to tap into your creativity with this 2-day workshop at Sharon Blair’s private art studio in Kiama. The workshop focuses on creating unique collage papers. You’ll explore mark-making, mixed media techniques, and layering to add depth and sophistication to your mixed media creations.
7 :: Fundraiser For Leukaemia Foundation and RMHC at K.malu
Get together for a cause at K.malu in Wollongong to raise funds for The Leukaemia Foundation and Ronald McDonald House. Tickets are $50pp and include a donation, a drink on arrival and canapes. Join in for a casual gathering to support a worthy cause.
There’s plenty more fun events and experiences to head to in our Event Directory – make a plan and make the most of a three-day weekend!
Now all we need to do is cross our fingers for some of that lovely sunny weather that the Illawarra does so well.