Street events are increasing in popularity and there’s more on the way, with the New England featuring prominently in 130 places hosting free festivals, markets, food, live music, arts and cultural events between now and January.
As an antidote to the cost-of-living squeeze, all events under the NSW Government’s Open Streets program are free entry, bringing people together for budget-busting, family-friendly fun. Events funded under the measure will see main streets will host winter markets, lunar festivals, Christmas events, music festivals, street parties and food markets.
The list of events getting funding sees the return of many favourites, as well as some new events, such as the Winter Festival in Moree, new markets for Barraba, and Uralla getting its first town Christmas Tree.
Armidale Regional Council
Armidale Spring Street Fair – 14 September 2024
The Armidale Spring Street Fair is a free street festival showcasing art, music and outdoor dining.
Gwydir Shire Council
Orange Festival (Bingara) – 5 July 2024
The annual festival features street markets, street parades, pageants, sporting and cultural activities
Honey Festival (Warialda) – 21 September 2024
Warialda Honey Festival is an annual event celebrating all things Warialda, and features local schools and community group performances, stalls, and bands.
2024 Community Celebrations – December 2024
An end of year celebration for the Bingara (14 December) and Warialda (21 December) communities that features performances by schools and community groups, bands and free activities for children and youth.
Moree Plains Shire Council
Moree Winter Festival – 13 July 2024
The Winter Festival will see families to gather and enjoy free activities including a unique opportunity to participate in ice skating, which is a rare opportunity for kids in the Shire.
Pally Bush Markets – 21 July and 20 October 2024
A vibrant market event which will feature a wide range of activities and attractions.
Mungindi Long Lunch – 17 August 2024
Mungindi Long Lunch will provide residents and nearby farmers to come together and connect over a long lunch that will boost community spirit.
The Moree Block Party – 14 September 2024
The Moree Block Party is a free event held on Gomeroi Country that showcases local talent, brings young people together and celebrates the strength and resilience of the local Moree community.
Narrabri Shire Council
Boggabri Business Chamber Monthly Market – 14 September, 12 October, 9 November 2024
Boggabri Business Chamber monthly markets is a new event for the CBD precinct encouraging artisans to showcase products and encouraging dwell time in the main street. The markets will help home-based businesses and artisans to showcase and sell products and will provide opportunities for social connections, a reason to stay, play and participate.
Wee Waa Christmas Mardi Gras – 12 December 2024
The Wee Waa CBD Christmas Event will include late night shopping, markets, food stalls, entertainment, and a shop front activation program.
Narrabri Christmas Activation and Carnival 2024 – 13 December 2024
Narrabri Annual CBD Christmas Event will include late night shopping, markets, food stalls, entertainment and shop front activation program. This year, the event will feature Christmas decoration installation and events, and improved CBD appeal through a decoration program for vacant space and facades.
Boggabri Christmas event – December 2024
Boggabri CBD Christmas Event will include late night shopping, markets, food stalls, entertainment and a shop front activation program.
Tamworth Regional Council
A Winter’s Night – 10 August 2024
A Winter’s Night will include live music, kids activities, market stalls and food trucks. Winter themed activites, including, but not limited to snow machines and creative art activations.
North West Auto Fest – 19 October 2024
North West Auto Fest will include car displays; market and food stalls; live entertainment, fireworks display.
Nundle Art Show and Christmas Markets – 9 November 2024
Nundle Art Show and Christmas Markets will include art activations and displays, Christmas markets and food stalls, live music and entertainment.
Manilla Christmas Celebrations – 6 December 2024
Manilla Christmas Celebrations will include community Christmas Tree lighting, Christmas carols and live music, Christmas markets and food stalls. A visit from Santa, photos with Santa and kids activities.
Kootingal Christmas Celebrations – 7 December 2024
Kootingal Christmas Celebrations will include Live music and entertainment; Christmas markets and food stalls; concluding with a fireworks display.
Uralla Shire Council
Uralla Christmas Street Fair
The Uralla Christmas Street Fair will connect the newly constructed town square, Pioneer Park, opening late 2024 to the high street (Bridge Street) for a festive event, activating the streets with pop-up markets, community performances and participatory experiences that culminate in the lighting of the town’s first ever Christmas tree.
This diverse line up of events are all recipients of funding from the Open Streets Program, that aims to activate local streets and public spaces, boost vibrancy and visitor numbers to communities and businesses across NSW.
Minister for Roads, Arts, Music and the Night-Time Economy, Jobs and Tourism John Graham said the events reflect the local community and culture.
“Too often our main streets are something we drive through, rather than drive to.”
“Our streets are a critical part of our public and social infrastructure. Great streets make great towns and centres and reflect the local community and culture.”
“The colour and diversity of these events celebrates the unique personality of each town or suburb,” Mr Graham said.
“This is what our vibrancy agenda is all about, backing locals to create events and entertainment that works for their local community.”
Applications for local councils opened earlier this year, with the program so popular that the original funding pool was increased from $4.7 million to $8.7 million. Funding amounts range from $7,000 to $150,000 per event.
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