Event date - from 23 July 2026
Childers Festival is a celebration of the people and heritage of Childers and the only festival that closes the Bruce Highway!
Over four days, on the last weekend in July each year, Childers is transformed into an action-packed entertainment hub, concluding with Sunday's famous market day, which regularly sees nearly 40,000 people flock to the small town for celebrity artists and live music from every genre and decade.
The incredible markets feature a highway filled with over 300 stallholders where you can pick up vintage treasures, sample local produce and admire hand-made gems and local arts and craft. Those young and young at heart will also be mesmerised by dance, culture, street performers and carnival rides.
Experience free and ticked events around Childers including Opera by the Lake, Sugar Mill and Cane Fire tours, historical tours and much more!
Event date: 11 April - 19 April 2026
See the magic and spectacle as one of the Southern Hemispheres biggest Hot air balloon events takes to the sky over the beautiful Canowindra countryside in Central West NSW.
The action is at either end of the day with balloons flying at sunrise and in the last hour before sunset over a 9 day period at the beginning of April.
The signature event is the Cabonne Community Glow and night markets where you will enjoy local produce, wine, crafts and entertainment culminating in a night display as the balloons light up synchronised to music.
Watching the balloons each day is free but there is an entry charge for the Balloon Glow.
As the action happens at either end of the day this leaves plenty of time for exploring the incredible sights in the area and visting the villages and town of the area. Stop in at wineries and local food producers to get a real sense of how wonderful this area is.
Whilst in Canowindra visit the Age of Fishes Museum (home of the State Fossil), wander down the historic main street or enjoy art galleries, wonderful coffee, cellar doors and quirky shopping.
Event date: 20 March - 29 March 2026
From humble beginnings in 1991, Orange FOOD Week has grown into Australia's longest-running regional food festival. Over 10 days in autumn each year, we celebrate the Orange region's produce, producers and chefs with a program of unique events.
FOOD Week features six signature events and a fabulous array of satellite events at local venues. All events incorporate local produce, celebrating the story of our region’s food and wine.
This commitment to provenance makes FOOD Week Australia's longest-running regional food festival, acclaimed as one of the top ten in the country.