Armidale Light Festival
What’s on inArmidale?

Armidale Events

Click to view the Spring 2024 events calendar! (PDF 3MB), or view the list below.

No matter what time of year you visit, chances are there will be an event or festival in or around Armidale.

Events not to be missed include the Autumn Festival, Big Chill Festival, The Bach Festival, The New England Garden Festival, Armidale International Film Festival and Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival. Other great annual events include New England Sings, The Armidale Cup, Guyra Trout Festival, Armidale Youth Orchestra Garden Party, Vintage Truck, Machinery and Heavy Horse Show and the NEGS Equestrian events. The calendar is full with premier sport events including the TAS Rugby Carnivals, Tour de Rocks and the 12hr Mountain Bike Enduro.

Have an event to add to the calendar?

Big Chill Launch Party at Great Hops Brewing

Great Hops Brewery 33 Old Inverell Road, Armidale, NSW, Australia

The Big Chill weekend launches at Great Hops Brewery on Friday 17th May. Your ticket includes two beers and a selection of smoked meats, slaw and bread, with live music from Ohmasoul. It's a party not to be missed! Limited tickets available.

$40

Khaleel Jundi @ Boobooks

Boobooks Books and Coffee Shop 176 Beardy Street Mall, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

Khaleel Jundi, Master Tanbur player from the Armidale Ezidi community will be playing at Boobooks. The Tanbur is a long-necked instrument originating from Mesopotamia. It has a deep history in Ezidi tradition (also Kurdish, Persian and Turkish music traditions). The Tarbur typically has a pear-shaped body and can have either three or four strings. It is often played with a plectrum and has a rich, resonant sound.    

Donation

Drag Queen Show – Turn Back Time – CANCELLED

Armidale Town Hall 127 Rusden Street, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

CANCELLED Step into a world of glamour at the electrifying drag queen show: "Turn Back Time." Get ready to embark on a journey through the decades as fabulous queens take the stage and pay homage to iconic moments in pop culture history.

$35 – $45
Event Series Bundarra Markets

Bundarra Markets

Bundarra Anglican Church 64 Bendemeer Street, BUNDARRA, NSW, Australia

Community run: by the community, for the community. Local small businesses and families - food and drinks, handmade products, condiments and preserves, gifts, fresh produce and much more.

Free

Beardy Street Bazaar

Beardy Street Mall Beardy Street Mall, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

Head down to the Beardy Street Mall to enjoy live busking beats, experience local coffee and breakfast, stroll through unique retail stores, revel in the street art display by Arts North West and local photographers. And all this before you head to the Big Chill. Come and enjoy the chilly vibe!

Free
Event Series Walcha Farmers’ Market

Walcha Farmers’ Market

McHattan Park Fitzroy Street, WALCHA, NSW, Australia

Gourmet and organic fresh vegetables, fruit, herbs, meat, bread and baked goods, dairy, poultry, condiments, wine, coffee, teas, spices, honey, olive oil, edible by-products, plants and flowers; an educational workshop; music, entertainment, kids activities and competitions.

Event Series Armidale Jam Circle

Armidale Jam Circle

The Grand Hotel 251 Rusden Street, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

If your jam is bluegrass, old timey, skiffle or slightly folk, you are invited. It is not about how well you play or sing, just that you come along an join in. Join the Group Page! Back on the grand veranda, now that its Spring/warmer. Song List Rollin' in My Sweet Babies Arms; Cornbread & Butterbeans; Sittin' on Top of the World; Keep on the Sunnyside; Worried Man Blues; Will the Circle be Unbroken; Cripple Creek; Nellie Kane; Boil Them […]

Free

Hillgrove Short Film and Supper Night

Hillgrove Rural Community Hall 76 Brackin Street, HILLGROVE, NSW, Australia

Bring a plate of goodies to share, enjoy a short film (or two or three) on the theme of living sustainably/regeneratively in a changing world and a quiet evening with engaged company.. This month’s films are about Limestone Permaculture Farm exploring solutions to current global crises. Donations will go towards Hillgrove Rural Community Hall upgrade projects. NOTE: The film maker has directly given us royalty-free unlocked access to show them in public screenings at Hillgrove Hall as a gift to the […]

Donation

Big Chill After Party @ Big Welder’s Dog

Welder's Dog Brew Bar and Entertainment Centre 101 Beardy Street, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

Doors open 8.30pm. Come along and enjoy more of the Electric Postman live.

Free

Big Chill After Party @ the Newie

New England Hotel Cnr Dangar and Beardy Streets, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

Come along and enjoy a night of good company with Hodges x Julz.

$10

Big Chilly Dip @ Dumaresq Dam

Dumaresq Dam Reserve Dumaresq Dam Road (right off Boorolong Road), ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

Come get chilly with us! Refresh and revitalise  before the second day of the Big chill Festival. Cold water plunge for mental health: short swim, mile swim and cold water plunge. Ticket includes beanie, bacon and egg roll. Participants must be aged16+.

$26.43
Event Series Khanacross

Khanacross

Skidpan, Traffic Education Centre Mann Street East, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

An autotest (essential skills of car control and judgement) under controlled conditions - quickest times whilst navigating courses. Snacks and drinks available at the canteen for purchase. Spectators welcome.

Event Series The Big Chill Festival

The Big Chill Festival

Armidale Sportsground 58 Dumaresq Street (cnr Douglas Street), ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

The Big Chill is back and bigger than ever. Get ready for big vibes and good times in 2024. The stages showcase a kaleidoscope of musical genres. From indie, country and folk to electronic sounds, there will be something for everyone. Beyond the beats, the festival grounds come alive. Indulge in gourmet delights from local and regional cuisines, award-winning craft beer or explore local distilleries and wineries. The event is open to all ages. Entertain the entire family with a […]

Australian Haydn Ensemble

The Armidale Playhouse 309 Beardy Street (cnr Ohio Street), ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

The Australian Haydn Ensemble, Australia's bravura Classical-era specialists, perform Mozart Quartets and Haydn’s London Symphony in an intimate display of historically-informed performance. An opportunity to hear this marvellous music played on period instruments - bringing, as close as possible, the sound-world the composers knew when these works were written. Progamme: Mozart - Flute Quartet in D major; Mozart - String Quartet in D minor; Haydn - Symphony No 104 in D major London (arr Salomon)

$50.50

“Favourite Shorts” – Week 2

The Lodge 119A Barney Street, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

A festival of rehearsed short play readings from original scripts (produced by Margaret Sims and Benjamin Thorn) with a different program each week. The scripts are mostly original and from local authors and there will be Audience Choice Awards. Favourite Shorts is a community event with all actors/readers who express an interest, guaranteed a part. 2024 is the biggest year yet with 44 actors/readers participating. Ticket also available at door.

$10 – $25