Armidale Light Festival
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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?

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” @ the Belgrave

Belgrave Twin Cinema 145 Dumaresq Street, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home cause confusion.

$10 – $12

Cutting Horse and Snaffle Bit Show

Uralla Showground 8 King Street, URALLA, NSW, Australia

Thirteen events, canteen available, spectators welcome.

Free
Event Series NERAMble Art in the Garden

NERAMble Art in the Garden

31-35 Bona Vista Road ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

There will be wonderful tea and lunch options available as well as sculptures, artworks, pottery, plants and a raffle. So grab a friend and come along for a great day out in two large gardens in Bona Vista Road.

$8 – $10

Freedom of Entry March

Curtis Park 75 Faulkner Street, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

The Freedom of Entry March will commence at Curtis Park and conclude at Central Park and will be followed by a BBQ lunch. An opportunity for the community to meet with the soldiers of the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers.

PLCArmidale 2023 Signature Event

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

*Please note this is an adults-only event. Depart Armidale Town Hall, 127 Rusden Street on the Wonka Wonderland Express. 🍭Step into a world of whimsy and wonder and embark on a mysterious cocktail adventure: the Willy Wonka way! 🚌Climb aboard the Wonka Wonderland Express, our exclusive mystery bus trip to the 2023 PLC Armidale Signature Event and enjoy cocktails and canapes inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 🍤Get ready to sip, savour, and explore a realm of fantastical flavours […]

$65 – $150

Frock-Tober

Royal Hotel Guyra 122 Bradley Street, GUYRA, NSW, Australia

Support Ovarian Cancer research. Fellas - are you man enough to frock-up? Ladies pick the most fun frock. Prizes for best frocked fella and lady; also raffles.

Lantern Parade

Hampden Park Hill Street, URALLA, NSW, Australia

At dusk (7.30pm) the magical Lantern Parade by Uralla Arts will enchant you. An adventure not to be missed. Kick on with live music at The Top Pub.

Free

Homestead Series 2 – Eathorpe Homestead

Eathorpe Homestead "Eathorpe", Grafton Road, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

Sold Out NECOM's Homestead Series offers a rare chance to immerse yourself in a magical combination of fine chamber music and local history. As these homesteads are not open to the public, the series offers an exclusive glimpse into the architectural history of the area. Seating is limited so get in early to secure your tickets - details to come.

The Vampires Nightjar Tour @ the Playhouse

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

Immerse yourself in an evening of distinctive melodies and rhythms with The Vampires, an instrumental ensemble celebrated for what the Guardian UK calls their “genre-hopping creativity”. Having captivated audiences from the UK to Europe and their native Australia, The Vampires have received critical acclaim, an ARIA nomination, and stand out as the first instrumental act to be shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize, boasting a lineup of some of the most acclaimed and sought-after musicians of this generation. Nightjar, their […]

$37.63

“You, Me, Everybody” @ McCrossin’s Mill

McCrossin's Mill Museum 29-31 Salisbury Street, URALLA, NSW, Australia

Originally formed by brothers, Laurence and Sam Frangos-Rhodes, You, Me, Everybody pushes the boundaries of what New Zealand knows of a genre that was formed on tradition and rules to create progressive bluegrass. While upbeat bangers are part of their repertoire, this is no pub band, but rather a collection of the best of New Zealand’s acoustic instrumentalists that are searching for a new, dynamic sound that showcases the best of Americana in Aotearoa.

$27.78

Captains of Za’atari @ The Playhouse

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

Come down, watch a movie and be part of changing a Syrian family’s life. A fundraiser for Armidale Sanctuary's ISSA Family appeal. Donations welcomed. Wine and snacks available from 5.30pm. A documentary about two Syrian refugees living in Jordan's Za'atari camp, who dream of becoming professional football players.

$20

Armidale Orienteering Spring Twilight Series

Parks and Streets NSW, Australia

Take advantage of the great weather and get some fresh air at the forthcoming spring series of events. Park and street orienteering is a fun, social way to give your body and mind a great workout. The format for these events will be up[ to 20 controls scattered over the map with 45 minutes to score as many points as possible. In some cases all controls will be of equal value, in others controls may be worth differing numbers of […]

$5

TaikOz

Lazenby Hall University of New England, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

Side by Side TaikOz is one of Australia’s most exciting and visually stunning drumming groups. Combining traditional Japanese taiko drumming with contemporary Australian music, all TaikOz’s performances are a feast of visual, aural and physical energy. In this special performance, thunderous taiko drums meets soulful flute, sonorous handpan, dynamic movement - enveloped in colourful light-sculptures. The virtuosity is thrilling but even better is the sense of pure joy the players transmit.” – Weekend Australian “You don’t just listen to this […]

$25 – $55

Jazz, Blues & Alt. Grooves @ the Dog

Welder's Dog Bar cnr Marsh and Rusden Streets, ARMIDALE, NSW

Come and enjoy jazz at one of Armidale's grooviest venues. Borderline features Ian Russell on vocals and guitar, Gary Daley on drums, Dave Cooper on bass and Mick Houlahan on guitar and vocals. The band plays a range of classic material by artists like The Doors, Santana, Bob Dylan, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Van Morrison, as well as original songs. Music washes away the dust of everyday life - Art Blakey

Free

Cary Bennett Trio @ Tatts

Garden Bar, Tattersals Hotel 174 Beardy Street Mall, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

The Cary Bennett Trio is back! The Trio features the musical artistry of James Brinkhoff on piano, Wendy Griffiths on double bass and Cary Bennett on vocals and drums, performing classic popular songs from the 1930 through to the 1970s, tunes made famous by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin, Diana Krall, Harry Connick Jr and others. Come for a great afternoon of fabulous food, music and drinks. The band kick off at 6pm on the Beer […]

Free

The Imprints @ Big Welders Dog

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

The Imprints are back, consisting of locally born and internationally trained violinist, Willow Stahlut (ex Gypsy Hot Club), and nationally regarded musician/percussionist, Linden Lester. From many appearances at Glastonbury, Edinburgh Fringe, Big Day Out, Splendour, across North America, Berlin, Copenhagen, above the Arctic Circle, deep in the tropics and again at next Woodford Festival...this will be an exceptional night. Dynamic violin and drum kit duo. World music meets dance music.

Free

WEMBO World Solo MTB Championships

Sport UNE Mountain Bike Trails University of New England, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

This year Armidale will host the World Solo 24-hour Mountain Bike Championships. This world-wide competition is recognized by mountain bikers, spectators, the cycling industry and media as the pinnacle of the sport. Racing will be conducted under the control and management of the New England Mountain Bikers (NEMTB).

Free

Woodford Folk Festival @ the Playhouse

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

Plague and the Moonflower An 80-voice adult choir, 44-voice children's choir, 56-piece orchestra with didgeridoo, 24 dancers, 3 jugglers, 3 actors, a narrator, 5 soloists (2 sopranos, boy soprano, violin and guitar). The Gypsy Hot Club 5-piece band, fire eater, 5 tonne tip truck, a crew of 35 and 100 extra family and friends, 40 microphones, 4 cameras, a gigantic mixer; 3 huge props including a 6m-high Plague Demon built from 3,00 plastic shopping  bugs. Bill Hauritz: Armidale's Plague and […]

$20.50

Armidale Birdwatching Group

Sunnyside TSR Tilbuster, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

Departure at 8.00am from the Visitor Information Centre carpark, 82 Marsh Street. Bring food (morning tea and lunch), water, binoculars, sunscreen and hat, and wear stout shoes. The scheduled visit may be changed or cancelled if conditions on the day are likely to affect the excursion.

Studio Folk Club – Jessie May

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

Come and enjoy jazz at one of Armidale's grooviest venues. Jessie May is an Armidale gal who has recently returned from four years of teaching music in the Red Centre and three months living in Nashville, Tennessee. Hear Jessie share songs of the New England, Northern Territory and American travels. She has picked up some new skills and tunes and cannot wait to share them with a home crowd.

Free