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?

Deborah Conway & Willy Zygier @ Big Dog

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

5.00pm (doors open), 5.30pm (support artist). Don’t miss this incredible talent live and unstoppable for the first time ever in Armidale. She first shot to fame as band leader, band originator and guiding force behind Do Re Mi. Deb has had a long career with many massive highlights, but now with the release of her book You Think You Know Deborah Conway, You Dont Know The Half Of It, she is back on the road for select shows. TERMS. Choose […]

$46.63

Armidale Race Day POSTPONED

Armidale Jockey Club Barney Street, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

Full bar and catering available. Great fields for the eight-race program – country racing at its best. Bookmakers and TAB on course.

Free
Event Series Armidale Eisteddfod 2024

Armidale Eisteddfod 2024

New England Conservatorium of Music Armidale Teachers' College, Cnr Mossman and Faulkner Streets, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

Armidale’s Eisteddfod is an important cultural event in the New England calendar that continues a wonderful cultural tradition established in Wales over 900 years ago. Welsh Eisteddfods were festivals celebrating the performance of literature and music, and this concept holds true to this day. Down the centuries, Eisteddfods have evolved to reflect changing societies but they remain an enduring part of Australia’s cultural heritage as important training grounds for emerging entertainers – our musicians, dancers and actors. Venues: OTC (Old […]

$3 – $80

Bitz of Buzz @ Little Welder’s Dog

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

Bitz of Buzz is Alan Hardaker and Maria Rummery and two members of the Armidale band, Dusky Buzz. They each have a background of eclectic musical tastes and experience and have been playing as a duo since late 2022. Bitz of Buzz performs easy listening music, covering songs from every decade over the last century, including jazz standards, pop, folk and blues. From George Gershwin to Billie Eilish, Bitz of Buzz are sure to delight and charm you with their […]

Free

“Favourite Shorts” – Week 2

The Lodge Theatre 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

Friday Night Raffles @ the Royal

Royal Hotel 107 Beardy Street, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

Come along and support the Children’s Ward at Armidale Hospital. Raffle tickets: $2 (single ticket) or $3 (for five) or $7 (for 10) – ticket sales from 6.00pm, drawn 7.00pm. Five meat trays, donated by Pete’s Mountview Butchery, to be raffled. Happy hour from 4.00-7.00m, drink specials and delicious meals available.

Free

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

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 Rotary Book Fair

Rotary Book Fair

Armidale Jockey Club Barney Street, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

Attention All Book Lovers! Thousands of quality used books will be on sale from as little as $2 to $3. The books reflect all genres from fiction, children's, cookery, history, reference, arts and crafts, military and photography. There is also a range of rare and collectable items at very attractive prices. Come one, come all ... and bring your money with you! EFTPOS welcomed and encouraged.

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 […]

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

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

New England Yard Dog Championships

Armidale Showground 5 Dumaresq Street, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

Sheep kindly donated The Clayton Family Annaleey; cattle kindly donated by Lynoch Pty Ltd. Friday, 24 May - 2.00pm: Open Cattle Dog Trial; Novice Yard Trial; may start Feature Maiden Yard Trial depending on entries Saturday, 25 May - 7.00am: continue Novice Yard and Feature Maiden Yard; continue Open Cattle Dog Trials; Encourage Yard Dog Trial (commence Saturday lunch); Open Championship Yard (will follow the Feature Maiden) and the Improver Yard Trial (will follow the Novice); Victor Moar Feature Maiden and Novice Cattle trial (could […]

Free

Bobby Paquet @ the Alternate Root

The Alternate Root 48 Bridge Street, URALLA, NSW, Australia

Cocktails, dinner and fabulous live music. Reservations appreciated.

Free

Studio8 Australian Album Tour

Armidale City Bowling Club 92-96 Dumaresq Street, ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia

Into the New Studio8 is country songwriting duo, Luke Johnson and Michelle Morgan, with Luke on guitar and vocals and Michelle on keyboard and backing vocals. They perform regularly at venues in the Southern Highlands and at festivals including Tamworth Country Music Festival, Parkes Elvis Festival and Hats Off to Country (Tamworth).

Free