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?
It is sure to be a great weekend out with everything from trucks, tractors, motorcycles, engines and any other type of antique machinery you could think of. Over 80 stalls are predicted, jumping castle and face painting for the children, so come along. There will be a tractor pull (14 February) and a major swap meet (Sunday, 16 February).
An autotest (essential skills of car control and judgement) under controlled conditions - quickest times whilst navigating courses. Full canteen available. Spectators welcome.
Friday, 21 February - Official Opening; Prime Lamb show and sale Saturday, 22 February - Bull ride
This inter-generational concert celebrates the 50th anniversary of the New England Ensemble’s debut, honours NECOM’s current teacher, performers, and spotlights our young rising stars. Robert Harris, founding violist of the New England Ensemble, will perform with current staff and students of the New England Conservatorium of Music. Robert will also present the 2025 Marian Barford Awards during the event. Do not miss this landmark celebration of fine music, heritage, and community!
Gwyn Ashton is doing his annual Australian tour in 2025 and coming to the Australian Poetry Hall of Fame in Guyra. From acoustic roots, blues and world music to electric swamp rockin’ boogie, a funky one-man band rock'n'roll show, Make a night of it, food and drinks will be available at the show.
Could you be the next Elvis Presley? Could you be the next Adelle? Could your band be the next AC/DC? Uralla Arts is keen to uncover talent in the New England, so is having a talent quest until the number of contestants runs out. Open to all ages and cash prizes on offer. Can you dance, tell jokes or have some other extraordinary talent, do not be bashful. Come along and have some fun.
7.55am for 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. For more information and register to join group, phone Shirley on 0458 260 937 or email shrlycook@gmail.com. Newcomers are always welcome, but please notify our leader, Dr Stephen Debus (sdebus@une.edu.au) preferably a […]
Watch this space!
Experience two masterpieces - Tchaikovsky's String Quartet No. 1 and Borodin's String Quartet No. 2 - alongside an exciting new Australian work Entering the Palaces, by Lyle Chan. Do not miss this blend of classics and innovation, performed by the acclaimed Acacia Quartet! Artists: Doreen Cumming (violin); Lisa Stewart (violin); Stefan Duwe (viola); Anna Martin-Scrase (cello).
For the first time in nearly nine years, Australian music icon & ARIA award winning artist, Wendy Matthews, comes to Armidale for a special intimate performance. Born in Canada, she came to Australia in 1982 and has made this country her home adding to the immense music tapestry of Australia with a swag of successful and critically acclaimed albums that have seen her rise to the very top of the industry. With a legacy of hits that have been played […]
Petra and the Nabateans: The Arabs Before Islam - Sue Rollin (UK) United Kingdom archaeologist and tour guide, Sue Rollin will trace the history of the enigmatic Nabateans, desert dwellers of Arabian origin, who grew fabulously rich on trade in incense and aromatics from South Arabia and established their capital city at Petra, hidden away in the mountains south of the Dead Sea.
Watch this space!
One of the most beloved community events on the calendar is making a triumphant return to Armidale, with Newcastle Permanent’s Cinema Under the Stars bringing a jam-packed evening of family-friendly fun. The free event includes live music, free popcorn, children’s activities and roving acts, with the feature film, Wonka (PG, 2023), to begin at sundown. Local food vendors will be in attendance. Pet and alcohol free event.
Join award-winning saxophonist Nick Russoniello for a concert experience like no other. In Air Mass, Nick combines virtuosic saxophone performance with audience-generated sounds, live looping, and body percussion to create an interactive and immersive musical journey. Expect an exciting blend of lyricism and rhythm as the program moves seamlessly from baroque elegance to beatbox energy—and everything in between. Whether you’re a lover of classical music or intrigued by modern innovation, Air Mass promises to surprise and inspire. Program: Edwards Chorale and Ecstatic Dance; […]
Tresure hunt together with swapmeet and car boot sale - save the date!
The National Committee, has great pleasure in announcing that Armidale, will be hosting the 2025 National Rally. The main location for the Rally will be at the Armidale Showground - a bar will be operating every night, camping will be available. The Road Safety Forum, the Extended National Committee Meeting and the Annual General Meeting will be held at the Armidale Bowling Club. The Formal Dinner on the Saturday night will be held at the Armidale Ex-Services Club, 137 Dumaresq […]
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. Ticket also available at door.
Also known as New England Makers, Creators and Producers Expo There is a great line up of stallholders ready to showcase some of the New England's finest local produce, wine, food, art and hand-made products, for our this Expo. The Expo provides a showcase of over 100 exhibitors, a free kids tent, shady seating, live local musicians, fabulous food, sensational shopping and a full bar. From 5.00-6.00pm the stallholders head home and the focus is on our wonderful local musicians […]
To Paint A War - Richard Travers The Australian artists of World War 1 approached their subject personally in ways that reflected their experience of the war. Australian historian Richard Travers will follow them as they leave Australia in search of inspiration and fame in London and Paris and respond to the international crisis.
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. Ticket also available at door.
