3 Weeks of creativity
17th Oct - 9th Nov 2026
Check back soon, new events being added every week!
Fractured Sanctuary: Ken O’Regan
Fractured Sanctuary is a luminous meditation on beauty, waste and the sacred. Ken O’Regan transforms hundreds of discarded plastic objects into a glowing, kaleidoscopic composition inspired by the rose windows of medieval cathedrals, Victorian leadlight and the neon signs of contemporary commerce.
What are YOU Looking At?
What Are YOU Looking At? invites us to look closely and to consider what it means to be seen.
New Horizons: Emerging Voices in Landscape
New Horizons: Emerging Voices in Landscape brings together five emerging regional artists whose practices offer fresh and distinctive perspectives on the Australian landscape. Developed through a mentorship program with acclaimed artist Angus Nivison, the exhibition reflects on place, environment and lived experience through diverse approaches to landscape.
Shadow BOX WORLDS (12-14yrs)
Create an artwork for the Armidale Creative Streets Festival in this Youth Shadow Box Worlds Workshop, led by illumination artist Laura Jade.
Shadow BOX WORLDS (15-18yrs)
Create an artwork for the Armidale Creative Streets Festival in this Youth Shadow Box Worlds Workshop, led by illumination artist Laura Jade.
Armidale Women's Stories Walking Tour
Discover the remarkable women who helped shape Armidale.
Join a guided walking tour through Armidale’s historic heart and uncover the hidden connections between some of the city’s most familiar buildings and the extraordinary women whose lives left a lasting mark on our community.
In just a few short blocks, you’ll hear inspiring stories of trailblazers, leaders and changemakers who broke new ground and challenged expectations. Discover remarkable local women whose achievements span fields as diverse as medicine, the military, sport, social justice, government and fire-fighting.
Along the way, familiar streets and buildings take on new meaning as you discover the stories, achievements and contributions of women who helped shape Armidale and its community.
This special walking tour is presented as part of the Armidale Region's 2026 Creative Streets Festival, bringing the Region’s streets, stories and creative community to life through a program of arts, culture, heritage and experiences. It’s an opportunity to see familiar places from a new perspective and celebrate the remarkable women whose stories are woven into the Armidale Region's history.
All tour dates attract a small registration fee, with proceeds supporting the Armidale Women’s Shelter.
Saturday 24th October (2pm - 4pm) Women's Stories Tour
OPENING NIGHT
Main roads close and Armidale’s main streets overflow with free live music, theatre, dance and art.
PERCUSSION WORKSHOP SIBO BANGOURA
Free, open to all ages and levels of experience. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from a true master.
Armidale COLONIAL STORIES WALKING TOUR
Go behind closed doors and uncover the stories that shaped Armidale.
Join a guided walking tour through the city's historic heart, revealing tales of crime and justice, ambition and hardship, colourful characters and remarkable pioneers. From the original lock-up and old courthouse to grand civic buildings, hotels and hidden corners, you'll discover the people and events that brought Armidale to life.
The tour begins with a Welcome to Country and concludes at the Armidale Folk Museum.
This special walking tour is presented as part of Armidale Region's 2026 Creative Streets Festival, bringing the city’s streets, stories and creative community to life through a program of arts, culture, heritage and experiences. It’s an opportunity to see familiar places from a new perspective and discover some of the fascinating stories hidden within Armidale’s historic streets.
Limited places / Registration essential.
A small registration fee applies, with proceeds supporting the Armidale and District Historical Society and its work to preserve and share our local history.
Saturday 24th October (10am - 12pm) Colonial Stories Tour
Chalk Talk
Popular anamorphic street artist, David Zinn (Ann Arbor, Michigan) will give a public talk at the UNE Museum of Antiquities (UNEMA) on Wednesday 21st October at 5:30pm.
Packsaddle Opening Night
Join us for the ringing of the bell to open the 2026 Packsaddle Exhibition!
Be among the first to view and purchase original artworks by leading and emerging Australian artists. Now in its 41st year, Packsaddle is a beloved fundraising exhibition that brings together a curated selection of contemporary paintings, prints, and sculptures in support of NERAM.
Sustainable Styling and Clothes Swap with Nina Gbor
Nina Gbor, eco stylist and sustainable fashion advocate, shares her creativity in this special session where she re-styles a little black dress in ten different ways, to ensure you get the most out of your wardrobe. Then, directly afterwards, we'll be swapping clothes so that you can pass on the good clothes you no longer need, and choose new-to-you items to give your wardrobe a spring refresh. Swapping aims to reduce waste, divert textiles from landfill and is great fun too!
OKTOBERFEST
Live music | DJ | Pretzels | Bratwurst Bar | Games | Free Stein and First Beer
Tix $25 First Release
Tracks and Traces: Unmapping the landscape - Shirley Tier & Deb Malor
This exhibition brings together local artists Deborah Malor and Shirley Tier in an exploration of landscape beyond the visible order imposed by maps: the strictures and structures of human habitation.
Ten by Ten - Terry Cooke
Ten by Ten is an exhibition of exploration and imaginings by Terry Cooke of our high country landscapes presented as a series of framed 10 x 10 cm images.
Local Places and Spaces
The New England region is rich with places, spaces and stories that shape our sense of home and belonging. From landmarks, high country, escarpments, to Duembandyi (Mount Duval), towns, pathways, interiors and exteriors, the landscape offers an endless source of inspiration.
Armidale Markets in the mall - black gully takeover
Experience live music from Musicians of Armidale at the markets in the Beardy Street Mall.
Linocut Printing for Beginners
Discover the art of linocut printing in this hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop.
craft rave at the bistro
Join us at the UNE Bistro for Craft Rave – where creativity meets high-energy beats! Bring your knitting, crocheting, painting, scrapbooking, or whatever crafty project needs finishing, and work alongside fellow students in an electric atmosphere.
New England Garden Festival
A vibrant, two-day celebration of gardening, sustainability and community, the New England Garden Festival brings together growers, makers and green thumbs of all levels.
Headlined by Gardening Australia presenters Hannah Moloney and Jerry Coleby-Williams, the program features workshops, talks and practical advice for cool-climate and drought-resilient gardens.
Visitors can explore up to 100 stalls, enjoy local food and entertainment, and connect with experts and fellow gardeners. Proceeds from this much-loved volunteer-run event support local charities.
Suncatchers - Glass on Glass Mosaics with Chris Fahey
This workshop includes everything needed to complete your suncatcher – substrate, materials and use of tools.
KATIE NOONAN ALONE BUT ALL ONE TOUR
Five-time ARIA Award winner and acclaimed Australian artist Katie Noonan announces new tour dates this spring, celebrating her stunning new album Alone but all one - her 30th studio album.
80s & 90s Singalong Paint and Sip
An 80s and 90s singalong paint and sip with live vocals from Lotti. Paint step by step with our host while the throwback anthems fly, no experience needed and take home a finished canvas at the end.
Painting with Watercolour with Julia Hardman
Painting with Watercolour is for beginners and intermediate painters. The workshop will introduce participants to several basic techniques and will look at the preparation of paper ready for painting, how to control your brush and different methods of application and the mixing and blending of colour.
Black Gully Festival
The highly anticipated Black Gully Festival is set to kick off on Saturday November 8th at the scenic Black Gully Reserve. This free, family-friendly event celebrates the vibrant spirit of Armidale as the weather warms up.