OPENING NIGHT

SAT 17th OCTOBER

4pm - 9pm

Main roads close and Armidale’s main streets overflow with free live music, theatre, dance and art.

The Armidale Region's diverse communities share their cultural traditions — plus loads of free activities for the kids, the Arts North West Gather and Trade market, art installations to leave your mark on, and this year, a microphone with your name on it…

FEEL THE BEAT

KEYIM BA

Intoxicating West African Grooves

“AUSTRALIA has a West African band capable of holding its own on the world stage….” Tony Hillier, The Australian
Eamon Dilworth & The Crawfish Po' Boys

Rollicking bayou-inspired brass
Bringing the infectious spirit of New Orleans to life with rollicking brass, blues, jazz and soul. Expect big smiles, irresistible grooves and plenty of singing and dancing.
Betty Bilby's Silent Disco

Let’s go Armidale!
Put on your dancing shoes and boogie the night away with Australia’s best marsupial DJ.
The Karma Cowboys

proper - good - country

Straight outta Glen Innes these boys are ready to make your boot scootin’ dreams come true.
NECOM

Excellence takes the stage

From rising stars to accomplished performers, enjoy an outstanding lineup presented by our region's prestigious and much-loved music conservatorium.

SET TIMES COMING SOON

JUMP IN

CLIPPED! KARAOKE

Step up to the mic!

An interactive music video experience where anybody can become the star of the show, whether you are seasoned performer or just in it for the laughs.
DRUMMING WORKSHOP

SIBO BANGOURA (Keyim Ba)

No experience necessary, this is a unique opportunity to share in Sibo's passion and learn from one of the best. BYO drum (be it bongo's or an upside-down bucket). All ages.
IN THE FLESH (Adults only)

presented by HOT MESS
Friendly, attentive, and always ready to help, our customer service manager ensures every interaction is a positive one. They keep communication clear, timely, and human.
POP UP ART THERAPY

NEROLI MAKIM (AthR)

Step out of the festival buzz and into a creative oasis. Join accredited Art Therapist neroli Makim for a playful, hands-on art-making experience designed to help you relax, unwind and reconnect with your creativity.

STORIES & TRADITIONS

ARMIDALE COLONIAL STORIES

WALKING TOUR
Peek behind closed doors and uncover the stories that shaped Armidale.
The Pine Forest

Reenactors of New England
Step into a living village timeline and explore medieval Europe from the 7th to 15th centuries.
ORACLE OF TIME

LAURA JADE & LESLIE MARSH

Dial a year be transported through time. Artist Laura Jade has collaborated with data scientist Leslie Marsh, the Armidale Historical Society, the Armidale Folk Museum, NERAM and the UNE Archives to bring this interactive art installation to life.
Armidale Women's Stories

Guided Walking Tour

Uncover the hidden connections between some of Armidale's most familiar buildings and the extraordinary women whose lives left a lasting mark on our community.
THE CULTURE PRECINCT

CELEBRATE ARMIDALE’S DIVERSE CULTURES
A crowd favourite in 2025, the Culture Precinct is back. Wander through, take part and enjoy as locals share their cultural dances, art and traditions.

Site Map coming soon

GOT KIDS?

CIRCUS PLAY

KAYA BOOM
Step into a world of wonder with giant games, circus skills, hands-on activities and colourful entertainment for all ages.
CLUB CHAOS

presented by Hot Mess

Little legends and their grown-ups are invited to dive into a playful world of dancing, costumes, characters, games and creative chaos. Located in the Pop-Up Theatre.
Bubble'licious

Miss Bubbles

Enchanting bubbleology, filling the air with giant, shimmering bubbles of every shape and size that invite you to wonder, chase, and pop!
CHALK WALK

ARTS NORTH WEST
Paint the town red… or just leave your mark on our streets for the night.
Face Painting

Always a favourite! Who will you be this year?

FIRST NATIONS

WELCOME TO COUNTRY

Aboriginal Keeping Place & Cultural Centre

4pm | Main Stage
GATHER & TRADE MARKET

Arts North West
More than a marketplace, Gather & Trade celebrates living culture, supports local Aboriginal creative enterprise. Every purchase directly supports Aboriginal artists and contributes to the continued growth of the region's creative economy.
LYAMBAY ABORIGINAL DANCE GROUP

ARMIDALE SECONDARY COLLEGE

Head to the Culture Precinct to see Armidale’s Lyambay Aboriginal Dance group perform.
MORE COMING SOON

BE INSPIRED

FESTIVAL OF DELUSION

David Eddy
Like video games? Press play. A multimedia performance combining gaming, algorithmically generated music and guitar improvisation.
New England Regional Film Festival

Curated by local filmmakers Daniel Elliott, Grace Bowman and Mike Terry, the inaugural NERFF celebrates regional storytelling, emerging creatives and independent filmmaking through a three-hour screening of films from across New England NSW.
MBAWTA UMBRELLA

Black Gully Festival & GIV Creative
An interactive sound-and-light installation where visitors use movement to awaken magpie calls and explore connections between language, technology, people and the natural environment
FREE BY NATURE

Jocelyn Cafe
Celebrate Australian storytelling through 16-year-old Jocelyn Cafe’s award-winning bush poetry and handcrafted sculptures made from reclaimed farm materials.
CONFETTI CLOUD

Pat Harris
Dance with this digital art installation