Scenes from the Climate Era is a wild race through vignettes exploring an uncertain future. Image: Belvoir Theatre.
Mother’s Day is coming in hot — and so are the set menus. Yes, just about every venue in the Illawarra is rolling out a brunch, lunch or flute of bubbles in Mum’s honour (and honestly, she deserves it).
But if you’re looking for something a little more out of the bouquet – or even something not related to mother dearest at all – we’ve rounded up a mix of the classics and some fresh, fun ideas.
From theatre to comedy, ladies’ race days to women’s rights activism, things with kids and things without, there’s plenty on not only for that most special woman in your life, but everyone else, too.
Here are nine things worth getting out for in the Illawarra this week. Go on, make it a week to remember.
Multiple Days
Scenes from the Climate Era
When: Wednesday 14 to Saturday 17 May, various times
Where: Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Adult $65 | Pensioner/Student $55 | Groups 8+ / Under 30s $50 | Book via TicketSearch.
A group of friends reminisce about the last time they took a flight, before all that came to an end. Landholders in Borneo confront western environmentalists over who owns the forest. A frog, the last of its species, starts calling for a mate, but there’s no-one to hear. A family takes to the water, needing a new home, new hope…
Billed as “remarkable, illuminating and shocking”, Scenes from the Climate Era is a wild race through vignettes exploring an uncertain future of beaches where once there were none, travelling the world when aeroplanes are gone and oh, yeah, zombie mice. Australian writer, climate expert and winner of the 2021 Green Room Award for Best Writing, David Finnigan (Griffin Theatre Company’s Kill Climate Deniers) joins Belvoir resident director Carissa Licciardello to bring this breath-catching production to the stage.
Why not treat Mum to a blooming good education, retail and sensory experience. Photo: SundryPhotography.
Illawarra Grevillea Park Open Day
When: Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Illawarra Grevillia Park Botanic Garden, Grevillia Park Road, Bulli
Cost: Adult $7 | Child Free | Payable upon entry.
Nestled at the foot of the Illawarra Escarpment near the historic township of Bulli, the large colourful display gardens of The Grevillea Park will be on full display this weekend. With hundreds of grevilleas and other native species and cultivars on show, it will be a feast for the eyes of any flower lover. Banksias are prominent at this time of the year, and there will be a rainforest walk incorporating a sensory trail as well as acres to explore including a vine forest walk that leads to an extremely old giant blackbutt tree.
Bring the family and a picnic and make a day of it. There will be a large range of native plants for sale including the most extensive range of grafted plants anywhere in NSW, an extensive range of gardening books for sale and plenty of free advice.
Block out some time this weekend for this epic LEGO lovers event. Image: Illawarra Annual Brick Show.
8th Illawarra Annual Brick Show
When: Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Shellharbour City Stadium, 110 Croome Road, Croom
Cost: Adult/Concession $12 | Child (3-17 years) $10 | Infant (0-2 years) Free | Family $40 | Book via Humanitix.
Calling all block heads – the ultimate LEGO® experience is back. Headline events include the Buildings of the World Exhibit with stunning recreations such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Celebrity Brick Battle, where you’ll watch local legends, Brick Masters and competition winners face off in an epic brick-building challenge. There are also kids activities like face painting, interactive zones and a meet and greet with Illawarra’s Friendly Neighbourhood Spidey and Bumblebee.
As a special Mother’s Day bonus, all mums receive a free raffle ticket for a chance to win one of four LEGO® flower bouquets.
Ready for some belly laughs? The best of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is set to converge in Wollongong. Image: Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow 2025
When: Saturday 10 May, 7:30 pm and Sunday 11 May, 5 pm
Where: Main Auditorium, Wollongong Town Hall, corner Crown and Kembla streets, Wollongong
Cost: Adult $49 | Concession/Student/Groups 8+ $44 | Book via TicketSearch.
Australia’s most iconic comedy road trip delivers laughs from coast to coast and everywhere in between. Featuring top-tier talent from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, this year’s comedy extravaganza is packed with big-name headliners, beloved comedy legends and the hottest new stars on the scene. For a guaranteed night of fun, round up your friends for some serious laughs.
Saturday
Race into Mother’s Day fun at this special trackside event. Photo: Supplied.
Ladies Race Day
When: Saturday 10 May, 11 am
Where: Kembla Grange Racecourse, Princes Highway, Kembla Grange
Cost: From $10 | Book via Moshtix.
The AJ Bert Lillye Lounge lights up for Ladies Day with the ultimate pre-Mother’s Day celebration. Treat yourself and the ladies in your life to the Mad Hatter’s High Tea with racecourse entry, champagne on arrival, reserved seating and a delicious selection of sweet and savoury canapes. There will be giveaways and raffles, a prize for the best hat at the high tea, as well as a fashions on the field competition open to all racegoers on the day.
Alternatively, you can enjoy modern Australian cuisine with 180-degree views of the winning post at the Ken Brown Dining Room or revel in the race day atmosphere at the Lawn Marquee or the Grandstand Bistro overlooking the home straight with easy access to bars, the betting ring and the trackside lawn where all the action happens.
Don’t miss the ultimate covers experience with The Ten Tenors. Photo: The Teen Tenors Facebook.
Ten Tenors Concerts
When: Saturday 10 May, 2 and 7 pm
Where: Anita’s Theatre, 264-270 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul
Cost: $99 to $110 | Book via TicketMaster.
Australia’s favourite tenor ensemble The Ten Tenors is on the Australian leg of their massive world tour and its next stop is Wollongong. What started as a one-off performance for a corporate event by a slightly ragtag group of young blokes from Brisbane’s Conservatorium of Music in 1995 has gone on to become a touring juggernaut. Known for their iconic performances of some of the all-time great songs, each show features new and exciting interpretations of well-known classic pop and rock songs, accompanied by show-stopping choreography.
Expect good grooves, lush melodies, and high-energy improvisations from jazz musos at the top of their game. Photo: Emma Mees.
The Natalie Claire Jazz Band Live
When: Saturday 10 May, 6 pm
Where: The Vault, 72-74 Wentworth Street, Port Kembla
Cost: $35 | Book via The Vault.
How does a night of smooth tunes and sophistication sound? The Natalie Claire Jazz Band brings us an evening of tender ballads, hard-swinging classic jazz and upbeat Latin rhythms not to be missed. This technically masterful singer will take you on a musical journey that is playful yet classy, celebrating the classics by Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra and more. Natalie’s voice is warm and smooth, and her interpretation of the classics is genuinely classy. She is joined by her exquisite band: Marcello Maio on keys, Nicholas Powning on double bass and Steve Ley on drums.
Walkley Award-winning journalist Jess Hill is investigating Australia’s National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children to find out what’s working and what’s not – and what we can do to turn things around. Image: Supplied.
Jess Hill on her Quarterly Essay – Losing It: Can we stop violence against women and children?
When: Saturday 10 May, 7 pm
Where: Coledale Community Hall, 745 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Coledale.
Cost: General $10 | Pay What You Can | Book via Humanitix.
Australian governments have promised to end gendered violence in a single generation – but this bold commitment to nation building has not yet been matched by the funding, innovation and resources necessary to achieve it. If anything, gendered violence has only escalated.
Join Walkley Award-winning journalist and the Premier’s NSW Woman of Excellence 2024 Jess Hill in conversation with Regina Featherstone, senior lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre for a discussion on an important essay. Questions will be taken after, and Collins Booksellers Thirroul will be running a pop-up store selling the Quarterly Essay and Jess’ other works.
Wednesday
Born and bred and think you know the Illawarra inside out? Have another look through a new (old) lens. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
Illawarra in the 1940s and 50s – 8mm Film Screening
When: Wednesday 14 May, 1 to 2 pm
Where: Wollongong Library, 41 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Free | Book via eventbrite.
As part of 2025 Heritage Festival, the Wollongong Libraries local studies team have unearthed some 8 mm film footage taken around the Illawarra in the 1950s. Step back in time viewing 1950s surf carnivals, Queen’s Coronation celebration parades and some soccer games, from an original 8 mm projector. You may see yourself, a family member or friend in the footage and help the local studies team discover more information to add to library records.
