Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer unveiling The Eats and Beats Street Series WINTER at Tongarra Road, Albion Park. Photo: Shellharbour City Council.
Albion Park’s main street will transform into a glowing hub of food, music and community this July, as Shellharbour City Council brings its vibrant Eats and Beats Street Series WINTER to Tongarra Road.
The twilight street festival on 5 July promises dazzling light installations, on-street dining, live tunes, a creative market and an outdoor movie theatre, all aimed at showcasing the heart of Albion Park as a thriving town centre.
It builds on the success of last year’s Eco Eats and Beats Street Festival in Warilla, which saw the town centre swarming with people looking to experience food trucks, live music, eco-friendly workshops and an upcycled market.
Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said the town centre of Albion Park was a major development area, with more residents moving there, along with the nearby estates of Calderwood and Tullimbar.
Councillor Homer said this twilight event would showcase Tongarra Road and the adjacent areas of Albion Park as a lively, busy community-focused space where people wanted to spend time, fostering a stronger sense of place and identity.
“The plans in place for this area make the main street an ideal place to activate, giving a glimpse into what it could look like in the future,” he said.
“The event is part of council’s broader strategy to activate town centres throughout Shellharbour City through major events, building on the success of previous festivals like Eco Eats and Beats in Warilla.”
A main feature of the event will be lighting and visual installations, including festoon lighting throughout the street and laneways, Mood Park and Melaleuca Park, to create a magical twilight atmosphere.
There will also be ambient on-street dining to highlight Shellharbour eateries, complemented by a treat zone featuring snack-style food stalls such as fairy floss, hot drinks, donuts and ice cream.
Entertainment will include a mix of acoustic buskers, DJ sets and a silent disco, along with roving and interactive elements such as light-up performers and interactive street entertainers.
An exciting public art activation is also planned to be unveiled.
Market stalls will feature creative offerings from Illawarra businesses, while kids will be entertained by an outdoor movie theatre featuring short films, glow face painting and other activities.
In partnership with the Albion Park Chamber of Commerce and businesses, the aim is to foster strong community involvement, encourage extended trading hours and boost economic activity.
Comprehensive planning and stakeholder consultation are being carried out to ensure the event is safe, well organised and minimally disruptive.
Eats and Beats Street Series WINTER will be held on Saturday, 5 July, from 4 pm to 8 pm at Tongarra Road, Albion Park (between Terry and Russell streets).
