Eats and Beats Albion Park will feature plenty of live music, markets, and a heap of food to choose from. Photo: Shellharbour City Council.
After heavy rain and strong winds forced a winter postponement, Albion Park is finally set to get its taste of Eats and Beats — with Tongarra Road transforming into a hub of food, music, markets and family entertainment on 1 November.
It follows the opening of the six-part Eats and Beats Street Series in Oak Flats in September, which attracted thousands of residents and visitors.
The series will see the events alternate between Albion Park and Oak Flats over the next three years, thanks to the NSW Government’s Open Streets Program, led by Transport for NSW.
As part of Shellharbour City Council’s mission to energise the growing town centres, Albion Park will be next with the rescheduled Eats and Beats special twilight edition bringing the main street alive at night.
It will be held in collaboration with the Albion Park Chamber of Commerce and feature magical lighting, live music and beats, street food and sweet treats, creative market stalls, roving performers, games galore, and plenty of family-based entertainment.
Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said he was looking forward to Eats and Beats finally making its mark on Albion Park after the success of Oak Flats.
“Oak Flats came alive with colour, sound, and flavour, and we’re excited to bring that same energy to Albion Park in November,” Cr Homer said.
“These events are about creating spaces where people can connect, celebrate and enjoy the unique character of their community.
“We’re proud to support local businesses and provide opportunities for families to come together in a fun and inclusive way.”
Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said she was looking forward to representing Minister John Graham at the Albion Park event in November.
“This event is a celebration of food, music, community, and the vibrant spirit that makes this town so special,” Ms Watson said.
“This event is part of the NSW Government’s Vibrant Streets Package, a more than $39 million investment designed to bring energy and life back into our streets, making them safer, more enjoyable, and more connected places for everyone.”
Minister for Transport John Graham said too often main streets were something people drove through, rather than drove to.
“Our main streets are a critical part of our social infrastructure, and this program demonstrates how we can use our streets to bring communities together and drive revenue for local businesses,” Mr Graham said.
“The Open Streets Program temporarily transforms our main streets into thriving, vibrant public event spaces.”
He said the colour and diversity of each of the 240 events across NSW that were part of the program celebrated the unique personality of each town or suburb.
“This is what our vibrancy agenda is all about, backing locals to create events and entertainment that works for their local community,” he said.
Council was successful in receiving $350,000 through the program to be used across the three years of the series.
Future Street Series dates include Albion Park on 27 June 2026 and 26 June 2027; and Oak Flats on 19 September 2026, and 18 September 2027.
Eats and Beats Albion Park will be held on Tongarra Road, Albion Park on 1 November from 5 to 9 pm.
