Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer with Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson launching a new edition of Eats and Beats in Oak Flats planned for this September. Photo: Shellharbour City Council.
Shellharbour’s popular Eats and Beats festival continues to expand, with the launch of a new spring edition in Oak Flats this September.
Its announcement was coupled with a newly confirmed date for the rescheduled winter twilight edition of Eats and Beats in Albion Park, which was postponed due to heavy rain and strong winds earlier in July.
Both events will now form part of a six-event Eats and Beats Street Series alternating between the two locations over the next three years, thanks to $350,000 in funding from the NSW Government’s Open Streets Program 2025-28.
Shellharbour City Council will partner with Transport for NSW to deliver the events, which will bring food, music, markets and family entertainment to the heart of the town centres.
It will see the Oak Flats festival take place on 20 September, marking the first spring event in the growing street series, and the rescheduled Albion Park event on 1 November.
Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer said the events would showcase the energy and character of their communities.
“This is all about creating energetic spaces where people can come together, enjoy themselves and celebrate the spirit of their local area,” Cr Homer said.
“We’re excited to launch the new Oak Flats spring event and just as pleased to confirm the rescheduled Eats and Beats event to Albion Park in November.
“These events reflect the vibrancy of our town centres and the strong community spirit behind them.”
Funding by the Open Streets Program is part of the NSW Government’s Vibrant Streets Package.
It’s a program that encourages the temporary closure of streets to vehicles, turning them into walkable spaces activated with outdoor dining, entertainment and cultural activities.
Each festival is co-designed with schools, businesses and community groups to reflect the unique identity of each location.
In Oak Flats, the September event will also align with Oak Flats Public School’s Spring Fair, adding to the festive community atmosphere.
Traders will be encouraged to get involved through extended trading, interactive activities, promotions and sponsorship opportunities.
In Albion Park, it will showcase Tongarra Road and the adjacent areas of Albion Park as a lively, busy community-focused space where people want 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,” Cr Homer said of Albion Park.
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.
Eats and Beats festivals in the six-event series include Oak Flats on 20 September, 19 September 2026, and 18 September 2027, and Albion Park on 1 November, 27 June 2026 and 26 June 2027.
