Rug up and get set to fall in love with winter nights on the coast — the Kiama Winter Street Festival is a major highlight on this week’s social calendar. Photo: Destination Kiama.
Whether you’re chasing a cosy dose of winter culture or looking for ways to keep the kids entertained during the holidays, this week’s what’s on guide is packed with reasons to head out and explore.
Expect gallery walls alive with colour and curiosity, festival vibes lighting up main streets and workshops that invite you to get hands-on with creativity.
There’s something for road trippers, art lovers, footy fans and music buffs — from major expos and milestone celebrations to intimate exhibitions in tucked-away spaces.
Whether you’re planning a family day out, a night of live music, or you just want to soak up something new, there’s plenty happening across the Illawarra and beyond to make your week a little more interesting.
Multiple Days
Each artwork on display at this exhibition pops with passion, resilience and the unique spark of people living with disability. Image: Kyrillos Sidrak.
Outsider Art Exhibition
When: Until Sunday 27 July, 10 am to 5 pm daily
Where: Project Contemporary Artspace, 255 Keira Street, Wollongong
Cost: Free.
Celebrating the artistic talents of people with disability, the Outsider Art program, led by talented art therapist Victoria Velozo, is an innovative initiative that allows people with all abilities to express their emotions, feelings and experiences through various artistic mediums, such as painting, drawing, pottery and craft. Explore a collection of more than 100 curated artworks and pottery by talented artists. Most artworks will be for sale.
Get all the information you need to start living your best caravan life. Image: Illawarra Caravan Lifestyle Expo.
Illawarra Caravan Lifestyle Expo
When: Friday 11 to Sunday 13 July, 9:30 am to 4 pm daily
Where: Kembla Grange Racecourse, Princes Highway, Kembla Grange
Cost: Adult $16 | Concession $12 | Under 16s free | Book via Oztix.
Ever dreamed of hitting the open road with everything you need in tow? For three jam-packed days, this event brings together the very best in caravans, motorhomes, campervans, camper trailers, tents, camping gear, touring accessories and holiday park experiences — all in one exciting location. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or just starting to plan your next great escape, you’ll find everything you need to turn your road trip dreams into reality.
Saturday
Step into a bona fide winter wonderland in Kiama. Photo: Destination Kiama.
Kiama Winter Street Festival
When: Saturday 12 July, various times
Where: Terralong Street, Kiama
Cost: Free.
Presented by Destination Kiama, this free, family-friendly event transforms a stretch of Terralong Street — temporarily closed to road traffic — into a buzzing hub of entertainment. Pedestrians and party-goers are welcome to revel in the festival atmosphere, enjoying open street dining from local cafes and restaurants. See the heart of Kiama spring to life with a vibrant program of diverse activities. Festival highlights include engaging street performances, free interactive workshops, diverse dance performances, live music, fun kids’ activities, on-street dining experiences and late-night shopping.
Chick Butcher’s potent new solo exhibition is described as a “sculptural reckoning on loss and presence”. Image: Foundery Family Centre.
Launch: Where Thought Settles
When: Saturday 12 July, 5 to 7 pm
Where: Sevenmarks Gallery, 7 Marks Street, Kiama
Cost: Free | Book via eventbrite.
At a time when contemporary art often mirrors the relentless pace of the world, Where Thought Settles compels us to slow and pause. This marks Chris Butcher’s second major presentation within the gallery he co-founded, and it lands with presence. Working with timber, glass and corten steel, Butcher “gives form to what lingers — where mass meets memory and absence”. Each work is pared back, exacting and quiet, inviting close attention rather than spectacle.
The exhibition is viewable Fridays 10 am to 5 pm and Saturdays 10 am to 3 pm until Saturday 23 August.
Bring the family, grab your friends and join in a jam-packed celebration across the entire club, with something happening around every corner. Image: Dapto Leagues Club.
Cheers to 70 Years at Dapto Leagues Club
When: Saturday 12 July, 9:30 am to 9:30 pm
Where: Dapto Leagues Club, corner Station Street and Bong Bong Road, Dapto
Cost: Free entry | Book via Dapto Leagues Club.
To mark “70 years as the beating heart of the community”, Dapto Leagues Club is throwing a big, community-wide bash. Headlining are hourly cash prize giveaways from 1 to 7 pm, ending with a $700 prize. Tabatinga will host a silent disco, and other kids’ entertainment includes face painting, a magician and balloon twisting. There will be a fairy floss booth, a photo booth, live music, specials and the cutting of the cake and formal proceedings at midday.
Sunday
Unleash your creativity amid the most inspiring force on Earth — nature. Photo: Bundanon.
Workshop — Layered Landscape
When: Sunday 13 July, 10 am to noon
Where: Art Museum, Bundanon, 170 Riversdale Road, Illaroo
Cost: $25 | Book via Bundanon.
Join the Bundanon Learning Team for a guided art workshop inspired by the landscape. Set among the trees, participants will explore drawing techniques to reflect Bundanon’s unique bushland. Using charcoal and pastel to create a layered response to the landscape, this workshop encourages close looking at the natural world. This program is suitable for adults, and welcomes all abilities.
Thursday
Kyah is dedicated and passionate about helping our future generations fall in love with football and chase their dreams. Photo: Kyah Simon.
Kyah Simon’s Girls School Holiday Football Clinic
When: Thursday 17 July, 9 am to 2 pm
Where: WIN Stadium, 49 Harbour Street, Wollongong
Cost: $180 | Book via Kyah Simon.
After hosting KS17 Girls School Holiday Clinics at CommBank Stadium and Accor Stadium, Kyah Simon’s girls football clinics are coming to the Gong to inspire a whole new batch of future female football stars. These clinics provide a fostering environment for girls of all abilities, aged between six and 18 years old, with an opportunity to have fun and meet new friends, while learning new skills coached by Kyah herself. Kyah also allocates time for a mentoring session with the girls, touching on the important values that have helped her throughout her career with The Matildas.
Bring home your own photobook inspired by the works of Patrick Pound. Photo: Wollongong Art Gallery.
Photobook Workshop
When: Wollongong Art Gallery, 46 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Where: Thursday 17 July, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Cost: $15 | Book via eventbrite.
In this workshop you will collect images inspired by Patrick Pound. The gallery will use its curatorial and photocopying skills to help you produce photobooks much like Patrick Pound’s Windows. Photobooks have become a subcultural phenomenon globally, with a following that is small but dedicated. The photobook is not just an album; it is a medium and it is an art object in and of itself. Participants will all leave with their very own photobook.
Pete Murray needs little introduction as one of Australia’s most successful singer-songwriters. Image: Unified Music Group.
Pete Murray
When: Thursday 17 July, 6:30 pm
Where: Anita’s Theatre, 264-270 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul
Cost: $85 | Book via Ticketmaster.
Revered Australian singer-songwriter Pete Murray is stopping in Thirroul on his mammoth 54-date run in solo acoustic mode for the first time ever. Armed with an acoustic guitar and a stunning back catalogue of hits to create his setlists from, audiences can settle in for a great night of Australian virtuosity.
“I’ve never done a solo tour in this country before … I’ve done it overseas and people love it, so it’s about time I did it in my own country,” he said.
Expect storytelling of his songs, life and career in this special and intimate show.
