A full week of fun, entertainment and a celebration of the magic of childhood, KidsFest Shellharbour is back. Photo: KidsFest Shellharbour.
The temperature might be dropping, but the Illawarra’s event calendar is heating up with a stellar mix of big nights out, festival magic and community spirit.
Music lovers are thoroughly spoiled for choice, with choices ranging from a high-voltage pub rock revival in Wollongong to an elegant, world-class classical guitar performance in the city gallery.
Down in Berry, the air will be thick with the sound of bagpipes and the thrill of medieval battles, while Shellharbour gears up for a week-long takeover of free family fun.
Add in some soul-stirring local theatre and a heavy-hitting line-up of the country’s best stand-up comics and you have zero reasons to stay glued to the couch.
Dive into our top nine picks and start planning your week.
Multiple Days
Celebrating its milestone 18th year, the longest-running free week-long children’s festival in NSW is back with a massive dose of joy and creativity. Image: KidsFest Shellharbour.
KidsFest Shellharbour 2026
When: Sunday 24 to Saturday 30 May, various times
Where: Various Shellharbour locations
Cost: Free| Book via KidsFest.
This year’s KidsFest theme shines a bright spotlight on community kindness, aligning with the United Nations International Year of Volunteers to thank the helping hands that keep the region smiling. Partnering with fantastic local businesses and organisations, the festival offers an accessible, jam-packed program tailored specifically for children aged up to 12 years alongside their parents and carers. It is a wonderful opportunity to explore Shellharbour while creating unforgettable family memories.
Audiences seeking a brilliant dose of homegrown theatre will be captivated by this intimate new play presented as part of the annual independent artists’ program. Photo: Children of the Revolution.
Two Weeks
When: Thursday 28 to Saturday 30 May, 7:30 to 9 pm
Where: Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Pay what you feel | Book via TicketSearch.
Loosely inspired by playwright Siobhán Doran-Chaston’s own life experiences, this tale follows Rosie and Tom, a seriously loved-up, couch-rotting, twenty-something couple who spend their evenings riffing on everything and nothing. However, beneath the comfort of their hilarious pop-culture banter and mundane routines, a ticking countdown has begun toward a cataclysmic event. Two Weeks is a beautiful, funny and deeply moving exploration of life, death and the staggering magic hidden within everyday moments.
Friday
This promises to be an energy-packed ride down memory lane that will have audiences singing along at the top of their lungs. Photo: Supplied.
Aussie to the Bone
When: Friday 22 May, 6:30 pm
Where: Centro CBD, 28 Stewart Street, Wollongong
Cost: Show Only $39 | Dinner and Show $72 | Book via TryBooking.
Get ready for an absolute cracker of a night as former Hi-5 star and ARIA Award-winning powerhouse Nathan Foley unleashes his high-octane tribute show. Leaving the kids’ tunes behind, Foley is trading primary colours for pure pub rock royalty, delivering a spectacular two-hour musical journey through Australia’s greatest hits. Supported by a rockin’ six-piece band, he will be belting out iconic anthems from legends such as John Farnham, INXS, Cold Chisel, and Daddy Cool.
Saturday
Dust off your kilts and prepare for a spine-chillingly spectacular day out as the annual Celtic celebration returns to the historic country town. Photo: Berry Celtic Festival.
Berry Celtic Festival
When: Saturday 23 May, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Where: Berry Showground, 35 Alexandra Street, Berry
Cost: General $20 | Under 15s Free | Book via Humanitix.
The Berry Celtic Festival action kicks off with a vibrant grand street parade featuring proud community groups and majestic jousting horses, before marching into the showground for a thunderous massed band performance by 12 pipe bands. From sword-wielding medieval warriors and musket-firing re-enactors to traditional heavy highland games and lively folk music, the packed program offers something for every clan member. It is the perfect excuse to indulge in themed food stalls while supporting local community projects.
This is a lavish production that lingers long after the final note. Image: Blondes Have More Fun.
Blondes Have More Fun
When: Saturday 23 May, 7:30 pm
Where: Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC), 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: General $59 | Group 10+ $55 | Book via Ticket Search.
Immerse yourself in a fusion of live music and show-stopping visuals, where live vocals combine with aerial artistry. Blondes Have More Fun invites you to lose yourself in a world of iconic hits, bold femininity and unforgettable blonde brilliance. Starring singing aerialist Liz Testa, this spectacular live show features a live band, dynamic dancers, backing vocalists, aerial performances and stunning visual production.
From the timeless elegance of Olivia Newton-John, the pop royalty of Madonna and Kylie Minogue, to the fierce energy of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga and more — this show is a non-stop celebration of the songs, style and star power that defined generations.
Prepare to be swept away by an evening of breathtaking virtuosity and expressive warmth as four of the nation’s most acclaimed solo guitarists unite on one stage. Photo: Australian Guitar Quartet.
Australian Guitar Quartet
When: Saturday 23 May, 7:30 to 9 pm
Where: The Chambers, Wollongong City Art Gallery, 46 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Full $65 | Concession $55 | Student $35 | Book via TryBooking.
Slava Grigoryan, Leonard Grigoryan, Vladimir Gorbach and Andrew Blanch bring their globally recognised talents to an intimate local setting, showcasing a fresh and distinctly Australian voice. Having already wowed audiences at major concert halls across Sydney and Melbourne, this dynamic new ensemble is stopping by as part of a major global tour. Music lovers can look forward to inspired arrangements and new commissions that push the traditional boundaries of string performance.
Tuesday
National Sorry Day Ceremony
When: Tuesday 26 May, 10 am to 1 pm
Where: The Pavilion, 2 Bong Bong Street, Kiama
Cost: Free.
Join the local community in a deeply meaningful morning of reflection, recognition, and unity at the beautiful seaside pavilion. This significant event acknowledges the historic mistreatment of First Nations peoples and honours the resilience of the Stolen Generations, while also marking the official commencement of Reconciliation Week. Attendees will experience a moving Welcome to Country, a traditional smoking ceremony, inspiring guest speakers, and various community activities focused on shared history. It stands as an important, respectful opportunity for locals to come together and walk forward on a shared pathway toward national reconciliation.
Thursday
Little adventurers and their carers are invited to take over the civic centre for a fantastic morning of play, socialising and boundless entertainment designed especially for under fives. Photo: seventyfourimages.
KidsFest Big Play Date
When: Thursday 28 May, 10 am to 1 pm
Where: Shellharbour Civic Centre, 76 Cygnet Avenue, Shellharbour City Centre
Cost: Free.
As a headline event of the wider festival week, this energetic gathering features a delightful mix of live music, interactive games and colourful craft stations. The excitement reaches a peak with a special National Simultaneous Story Time session, featuring a guest appearance by the beloved character Bangu. To top off the fun-filled morning, a classic sausage sizzle will be firing up to keep hungry little tummies happy and energised.
Get ready to have your sides split and your belly aching as the funniest roadshow in the country tears down the freeway and straight into the northern suburbs. Image: Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase.
Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase
When: Thursday 28 May, 8 pm
Where: Anita’s Theatre, 264-270 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul
Cost: $43.03 to $53.22 | Book via Ticketmaster.
Expertly curated by festival masterminds, this jam-packed night delivers a scorching line-up of veteran stage favourites alongside the freshest emerging comedic talent. Boasting two hours of relentless, hard-hitting laughter, the showcase brings the absolute best material from the massive city festival directly to local comedy fans. Set inside a stunning, historic theatre venue, it promises an unforgettable night out that will leave the crowd begging for an encore.
