Thirroul springs to life with its annual seaside festival this weekend. Photo: Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival.
As we edge closer to the Easter long weekend, the Illawarra is absolutely buzzing this week with everything from high-altitude kites to deep-dive history lessons.
We’ve got the massive return of the Thirroul Seaside & Arts Festival, which has smartly traded its winter woollies for the autumn sun, promising a three-day feast of culture and carnival vibes.
If you’re feeling active, you can march for a cause at the Palm Sunday Rally or plan ahead to test your endurance on a moonlit trek for our veterans on ANZAC Day eve.
Whether you’re hunting for chocolate eggs with the kids in Shellharbour or hunting for creative inspiration at SurfLife in Gerringong, there is no excuse to stay home this week.
Multiple Days
Thirroul’s biggest weekend of the year has officially ditched the winter chill, moving its massive program to March to soak up the autumn sunshine. Photo: Thirroul Seaside & Arts Festival.
Thirroul Seaside & Arts Festival
When: Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March, various times
Where: Various Thirroul locations
Cost: Free entry* | Book via Thirroul Seaside & Arts Festival.
This three-day extravaganza kicks off with a sophisticated opening exhibition night on Friday, before the skies above the beach transform into a kaleidoscope of colour for Saturday’s Kite Day. The festivities reach a fever pitch on Sunday with the “Festival in the Park”, boasting more than 60 market stalls, carnival rides, live music, and enough food trucks to satisfy every seaside craving. Whether you are hunting for a local masterpiece at the art show or just want to treat the kids to a day of coastal magic, this long-running community gem remains the undisputed crown jewel of the northern suburbs.
*Tickets to opening night of the art exhibition costs $25.
Saturday
Hop to it, because the hunt is on. Photo: Nestea06.
Easter Egg Hunt at Stockland Shellharbour
When: Saturday 28 March, 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Stockland Shellharbour, 211 Lake Entrance Road, Shellharbour City Centre
Cost: Free.
Stockland Shellharbour is turning the shopping mall into a chocolate-filled adventure for 300 lucky little bunnies this Saturday. To join the mission, head to the redemption desk near Customer Care to grab your official trail card and basket before embarking on a quest through participating retailers. You’ll be collecting stamps and mini treats as you go, with a special Easter-themed prize waiting for those who successfully complete their egg-cellent mission.
Since participation is on a first-come, first-served basis, you’ll want to arrive early to ensure your tiny explorers don’t miss out on the magic. It’s the perfect way to burn off some pre-Easter energy while ticking off the weekly groceries.
Dust off your dancing shoes and ride the wave down to Gerringong as the SurfLife Music Festival makes its high-voltage return to the historic Town Hall. Image: SurfLife Music Festival Gerringong.
SurfLife Music Festival
When: Saturday 28 March, 11 am to late
Where: Various Gerringong locations
Cost: $53.80 | Book via Oztix.
This highly anticipated day kicks off with free live music along Fern Street from 11 am. Soak in the coastal-country charm of the town as you visit local shops and cafes, while listening to the beautiful soulful tunes of local buskers. At 1 pm, Ocean Wizard brings more family-friendly fun to Town Hall with the “Hour of Power”, a free hour of pure fun and dancing for the littlies and their grandparents to create lasting memories.
As the sun sets, the “Main Event” shifts gears into a ticketed, funk-filled party headlined by the indie-folk charm of Sunday Lemonade and the electric energy of Autumn Sunset. Best of all, this year’s proceeds go directly to Headspace Kiama, making your Saturday night boogie a powerful contribution to local youth mental health services.
Ever wondered how to turn those dusty birth certificates and grainy black-and-white photos into a page-turning saga? Image: SCWC.
Writing Family History: From Facts to Narrative
When: Thursday 2 April, 12:30 to 5 pm
Where: Coledale Community Hall, 745 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Coledale
Cost: SCWC Member $120 | Non-Member $150 | Book via Humanitix.
Dr Betty O’Neill, a published author and genealogist seen on Who Do You Think You Are?, is hosting an intensive workshop designed to bridge the gap between dry research and compelling storytelling. Whether you’ve uncovered scandalous secrets or just want to preserve Grandma’s favorite traditions, this interactive session provides the tools to weave facts into a narrative that will captivate future generations.
Bring along a family object or a cherished photograph and prepare to spend your Thursday afternoon digging deep into your roots. No prior writing experience is required, just a notebook, a laptop and a healthy dose of curiosity.
Dive into the rhythmic, raw world of Kiama-based artist Mikey Freedom as he unveils his latest exhibition, Tempest. Image: @mikeyfreedom71.
Launch: Tempest
When: Saturday 28 March, 5 to 7 pm
Where: SEVENMARKS Gallery, 7 Marks Street, Kiama
Cost: Free.
Known for his roots in the 1980s Sydney graffiti scene, Kiama-based artist Mikey Freedom has traded the spray can for a sophisticated “rhythmic classicism” that blends jazz-like improvisation with bold, cut-out forms in this new exhibition. The collection serves as a personal interpolation of Shakespeare’s famous play, gathering fragments and artistic debris to explore themes of endurance and uncertainty. Whether you are a fine art aficionado or a street art fan, this exhibition offers a compelling look at the potency of the human mark.
Sunday
Raise your voice and your handmade signs this weekend as the Refugee Action Collective Illawarra takes to the streets for its annual Palm Sunday demonstration. Photo: ADDICTIVE_STOCK.
Palm Sunday Peace March
When: Sunday 29 March, 2 to 3:20 pm
Where: Wollongong Town Hall, corner of Crown and Kembla streets, Wollongong
Cost: Free.
While the date marks the traditional start of Holy Week, this inclusive event swaps religious ceremony for a powerful stand in solidarity with those seeking safety on our shores. Hear from a heavy-hitting line-up of speakers, including Senator David Shoebridge and local advocates sharing lived experiences of displacement and resilience. With a local choir providing the soundtrack and a spirited marching band leading the way through the CBD, it is a chance for the Illawarra community to march for humanity, fairness and a warmer welcome for all.
Hop on down for an afternoon of pure Easter magic at Club Jamberoo’s annual family celebration. Image: Club Jamberoo.
Easter Family Fun Day at Club Jamberoo
When: Sunday 29 March, 2 pm
Where: Club Jamberoo, 11 Allowrie Street, Jamberoo
Cost: Free.
Club Jamberoo will be buzzing with excitement as the Easter Bunny makes a high-stakes appearance, armed with enough chocolate eggs to keep the kids occupied while the adults soak up the sunshine. Get your creative juices flowing for the “Best Easter Hat or Bonnet” competition, or let Miss Nicole work her magic with some professional face painting. With the Valley Cafe Gelato Cart serving up cool treats and local favourites X Parte providing a live soundtrack to the afternoon, it is the ultimate community-style celebration for those who like their public holidays with a side of country charm.
Monday
Grab your head torch, embrace the morning chill and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the tribe for an unforgettable Anzac Day tribute. Photo: ckstockphoto.
Register: ANZAC Eve Midnight to Dawn Trek4Vets
When: Shirts purchased before Monday 30 March will be available for collection at registration. Event takes place Friday 24 April, 11:30 pm
Where: Anzac Grove, Memorial Park, Corrimal
Cost: Registration $75 | Registration Bundle with T-shirt $140 | Book via Trek4Vets.
Starting under the cover of darkness, participants will navigate a challenging 20 km course that winds from the steep, uneven terrain of the Illawarra Escarpment down to the coastal pathways of Wollongong. It is a brisk, four-to-five-hour march designed to push your fitness levels just as the sun begins to peek over the horizon.
Aimed at supporting veterans and first responders, the trek concludes just in time for the dawn service, offering a profound sense of camaraderie and reflection.
Wednesday
Kick off Youth Week 2026 by celebrating the next generation of creative powerhouses at the Shellharbour Civic Centre. Image: Shellharbour Civic Centre.
Launch: Youth Art & Design Exhibition
When: Wednesday 1 April, 9 am to 5 pm (Runs until 30 April)
Where: Shellharbour Civic Centre, 76 Cygnet Avenue, Shellharbour City Centre
Cost: Free.
This month-long showcase puts a vibrant spotlight on local young artists, offering them a professional platform to share their vision with the wider community. From bold digital designs to traditional canvas works, the exhibition is a testament to the raw talent and fresh perspectives flourishing in our backyard. It is the perfect mid-week stop for a dose of inspiration, whether you are a fellow creative looking to scout the competition or simply a fan of supporting grassroots art. Best of all, it’s completely free to wander through and admire the future of the Illawarra art scene.
