Don’t miss the Illawarra Feltmakers annual exhibition this year. Photo: Lynne Strong.
From glowing family adventures to fine wine indulgence and feel-good community runs, this week in the Illawarra is bursting with flavour, fun and a touch of magic.
Whether you’re in the mood for live music under the stars, a thought-provoking talk on nature’s secret lights, or exploring how felt can be transformed in form and function, there’s something to spark every interest.
Here’s a taste of what’s on – just enough to tempt you to dive in.
Multiple Days
Woolly delights for all ages will be on display. Photo: Lynne Strong.
Felt into Nature
When: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June
Where: Kiama Masonic Hall, 46 Collins Street, Kiama
Cost: Free.
Kiama Masonic Hall transforms into a hub of creativity for the Illawarra Feltmakers annual exhibition. More like a hands-on, family-friendly community event, it is a celebration of all things wool, creativity and community.
Expect vibrant displays of handmade felt art including works by Jamberoo’s Anita Larkin, whose felt sculptures are held by the Australian War Memorial and Wollongong City Gallery. There will be items for sale, felting workshops, live demonstrations of the full felting process and even a funny hat station, where you can try on wacky wool creations in front of a mirror.
The Illawarra Feltmakers also run beginner workshops at the North Kiama Neighbourhood Centre on the first Saturday of the month. These small group sessions are designed to pass on traditional skills in a welcoming, modern way.
Fall in love with the night at Glow Zone. Image: AMA Event Management.
Glow Zone Dapto
When: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June, 5 to 9 pm
Where: Dapto Showgrounds, 89-99 Princes Highway, Dapto
Cost: General $38 | Family $130 | Book via TryBooking.
Glow Zone beckons you out after dark with the promise of winter night-time fun. Your ticket includes all amusements and a glow pack to get started. Once inside you will find stalls to browse, glow activations and installations, glitter bombs, colour fights, a DJ, rides, an outdoor cinema, lots of yummy things to eat and loads of photo opportunities. Enjoy the action or grab a bite, sit back and watch the movie of the night.
Yours and Owls partner once again with Crooked River Estate for the Winter Wine Festival. Image: Crooked River Wines.
Winter Wine Festival
When: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June, 11:30 am to 10 pm
Where: Crooked River Wines, 11 Willowvale Road, Gerringong
Cost: Various | Book via Moshtix.
Marking 10 years since the first Winter Wine Festival in 2015, the 2025 line-up will feature two days of award-winning artists live on stage against the stunning valley backdrop. Major acts including Xavier Rudd, Boy & Bear, Meg Mac, The Beautiful Girls, Coterie and more make up this mid-year event set to fire up through the cool change.
Crooked River Estate will supply the passion, the food, the wine and the views; Yours & Owls will supply the entertainment — all that’s missing is you and yours.
Support and celebrate local distillers this weekend. Photo: Givaga.
Distilled @ The Co-Op Gerringong
When: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June, noon to 10 pm (distilleries onsite noon to 6 pm)
Where: The Co-Op Gerringong, 18 Belinda Street, Gerringong
Cost: Single Day Pass $69 | Weekend Pass $109 | Under 12s Free | Book via The Co-Op Gerringong.
In the perfect blend of old meets new this intimate venue will come alive with a solid line-up of exceptional local musicians and local distilleries. Enjoy tastings from local producers, buy a bottle to take home and/or enjoy a curated cocktail list from featured distilleries. The line-up includes Tara Distillery, Wolf and Woman Distillery, Old Salt Distillery and Merrigangs.
The Hungry Monkey Food Truck and Pines Gelato will all be available. The atmosphere will be hard to beat.
Saturday
Wine and music against the beautiful backdrop of Kiama. Image: Lost Saturdays.
The Fine Wine Fest
When: Saturday 7 June, 1 pm
Where: Kiama Pavillion, 2 Bong Bong Street, Kiama
Cost: General $69 | VIP $89 | Book via Lost Saturdays.
The Fine Wine Festival is again teaming up with some incredible South Coast wineries showcasing some of their best vinos they have to offer. The vino line-up includes Cupitts Estate, Mountain Ridge Winery, Foxground Estate, Coolangatta Estate and Two Figs Winery — not to mention some cracking beers.
Live music comes courtesy of Sneaky Sound System, The Bag Raiders, STUMPS, Camino Gold, Sam Francisco, Brendon & Clay Zane, Olivia Coggins, and Mac Tango.
Kate Ceberano Australian Made Tour
When: Saturday 7 June, 7 pm
Where: Anita’s Theatre, 264-270 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul
Cost: $92 | Book via Ticketmaster.
Kate will be performing iconic Australian songs that have shaped her extraordinary 40 years on the road. Flanked by two powerhouse musicians, Harts and Kathleen Halloran, this show is an invitation to feel the pulse of Australian music history through the eyes of one of its most enduring and celebrated voices.
The set list promises to shift seamlessly between eras and influences like a radio dial spinning through time. You’ll hear hits like Brave, Bedroom Eyes, Pash alongside classics from The Models, Divinyls, INXS, Silverchair, I’m Talking, Renee Geyer, Sia, Split Enz, Oz Crawl, Icehouse, Paul Kelly and more.
Sunday
Don’t miss this day of fun and action for all the family, in support of Red Cross. Image: Kiama Red Cross Fun Run Facebook.
Kiama Red Cross Fun Run
When: Sunday 8 June, from 7 am
Where: Coronation Park, Manning Street, Kiama
Cost: 8/5 km courses $20 | 21.1 km course $50 | Book via Bookeasy.
Follow the beautiful Kiama coastline while supporting the Australian Red Cross in the Kiama Fun Run/Walk. There are three events to choose from: the 21.1 km leaving Kiama Surf Beach at 7 am, the 8 km from James Oates Reserve, Minnamurra at 9 am and the 5 km from Northern Car Park, Bombo at 9 am.
Grab your friends and family and choose your own adventure, all for a good cause. Medallions will be on sale at the finish line for $10 each.
Tuesday
This is a must-attend event for any savvy business owner in the digital age. Image: ITeC Academy.
Business Connections Wollongong: Humanising Security
When: Tuesday 10 June, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Where: ITeC Academy, 1-5 Miller Street, Coniston
Cost: Free | Book via Humanitix.
This session will offer real-world takeaways and fresh perspectives to help you build a more resilient, human-focused approach to security. Join Ericom business development manager Michael Woodward in this engaging evening, where you’ll explore practical strategies that put people at the centre of cybersecurity. Learn how to protect your digital assets, secure customer data and implement effective security measures that support your business and its people.
Thursday
Local bioluminescence enthusiast and photographer David Finlay will take you through the sparkling world of the Illawarra’s bioluminescence. Photo: David Finlay.
Nature Talks in The Library – Bioluminescence in the Illawarra
When: Thursday 12 June, 6 to 7:30 pm
Where: City Library, 76 Cygnet Avenue, Shellharbour City Centre
Cost: Free.
From glowing ghost fungi to fireflies, glow worms and sea sparkles, nature after dark in Shellharbour is home to a fascinating world of bioluminescence. Join local bioluminescence enthusiast and photographer David Finlay for a glimpse into the wonders of the natural world that illuminate the night.
This talk is designed for adults, but children aged 10+ are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
