The always wonderful Frank Sultana is among the many artists at Sounds of Jazz and Blues this weekend. Photo: Sean Clohesy.
Dust off your dancing shoes and keep your umbrellas on standby, because the Illawarra is officially entering its autumn festival peak. While the weather is meant to be cooling, the local calendar is heating up with a massive week of celebrations, sport and culture.
From the roar of the sideline at the Kiama Beach Tag Tournament to the meditative harmonies of the Nan Tien Temple choir, there is no shortage of excuses to get outdoors.
Music lovers aren’t left behind either; with the jazz and blues spirit taking over Kiama and the psychedelic sounds of Pink Floyd hitting the city, the hills will be very much alive.
Whether you’re hunting for crystal treasures, admiring local woodwork or meeting a furry new friend, here is your ultimate guide to the best of the Illawarra this week.
Multiple Days
The sounds of jazz and blues are still set to reverberate through Kiama and surrounds this weekend. Photo: Kiama Municipal Council.
Sounds of Jazz and Blues Weekend
When: Friday 6 to Sunday 8 March, various times
Where: Various locations, Kiama and surrounds
Cost: Various | Book via individual venues.
The music is still playing in the Kiama region. While the main festival takes a breather this year, the spirit lives on through this community-led celebration of live music. Local venues from Kiama to Gerringong are independently hosting a curated trail of smooth jazz and soulful blues performances.
Expect to find Frank Sultana and other local legends lighting up the pubs, clubs and cafes. A dedicated event shuttle bus will be looping between venues on Sunday, making it easier than ever to hop from a soulful afternoon session to a foot-tapping finale. Check the central gig guide to plan your ultimate musical trek through town.
Note: While most performances are free, entry conditions, capacity limits and booking requirements vary, so please check with each venue before attending.
Kiama Woodcraft Group turns out its finest grains for their annual showcase. Photo: Kiama Wood Craft Group.
Kiama Woodcraft Group Annual Expo
When: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Kiama Masonic Hall, 46 Collins Street, Kiama
Cost: Free.
This isn’t just a gallery of finished furniture – it’s a live-action celebration of traditional craftsmanship featuring demonstrations in woodturning, intricate pyrography, and delicate scroll saw work. The highlight of the weekend is the “Club Showcase”, where members are challenged to transform identical pieces of timber into wildly different creations — and the public gets to play judge to crown the winner. Whether you are hunting for a unique handcrafted gift, scouting for specialty timbers for your own DIY project, or looking to chat with local experts about picking up a chisel yourself, this expo offers a fascinating look at the art hidden within the bark.
Whether you are a seasoned collector or just looking for a little bit of weekend magic, this fair is a literal gem. Image: Gemtopia.
Gemtopia Crystal and Wellness Fair
When: Saturday 7 March, 9:30 am to 5 pm and Sunday 8 March, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: The Pavilion Kiama, 2 Bong Bong Street, Kiama
Cost: $5 Adults | Under 18 Free | Payable upon entry.
Prepare to raise your vibrations as The Pavilion transforms into a shimmering sanctuary for crystal lovers and spiritual seekers alike. Gemtopia brings together more than 35 expert stallholders showcasing everything from museum-grade mineral specimens and raw gemstones to intricate handmade jewellery and wellness products.
Beyond the “rock” stars of the show, visitors can consult with professional intuitive readers or try their luck with daily door prizes. It’s a high-frequency weekend designed for the whole family, featuring a free crystal quiz and gifts for the kids to keep them engaged while you hunt for that perfect statement piece.
Saturday
Kiama Beach Tag Tournament
When: Saturday 7 March, 8 am to 5 pm
Where: Kendalls Beach, Bonaira Street, Kiama
Cost: Free.
Trade the turf for the tide as the largest beach tag tournament in Australia takes over the sands of Kendalls Beach. With 72 teams and more than 175 games scheduled, the competition is set to be fierce, but the real highlight hits at 12:30 pm when NRL and NRLW legends lace up for a star-studded exhibition game.
Off the field, the atmosphere is pure festival vibes, featuring a dedicated “Hill Bar” with live music, more than 20 food stalls, and free full-body skin checks courtesy of the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation. Backed by Destination Kiama and local charity groups, this massive community day out offers the perfect mix of high-stakes sport and coastal relaxation.
Whether you are ready to sign the adoption papers for a new family member or just want to show some love to the local rescue scene, it is bound to be a heartwarming afternoon of whiskers and wonders. Image: Lost & Found Pets Illawarra.
Lost and Found Pets Illawarra Adoption Day
When: Saturday 7 March, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: PetO, Stockland Shellharbour, 211 Lake Entrance Road, Shellharbour
Cost: Free.
If your home is feeling a little too quiet, the team at Lost and Found Pets Illawarra might have the purr-fect solution. This Saturday, a clowder of charismatic cats and kittens will be taking over PetO Shellharbour in hopes of finding their forever humans. It is a golden opportunity to skip the scrolling and meet your potential new best friend in the fur, with plenty of cuddles on offer and a range of adorable pet merchandise available to support the rescue’s vital work.
While the Illawarra might be racing for autumn, the Illawarra Association for the Visual Arts (IAVA) is turning the heat back up. Image: IAVA.
Winter Has Gone — IAVA exhibition opening
When: Saturday 7 March, 1:30 to 3 pm
Where: Community Gallery, Wollongong Art Gallery, 46 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Free.
This vibrant new exhibition explores the transition from the cold, stark season into the burgeoning warmth of new growth. Featuring 18 of the region’s heavy hitters in the contemporary art scene, this multidisciplinary showcase is the ultimate antidote to the changing seasons: fresh, bold and a visual feast that proves inspiration is impervious to the climate.
Mingle with the artists on opening night, or stop by the exhibition any time until Sunday 29 March during gallery opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 pm.
Add a touch of high-brow harmony to your weekend as SEVENMARKS Gallery joins the Kiama Sounds of Jazz & Blues line-up for a deep dive into the intersection of sight and sound. Photo: SEVENMARKS Gallery.
Art Hour
When: Saturday 7 March, 3 to 5 pm
Where: SEVENMARKS Gallery, 7 Marks Street, Kiama
Cost: Free.
This special afternoon centres on Rising Tide, a compelling moving-image work by Alexander Boynes set to a haunting original score by cellist Tristen Parr. Local literary legend Nick Hartgerink will lead a curated conversation with the artist, peeling back the layers of this immersive exhibition.
Whether you’re a contemporary art aficionado or just looking for a sophisticated pitstop between jazz sets, this is the perfect spot to grab a drink, soak up the atmosphere and engage with the creative pulse of the coast.
Sunday
Bring a water bottle, a sunhat and your best high notes for a morning of collective joy. Image: Nan Tien.
Choir, Chants & Ceremony: IWD Fundraiser
When: Sunday 8 March, 9 am to noon
Where: Nan Tien Temple, 180 Berkeley Road, Berkeley
Cost: General $20 | Donation-based option (pay what you can) | Book via Humanitix.
Find your inner harmony at the Southern Hemisphere’s largest Buddhist temple for a truly soulful International Women’s Day celebration. Led by 2025 Wollongong Citizen of the Year and choir powerhouse Malika Reese, this one-off event invites everyone from shower singers to seasoned pros to learn and perform a folk anthem of hope in the temple’s serene courtyard.
The morning kicks off with gentle tai chi before moving into a powerful vocal workshop and a traditional Buddhist blessing ceremony led by the temple’s nuns. It is a rare chance to blend mindfulness with music, all while raising vital funds for YWCA Australia.
Shine on, you crazy diamonds. Image: Echoes of Pink Floyd.
Echoes of Pink Floyd: 60 Years of Pink Floyd
When: Thursday 12 March, 6 to 10:40 pm
Where: Centro CBD, 28 Stewart Street, Wollongong
Cost: $65 Show only | $98 Dinner and Show | Book via TryBooking.
Australia’s premier tribute to the kings of progressive rock is landing in Wollongong to celebrate a staggering 60 years of Pink Floyd. This brand-new production from the acclaimed Adelaide-based outfit, Echoes of Pink Floyd, promises a meticulous journey through the band’s storied evolution. From the whimsical, psychedelic experiments of the Syd Barrett era to the soaring, stadium-sized anthems of The Wall and The Dark Side of the Moon, every sonic layer is recreated with breathtaking precision. Whether you are a lifelong fan or a newcomer to the pulse, this immersive experience offers the perfect excuse to lose yourself in the atmospheric soundscapes and iconic riffs that redefined rock history.
