FRIDAY 3 APRIL: The long weekend is here, and while the rest of the coast is stuck in traffic, we are heading to the Bay for empanadas, indie book wins, and a heavy dose of live music. From the first “Bands on the Bay” set today to a cacao ceremony in Tomerong, the local calendar is full.
Friday 3 April-Monday 6 April, Easter Bands on the Bay: The twice-annual collab between Vincentia Sailing Club and Jervis Bay Brewing Co is on again for the Easter weekend at Plantation Point, 12pm-8pm daily.
The music line-up kicks off today with The Castaways, the folk-pop duo who will set the right chilled and upbeat vibe for your long weekend. Check the full schedule for live music and food trucks and prepare for a cruisy weekend kicking back by the Bay. We recommend parking a km or two away from the sailing club and enjoy a leisurely walk along the path to breathe in the sea air.
Friday 3 April-Monday 6 April, Easter Art Sales: The Shoalhaven Potters and the Shoalhaven Art Society will both have art sales on over the Easter weekend, in the village of Pyree. The potters, at 888 Greenwell Point Road, have works from 18 members for sale. Come and admire the works, meet some of the makers and maybe take a unique piece home with you. Next door at 880 Greenwell Point Road, the Shoalhaven Art Society will have works for sale from many of their members, who will also be on hand to talk about their paintings. Open 10am-4pm across the long weekend.
Saturday 4 April, Blak Markets: The South Coast First Nations cultural custodians Djirirba Waagura will be hosting a Blak Markets starting with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at 9am, and including dance and music performances, free weaving workshops and stalls offering original and affordable artworks, handcrafts, homewares and jewellery. There will also be food and refreshments available. In White Sands Park till 2pm.
Saturday 4 April, Twilight Markets: Head to the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum for the final Twilight Markets of the season (before the clocks “fall back”), from 3pm-7pm. Browse among the stalls, indulge in an early dinner from the food trucks and a drink from the Whaler’s Bar and enjoy the live music, from Jazz Penguins (3-5pm) and Chocolate Dogs (5-7pm). Ola Chola Food truck will be serving empanadas and burgers for dinner onsite.
Saturday 4 April, Conscious Dance: Tomerong Hall will host a special Conscious Dance, Sound Bathing and Sacred Cacao event, by Dance Tribe South Coast, from 2pm-4pm. Book before 10am Saturday (to ensure the cacao is prepared) for $35 and move your body to world music that evokes the elements. Bring a shawl, blanket and or yoga mat for extra comfort and a water bottle, for ages 16+.
Saturday 4 April, Author Talk: In Conversation with Randa Abdel-Fattah, award-winning Australian author, lawyer, sociologist and human rights advocate as she discusses her 2025 novel Discipline, an exploration of censorship, conscience and the cost of silence in academia and the media against the backdrop of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. In this conversation, Randa will reflect not only on her literary work but also on the broader implications of these cultural conflicts for civil liberties in Australia and beyond. Her scheduled appearance at the since-cancelled Adelaide Writers’ Week became a flashpoint for debate about freedom of expression. Randa is the Jerusalem Peace Prize Recipient for 2026 and will be honoured in Melbourne on 10 April. Tickets are $10+bf for this event at the Nowra School of Arts, starting at 5pm.
Saturday 4 April, Shop Homewares on Sale: An end-of-lease showroom sale at homewares retailer, Few & Far starts today at 10am, 11 Erina Road Woollamia, where everything is half price. The showroom has displays of furniture as well as popular décor items from lamps to cutlery and many one-off pieces.
Saturday 4 April, Shop Indie Book Winners: Find your Easter holiday read at our favourite independent book retailer, Boobook on Owen, where the winners from the recent Indie Book Awards are on display. As Noela and the team say, Australian publishing is brimming with remarkable new releases right now. Both local voices and globally celebrated titles are shaping one of the most exciting reading moments of the year. Support your local retailers and buy a book today 10am-4pm.
Saturday 4 April, Piglets in KV: It’s time for the annual Pig Day Out in Kangaroo Valley for Easter, at The Friendly Inn. Back a racing piglet to win pub vouchers and cash prizes. There will be a great lineup of live local music alongside the pig racing, with all proceeds going to our local community groups. The first race is at 11.30am.
What Else is On Around Jervis Bay this April/May
Tuesday 7 April, Husky Office for Rent: A rare opportunity to rent an office in the heart of Huskisson is available as of today, inside the Greenhouse co-working space (upstairs from 5 Little Pigs café). The largest private office in the space is now vacant and is the perfect room for a small business of 2 people, or for a consultant/clinician who needs a quiet, private space to meet with clients. Make a time to take a look.
Wednesday 8 April-Thursday 9 April, Sweet Event for Kids: This school holidays, kids aged 5-15 can learn about beekeeping and honey at the Bay & Bush Nature Retreat apiary, $48. Kids will suit up for the 1.5 hour sessions, starting at 9.30am, designed to build curiosity and understanding of bees, pollination and nature. They will hold bee frames , watch bees hard at work, and try to spot the Queen. Bookings essential.
Thursday 9 April, Mexican Nights: Sandbar Restaurant in Huskisson is ramping up it’s locals’ dinners with Mexican nights, 5pm-9pm every Thursday. Chef Jason Wilkinson will reveal a fresh menu each week that will be sure to spice up your evenings as the weather cools down. Bookings are recommended.
Thursday 9 April, Museum Music Sessions: Back for a limited time only (ie, school hols), the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum Music Sessions is livening up your Thursday evenings. Enjoy music by Annaliese Szota (3-5pm) and Paul Greene (5-7pm), while dining on empanadas and burgers from the Ola Chola Food truck and refreshments from the Whaler’s Bar.
Friday 10 April, Groove at Tomerong: The reggae beats of Benji and the Saltwater Sound System with their unique blend of jazz and African roots will be creating hypnotic soundscapes at Tomerong Hall, from 7.30pm. Ben’s poignant lyrics and catchy melodies front this “tangy tribe of groove merchants”, and tickets are $25/$20 +bf.
Friday 10 April, Feed Me by Ponte: The original Ponte restaurant favourite, Feed Me Friday is coming to The Growers, Worrigee Sports Club with a share plate menu that takes your taste buds on a journey through seven dishes, $65. These special dining occasions sell out pretty quickly and can only be booked online.
Saturday 11 April, Harvest Fair: Sassafras Nuts’ annual Harvest Fair will be a great day out for the family at this chestnut, walnut and mushroom farm – and a flower farm tucked away on the property, too – where you can pick, roast and eat the nuts while enjoying market stalls and entertainment. Entry is $5 and kids under 12 are free.
Saturday 11 April, Young Artists Talk: Young people from the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, in conversation with Tiger Watson, CACD Producer at Beyond Empathy, will reflect on the collaborative process behind the exhibition, Balding is Easier Than Being Bald, drawing on their experiences of change, transition, and the uncertainty of journeys versus destinations. At Shoalhaven Regional Gallery from 12.30pm, you can register online for this free event.
Sunday 12 April, Husky Brunch: The Waterside Bar at the Husky Pub is the ideal location for a bottomless brunch with friends, featuring sliders and Long Island Iced Tea. From midday for two hours, enjoy unlimited sliders in a variety of flavour combinations paired with the pub’s signature cocktail, $65pp. Bookings essential.
Thursday 16 April, Museum Music Sessions: The Jervis Bay Maritime Museum Music Sessions special holiday edition is livening up your Thursday evenings. Enjoy music by Jackee B Trio (3-5pm) and Chocolate Dogs (5-7pm), while dining on empanadas and burgers from the Ola Chola Food truck and refreshments from the Whaler’s Bar.
Friday 17 April, Grow Garlic: It’s not as simple as it sounds, but perfect for backyards and small spaces… the mysteries of growing garlic will be revealed at a special Garlic Planting Workshop in St Georges Basin hosted by educator and seed supplier of garlic, Vele Civijovski who operates Garlic near Cooma, NSW, growing 12,000 cloves of garlic across 50 different cultivars. Vele will share with you all the tips for a successful crop, for $25 from 3.30pm.
Friday 17 April, Classic Crooners in Vincentia: The latest star impersonators to entertain the dinner crowd at La Vespa Italian Restaurant in Vincentia will be the show-stoppers, Cher and Tom Jones. Gather your friends and book your table.
Thursday 23 April, Movie Night for Cancer Research: Buy a ticket to a special screening of romcom, You, Me & Tuscany for $25 in support of the Mothers Day Classic, raising funds for cancer research. Sponsored by Husky Bakery, your ticket includes a drink and a treat plus entry into a lucky door prize. The team behind the Huskisson fundraising promises a fun night starting at 6.30pm (film starts at 7pm).
Tuesday 28 April, Hospo Industry Night: Tickets to the highly anticipated annual hospitality industry night to launch the Autum Celebration of Food are now available for $95. This industry-only event is a rare chance for the region’s hospo talent to socialise while enjoying service from the students in the Gaining Through Training program. Hosted at Bollerang House in Wandandian, the evening will showcase around 25 members of the Shoalhaven Food Network. Book online.
Sunday 26 April, Huskisson Artisans Market: The first Huskisson Artisans Market for the year – this is a celebration of makers, artists and providores at the Huskisson Community Centre, 10am-3pm, featuring hand crafted items from jewellery and textiles to ceramics and small-batch specialty foods and beverages. The Artfulmind pop-up gallery/shop is a unique centrepiece of the event, curated by Dr Natalie McDonagh and showcasing a dozen of the South Coast’s finest makers. These markets are designed by artisans, for artisans to offer the community a wonderful opportunity to meet the makers and support independent artisans. Stallholders can apply till 23 March.
Plan Ahead – Excellent Events on the Horizon
Friday 1 May-Sunday 3 May, Jazz in Milton: The second annual Milton Folk Jazz and Blues Festival will be a celebration of music, community and culture. The festival weaves through Milton town and its parks, pubs and establishments over three days, including 70 free performances at over 20 venues throughout the town. See the program and make your plans.
Friday 1 May-Monday 16 June, Foodie Festivities: The annual Autumn Celebration of Food has launched the major dining events in the 2026 program, with fanfare for the team at Shoalhaven Food Network and its members at a special launch this week. The seven-week foodie extravaganza includes hatted chefs, special locations, street festivals, and more. See our story on the hot tickets on sale now.
Saturday 2 May, Learn to Paint Still Life: Manyana-based artist Wilma Southern will teach an art class, Contemporary Flower Painting, hosted by the Shoalhaven Art Society. In this full-day workshop, Wilma will show you how to layer colour with fearless energy to move beyond the traditional still life format. Book online for $90/$80 includes morning tea, at The Hub, shop 14 Vincentia Village on Burton Street.
Thursday 7 May, First Nations Films in Sussex: The Shoalhaven First Nations Film Festival is coming to Sussex Inlet Cinema, with a great day of films screening across three sessions. There’s a morning session for primary school students starting with a screening of Like My Brother and including lunch and a cultural experience by Gadhungal Marring, which is put on free thanks to the Sussex Inlet Chamber of Commerce and Neighbourhood Centre. The afternoon screening, from 1.30pm and costing $25 includes two films, afternoon tea and a cultural experience. The evening screening is from 4.30pm, $25 including a drink and cheese platter. Find out more from the SFNFF social page.
Sunday 10 May, Mother’s Day Classic: One for your diary: the annual Mother’s Day Classic, the nationwide event that raises funds for breast and ovarian cancer research, is turning 10 in Huskisson this year. There will be 3km, 5km or 10km walks/ runs as well as family-friendly events in and around White Sands Park. Get in early, register your participation and start hitting up your family and friends for support.
Saturday 30 May, Make Pasta – Kids and Adults Options: The pasta experts in the heart of Huskisson are inviting you behind the scenes to help make fresh pasta, with a kids’ event starting at 10.30am, $45 and adults’ session at 2pm, $89. Roll up your sleeves and roll out the pasta sheets in this hands-on event that includes some delicious pasta and sauce to take home.
