FRIDAY 17 OCTOBER: The calendar has landed on the perfect intersection of high culture, foot-stomping rhythm, and community spirit. It’s time to cash in your precious leisure hours for maximum fun – from the Folk Festival in Kangaroo Valley to Oktoberfest in Sussex Inlet, art shows, markets and Sunday Sessions.
What’s On This Weekend in Jervis Bay
Friday 17 October to Sunday 19 October, Folk Fest: The annual Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival, promises a weekend of music, poetry and dance, plus kids activities and plenty of festive atmosphere on the streets with buskers and chalkboard performances. The fantastic lineup this year includes foot-stomping folk-string trio Apolline, who were AFMA Youth Artists of the Year in 2024, local favourites Benji & the Saltwater Sound Sytsem who fuse jazz, reggae and African beats into hypnotic soundscapes, a Morris dancing troupe Black Joak Morris plus Bavarian and Irish dancing, sessions hosted by the Butter Trackers that welcome anyone to join in, and so much more.
Friday 17 October to Saturday 25 October, Art Show in Berry: The annual exhibition of work by members of the Shoalhaven Art Society is on in a new venue this year, the Berry School of Arts, on the theme, Imagination & Reality. Works include landscapes and abstracts, portraits (and pets), still life and a youth section. Many works are for sale. Open 10am-4pm every day, till 2pm on the last day.
Saturday 18 October, Backyard Chicken Talk: Hear from members of the Nowra Poultry Club about how to raise your own flock of backyard chickens at this free talk, 11am Nowra Library. Hear about hens’ temperaments, egg-laying capacity, and care tips tailored to specific breeds. Hens are perfect pets for families and with a little preparation, can live healthy, comfortable lives in most backyards. Register for this free event online, but be quick, limited seats still available!
Saturday 18 October, Oktoberfest Oompah: The festivities of the stein continue at Swordfish Brewing in Sussex Inlet for their Oktoberfest extravaganza. The highlight is definitely the performance of foot-stomping traditional German music and pop classics by the Oompah Loompah band, who always look the part in their lederhosen and whip up a great atmosphere. Enjoy German style beers alongside food crafted by the talented chefs including sausages and pretzels, of course. The celebrations kick off from midday and run into the evening.
Saturday 18 October, Spring Fair: It’s the 13th annual Spring into Sanctuary Point Fair, a vibrant celebration of community, creativity, and connection. There will be live entertainment, local stalls, kids’ activities, youth engagement, raffles and prizes. Come along at the Francis Ryan Reserve from 9am till 1pm and enjoy this community event created by Sanctuary Point Community Pride.
Saturday 18 October, Tomerong Food Hall: The monthly markets at the Tomerong community hall is undergoing a revival into the Tomerong Food Hall, offering a mouth-watering array of locally grown produce, hand-made preserves and baked goods. Bring your basket and head to the hall from 8am to stock up on fine produce with a small footprint. Vendors are encouraged to contact the organisers to participate.
Saturday 18 October, VIP Christmas shopping: Choice Pharmacy in the Home Co mall in Vincentia is hosting its annual VIP sale night, a perfect opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts, health and beauty products for yourself and loved ones, perhaps win a lucky door prize, and enjoy some live music to get you in the mood. The sale event is on from 6pm-8pm, enter via the mall main doors.
Sunday Sessions, 19 October: It’s that Sunday of the month when the Jervis Bay Irish Slow Session invites musicians, singers and lovers of traditional Irish tunes to gather for an afternoon of music-making together. From midday at Jervis Bay Brewing Co this Sunday, the session will be in the Taproom, a perfect spot for a refreshing beverage, lunch and snacks available from the 5 Little Pigs food truck.
Stay on at the brewery for the professional entertainment from 4pm! This Sunday, young songwriter Sam Fletcher is stopping by the Taproom on his tour across NSW. Sam’s warm vocals and storytelling lyrics combined with his skills on the acoustic guitar convey a sense of optimism and a “surf” vibe that’s perfect for a coastal gig. If you love indie folk with a twist of country and a dash of classic rock, spend your afternoon here. Note the time of 4pm-7pm for the Sunday Sessions during daylight saving months.
At Cupitt’s Estate in Ulladulla this Sunday, The Jackie B Trio will provide a relaxed afternoon of smooth vocals, acoustic guitar, and rich harmonies, performing a mix of laid-back covers as the soundtrack to a spring lunch, from 12.30pm.
For sunset cocktails with a smooth soundtrack, we love the rooftop bar at Bannisters in Mollymook, where this Sunday from 5pm you will hear Alex Clark till 8pm.
What’s On This Week – Extend Your Leisure Time Monday to Friday
Monday 20 October to Sunday 26 October, Bird Count: Join Australia’s biggest citizen-science event, the great Aussie Bird Count, and help us keep tabs on our feathered friends. The Shoalhaven is home to a vast number of bird species – there is a ‘working list’ of 401 birds on the Birdlife Shoalhaven website, including full-time residents and migratory birds. Register to participate, download the app and get ready to start counting.
Tuesday 21 October, First Nations Networking Expo: Ngara Dorries Day is a First Nations cultural and business networking event, part of Small Business Month and hosted at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum pavilion, 10am-2pm. Come see creative and culture displays, workshops and connect with artists or cultural leaders in the Shoalhaven community. This unique gathering brings together creative and cultural business professionals, entrepreneurs, and community members across the South Coast to share opportunities, showcase talents, and build meaningful connections. Find out more and reserve your spot at the expo for $14.50 (children and Aboriginal elders free).
Tuesday 21 October, Meditate in Husky: One Breath Evolution is inviting you to take a pause in your week at a guided group meditation session at the Huskisson Community Centre from 4.30pm, $15. Other weekly sessions are available on Wednesdays in Nowra and Fridays in Gerringong. See all the options and reserve your spot online.
Tuesday 21 October, Cash Flow Seminar: Thanks to the Greenhouse co-working space in Huskisson, Bay & Basin business operators can come along to a free seminar that offers a Tax & Cash Flow Health Check, from 5.30pm. A local expert will share some tips to help you take control of your financial future. Register for your free ticket, or check out the other seminars on the program.
Tuesday 21 October, Find Your Rhythm: Come along to a beginners’ clogging class at the Tomerong community hall from 6pm, $15, and move your body to a fantastic rhythm. Find out what clogging is all about led by the Amethyst Park Stompers.
Wednesday 22 October, Author Talk: Mother/daughter duo, Sue and Gina Chick will treat guests to a conversation, thanks to Boobook on Owen and Darling House café. Both women have lived extraordinary creative and adventurous lives, so this is sure to be a fascinating evening. Doors open at 5.30pm and the talk begins at 6pm, tickets are $15.
Thursday 23 October, Women’s Innovation Conference: Design(h)er Thinking – Why Women Make Great Problem-Solvers & Innovators is an inspiring women’s conference at Nowra School of Arts exploring the untapped potential within every woman to drive innovation and change. Presented by the Shoalhaven Business Chamber, this daytime event from 9.30am-2.30pm is an interactive program of speakers and lunch provided by Black Cede. Tickets are $80/$70 for Chamber members, available online along with the full program.
Thursday 23 October, Cyber Security: The last in a series of free business seminars, courtesy of the Greenhouse co-working space in Huskisson, will cover the hot topic of Cyber Security – even small businesses need to protect their online data and systems from unscrupulous hackers, from 5.30pm. Register for your free ticket now.
Saturday 25 October and Sunday 26 October, FOMA at Vincentia: Save the date for a great weekend of art, music and community at the Vincentia Shopping Village, hosted by Vincentia Connections (a sub-committee of Vincentia Matters). Performers include Woolway, a South Coast rap/rock duo blending raw lyricism with hard-hitting energy and real stories, and
Saturday 25 October, Reading Country: If you’ve yet to take a walk on Country with local First Nations custodians, here is a perfect springtime opportunity at Bundanon Art Museum. Walk with Joel Deaves and Jordan Thomas for Burrawong Dhunna Gam Waglpa, a guided Burrawang track bush walk and introduction to reading Country. They will share knowledge, language and stories, along the track. Starting at the Boyd Education Forecourt around 9.15am, the walk has steep sections and a couple of creek crossings, so please dress accordingly. Book online for $15-$35 pp.
Sunday 26 October, Blooms and Brunch: Book your place in a workshop to learn the gentle art of flower arranging at the Few & Far showroom in the Huskisson Industrial Estate, 10am-12pm, tickets are online for $49. Turn a dramatic vessel into a showstopper with the addition of some stems and branches.
Sunday 26 October, Surfing Champ Fundraiser: Help send para surf champ Grace Kennedy to the 2025 ISA Para World Surfing Championships in California via a mega raffle to be drawn at Jervis Bay Brewing Co between 2pm and 5pm. There’s a stack of amazing prizes worth more than $3,000 including custom surfboards and ultimate Jervis Bay experiences. Buy tickets online for $10 each or buy a bundle for a discount, and make sure you join the festivities in the beer garden to give Grace a great send-off on her first overseas trip.
Plan Ahead – get out your diary!
Thursday 6 November, Free Ocean Film: Ocean with David Attenborough, a groundbreaking film made after seven decades of filming every aspect of the natural world, will be screening for free thanks to Husky Pictures. Reserve your free seat for the movie followed by a Q&A session, starting at 6pm. See stunning, immersive cinematography on the big screen showcasing the wonder of life under the seas and exposes the realities and challenges facing our ocean as never-before-seen.
Saturday 15 November, Sunday 16 November and 22-23 November, Sculpture in the Valley has rescheduled its event to two weekends in November, to enjoy a selection of indoor and outdoor sculptures. Buy a day pass for $15 (kids under 16 free) and you might even walk away with a new masterpiece for your home or garden.
Saturday 15 November, Bird Watching at Bundanon: Spend an hour on the walking tracks around the Bundanon Art Museum site with the feathery friends from BirdLife Shoalhaven. Look into the canopy and listen to the sounds of the forest as you identify some of the 400+ species of birds that call our south coast home. Bring binoculars if you have them and book online for $25/$22/$20.
Sunday 16 November, Clothes Swap: Head to Tomerong Hall at 10.30am for a community clothes swap. For $5 entry, share space on trestle tables and clean out your wardrobes. Please bring clean items in good condition. All leftover items will be donated to charity.
Saturday 22 November, Acrylic Painting Workshop: Join Wilma Southan to paint in acrylics in this workshop hosted by the Shoalhaven Art Society, $120/$80 members. Learn how to paint a vibrant still life with flowers, from 9.30am-4pm at Vincentia. Book online.
Saturday 29 November, We Mavericks in Concert: After rave reviews of their UK and European tour, regional NSW is next on the agenda for We Mavericks, the multi-instrumentalist, songwriting sensational duo Victoria Vigenser and Lindsay Martin and their band-mates, Rachel Johnston and Trent Arkleysmith. Tickets are now on sale for an all-ages show at the Tomerong community hall on Saturday night, 29 November, doors open 6.30pm, $30/$10. If you love folk, alt-country, great storytelling lyrics and insanely talented musicians, book now. We freely admit to being groupies of these guys, so look out for our exclusive interview with We Mavericks next week, including a sneak peek at their new album.
