FRIDAY 24 APRIL: The first Huskisson Artisans Market for 2026 is on this Sunday, bringing over 60 local makers and artists back to the Community Centre. It is a big weekend for the community, from the final chestnut harvest of the season to honouring our service men and women on ANZAC Day. Grab a cuppa and plan your local ritual.
Sunday 26 April, Find Joy at Huskisson’s Artisans Market: The first Huskisson Artisans Market for 2026 is on this Sunday and there are an extraordinary 60+ makers, artists and providores involved in the event, including 23 artists in the curated Artfulmind Gallery/Shop that now sits at the heart of these events. Curator and event manager, Dr Natalie McDonagh says she deliberately selected many items in the gallery under $100 so we can all afford to bring a little extra joy into our lives while supporting independent artists and makers. Come along to this free event from 10am-3pm in the Huskisson Community Centre on Dent Street.
Artist/researcher Christine Wiltshier will be among the stallholders, on a special table set up with origami papers. visitors are invited to sit with her to make little boats. The classic paper boat is simple enough for even small, young hands so adults and children can share the joy of making things together.
Downstairs in the garden room, a selection of local providores will be selling their wares, from relish and pickles to gin, sourdough bread and authentic Korean condiments.
The Huskisson Artisans Market is an indoor event, where you can meet the makers and ask them about their processes, their materials and their inspiration. See you there!
What Else is On This Weekend
Friday 24 April-Monday 27 April, Last Chance Nuts: The Sassafras Nut Farm is open for the final weekend of the chestnut season this long weekend. Pack some warm clothes and gloves and head up into the hinterland of the stunning Budawang Ranges to harvest your own delicious chestnuts – or buy pre-packed from the farm shop. It’s $5 entry (kids under 12 free) and $12/kg for your bounty. The farm has recipes and storage information so you can make the most of your nuts.
Friday 24 April, The Castaways at Sandbar: The South Coast’s favourite duo, The Castaways will be serenading your supper at Sandbar Restaurant in Huskisson tonight from 6pm. The acoustic duo of Leah and Tom will be performing their signature blend of pop, folk, country, and blues covers till 9pm. Book a table or pop in for a cocktail.
Saturday 25 April, ANZAC Service: Everyone is invited to attend the annual commemorative occasion to recognise our service men and women on ANZAC Day. Huskisson RSL sub-branch president Nickolas Skow says people participating in the march can fall in from 10am in Hawke Street Huskisson, alongside White Sands Park, with the march commencing at 10.30am down to Voyager Park. At 11am, there will be a service in the park, where all may attend to pay their respects. Please note there will be road closures at Hawke Street, Owen Street, Sydney Street and Currambene Street from before 10am till the completion of the march.
Sunday 26 April, Winter Swimming Club: The 2026 Winter Swimming Season kicks off this Sunday from 8am to 9am with Pre-Season time trials and a meet and greet for all new members, followed by coffee at Emma’s coffee van. Read more about the Jervis Bay Wobbegongs.
Sunday 26 April, Youth Music Fest: Vincentia Village Square will come alive with Burton St. Beats, a youth‑led music festival from 2pm-6pm as part of Youth Week and in conjunction with youth organisation, Firefly Bay & Basin. This free, youth‑focused festival will showcase emerging talent from across the Bay & Basin – offering young performers a rare opportunity to share original music, gain real stage experience, and connect with their community.
Sunday 26 April, Cello in the Valley: A few tickets are still available to hear the exquisite solo cello of Rachel Scott performing music composed by Martin Wesley-Smith at the Kangaroo Valley Hall presented by Arts in the Valley. Enjoy a refreshment from 5.30pm before the music starts at 6pm. Tickets are $40.
Monday 27 April, Wildlife Health on Tour: Did you know there’s a mobile vet bus called Matilda that is on a national tour to help local vets learn to care for sick and injured wildlife? The Wildlife Recovery Australia Hospital truck, aka ‘Matilda’, will be stationed at South Nowra Veterinary Hospital for the week, sharing their knowledge with our local vets. For assistance with injured animals, contact Wildlife Rescue South Coast on 0418 427 214, and they can capture and transport them to the hospital.
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.
Wednesday 29 April, Bundanon Free Entry: Residents of the Shoalhaven and pension card holders are welcome to visit the Bundanon Art Museum for free on the last Wednesday of the month. The gallery is open 10am-4pm and the current exhibitions include Sky, Earth Water featuring Rosalie Gascoigne’s large-scale assemblages which centre on the resonances between found industrially-produced materials and the Australian landscape, alongside First Nations artists Lorraine Connelly-Northey, Janet Fieldhouse and Glenda Nicholls.
Thursday 30 April, Women’s Art Prize: Artists are invite to browse the collection at Meroogal House in Nowra to inspire a new work in response to the house and its history, to enter the biennial Women’s Art Prize. The house and grounds contain more than 4,000 objects collected over many generations. Make an appointment with the curators to visit outside of the usual hours, or take a tour, on the hour every Saturday from 10am-4pm. Entries into the art prize close on Wednesday 15 July 2026 at 4pm and the prize pool is over $18,000.
Thursday 30 April, Mexican at Sandbar: Locals are flocking to Sandbar Restaurant on a Thursday night for a special Mexican menu to add some zing to the mid-week meal. From 3pm-9pm, the kitchen is serving up authentic-style Mexican dishes full of flavour and perfectly paired with a margarita. Book a table or walk-ins are welcome.
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-Sunday 3 May, Oyster Road Trip: It’s the annual Narooma Oyster Festival weekend a bit further down the coast featuring a full weekend of celebrations centred around the rock oyster. Taste creations by talented chefs while enjoying entertainment from musicians, dancers and of course, foodie demonstrations and shucking classes. Many packages are selling our fast so investigate the program and the ticketing options, from $45+bf for general admission on the Saturday, and plan your trip to the oyster celebration of the year.
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.
Friday 1 May, Flower Moon Flow: Join tai chi and qigong practitioners, Joanne Fabri and Lu Jin for a guided session of connected practices under the illuminating Flower Moon, at the Huskisson Community Centre from 5.30pm. The session will include grounding and healing practices to foster authentic expression and meaningful connection, flowing into a tai chi and qigong practice (including lying down meditation, bring a mat). Tickets are $45+bf.
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.
Plan Ahead – Ideas for the Diary
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. Read our story about a free smartphone filmmaking workshop.
Thursday 7 May-Thursday 3 September, Winter in Sussex: Check out the program of events specially designed to pep up your winter days in the seaside town of Sussex Inlet, starting with the Shoalhaven First Nations Film Festival (see below) and including comedy nights, live music, and the highly anticipated annual Viking Festival on the long weekend Saturday 6 June. The full winter program is available to download.
Thursday 7 May, Writers Group: Shoalhaven Libraries is hosting a new Writers’ Group on the first and third Thursdays, from today. If you are working on a story, poem, novel, memoir, or anything in between, register your interest in joining a relaxed, casual group of local writers who want to connect, share ideas, and support each other on their writing journeys. Seasoned writers and beginners are welcome at Nowra Library, 3pm-5pm. Register your interest in this free group to LibraryMedia@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.
Saturday 9 May, Post-punk in Sussex: Jervis Bay’s own post-punk band, Living With Ghosts will be the support act for high-energy rock-n-roll band C.O.F.F.I.N (which stands for Children of Finland Fighting in Norway) at the Sussex Inlet Tavern, kicking off at 8pm. Tickets for this event, which promises to send you into a joyful, hip-shaking groove, are $35.
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.
Sunday 10 May, Mums’ Yoga Special: A special 2-hour yin yoga class is the perfect way to commemorate the mother figures in our lives. Guided by Mary Basler, slow down and work with your heart meridian, which governs love, joy and connection, and the lung meridian which handles grief, letting go and self-protection. Held in the Melaleuca venue at Worrowing Farm, the session starts at 3pm and is $45.
Thursday 14 May, Let’s Laugh Again: The Melbourne International Comedy Festival on tour is coming to the Country Club at St Georges Basin, bringing epic comedy vibes to the auditorium from 7.30pm. With five comics over two hours, you will surely get the good laugh we all need right now. Tickets are from $49 and there’s individual seating or table bookings available.
Saturday 23 May, Dust off your Tartans: There’s no better time of year than almost-winter to dress in Highland finery to attend the Berry Celtic Festival. The highlight is undoubtedly the street parade which steps off at 9.30am in the main street, with pipe bands, community groups, entertainers and jousting horses making their way to the showground, followed by a massed band performance of 12 pipe bands and the “Call to Pipers” contingent. Pipers will be gathering from across the district, to add to the spectacle. Tickets are $20+bf for general admission and kids under 15 are free.
Sunday 24 May, Spectacular Native Gardens: One of the best-kept secrets of our region is the Shoalhaven Heads Native Botanic Garden, which is holding its annual Open Day, bbq and plant sale, in conjunction with Botanic Gardens Week. Spend some time meandering through the green space, learn about the plants from the labels and meet some of the volunteers who keep this treasure thriving for our community.
Thursday 28 May, Meet Your Peers: Bubbles Beers & Business is on at the Greenhouse co-working space from 5.30pm where you can meet and mingle with your fellow business owner from the Bay & Basin while enjoying the sunset over Huskisson. Reserve your free ticket and come up the stairs (between 5 Little Pigs and Weekend boutique on Owen Street) to enjoy the friendly and inspiring catch-up. This month’s gathering is brought to you by the Mothers’ Day Classic and Husky Bakery, raising vital funds for cancer research.
Saturday 30 May, Make Pasta – Kids and Adults Options: The pasta experts in the heart of Huskisson, Pasta Buoy 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.
Saturday 30 May, Dolphin Count: Coastal communities along the NSW coast will take part in the first NSW Dolphin Census, a statewide citizen science event to help map where dolphins are found across our coastline, bays and estuaries. Register with Marine Mammal Research Jervis Bay to find out more about getting involved in this vital research for our coastal ecology.
