FRIDAY 3 OCTOBER: Discover a packed calendar of events in Jervis Bay this Long Weekend, from local markets and open artist studios to live music, art workshops, and family-friendly activities. There’s something for everyone to enjoy in the Jervis Bay region this October school holidays.
Saturday 4 October, Makers Market: Bundanon Art Museum is hosting another Makers Market featuring hand made, original works of art, objects, ceramics, textiles and more along the banks of the Shoalhaven River at Illaroo. Starting at 9am, browse among the stalls and enjoy the view, meet the makers and support them by buying direct.
Saturday 4 October, More Local Markets: It’s Twilight Markets season now at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum, with an early evening of great stalls, live music and sunset over the pond from 3pm-7pm. Further south, the Milton Village Showground markets is on from 9am-2pm offering around 100 stalls of produce, handmade items, homewares, pet gear, plants and more.
Saturday 4 October, Open Studios: The Currarong Art Trail winds around the seaside village from 10am-3pm. Meet the artists in their studios, learn about their processes and inspiration, and maybe even find your new favourite artwork to take home. Support artists by buying directly from them and enjoy the diversity of talent on the South Coast.
Saturday 4 October, Squish & Squash Kids Art: Just in time for the school holidays, South Coast artist Penny Craig is helping kids get squishy in this art adventure exploring hidden textures in Berry. Kids will press into quirky surfaces, make inky impresssions, then decorate and fold their discoveries into a concertina book to take home. This is a messy, hands-on experience that is sure to be a hit. There are three sessions available: 10.00am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm for $35+bf per kid.
Saturday 4 October and Sunday 5 October, Homeware Sale: Head to the little cottage shop of renown homewares retailer, Few & Far for a two-day “Deck Sale”, at 10 Currambene Street Huskisson. Liven up your spring table with some new cutlery or serving platters, there will also be vases, cushions, décor and more. Open 10am-4pm.
Sunday 5 October, Even More Local Markets: The Culburra Beach Markets is on from 8am-1pm, head to Fred Evans Lane to enjoy this great community market. Another great community market is the Berry Showgrounds Market, on from 8am-2pm.
Sunday Sessions, Live Music on Sunday 5 October: Start your live music journey with Jackee B Trio at Cupitt’s Estate in Ulladulla from 12.30pm, and let their smooth vocals, acoustic guitar, and rich harmonies provide the perfect soundtrack to a long lunch. Then head to Jervis Bay Brewing Co where local favourite, Ness Quinn is on from 3pm with her lush vocals that draw you into her songs. For sunset drinks, head to Bannisters Pavilion Rooftop Bar for happy hour and serenading by Lux Trevis.
What’s On This Week – the fun doesn’t stop on Sunday
Tuesday 7 October, Free Art Workshop: The Tuesday afternoon series of wildlife workshops, offered free by local artists at Vincentia shopping village, continues with a playful and experimental session on native animals. There will be two more Tuesdays after this one, so if you haven’t been to one of these great free classes, now is your chance. Come along to the Hub at shop 14 (near The Local café) from 3pm. Register your attendance at laomedia@gmail.com.
Saturday 11 October, Wellbeing Day: Vincentia Connections is hosting a free event focused on improving our general wellbeing with some small changes that can have a positive impact on our mental and physical resilience. Reserve your spot to talk about simple eating, moving and thinking techniques for daily life. This is a great chance to connect with other people in your community, enjoy healthy snacks and interesting presentations, 10am-3pm. Read our story about the day, and email to register your attendance to bookingsvcch@gmail.com.
Saturday 11 October, Art at The Common: A new exhibition will open at The Common South Coast by five artists from the Callala Gallery group. The works for sale will include local landscapes and beach scenes, animals and a variety of other paintings. Come along at 1pm for a Meet the Artists event. The exhibition will be available until 30 November.
Saturday 11 October, Doctors Without Borders: Come along to a special fundraiser for Médecins Sans Frontières and their life-saving work in Gaza, at the Jervis Bay Brewing Co. On the day, incredible guest speakers who have lived and worked on the front lines will share powerful, first hand stories about the crisis and the impact of MSF’s work, starting at 3.30pm, opened by the Hon Liza Butler MP. The goal is to raise $10,000, so go online to donate and show up on the day to lend your support.
Plan Ahead: some ideas for your diary!
Thursday 16 October, Author Talk: Thanks to Boobook on Owen and Darling House café, author Josie McSkimming will be talking about her new novel, Gutsy Girls, a behind-the-scenes story of love, family and the iconic Australian poet Dorothy Porter (who happens to be her sister). Doors open at 5.30 so you can mingle and settle before the talk begins at 6pm. Tickets are $15, includes 15% off the book.
Friday 17 October to Sunday 19 October, Folk Fest: The annual Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival, on 17-19 October, 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.
Saturday 18th October, Classical Mozart at the Museum: This is a rare and exciting opportunity to hear a world-class performance of “Mozart’s clarinet”, played by ARCO on period instruments that create an authentic sound of the late 18th century. Read our story about the tour.
Performing at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum while they are on tour with Music in the Regions, ARCO is the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra led by co-artistic directors Rachel Beesley and Nicole van Bruggen.
While touring the regions, the performers will also be sharing their expertise with amateur orchestras in the regions, including MUSO (Milton Ulladulla String Orchestra) who will benefit from their generosity and advice in special workshops.
Support these very special performances by purchasing your tickets to the 5pm performance for $35.
Saturday 18 October, Degustation at Old Salt: Prepare your tastebuds for a degustation night at Old Salt Distillery where eight sensational courses prepared by chefs Terry and Michelle Robinson – mostly over an open fire – will pair up with eight equally sensational cocktails, at the South Nowra venue’s Degustation Night. More details are yet to be released so save the date and keep an eye on their Events page for updates.
Sunday 19 October, Still Life Workshop: Learn to paint a still life in oils with Dr Vanessa Barbay at this workshop hosted by the Shoalhaven Art Society. For $170/$130 members, from 9am-4pm at The Hub, Shop 14 Vincentia Shopping Village, participants will gather around a central arrangement to paint. Book online.
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.
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.
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).
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 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.
