The streets of Batlow will come alive this Saturday as the 11th annual Ciderfest gets underway. Photo: Batlow Ciderfest Facebook.
This Saturday (17 May), the small Snowy Valleys town of Batlow will burst to life for its annual CiderFest – a vibrant, sensory celebration of apples, autumn and community pride.
Now in its 11th year, the popular festival at the home of The Big Apple and The Big Apple Peeler marks the end of the region’s apple harvest and shines a spotlight on Batlow’s proud agricultural heritage and boutique beverage scene.
From 10 am, Pioneer Street will shut to traffic and reopen as a bustling festival precinct packed with food stalls, cider producers, live music and market traders with pops of colour thanks to local knitters who spend the year making apple beanies especially for the event.
READ ALSO: Knitters craft deliciously cozy apple beanies for Batlow’s festival of cider
More than 20 local and regional cideries, breweries and distillers will line the street, pouring tastings and selling everything from apple cider to craft gin.
Local stars like Batlow Cider Co., The Apple Thief and Tumut River Brewing Co. will feature alongside guest producers including Small Acres Cyder, Darkes Cider, Daylesford Cider and 3 Sons Cider.
For those wanting a deeper dive into cider craftsmanship, guided tasting sessions will take place at “The Can” in Hides Park starting at 10:30 am.
Festivalgoers can also enjoy hot spiced cider, apple cocktails and limited-release brews while mingling with passionate makers.
Joining the drinks list this year are boutique distillers and cool-climate wineries, including Holdfast Distillery and Mount Tumbarumba Vineyard.
Non-drinkers are also catered for, with a range of non-alcoholic beverages and plenty of food-based apple treats on offer.
But the CiderFest experience is far more than just apples in a glass.
A full entertainment line-up is set to spread across multiple stages, with headline act Amber Lawrence — six-time Golden Guitar winner — bringing her high-energy country style to the main stage.
Roaming performers, talented buskers and vibrant street acts will keep the vibe upbeat throughout the day, with live music programmed from morning to late afternoon.
The festival caters for all ages, with a dedicated kids’ zone featuring face painting, games, a jumping castle and other family-friendly activities.
More than 80 market stalls will offer handmade goods, artisan products and eco-friendly wares including reusable household items from Little Miss M Designs.
Foodies are well looked after too.
Gourmet eats on offer range from paella and gozleme to loaded fries, woodfired pizza and Batlow’s famous Killer Pies.
Local vendors such as Munday’s Catering, Peaches Coffee, Corn Kingdom and Redhead & Chef will round out a menu designed for both hearty appetites and grazing. Gluten-free and vegetarian options will be available.
Festival entry is ticketed, with three tiers: $30 for early birds (until 16 May), $40 general admission and $50 at the gate. Entry is free for children under 18.
Tickets are available through Humanitix, with all booking fees supporting educational charities.
To ease parking pressure and encourage safe travel, shuttle buses will run return trips from Tumut and Tumbarumba.
Those staying overnight can camp at the Batlow Showground, just minutes from the main street.
Camping is $40 per site for the full weekend (Friday to Monday) and self-contained vans are welcome.
When the main event winds down, the party will continue just up the road when the official afterparty kicks off at 5 pm at the Batlow RSL Club, featuring live music from local favourites Wild Tracks and sets by Sydney DJs Yemithecat and Linzy Beatz. Entry is free and everyone is welcome.
With crisp mountain air, golden-leafed trees and strong local spirit, Batlow offers the perfect setting for this homegrown festival.
Whether you come for the cider, the music or the magic of small-town hospitality, CiderFest 2025 is a toast to everything that makes regional Australia worth celebrating.
Batlow CiderFest begins at 10 am on Saturday 17 May, with the official afterparty starting at 5 pm. Find out more and check out the full program via their website.
