Things to do in the regions this week (3 – 9 October)

The regions are alive this week, with a whole lot to see and do for all ages.

Goulburn’s Lilac City Festival returns this week. The yearly tradition has been bringing markets, music, art displays and of course, the parade, to Goulburn’s streets since 1952.

There’s still time to catch the South Coast’s River of Art festival. A celebration of the arts culture in the area, there are plenty of events to get excited for, from workshops to marketplaces, exhibitions and more.

Oktoberfest 2025 at Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery brings a whole lot of fun, music, schnapps and food from Bavaria straight to the Snowy Mountains.

Dig into our weekly guide to all the best events in the regions this week.

Multiple Days

Goulburn Lilac City Festival

When: 3 to 6 October
Where: 173 Auburn Street, Goulburn
Cost: Free.

Established in 1952 and happening each year since, the Goulburn Lilac City Festival is back this October with carnival rides, festival markets, music, art displays, flowers and plenty of celebrations in addition to the main event of the day, the festival parade.

There will be plenty to see and do and the whole town will be lit up, so don’t miss out on this celebration of Goulburn’s heritage.

River of Art 2025

When: 26 September to 2 October
Where: Various locations across the South Coast
Cost: Prices vary depending on event | More information online.

The River of Art festival brings a huge schedule of events, workshops, exhibitions, creative sessions, marketplaces and more to the South Coast region.

No matter where you are on the South Coast, there’s something to get into, whether you want to meet local artists, marvel at great locally made works, learn more about art to fuel your own creativity or even purchase some art yourself to remember the festival. There’s a whole lot to see and do across a variety of mediums. Don’t miss out on this local celebration of writing, painting, photography, sculpture, community and more.

ReBoot in Bermagui

When: 4 and 5 October
Where: Dickinson Park, Lamont St, Bermagui
Cost: Check website for information on entry fees.

Community-run and community-funded, the 11th ReBoot in Bermagui will return on the October long weekend over two days with heaps of outdoor activities to get excited for.

The weekend’s signature event is the 15 km trail run, with 3 km of beach running and a 1.2 km swim at Horseshoe Bay, with a 34 km return bike ride. But for those looking to get out and about for a more casual day, there will also be a 5 km run/walk, a 1.5 km run and a point-to-point swim across Horseshoe Bay, which is roughly 300-500 m.

There will also be games and events for kids such as a tug-of-war, pilates, Tai Chi, table tennis, pickleball, tennis and stand-up paddle-boarding, and a series of yoga classes. Check out our main article for more information.

Friday

Moruya Jockey Club Thoroughbred Racing

When: 3 October, noon to 5 pm
Where: Moruya Jockey Club, 100 Donnelly Dr, Moruya
Cost: Free entry.

The Moruya Jockey Club is hosting its thoroughbred race day this Friday. There’ll be a bar, food and coffee vans.

Whether you want to cheer on a lucky pick or just head out and enjoy the sunshine, the Moruya Jockey Club is the place to be this Friday.

Saturday

Murrumbateman Moving Feast

When: 4 October, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Various wineries and venues throughout Murrumbateman
Cost: Savoury dishes (entree size) $30 and dessert servings $25.

Tantalise your taste buds with the 2025 Murrumbateman Moving Feast, taking place over the October long weekend.

This year’s Moving Feast invites you to journey through the Murrumbateman region, indulging in premium food and wine at every stop. Each participating venue will offer a specially curated dish paired with a local wine, creating a progressive tasting experience that showcases the best of the region’s produce and craftsmanship.

Come along, indulge a little, and meet the makers behind the region’s fantastic wines. Whether you’re sipping, savouring, or shopping for local treasures, the Moving Feast promises a weekend full of discovery and delight!

VELVETEEN RABBIT by Born In A Taxi

When: 4 October, 10 am to 1 pm
Where: The Twyford, 16 Market St, Merimbula
Cost: Tickets from $15 to $64 | Book online.

This creative, thoughtful and funny reimagining of the century-old children’s book, The Velveteen Rabbit, tells the story of friendship and change as a stuffed rabbit tries to become real through the love of its owner.

Using live and recorded music, video and projections, this production by Born In A Taxi brings the perspective of a child to life, creating a fascinating and deeply immersive stage experience.

This production involves plenty of audience participation and attendees are encouraged to bring their own stuffed rabbits, bears and anything in between. If you can’t find a stuffed animal, you can borrow one from the ushers.

Oktoberfest 2025 at Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery

When: 4 October, 11:30 am to 4 pm
Where: Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery, Alpine Way &, 36 Wollondibby Rd, Crackenback
Cost: Free.

Wildbrumby Distillery is celebrating Oktoberfest this week with heaps of live music, kids’ games, dances, schnapps, beer and food.

This celebration of German culture brings the culture, sounds and flavours of Bavaria to the Snowy Mountains, with a dedicated band playing all sorts of waltzes as well as old-country German songs to sing along to. Don’t worry too much about pronunciation, just make sure you dress up in your best German gear.

The band will play from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Dove – Live at The Steampacket

When: 4 October, 5 pm
Where: The Steampacket Hotel, 963 Kings Highway, Nelligen
Cost: Free.

Dove is a local up-and-coming band with a unique sound, playing original songs with upbeat rhythms and heartfelt lyrics. Blending indie rock, folk and blues, their music provides the backdrop for a Saturday afternoon spent in the beer garden, enjoying a few cold beers. Don’t miss out on some great local music this weekend.

Wednesday

Teens cartoon workshop at the Moruya Library

When: 8 October, 2:30 pm
Where: Moruya Library, Vulcan Street, Moruya
Cost: Tickets are $10 | Book online.

If your teen has an interest in animation and cartoons, head to the Moruya Library for a special workshop with Nick Summers.

Nick Summers has a diploma in visual arts and has dedicated much of his time to community art, with a passion for art and plenty of experience. Nick will cover the fundamentals of cartooning, including drawing people, faces, animals and of course, movement.

Teens will also learn about the history of cartooning and how the medium has shaped media, from comic books to film. Whether you’re a complete newcomer to the art form or a pro looking to hone some of the fundamental skills, this workshop will teach you a lot about bringing your drawings to life.

Suitable for kids and teens from 12 to 18.

Duck Pond at the Goulburn Performing Arts Centre

When: 8 October, 8 to 9:30 pm
Where: Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, 163 Auburn Street
Cost: Tickets from $40 to $60 | Tickets available from Canberra Theatre Centre.

Feathers will fly in Circa’s exuberant take on Swan Lake.

The world’s most romantic ballet is reimagined as a circus spectacular, full of Circa’s signature physicality and shot through with cheeky humour and a thoroughly contemporary energy.

Be swept away by this tale of swans and hapless princes, sparkling with quirky touches like the sequinned flipper-wearing duck army and a burlesque black swan. There are sumptuous aerials, jaw-dropping acrobatics and of course feathers! Touching, funny and utterly entertaining, Duck Pond is a tale of identity and finding your true self.