2025 festivals and events guide

This year is shaping up as a big one for events across the Northern Rivers region, with the last ever Bluesfest leading the charge. The award-winning music festival will be one you won’t want to miss, with Crowded House, Jon Butler and The Cat Empire all in the line-up. There are also an abundance of food festivals showcasing our fabulous chefs and produce, family-friendly agricultural shows and epic sporting events. While some dates are yet to be confirmed, here are some of the biggest and best events to put in your diary over the summer holidays so you don’t miss out on all the fun.

 

January

Brunswick Heads Woodchop January 9-11

Ballina Cup January 17

Australia Day January 26

 

February

Tweed Coast Enduro February 8

Beyond Venice masked ball, Lismore February 15

North Coast Show n Shine, Ballina Jockey Club – February 23

Flickerfest Mullumbimby February 28-March 1

Lismore Samson Fitness Challenge February 28 and March 1

 

March

Bangalow Film Festival March 6-15

International Women’s Day March 8

Kingscliff Triathlon March 23

 

April

Bluesfest April 17-20

Anzac Day April 25

Byron Bay Triathlon April 27

 

May

Harvest Festival May 1-31

Nimbin Mardigrass May 2-4

Byron Bay Ocean Swim Classic May 3

Byron Coast Charity Walk May 3

Our Kids Day Out, Ballina May 4

Gemfest, Lismore Showground May 17 and 18

Bangalow Billycart Derby May 18

 

June

Love Lennox

LisAmore! June 15

Lismore Lantern Parade June 21

Seas the Day Women’s Surf Festival, Kingscliff Date TBC

 

July

NAIDOC Week July 6-13

Winter Food Festival at Summerland Farm, Alstonville July 15

 

August

Newrybar Bonfire and Fireworks night August 2

Byron Writers Festival August

8-10

North Coast Mud Trail August

16-17

Rainbow Region Dragon Boat Regatta, East Ballina August 30-31

Darrel Champman Fun Run, Lismore August 31

 

September

Sample Food Festival September 6

Tyalgum Music Festival September 26-28

 

October

Savour the Tweed Dates TBC

Lismore Show October 16-18

Byron Bay International Film Festival October 17-26

Alstonville Show October 24-25

Nimbin Roots Festival October 25

Byron Latin Fiesta October 30-November 2

Murwillumbah Show October 31-November 1

 

November

Mullumbimby Show – November 7-9

Bangalow Show – November 14-15

 

December

Bangalow Christmas Eve Carnival December 24

Ballina Boxing Day Races December 26

Tropical Fruits New Year’s Eve December 31