Katoomba Events Listings

21 Days on the Mountain

In 1813, European explorers Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth, took 21 days to find a way to cross the Blue Mountains. To commemorate this momentous occasion 200 years later, several Blue Mountains communities will be organising a range of events, such as Blaxland Explorers Day, Lawson Celebrates Lawson and Wentworth Falls Bicentenary Celebrations. Many other events are being organised by local individuals to celebrate the Crossings, including the Bicentenary Flyover (25 May 2013), the Bicentenary Re-enactment Walk (11 May to 31 May 2013) and the play, Crossing! and Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Gardening Seminars to name a few. To find an event that has been endorsed by the Bicentenary Crossings Committee look for the words 'This is an endorsed Blue Mountains Bicentenary Crossings 2013-2015 event' at the beginning of each event description. A list of endorsed events can be found on the website or from Blue Mountains Visitor Information Centres.

A 20s Afternoon with Phryne Fisher

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed *** Part of the Roaring 20s Festival, join Charlotte Smith, owner of The Darnell Collection, and Kristen Dunphy, scriptwriter for series two of ABC Televisions Phryne Fisher Murder Mysteries as they discuss an upcoming episode where murder and fashion collide. Hear the inside story from Kristen as she delves into the Couture world in Melbourne to help Phryne solve a mysterious murder in the 1920s. A selection of stylish 20s outfits, most suitable for the leading lady detective, will be paraded during the talks. Come and meet Charlotte and Kristen at 2pm and then stay on for the Grand High Tea in the afternoon. Bookings required.

Artexpress - Blue Mountains Cultural Centre

The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre presents a stunning exhibition, Artexpress. A dynamic and popular exhibition featuring a selection of outstanding student artworks developed for the High School Certificate Examination in Visual Arts with a focus on student artwork from the Blue Mountains region. The opening event is on Saturday 4 May 2013 at 2pm. Please contact organisers for details. Artexpress is A Board of Studies NSW and Department of Education and Training touring exhibition

Bicentenary Re-enactment Walk

This is an endorsed Blue Mountains Bicentenary Crossings 2013-2015 event. As close as practical to the original route, time frame, and with similar equipment as the original crossing, the Blue Mountains Bicentenary Re-enactment crossing of the Blue Mountains in May 2013 will be a 21 day event to retrace the steps of Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth. The party consists of seven people representing Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth, convicts and a kangaroo hunter. The viewing locations include: 11 May - Luddenham Road near South Creek, High Street from Castlereagh Street West, Civic Centre High Street, Memorial Avenue Clock Tower near Victoria Bridge; 12 May - Lennox Park, Matthew Parade; 13 May - Macquarie Road from Raymond to Ferguson Road, Buttenshaw Park; 24 May - Wentworth Falls Lake, Leura Mall; 25 May - Katoomba Street. Please see the website for times and up to date information about the Walk.

Blue Mountains Arts Trail

Art-lovers are invited to visit the Blue Mountains Arts Trail. This free event features a collective of local Artists who will open their studios to the public, allowing you to explore the rich Arts culture the Blue Mountains has to offer. This is an amazing opportunity for visitors to meet local Artists, view a diverse selection of artforms throughout the Trail, see works in progress and purchase local art right from the source. Not only would you take home the creation, but a story; a sense of connection with the person who created it and the surroundings that inspired it. The Blue Mountains provides a picturesque backdrop for the event, making it a perfect day out for day-trippers and locals alike. You set your own pace; visit as many of the Artists studios that you like. Visit the website to follow the trail and learn more about the artists.

Blue Mountains Bicentenary Flyover

Organisers of the Blue Mountains Bicentenary Flyover have finalised 11 live viewing sites for the public to watch the historic aviation event that will commemorate the achievements of Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth 200 years ago. Community groups, schools, local businesses and the event organisers have all assisted in the process to select the viewing sites. Entry to all sites is free, with tethered Hot Air Balloon rides available at Melrose Park in Katoomba and Glenbrook Park, Glenbrook. Viewing sites: 1. Melrose Hall Park, Emu Plains 2. Glenbrook Park, Glenbrook 3. Faulconbridge Public School, Faulconbridge 4. Lawson Public School, Lawson 5. Blue Mountains Grammar School, Wentworth Falls 6. The Carrington Hotel (Chimney), Katoomba 7. Melrose Park, Katoomba North 8. The Gardens, Blackheath 9. Mount Victoria Memorial Park, Mount Victoria 10. Hartley Historic School, Hartley 11. O'Connell Avenue Cafe & Store, O'Connell

Blue Mountains Film Festival 2012

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed *** The 2012 Blue Mountains Film Festival will open with a garden party at Cafe Bon Ton in Leura on Thursday. From there guests will ride on the Blue Mountains Explorer double decker bus down to the Skyway East Station and ride across the valley on cable car, past the Three Sisters to Scenic World for the first night's short film screenings. Screenings will continue at the Scenic Cinema on Friday, followed by a party on the Scenic World terrace. The Saturday night finalist screenings will precede the Yowie Awards Show, hosted by Bob Downe. Guests will then travel via double decker bus to the Leura Garage for the Awards After Party.

Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Tourism Festival of Walking

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed *** Be sure to put your boots on for the Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Tourism Festival of Walking during October across locations throughout the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area. The Festival of Walking is a celebration of the beauty of nature, the health and well being benefits of walking, acknowledgement of Aboriginal custodianship and culture and homage to the history, heritage and conservation of this special region. There's a diverse programme of free and costed events during the eight day festival including walks in gear from yesteryear, photographic exhibitions, walks to mystery locations and there will be guided and self guided activities for everyone from challenging wilderness treks to gentle street strolls. For more information view the Festival of Walking website.

Blue Mountains Million Paws Walk

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed *** Grab your two and four legged friends and join other animal lovers in a fun-filled day. Whether you have pets in your family or not, you're invited to join the pack and walk with tens of thousands of people and pets throughout Australia to help raise vital funds for the RSPCA and the animals in their care and to promote responsible pet ownership You can choose to walk from one to five kilometres. The Blue Mountain's RSPCA Million Paws Walk is a fun day out for families and people of all ages with a real festival atmosphere with a variety of demonstrations and exhibitions.

Blue Mountains Music Festival

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed *** Blue Mountains Music Festival of Folk, Blues and Roots is a three day festival of folk, roots and blues music, featuring selected artists from around the world and across Australia. In a variety of venues in Katoomba see and hear world class musicians in an intimate and relaxed atmosphere that has been raved about by both performers and audiences. All weekend the site is alive with the sounds of acoustic guitars, dobros, mandolins, fiddles, accordions, concertinas, bouzoukis, banjos, pianos, drums, percussion, flutes, pipes, whistles and voices. Food and craft stalls, the poet's brunch, children's entertainment and performance workshops fill out the on-site atmosphere. The festival precinct is a short stroll from Katoomba railway station and the buzzing strip of cafes, restaurants and shops that lead you down to the site.

Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed *** The Blue Mountains Ukulele Group presents one of the most unique and fun events of the year with the Fourth Annual Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival! Friday is the opening night with a dinner/concert in the Grand Dining Room of the Carrington Hotel. Saturday Night will include performances from acts from across Australia with a number of performance spaces throughout Katoomba. This is your opportunity to see Australia's best musicians who also happen to play the ukulele in the beautiful Blue Mountains. Workshops will be available offering a free chance to introduce you to song writing and open microphone session for all levels from beginners through to advanced. The Blue Mountains is home to the Blue MUGs who believe that there are two types of people in the world - those who play the Ukulele and those who want to.

Katoomba Footlight Festival

Katoomba North Public School is currently busy organising this years environmental festival. It promises to be an exciting chance to discover useful and current sustainable living practices with its education workshops and informed speakers. Come along and enjoy this family day including market and food stalls, live music and children's activities.

Katoomba Golf Club Family Fun Day

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed *** The Katoomba Golf Club Family Fun Day is looking to be a new exciting event on the Blue Mountains Annual Calendar. This event will include a variety of markets stalls, display cars, entertainment, food and amusement rides for all ages. At night a spectacular fireworks display will be in the sky above the golf course. This is a free event with all monies raised on the day to be donated to the Katoomba South Rural Fire Brigade.

Lady Luck Festival at The Carrington Hotel

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed *** The Lady Luck Festival will reignite in 2013 with everything custom, culture and old school! Join in the fun to celebrate the 1950s! By day Carrington Place and the surrounding gardens and driveway will come alive with bands, vintage stalls, a show 'n' shine with hot rods, rat rods and classic cars, Kids Korner, free face painting, jumping castle and games. By night the festival will kick off its ticketed cocktail party in the Carrington Hotel which includes canapes, bands, swing dancing and more entertainment all into the night. Other ticketed activities include Burlesque workshops and a night shows in the Carrington Hotel. Please see the website for more details.

Oktoberfest - Katoomba

Join the locals in the beautiful Blue Mountains for Oktoberfest. Plenty of fun for the whole family! Enjoy traditional music by German bands which is sure to get you up and dancing. Feel like you are actually in a German beer hall with souvenir steins, let your tastebuds be tantalised with authentic German cuisine and lots more.

Relative Location: Colouring Space - Blue Mountains Cultural Centre

Beata Geyer's site specific installations explore her ongoing interest in painting, colour and architecture. The first in the Exposé Exhibition Program series at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, focusing on the work of contemporary Blue Mountains artists, Relative Location: Colouring Space will comprise a grid like formation on the gallery floor of over 100 individually coloured monochromatic paintings. The resulting field of colour will alter the viewer's perceptual experience of the gallery space by transgressing the traditional boundaries between painting,sculpture and architecture.

Relay For Life - Upper Blue Mountains

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed *** The Relay for Life is an overnight (or any part thereof) walk where members of each team take turns in walking around a track from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning. The idea is to form teams of young, old, cancer survivors, carers, families, work, school, service, community and sporting clubs for an overnight walk around the track at Katoomba Falls Reserve to raise money for cancer research. There will all be entertainment and refreshments. Stay for the whole event, camp overnight or just visit and walk a few laps.

Sculpture at Scenic World

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed *** Nature and artistic creation will again collaborate for the 2013 Sculpture at Scenic World. This outdoor exhibition will provide local, national and international artists an exciting opportunity to exhibit their works within the natural splendour of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Thirty-six artworks have been selected for exhibition on the Jamison Valley floor, with an elevated boardwalk providing visitors with the opportunity to view world class sculptures in an unparalleled rainforest setting. Selected sculptures including sculptures that respond to and reflect the rainforest through various media including digital, sound and light, together with collaborative and other newly created works. The exhibition is free with Scenic World ticket purchase. Exhibition highlights will include the AUD20,000 Scenic World Acquisitive Award; "Sculpture Otherwise" an indoor exhibition showing maquettes, drawings, photographs, video works and small scale sculptures by exhibiting artists. Public Program including artist talks, kids workshops, guided tours and panel discussions.

Six Foot Track Marathon

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed *** The Six Foot Track is a 45 kilometre footpath stretching across the Blue Mountains from The Explorer's Marked Tree, near Katoomba to Jenolan Caves. The marathon started in 1984 and follows the length of the entire footpath. It is Australia's fifth largest marathon and by far the largest 100 per cent off-road running event. The race is a fundraiser for the Rural Fire Service and Six Foot Track Heritage Trust. For qualifying and registering details please visit the website.

The Blue Mountains Country Jamm for Genes

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed *** The Carrington Hotel Katoomba is the venue for what will be the social event of the Blue Mountains calendar, when the cream of Australia's Country Music stars donate their time and talent to raise money for Jeans for Genes. Jeans for Genes is one of Australia's finest charity organisations, tirelessly raising much needed research funds for The Children's Medical Research Institute. The day kicks off from 12 noon to 5pm with a free outdoor concert in Carrington Place featuring 12 Country Music stars. This is followed by the evening Gala event in the Grand Dining Room, featuring five of the biggest stars. Tickets for the evening event are available from the Carrington Hotel.

The Goon Show LIVE!

A Yulefest Blue Mountains event; The Goon Show Live! Enjoy a Christmas-in-July five course dinner and show with all the trimmings at the historic Paragon in Katoomba, this live-on-stage recreation of The Goon Show will delight everyone. The Goon Show, which was primarily created and written by Spike Milligan, was produced and aired by the BBC between 1951 (initially titled 'Crazy People') and 1960. Since then, The Goon Show has regularly been broadcast around the world including (still today) on Australia's Radio National. Widely acclaimed as being ahead of its time, and being the inspiration for other comedic cults such as Monty Python and The Goodies, this event will be a nostalgic re-visit for those who remember - and a wonderful discovery for those who are new to the best of British comedy.

The Great Art Deco Ball

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed *** Part of the Roaring 20s Festival, dress up for this lavish 1920's Grand Ball at the Carrington Hotel, inclusive of a three course dinner, a three hour beverage package and entertainment. Enjoy a wonderful night of entertainment held in the Grand Dining Room with Greg Poppleton and The Lounge Bar Lotharios 11 Piece Dance Orchestra. Prizes for the Best Dressed. Bookings are required.

The North Face 100

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed *** The must-do event on the Australian ultra-running calendar through the magnificent World Heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park. Join the running legends from around the world and take on your own demons to gain the coveted TNF100 belt buckle. Marathon man Dean Karnazes rated the event the toughest he had ever done. Killian Jornet, the Spanish legend said it was much harder than he expected and very beautiful.

The Sydney Writers Festival in the Blue Mountains

Celebrating Sydney's Writers' Festival in the Blue Mountains, Varuna, this festival brings together the best International, Australian and local writers, and will be sure to delight, intrigue, stimulate, enlighten and entertain you. The program will include writers' across all genres, including contemporary and historical fiction, short story writing, poetry, memoir, politics, biography, current affairs and travel. On Saturday 18 May there will be two special community events, run in partnership with The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre. This year will also see the return of the Poetry in the Caves, at Jenolan Caves in Oberon on Sunday 19 May. The main program will take place at The Carrington Hotel, in Katoomba on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 May. The full program will be launched by Sydney Writers' Festival on Saturday 13 April. See the website from 13 April for the full program, list of authors and to buy your tickets.

Wilderness Societys WildEndurance 100K Team Challenge

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed *** In its sixth year, the WildEndurance 100K Team Challenge is the main fundraising event for the Wilderness Society, a national, community based environmental advocacy organisation. Starting on Saturday, for up to 36 hours straight, 150 teams of between three and seven participants will run/hike through the Megalong and Jamieson Valleys of the majestic World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Requiring months of training, the WildEndurance Challenge tests the stamina and fortitude of even the most experienced runners and hikers. From its birth in the Franklin River campaign of the early 80's, saving the last wild river in Tasmania from being dammed, the Wilderness Society has been instrumental in protecting millions of hectares of magnificent and essential wilderness. The Wilderness Society's overall goal is to raise AUD500,000 from the event.

Wines of the West Festival

*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed *** The eleventh Wines of the West Festival will be held again in the opulent Grand Dining Room of the Carrington Hotel. This event showcases many of the Central West regions leading wineries. There will be tastings, entertainment, food stalls and fun throughout the weekend for all to enjoy. Featured are wine exhibitors from the Mudgee and Orange regions. Make the most of your chance to talk to the makers of fine award winning wines!

Winter Magic Festival

June in Katoomba in the beautiful Blue Mountains is when one of Australia's most famous towns is taken over by local musicians, mask makers, dancers, drummers, poets, pantomime artists, choirs, clowns and the community. It is a chance for all to participate and have fun - kids and adults alike. Winter Magic won't just be the name of Katoomba's premier festival during winter, but an accurate description of what will be experienced when the town will unleash a mammoth mix of surprises once again. The Winter Magic Grand Parade is always popular and will have a new theme to be announced. Experience the excitement of steam at the Winter Magic Festival. Travel directly to the Festival via steam train or simply take a ride to sister town Mount Victoria and back when you get here. Satellite events will be running during June.

Xeno Eucalyptus - Blue Mountains Cultural Centre

The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre presents a stunning exhibition toured by Andrew Merry in the state-of-the-art Blue Mountains City Art Gallery. In this photographic series, Blue Mountains based artist Andrew Merry reframes the colonial gaze by viewing the British landscape through the lens of an Australian eucalyptus forest creating a powerful visual tension by merging contrasting 19th century aesthetic traditions into the same frame. Image: Andrew Merry, Xeno Eucalyptus # 3 (detail) 2009, digital pigment print.

Yulefest in the Blue Mountains

Yulefest in the Mountains is a special time to celebrate winter in a 'Northern Hemisphere' style with a wide array of traditional Yulefest dinners and luncheons. Live entertainment, carols and decorations all add to the Yulefest atmosphere. Enjoy the crisp mountain air by day and the glow of a cosy fire at night. Please call Blue Mountains Visitor Information Centre for dates and further information.