Enjoy the best of winter in Wagga Wagga with Festival of W
BE AMAZED: Light up your evenings by heading down to Festival of W in the Wollundry Lagoon and Victory Memorial Gardens precincts these school holidays.
City of Wagga Wagga’s largest winter celebration, Festival of W, made its return this past weekend (5 and 6 July), with thousands of winter explorers turning out to launch the 2025 event under glowing lights and misty skies.
Locals and visitors enjoyed the return of ‘Lightvision: A Wagga Wagga Light Journey’ illuminating the Wollundry Lagoon Precinct, alongside other immersive light-art installations.
Fan favourites also made a welcome return, including the Skate Wagga Wagga outdoor ice rink and the popular House of FoW – a pop-up dining experience serving up warming winter bites from local and regional businesses.
Council’s Destination and Events
Coordinator Kim Parker said the strong turnout on opening weekend showed just how much Wagga Wagga embraces winter.
“It’s been amazing to see the community and visitors out in full force, rugged up and ready to experience the festival,” Ms Parker said.
grow in both impact and reputation.
“It’s clearly becoming a winter tradition for many.”
The light shows are playing from 5pm to 10pm each evening throughout the festival, while House of FoW is open for dinner Monday to Thursday, and for lunch and dinner Friday to Sunday.
The festival has transformed Wagga Wagga’s CBD into a winter playground, with installations, dining and entertainment spilling out onto the city’s streets.
“The road closures create a vibrant, safe and walkable atmosphere where people can flow between the activations, soak up the sights and experience the festival at their own pace,” Ms Parker said.
“We’ve received valuable feedback from the community already, highlighting their positive sentiment towards activations on roadways and the new location for the ice-skating rink.”
With the 16-day festival running until 20 July, there’s still plenty of time to get amongst it all and enjoy the best of winter in Wagga Wagga.
Festival of W is a City of Wagga Wagga owned and managed event and this year has been supported by funding through the NSW Government.
To download the full Festival of W program and book your Skate Wagga
Residents in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area are being asked to partake in a short survey to give an insight into their household’s waste and recycling activities, and to share their ideas on how recycling can be improved in the local area.
Wagga Wagga City Council is developing a Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy aimed at assisting the community to reduce waste, increase resource reuse, and encourage longterm behavioural change.
There are three surveys available, each based on where you live. One has been created for all residents in the Wagga Wagga LGA, one for residents of Uranquinty and Mangoplah, and one for residents of Collingullie, Currawarna, Galore, Humula and Tarcutta.
Andrea Baldwin Manager – Gregadoo Waste Management Centre, said the survey responses will play a key role in guiding the vision and goals of the strategy.
“Developing a Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy is the first step towards transitioning our region into a circular economy – a society that reuses, repairs and shares products, reducing the amount of waste needlessly going in to landfill every year,” Ms Baldwin said.
“To assist us when creating the strategy, we want as many residents as possible to do the survey as the results will shed light on what recycling is being done well in Wagga Wagga, and what Council needs to do to support areas where we need improvement.”
In 2024-25, Wagga Wagga residents generated about 25,000 tonnes of kerbside material, while Gregadoo Waste Management Facility received 90,000 tonnes of waste.
Action needs to be taken now to ensure our waste management and recycling practices are sustainable into the future.
“Your input and ideas are important, so we encourage everyone to do the survey,” Andrea Baldwin said.
“Survey submissions are anonymous; we simply want to collect data on our recycling behaviours as a community to help support the future direction of community.”
The Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy Survey closes on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Visit haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au
Council has prepared a draft Local Housing Strategy to address gaps in our housing supply, diversity and affordability. We’re exploring ways to improve housing outcomes in the area, with two important documents now on public exhibition.
Learn more
Wagga Wagga comes together to celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC
Events were held across Wagga Wagga this week for NAIDOC celebrations from 6 – 13 July, celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The pride of the local First Nations community and allies was heard along Baylis Street on Monday morning, 7 July, as participants of the annual NAIDOC march walked along Wagga Wagga’s main street before gathering at the
Council sponsorship to help grow three Wagga Wagga events
Three major events in Wagga Wagga over the coming 12 months will be supported by Council's Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship 2025/26 fund.
At its Ordinary Meeting this week, Council endorsed a total of $39,209.66 in funding under Round One of the program towards the delivery of the Riverina Harvest Festival, Carols by Candlelight and Christmas with the Con. Council’s Destination and Events Coordinator Kimberly Parker said Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship recognises the importance of events bringing visitors to our region.
“The funding plays an important role in
Civic Centre forecourt for a Flag Raising ceremony.
Local Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Cheryl Penrith delivered a Welcome to Country, followed by a Smoking Ceremony conducted by Wiradyuri cultural knowledge holder Luke Wighton. The event was emceed by local Gamilaroi young person, Audrina Pinney.
The Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Australian flags were raised by local students Lea Otten from Kildare Catholic Collage, Millie McKenzie from The Riverina Anglican Collage with Asher Brown and Taylah-Mahy Murtaghto from Kooringal High School.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout attended the march and flag raising ceremony, and said he was proud to see people gather in support of NAIDOC week, which this year is acknowledging the theme of The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.
“NAIDOC week is an important week for all Australians, and every year it's an honour to see and join our community in support,” Cr Tout said.
“Like previous years, this year’s annual march drew a large turnout despite the cold and foggy morning.
“This year celebrates a powerful milestone for NAIDOC; 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience.
“We are not only celebrating the achievements of the past but the bright
supporting organisers to deliver major events in the city,” Ms Parker said.
“These successful events deliver strong social benefits and economic returns for Wagga Wagga, while showcasing our public spaces and energising our city.”
Riverina Harvest Festival by Murrumbidgee Landcare was successful in its application for sponsorship for its 2026 event.
Scheduled for 20 and 21 March 2026, the event features a conference, community festival, and features local and regional produce markets, music and workshops.
The second successful recipient is Carols by Candlelight, hosted by not-forprofit organisation, Specialist Medical Resources Foundation.
The event is scheduled to be held on 6 December 2025 at Wagga Beach: Riverside Precinct and will showcase an exciting program of roving entertainers, family entertainment and food stalls.
The pre-show entertainment features First Nations and multicultural performances that will foster greater understanding between different sections of the community.
The third recipient is Christmas with the Con to be held at the Wagga Beach: Riverside Precinct on 13 December 2025.
This event which is delivered by the Riverina Conservatorium of Music and is a free community event, bringing a diverse audience together to enjoy an
SAT 12 JUL, 9AM – 6PM Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, 243 Baylis St. Ladysmith Tourist Railway SAT 12 JUL, 10AM – 2PM Ladysmith Railway Station, 15 Kyeamba St. Balgarra SAT 12 JUL, 4.30PM - 8PM Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way.
future ahead, empowered by the strength of young leaders, the vision of communities, and the legacy of ancestors.”
A large program of events was held across NAIDOC Week, including the RivMed NAIDOC Celebration, Ashmont NAIDOC Week Celebration, and a 3x3 Basketball Gala Day, with tickets still available for the Mawang Gaway NAIDOC Ball, Balgarra concert and youth workshops in collaboration with the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre.
Civic Theatre Manager Claire Harris said Balgarra is about shining a light on the creativity and strength of the next generation.
“In celebration of NAIDOC week, the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre is hosting a free music making workshop for young people with First Nations performer Philly on Friday 11 July and Saturday 12 July,” Ms Harris said.
“Participants will learn how to write and record their own tracks and then be involved in the NAIDOC Balgarra concert alongside Philly and local performer Beacho2700 on the Civic Theatre stage.
“Balgarra means ‘emitting sparks’ in Wiradjuri, and this event is an opportunity for local First Nations youth to show their spark, celebrate their strengths and then share that with our local community through music.”
For more information, visit: wagga.nsw. gov.au/naidoc-week
evening of live music.
The recommended funding was determined by a panel including three community members with event management experience.
“There are more opportunities for event organisers to apply for Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship, with Round Two of funding now open for applications,” Ms Parker said.
For more information visit wagga.nsw. gov.au/eventsponsorship
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38 Morrow St. Riverina Readers Festival
Writing Workshop: ‘Bring Out Your Best’ with Will Kostakis SAT 12 JUL, 1PM – 3PM Wagga Wagga City Library, 243 Baylis St. FoW Winter Watercolour Workshop SUN 13 JUL, 12PM - 3PM
Unique State Art Space, 8 Little Best St. PCYC – School Holiday Activities MON 14 JUL –MON 21 JUL PCYC, 11 Fitzhardinge St. South Wagga Tennis Club Holiday Camp MON 14 – THU 17, 9AM – 12PM South Wagga Tennis Club, Murray St & Morgan Ln. Egg Carton Animals: Construction TUE 15 JUL, 11AM – 1PM Unique State Art Space, 8 Little Best St. Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo TUE 15 JUL, VARIOUS TIMES Wagga Wagga Civic
Theatre. Botanic Garden Sunshine Storytime – Agile Library Van WED 16 JUL, 10AM – 11AM Riverside: Wagga Beach, Johnston St. Pottery & Pints –Footy Gnomes WED 16 & FRI 18 JUL, 10AM – 12PM North Shore Studios, 57 William St, North Wagga. Imaginative Beasts: Drawing WED 16 JUL, 11AM – 1PM Unique State Art Space, 8 Little Best St. Riverina Producers Market THU 17 JUL, 1PM – 6.30PM Hammond Hall, Wagga Wagga Showground, 27 Bourke St. Family Movie Friday FRI 18 JUL, 10.30AM - 12PM Wagga Wagga City Library, 243 Baylis St. Something to Crow About FRI 18, SAT 19 JUL, 7PM – 10PM & SUN 20 JUL, 1PM – 4PM Thirsty Crow Brewing Co., 153 Fitzmaurice St. Scan or head to visitwagga.com for more events in Wagga Wagga + Surrounds.
