The annual celebration of our rich cultural diversity is back for a fourth year
Key points:
- Culture Mix offers a vibrant showcase of multicultural music, dance and authentic cuisine right in the heart of the Wollongong CBD
- The full program offers more than a hundred completely free experiences for all ages to enjoy
- Three stages will light up the city centre alongside a Cultural Bazaar and Food Fair
- Council has awarded more than 40 grants to Wollongong-based community and cultural groups since 2023, contributing to a program now made up predominantly of local organisations
Wollongong’s much-loved multicultural festival, Culture Mix, is back this Saturday 26 September from 11am – 6pm with a few new twists and flavours featuring alongside some old favourites in a celebration of our city’s diversity.
Now in its fourth year, Culture Mix offers a vibrant showcase of multicultural music, dance and authentic cuisine right in the heart of the Wollongong CBD. The full program offers something for everyone and a chance to get involved in the festivities.
Whether you’re a returning visitor or heading out for the first time, there are more than a hundred completely free experiences for all ages to enjoy.
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown encouraged everyone to get out and enjoy what has become an almost entirely homegrown festival program.
“We’ve seen the event grow over its first three years as the community has taken more pride and ownership of the Festival in partnership with Council,” Cr Brown said.
“It’s now a more than 80 per cent local program, which is something we’ve worked hard on over previous years through our development grant program.
“Upwards of 40 grants have been awarded to Wollongong-based community and cultural groups since 2023, allowing them to develop new proposals and realise their potential.
“We can clearly see that in the wonderfully diverse program that will be showcased on Saturday. Whether you’re coming out for the fourth time or the first time, there’ll be something new and memorable for you to experience.”
Hosted by Wollongong City Council, Culture Mix has received funding support from the NSW Government in each of its previous three years and Member for Wollongong Mr Paul Scully MP said it is proud to do so again in 2026.
“One of the great strengths of Wollongong is its mix of cultures and communities,” Mr Scully said.
“Celebrating our diverse backgrounds, showing off the great aspects of our culture to others and inviting them to be part of a vibrant celebration of a strong, cohesive multicultural community is what Culture Mix is all about.
“The Minns Government is pleased to back Culture Mix financially again this year, for the fourth year in a row, as it helps show not only what is good and great about Wollongong but what is good and great about our state.”
What’s new?
With works at Wollongong Art Gallery and Wollongong Town Hall currently underway, the lawn area of the Arts Precinct that has hosted program events the past three years is out of action.
However, the Celebration Stage will be set up in Kembla Street for the first time hosting performances and interactive Bollywood, Dabke, Samoan and Latin dance workshops, letting participants literally dance in the street.
Kembla Street will also host Culture Kids, a day of creativity and play, with instrument-making, a silent disco, nature-based activities, free henna art and multicultural community experiences.
WAG is also hosting a series of workshops and Indonesian song and body percussion from West Sumatra and Java, while Wollongong Library is also offering a day-long program of workshops and story time.
What’s Back?
The ever-popular World Stage will again light up Crown Street Mall, with music and dance performances showcasing various local cultural and community groups. With the beloved Lion Dance also weaving through the crowd, and samba band Bateria 61 to lead the Culture Mix Street Parade, roving performances are guaranteed to get you moving to the beat.
The mall will also feature the Cultural Bazaar and Food Fair, featuring stalls from diverse multicultural backgrounds displaying or selling arts, crafts, artworks, food and more. Both traditional and contemporary items will be on display or for sale, as well as a selection of multicultural food stalls.
The expanded Food Fair will also extend into Lower Crown Street alongside the Global Stage featuring traditional and contemporary music from all over the world, including 20205 Folk Musician of the Year Noriko Tadano, and award-winning Persian ensemble Avaye Rood.
Getting there
As always, your best bet to get to and from Culture Mix is via public transport.
Wollongong Station is a short walk from the World Stage, and the Free Gong Shuttle will be in operation all day alongside regular bus routes.
There are bike racks available at Wollongong Library, Lower Crown Street Mall (across from ANZ Bank) and in Corrimal Street (in front of Coffee Club). Remember, bikes cannot be ridden through Crown Street Mall or the festival precinct.
While public transport is your best option to avoid congestion, off-street parking is available Stewart Street (Council), Stewart Street East car park, 17 Stewart Street, and Church Street carpark. Parking is untimed and free on weekends.
Accessibility
We’re committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming festival experience for people of all abilities. Accessibility features are available throughout the event, including an accessible viewing platform at the Celebration Stage, a Quiet Space, accessible drop-off and pick-up locations, shaded seating areas and accessible toilets. Download the Accessible Map to help you on the day.
What’s next
As part of the Wollongong Festival,festivities continue on Sunday 27 September with ‘Young Blood’ hitting Globe Lane.
Introduced in 2024 by Lalalas and Yours and Owls, Young Blood aims to encourage the next generation of bands and fans in Wollongong with a multi-venue, all ages live music program across Wollongong Youth Centre and the Globe Lane precinct.
