Welcome to our list of arts and cultural events happening in the NSW Central West gathered from artists, event producers, great local venues and groups across the region. Use the contact or ticketing details listed with each event.

It’s free to submit your local events

For maps and details of museums, galleries, artist studios, historic sites, Aboriginal experiences and sites, craft shops, handmade retail outlets or public art go to the Culture Maps Central NSW menu.

Event Series Spring In Jenolan

Spring In Jenolan

Jenolan Caves 4655 Jenolan Caves Road, Jenolan Caves, NSW, Australia

Spring in Jenolan is a great time of year to visit. Especially as we're open EVERY Friday and Saturday.
Enjoy a late afternoon tour, dinner at Chisholm’s Restaurant and/or evening tour.

Oberon Outdoor Festival 2023

A month-long Festival with a variety of fun activities and events with an outdoor theme.

This will include ‘family-oriented’ activities, Open Gardens, Heritage Village Tours, Sip n Splash, 4WD Tag-along Tour, Fishing Lake Oberon Redfin Roundup Weekend, Teddy Bear’s Picnic and much more.

upstART 2023

Cowra Regional Art Gallery 77 Darling Street, Cowra, NSW, Australia

The annual upstART Exhibition and Awards showcases the work of regional students in Stages 5 and 6, encompassing a broad range of styles and subjects.

The exhibition includes experimental and creative approaches to painting, ceramics, mixed media, photography and sculpture.

This is a “must-see” exhibition presented by the Cowra Regional Art Gallery, in association with high schools in the Central West.  

FREE

2024 Summer Reading Club Challenge

Bathurst Library 70-78 Keppel Street, Bathurst, NSW, Australia

Keep an eye out for the launch of our annual SRC Challenge. With $600 worth of prizes up for grabs, its a great way to keep kids reading over the summer holidays!
PLUS a special announcement about an EXTRA feature of this years' challenge is coming soon...

Event Series Early Childhood Music Family Fun Day

Early Childhood Music Family Fun Day

Mitchell Conservatorium of Music, Bathurst Russell Street, Bathurst, NSW, Australia

This class is the ideal place for pre-school aged children (0-5) to begin learning the building blocks of music in a fun and dynamic environment.  It is a great opportunity for siblings to learn in a group.

Children will begin to progress through weeks of fun topics with our experienced teacher, Elissa Jones, learning about all sorts of music.  

$15.00
Event Series Summer Beats

Summer Beats

Kings Parade Bathurst Russell St, Bathurst, NSW

This December, Kings Parade will come alive with free live music held from 5pm – 8pm every Friday in the lead up to Christmas.

Get your family and friends together, grab a bite to eat from your favourite local takeaway and picnic in the park while soaking up the tunes of some of Bathurst’s best local bands.

Free

Cowra Christmas Festival

Cowra 77 Darling Street, Cowra, NSW, Australia

Returning once again to the Main Street of Cowra on Friday 2nd December, the Cowra Christmas Festival is an opportunity to celebrate community spirit leading into the festive season and share a great night out with friends and family.

Free
Event Series Bathurst Arts Trail

Bathurst Arts Trail

Bathurst Bathurst, NSW, Australia

The Bathurst Arts Trail is a collective of artists throughout the Bathurst region who open their galleries and studios to visitors on the first weekend of each month.

Free

Maker’s Market

Rosnay Organic, Canowindra 510 Rivers Road, Canowindra, NSW, Australia

It is time to ramp up your creativity for the next Makers’ Market.

Art Group

Lithgow Library & Learning Centre 157 Main Street, Lithgow, NSW, Australia

Free art workshops every Saturday morning. 

Why not try something new. Drawing, painting, collage are just some of the activities available

FREE

Maker Space

Cowra Library 77 Darling Street, Cowra, NSW, Australia

Every Saturday from 10am for free and creative Makerspace. All ages welcome. No bookings required. Just bring your imagination.

FREE

Block Fest 2023

Bathurst High School Hope St, Bathurst, NSW

BLOCKFest is back!  Celebrating music, art and dance, presented by Denison College Bathurst High Campus. 

Featuring dance and drama performances, visual arts displays and live music from Urthboy, Swing Factor and Lueth Ajak.

Millthorpe Markets

Redmond Oval, Millthorpe Millthorpe, NSW

Held twice a year, usually on the first Sunday of both April and December, the Millthorpe Markets are acknowledged as one of the best in NSW with visitors enjoying great food, excellent stalls and a wonderful atmosphere.

Condobolin Ceramics Group

Condobolin Community Centre Cnr of Bathurst St & Dennison st, Condobolin, NSW, Australia

The Condobolin Ceramics Group meets fortnightly on Sundays. Open to beginners and advanced.

Tuition is provided by the group as a whole and is needs based around what you want to create. 

Rockley Pub Beers & Beats

The Rockley Pub 2 Budden Street, Rockley, NSW, Australia

Rockley Pub are kicking off Beers & Bets.

Every Sunday afternoon in our courtyard, from 1 pm, they're setting the mood with local musicians, specials from their smoker and cold local and imported beers on tap within the courtyard.

FREE

Carols at Carrington

Carrington Park, Blayney Blayney

Carols by Village Church Band and Friends, performances by Blayney Public, St. Josephs, Blayney High School, EmDance and local performers.

Put on by Blayney Community Baptist Church with support from Blayney Shire Council.

FREE

Multicultural Festival

The Neighbourhood Centre (Bathurst) 96 Russell Street, Bathurst, NSW, Australia

This Festival will have activities for Kids (Rock painting & Making friendship bracelets), multicultural food (Vegetarian & Halal), the Eclectica Choir, Drum Circle, Dance performance, Indigenous jewellery and art display

Free

Portland Christmas Twilight Market

The Foundations Portland 36 Williwa Street, Portland, NSW, Australia

The Twilight markets are on again this year!

There will be all your favourite stalls, great food and great music.

With over 80 stalls, the Twilight Market is one of the largest in the region and you will be sure to find something that takes your fancy, or just head down for a bite to eat and some great fun!

Free

Christmas Concert & Carols 2023

Rylstone Memorial Hall 73 Louee St, Rylstone, NSW, Australia

Join in for a joyful Christmas concert featuring Wollemi Voices, The Llewellyn Choir, and the Mudgee Concert Band.

This free community event welcomes families and friends to sing along to beloved carols.

Free

Carols by Candlelight

Victoria Park, Forbes Forbes, NSW, Australia

Come along to see local performers, santa and activities. 

FREE

 

The What’s On calendar covers arts and heritage events happening across the NSW Central West in the local government areas of Bathurst Region, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western Region, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin.

Event listings are sourced or supplied from local venues and arts organisations. Many events listed here have been originally shared by the organisers on social media. Whilst all care is taken – and accuracy is our priority – we can take no responsibility for date changes or the content of contributed information. Contact the event organisers listed for more details or to book tickets.

The best way to include your event is to use our SUBMIT HERE form (under the What’s On menu at the top of each page). These listings will be manually approved by the Arts OutWest team before publication.  Please allow a couple of days for listings to be published. If you have submitted an event and want to make changes just email us at artsoutwest@csu.edu.au

Featured events‘ are those submitted directly online by presenters.

Event promotors are asked to only include their own original images / images that they have permission to use / copyright free stock images. For more information see our fact sheet on Using Images For Promoting Events (if you can’t see this link look under ‘Opportunities’ then ‘Resources’).