Summer holidays with the kids don’t need to cost a fortune. From country festivals and Christmas carols to movie nights under the stars, NSW is packed with free and low-cost family friendly things to do between November and February.
We’ve rounded up some of the best family friendly options across the state, from Sydney to Bathurst, Armidale and the Central Coast. Many of them are a great excuse to hitch up the van, hit the road and explore a new corner of NSW, with a holiday park as your base.
Saturday 7 November, 12pm to 9pm | Victoria Park, Bathurst | Free
Bathurst’s brand-new festival celebrates the many cultures that make up the local community. Victoria Park will fill with live music, cultural performances, international food, workshops, market stalls and activities for the whole family. Leave the dog at camp for this one, as animals aren’t permitted, with the exception of assistance animals. Find out more.
Saturday 7 November, 10am to 6pm | Black Gully Reserve, Armidale | Free
Armidale welcomes the warmer weather with a day of music, art and community in the scenic Black Gully Reserve, behind the New England Regional Art Museum. Expect live music across the parklands and an acoustic stage at the NERAM Café, plus a maker’s market, food vans, a clothes swap, arts and crafts, and workshops. Find out more.
Saturday 17 October to Sunday 8 November | Armidale CBD
Armidale’s CBD turns into a celebration of art, music, food and ideas, kicking off with a free opening night street festival on Saturday 17 October. The three-week program continues across the region, with exhibitions, performances, workshops and community events, and the Black Gully Festival is part of the line-up. See the program.
October and November | Oberon
Oberon’s spring festival is packed with markets, a street art exhibition, chamber music, a campdraft and more. For families, the Fossicking Frenzy on Saturday 14 November is a fun day learning to fossick with the Prospectors Home Club, for just $5 per person. Keen anglers of all ages can head to Lake Oberon on 28 and 29 November for the Redfin Roundup, with $12 entry, prizes for the biggest catches, a barbecue on site and free camping all weekend. See the full program.
Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November | Bathurst Showground | Gold coin entry
Stock up on holiday reading at Lifeline Central West’s Christmas Bookfair, where every book is sorted by author and genre and priced to sell. You’ll also find games, CDs, DVDs and records, and EFTPOS is available. Doors open 8am to 4pm Thursday to Saturday and 8am to 2pm on Sunday, with Santa photos by the bookfair Christmas tree on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Learn more.
Thursday 26 November, 4pm to 9pm | Blacktown Showground | Free
Kick off the festive season with an evening of carols, food and family fun in Western Sydney. Kids can enjoy face painting, roving performers and free Christmas craft, plus a visit from Santa with photo opportunities. There’s live entertainment, food and market stalls, and fireworks to finish the night. Find out more.
Friday 11 December, 3pm to 9pm | Picton Botanic Gardens | Free
This much-loved Wollondilly event fills Picton Botanic Gardens with festive cheer, just a short stroll from the town centre. Wander the market and food stalls, snap a photo with Santa, get crafty with Christmas activities and sing along to the carols. Find out more.
November to February | Six regional locations | Free
Pack a picnic rug and settle in for How to Train Your Dragon (PG, 2025) on the big screen, with free popcorn for everyone. Live entertainment and kids’ games start from 5.30pm, with the movie at sundown, and food vans are on site if you’d rather not pack dinner.
| Location | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Lismore | Friday 6 November | Crozier Field |
| Coffs Harbour | Saturday 7 November | Jetty Foreshore Park |
| Gosford | Saturday 9 January | polytec Stadium |
| Orange | Saturday 13 February | Orange Botanic Gardens |
| Tamworth | Friday 26 February | Bicentennial Park |
| Armidale | Saturday 27 February | Civic Park |
Good to know: all events are pet-free and alcohol-free, and glass isn’t allowed. You’re welcome to bring a chair everywhere except Gosford, and every screening has captions. Find out more.
December and January | Four Sutherland Shire parks | Free
Sutherland Shire Council’s summer outdoor cinema series brings family films to local parks, with plenty of pre-movie fun. Bring a rug or low chairs and a picnic, and settle in.
| Film | Date | Venue | Pre-movie fun |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Polar Express (PG) | Friday 4 December, from 4.30pm | Biddy Giles Park, Kirrawee | Character meet and greet, face painting |
| GOAT (PG) | Saturday 23 January, from 4pm | Parc Menai, Menai | Waterslides, parkour, DJ |
| Trolls Band Together (PG) | Sunday 24 January, from 6pm | Cronulla Park, Cronulla | Film starts 6.30pm |
| How to Train Your Dragon (PG, 2025) | Tuesday 26 January, from 4.30pm | Cooper Street Reserve, Engadine | DJ, face painting, rock climbing, skate workshop |
At Cronulla, there are no food trucks, but local cafes and restaurants are right next to the park, and parking is very limited. Find out more.
If you’re spending time in Sydney, these free options are on all summer.
Enjoy the calm, sheltered waters at harbour beaches like Camp Cove or Balmoral, or take a dip in ocean pools like Bronte Baths, Fairy Bower or the rock pools at Cronulla Beach, most of which are free to use. Families in Western Sydney can also cool off at Penrith Beach, which opens for swimming from December to April.
Let little explorers loose among the bamboo forests and timber climbing frames at the Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden in Centennial Park, open 10am to 5pm daily, or tackle the double flying fox and multi-level treehouse at Blaxland Riverside Park, Sydney’s biggest playground. For fully fenced, accessible play, look for a Livvi’s Place playground, with locations including Five Dock, Kellyville and Jordan Springs.
Duck out of the sun at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, where entry is free and kids can pick up an art trail booklet or curl up in the children’s art library. Meet the dinosaurs at the Australian Museum, which is free apart from special exhibitions, or explore the permanent galleries at the Australian National Maritime Museum at no cost.
For more ideas, see the best free things to do in Sydney with kids on Sydney.com.
There’s no better way to take in these events than on a road trip. Pair a festival in Armidale or a movie night in Orange with a few days at a nearby holiday park, and the kids get a summer adventure they’ll remember long after the credits roll. NSW holiday parks are some of the most family friendly places to stay, with options to suit every budget, from powered sites and camping to cabins.
Ready to plan your trip? Visit Caravan & Camping NSW to find holiday parks right across the state.
Event details can change, so check with the organiser before you head off, especially for outdoor events where weather can affect plans. Then pack the picnic rug, load up the van and make the most of a summer that’s big on fun and easy on the budget.
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