The Hunter Valley is a beautiful region of New South Wales that is well-known for its stunning scenery and diverse events calendar. From food and wine festivals to live music and cultural events, there is something to suit everyone in the Hunter Valley.
One of the most popular events in the region is the annual Pokolbin Music Festival, which attracts visitors from all over Australia. During the festival, live music can be enjoyed at a variety of venues throughout the valley, including wineries, restaurants and bars.
There are also a wide range of events held throughout the year at Hunter Valley Gardens, such as Flower Festival and Christmas in the Gardens. Whether you’re looking for a fun-filled day out or a weekend away, make sure to check out what’s happening in the Hunter Valley.
January
Carindale Markets at Carindale Winery Includes local produce, crafts, food and wine tasting at the cellar door.
February
Taste the Juice Sample juices and ferments of this years vintage are held at Rothbury Estate.
A Day on the Green held at the Bimbadgen Estate.
Valentines in the Vines 14th at Undercliff Winery offer a special Valentines dinner in the vines.
Waterfest held at Lake St. Clair includes barefoot drag racing under lights, dragon boat racing, a concert and lots more.
Olive Pickling Courses the Hunter Olive Association offers an introduction course on pickling techniques.
Vintage in the Hunter Grape harvesting, activities and other exciting events revolve around this 3 month long festival.
March
Hunter Valley Harvest Festival (Note: This is a 3 month celebration and focuses on food, wine, the arts, theatre and music) and is the hot ticket to high profile acts and hands-on food and wine experiences with the magic of Hunter Valley Wine Country. Celebrate the annual grape harvest and vintage period with more than 50 individual events offering unique vineyard experience everyday of the week from the first day in March until the last day in April.
Live Band/s are held every Saturday at the Potters Brewery from 5 pm until 8:30 pm. Karaoke on Saturday nights 8 pm until 12 pm.
Boutique Wine Maker’s Dinner is a celebration of fine wines from the Wollombi Wine Trail and gourmet food each designed to complement the other.
Wine Country Race Day/s If you like to have a flutter at the track, don’t miss these monthly races.
Retro Rock ‘n’ Roll Beach Party held at the Apthorpe Estate brings live 50′ 60’s entertainment, some great food and premium wine tastings/sales. Test your skill at riding the mechanical surfboard or stomp your way to victory in the grape stomping competition.
Fiddle and Bang is held at the Rothbury Estate. Bring the family and picnic to the sounds of Irish bands, while enjoying Irish influenced foods and wine from Rothbury Estate. Try a tethered balloon ride and finish off with fireworks.
Reg Lindsay Wine Country Rodeo and Music Reunion This annual event is not to be missed.
De Bortoli Italian Feast offers visitors a day of food; traditional antipasto, wine and music, cooking demonstrations and other delights.
Winery Festival Each winery offers their superb wines to taste, plus a variety of great music is played by live bands. Grab your festival glass for a small fee, part of which is donated to the Rural Fire Services and Hunter Lions Club, and we’ll see you there. Food is also available by the above mentioned charities.
Vintage in the Hunter Grape harvesting, activities and other exciting events revolve around this 3 month long festival.
April
Hunter Valley Harvest Festival (Note: This is a 3 month celebration and focuses on food, wine, the arts, theatre and music) and is the hot ticket to high profile acts and hands-on food and wine experiences with the magic of Hunter Valley Wine Country. Celebrate the annual grape harvest and vintage period with more than 50 individual events offering unique vineyard experience everyday of the week from the first day in March until the last day in April.
Broke Harvest Festival Feast with friends and kick up your heels to celebrate the grape harvest in the beautiful Broke Fordwich wine region. This spectacular dinner event showcases the best country fare with live entertainment and music for dancing throughout the night.
Potters Family Beerfest held at Potters Brewery offers German style beer and wine tasting. Traditional German sausage sizzle, live music, fun and games for all.
Wine Country Race Day/s If you like to have a flutter at the track, don’t miss these monthly races.
Easter Gala Weekend is held at Littles Wines and includes entertainment, lucky door prizes, food, wine clearance sale and a jumping castle for kids.
Bimbadgen Blues Featuring various blues musicians; this picnic style day is a great way to enjoy your Reds, Whites and Blues at Easter.
The Olive and the Vine (Food and Wine Festival) from Pokolbin’s Brokenback Wine Trail. Grab some Hunter Valley produce to take home while being entertained by a good blues/folk concert.
Teapot Festival is held in Morpeth a major trading port in the area.
Teddy Bear Extravaganza and Picnic is held in Morpeth a major trading port in the area.
Vintage in the Hunter Grape harvesting, activities and other exciting events revolve around this 3 month long festival.
May
Blues and Jazz, Honky Tonk Piano is put on by Mistletoe Wines. Admission is free but due to limited places available you are advised to book.
Hunter Valley Cheese Festival this food and wine event is held at the picturesque Batchelors Terrace Vale Boutique Winery and features specialty cheese makers from the Hunter Valley and around Australia, Olives and Olive oils, small goods, fantastic cooking demonstrations and Cheese and Olive master-classes. Tastings of all the products will be available plus music, children’s entertainment and much more.
Live at Lovedale is held at the Apthorpe Estate with live music, goumet delights and wine tasting.
Chocolate Festival is held at Ivanhoe Wines with more chocolate and exhibitors every year and plenty of wine (of course). It’s held on Mother’s Day Weekend so bring the whole family. There is entertainment for adults as well as children.
Upper Hunter Food and Wine Affair A day of wines from the Upper Hunter Wines, gourmet food, live music and children entertainment.
Wine Country Race Club holds the Tooheys New Cessnock Cup and if you enjoy horse racing, is an event not to be missed.
Lovedale Long Lunch is a progressive-type lunch 11am till 4 pm. Wine and dine your way around the eight participating wineries enjoying a glass of wine, gourmet food, fabulous music and art.
Boutique Wine and Food Fair at the Rothbury Estate offers cooking and wine demonstrations and tastings. Enjoy a picnic lunch created by The Cellar with live music. Stay an hour or the day.
June
Expressions of the Hunter held at the Rothbury Estate is a photographic competition featuring the people, places and industries of the Hunter worth experiencing.
Wine Country Race Day/s If you like to have a flutter at the track, don’t miss these monthly races.
Wollombi Village Fair is a fun event held this month that’s worth seeing especially if you are visiting with children.
July
Live at Lovedale is held at the Apthorpe Estate with live music, gourmet delights and wine tasting.
Dr. Jurd’s Jungle Juice Cup is another racing event, this time held in Cessnock, worth seeing.
Hunter Valley Polo Cross Championships held in Scone is an event worth experiencing.
August
Fireside Fortifieds held at the Rothbury Estate is where you can enjoy a winters’ afternoon with their winemaker by an open fire. Sample, savour and discuss luscious fortifieds with their resident expert.
September
Festival of Gardens This spring garden show runs over the months of September, through October into November.
Upp Spring Art Festival held in Cessnock is an event all art lovers can’t afford to miss.
Barrel Tasting Lunch, Winery and Cellar Door is held at Gartelmann Wines. Taste wines direct from the barrel whilst the winemaker talks about the wines.
Broke Village Fair Come and see the spectacular display of vintage and prized cars and meet their enthusiastic owners. Taste great country fare and boutique wines from the Broke Fordwich wine region. Buy hand crafted goods, plants and arts available. There are lots of goodies and entertainment for children too so don’t miss it if visiting this month.
Feast of the Olives held at Gartelmann Wines incorporating Country Music in the Vines is a fun event this month.
October
Wollombi Village Fair is an event not to be missed this month.
Singleton Show and Singleton Rose Festival are worth experiencing if visiting now.
October Festival of Gardens This spring garden show runs over the months of September, through October into November.
Burning of the Canes held at about 6.30pm at the Gartelmann Vineyard celebrates the end of pruning season by burning the dried out canes (vines) left after pruning and enjoy a sumptuous curry dinner.
Broke Fordwich Garden Ramble Take a leisurely walk in lovely private gardens and talk with the creative gardeners and enjoy a hearty country lunch with a presentation by garden experts.
Opera In The Vineyards is an annual event not to be missed.
Hunter Valley Wine Country Cup at Cessnock Race Course also has wine and food stalls to delight the taste buds. Fashion parades, wood-chopping events, children’s activities, face painting and entertainment are also available.
Jazz in the Vines this is the anniversary at Tyrrell’s Vineyard and has been billed as Australia’s most significant outdoor jazz event, along with great food offered by Hunter Valley restaurants and Hunter Wineries selling wine by the bottle.
Jazz Recovery at Briar Ridge; following the footsteps of the Hunter’s Premier events ‘Jazz in the Vines’, we help you relax, recover and recharge (your glass that is). Stretch out on the lawns at Briar Ridge, enjoy a glass of wine, sausage sizzle whilst listening to a magnificent swing jazz band.
Hunter Spring Festival is held in Denman and is worth experiencing if in the area this month.
November
Festival of Gardens This spring garden show runs over the months of September, through October into November.
A Day on the Green at Bimbadgen Estate
Greta Silky Oak Festival is an event not to be missed this month.
December
UnWINEed with Carols is held at the Rothbury Estate. Carols are held by torchlight and it’s a great event for kids. Note: Various Christmas and New Year celebrations are held throughout Hunter Valley Wine Country and vary from year to year.
Carols in the Vineyards is held in Pokolbin and like most outdoor events of its kind a great ‘family’ experience.
