The free event is the second in a three-year program
Key points:
- the Open Street Festival is headed back to Thirroul in November, promising another packed program of music, performance and family-friendly activities
- Held over two days in 2025, the second Open Street Thirroul program will be condensed into single day on 28 November
- The NSW Government's Open Streets Program, led by Transport for NSW, provides funding for councils to temporarily close streets to vehicles for street-based activations
Mark it in your calendar – the Open Street Festival is headed back to Thirroul in November, promising another packed program of music, performance and family-friendly activities, to bring King Street to life.
Council was successful in receiving $350,000 for Open Street Thirroul through the NSW Government's Open Streets Program 2025-28 , led by Transport for NSW. It is the second event in this three-year program, which provides funding for councils to temporarily close streets to vehicles for a day, or series of days and open them to people with placemaking activations.
The funding aims to assist councils in delivering recurring events with reduced costs, improved efficiencies and streamlined processes that enhance the ability to continue hosting further street-based community events in the future.
Held over two days in 2025, the second Open Street Thirroul program will be condensed into single day on 28 November, with a host of activities and entertainment for all ages that will again coincide with the Thirroul Music Festival.
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said the event is another example of Council's commitment to bringing exciting events to our suburbs to support local businesses and build connected communities.
"Wollongong is certainly an events city and we're proud to host and contribute to a wide range of events, large and small," Cr Brown said.
"We know our community loves seeing our streets and venues brought to life through vibrant events. We saw that with our first Open Street event at Thirroul last year and at Kiera Laneway Live in the CBD earlier this year.
"These types of events activate streets and precincts and provide a boost to local economies and the local arts and cultural scene. And they are completely free for the community to enjoy, so they are welcoming and accessible for all ages.
"We've just seen a hugely successful Wollongong Festival that celebrated the unique character of different suburbs, as well as another memorable Culture Mix Festival. We're very excited to keep that momentum going by locking in the date for Open Street in Thirroul this November.
"We want to continue bringing a festival atmosphere to our public spaces and, as is the case for all events Council puts on for our community, the program is sure to offer something for everyone."
Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart MP said the festival is one of hundreds of events being supported by the state Government which has the capacity to attract even more people to enjoy what the region has to offer.
"We already have a lot of people that come from out of town to this particular area because of its beauty," she said.
"Open Street Thirroul sees the streets transformed into a lively, walkable public space that builds community and makes the streets of Thirroul more vibrant and a whole lot of fun."
Open Street Thirroul will be held on 28 November from 12-8pm. Full program information will be confirmed closer to the event.
