Wollongong City Council's third Culture Mix celebration will provide an expanded feast for the senses, with the full program for the 20 September event now live.
The much-loved celebration will return to the Wollongong CBD with an authentic cultural offering not to be missed. The centrepiece World Stage will once again showcase multicultural music and dance performances culminating in a Pasifika Showcase, which was a crowd favourite at last year's event.
The popular Cultural Bazaar and Food Fair will extend into the Mall, with food offerings and cultural activations set up near the World Stage. There will be 16 different multicultural cuisines on offer in the Mall and Lower Crown Street Precinct.
A number of CBD eateries will also trade outdoors, and patrons can enjoy their food at one of our two communal long tables alongside the Global Stage that will feature a lineup of contemporary and emerging music artists.
The Celebration Stage will be the central point of the Arts Precinct, hosting four cultural showcases – featuring food tastings, cultural dress, ceremony and arts practice – as well as being the destination point for the must-see Lion Dance Parade, and Culture Mix Street Parade.
The program invites attendees to participate in the celebration through a series of cultural dance, craft and storytelling workshops. It includes Let's Dance, an exciting new addition to the program that invites people of all ages and abilities to step onto the dancefloor to experience the joy of dance from around the world.
Professional dance instructors will lead fun, beginner-friendly workshops showcasing traditional and contemporary dance styles from a variety of cultures. After each workshop, a live DJ or band will take over, playing music from that culture so participants can put their new moves into action.
The full program is the result of extensive collaboration with the festival's Community Advisory Group, ensuring that the celebration is truly reflective of our city's diversity and provides authentic cultural experiences.
"There really is something on offer for everyone and I believe it would be impossible to head to the CBD on Saturday 20 September and not find something to enjoy," Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.
"We're now in our third year delivering this event and this time has deepened our relationships with the community organisations that are crucial to the planning and delivery of this celebration, and to ensuring it is a genuine reflection of our city's rich cultural diversity.
"It's helped us build a festival that doesn't just provide something for our community to see, but something for all people of all ages to experience and remember."
The program is supported by 11 development grants that were awarded to Wollongong-based community and cultural groups for the development of new and contemporary projects for the 2025 event.
Those interested in volunteering at the event are encouraged to complete an EOI form via Council's website . Volunteers will staff information booths at three key locations and assist in the running of the day-long event.
The festival also provides opportunities for young people seeking experience in event delivery, with volunteer assistant stage manager roles available through Wollongong Youth Services and a Young EmCee project.
Culture Mix is committed to being an inclusive and accessible event. Festival precincts have accessible toilets, parking, and drop-off points, viewing areas and shade. The Festival precinct also include a Quiet Space, Social Stories, AUSLAN program and programming for blind and low vision people.
Check out the full program on Council's website: wollongong.nsw.gov.au/culture-mix
Culture Mix is made possible thanks to a NSW Government grant
