The 16-day Festival of W, Wagga Wagga’s premier destination winter event, is set for a bold and bright return from 5 July.
The 2025 curated festival program includes immersive light-art experiences, entertainment and installations by local and national artists, a pop-up dining hub, and the return of the popular outdoor ice-skating rink.
Wagga Wagga City Council’s Destination & Events Coordinator, Kimberly Parker says the festival, which is now in its fourth year, continues to deliver new and exciting elements, some of which have never been seen before in regional NSW.
“We’ve spent the past 12 months curating the program, taking into account feedback we received from festival-goers in 2024,” Ms Parker said.
“The festival features local, national, and international artists and performers as well as local businesses. There will be live music every Saturday evening, which will include winter food and drink offerings from regional vendors.
“Council has partnered with leading Australian multi-disciplinary design and production experts, Mandylights, to deliver a free, large-scale, light, and sound experience.
“It will illuminate the Wollundry Lagoon precinct and this year’s theme centres around reflection and refraction.”
Elements of the festival will complement National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week, which occurs during the 16-day festival.
Four local Wiradjuri artists have worked with Mandylights and local projection artist Alice Peacock to design installations that will be featured at the festival.
The festival footprint is evolving this year, with additional road closures to increase the festival area and ensure a safer environment for festival attendees.
On-street activations on Morrow Street, Baylis Street and Burns Way, have been proudly funded by the NSW Government under the Permit/Plug/Play Pilot Program.
“Council welcomes the funding support from the State Government, which helps us enliven the city’s street-based event scene,” Ms Parker said.
“The funding program aims to promote vibrant local communities through delivery of free, recurring street-based events, such as Festival of W.
“The funding supports cultural industries and drives economic growth with more sustainable ongoing delivery of street-based events and enables councils, community groups and businesses to activate their local streets.”
In 2025, Festival of W will continue to increase visitation and provide an economic boost for the city during this winter period.
“Data from our 2024 event revealed 100,000 people attended the festival, of which 30 per cent of visitors came from outside the region. The festival also generated $11 million for the city,” Ms Parker said.
Festival of W runs from 10am to 10pm daily from Saturday 5 July to Sunday 20 July 2025, coinciding with the NSW winter school holidays.
Ice-skating tickets are now on sale and are selling fast. Large group bookings – for private events and corporates – have been popular so far for ice-skating, including groups from neighbouring towns in the wider region.
(Images from Festival of W 2024 courtesy of Anna Kucera).
