What’s On
In Orange
What’s On in Orange
Below is a small collection of what’s on in Orange and the surrounding region. For a full list of events and activities head to www.orange360.com.au.
Orange Wine Festival
October
Experience the Orange region’s rich and diverse wine and food culture and meet the interesting and talented people who make it happen. The Orange Wine Festival is 10 days of exciting events and activities highlighting the region’s premium wines through wine shows, tastings, educational workshops and celebrations with local produce. The festival is a friendly event open to wine-lovers of all ages and understanding. Signature events include Orange Wine Show Tasting, The Vino Express, Food and Wine Night Market in Robertson Park and Wine in the Vines.
Mayfield Garden Festivals
View their website for festival dates
Located in Oberon, Mayfield Garden is a living legacy of the Hawkins family who took their inspiration from some of the best gardens in Europe. Made up of two main garden areas, Mayfield and the Hawkins’ Family Garden, it covers 65 hectares and is Australia’s largest privately-owned, cool climate garden. Mayfield is open 363 days of the year (excluding Christmas and Boxing Day).
Ruby Tuesdays @ Agrestic Grocer
The Agrestic Grocer’s famous Ruby Tuesday has transformed the Central West’s live music scene. Each week artists perform entire albums from and tributes to their favourite artists to sold-out audiences. The standards are always high as is, demands for tables, so it’s a must to book a table. Live music weaves it’s way around the week starting with the iconic Ruby Tuesday Classic Album Night. Here local & touring artists perform the entirety of a classic album with the café transformed into a buzzing bar & restaurant. Touring original artists visit frequently for weekend evening shows, including the legendary Reg Mombassa, Jeff Lang, Lloyd Spiegel, Steve Balbi & Dave Graney.
Orange Farmers’ Markets
2nd Saturday of each month, 8.30am-12.00pm
Proudly supporting producers only from the Central West region, Orange Farmers’ Market was established in 2002 with a focus on providing fresh, truly local consumable goods to the community of residents and visitors. More than 60 stallholders arrive each month with freshly picked, grown and handcrafted produce for you to enjoy. You can meet the maker, learn more about your food and pick up some great cooking tips.
Millthorpe Markets
1st Sunday of April & December each year
Held twice a year on the first Sunday of April and December, the Millthorpe Markets are acknowledged as one of the best in NSW with visitors enjoying great food in a wonderful atmosphere. Undertaken as a fund raising event by Millthorpe Public School P&C, the Christmas and Autumn markets are a great opportunity to combine shopping with a beautiful drive in the country to the historic town of Millthorpe.
Blayney Rotary Markets
3rd Sunday of each month from 8:30am
The Blayney Farmers’ Markets, located in Carrington Park of Blayney, seem to exude the old fashioned country town style of markets. Held every 3rd Sunday of each month rain, hail or shine, with plenty of seasonal fruit, vegies and organic meat, cheeses, eggs, home made foods, craft items, locally grown plants and much more from local producers, there will be plenty to fill your shopping basket.
The Arts, Theatre & Culture
Experience amazing local talent and award-winning productions with Orange’s impressive arts facilities including museums, galleries, theatres and libraries, as well as small, independent galleries. Culturally, you will find no shortage of things to do in Orange, with the Orange Civic Theatre’s vibrant program featuring national dance, opera and theatre companies, stand-up comedy, local productions and live music.
The Peisley St Gallery
Open 7 Days a Week
The Peisley St Gallery is a space committed to one-off exhibitions of quality artworks, including works on canvas, paper and board, prints, ceramics, sculpture and photography. The objective of The Peisley St Gallery is to introduce new visual voices to the Central West.
Washington & Co. Whiskey Bar
Wednesday to Sunday 5pm to midnight
Located in the middle of town in the rural suburb of Orange, is the popular Washington & Co. whiskey saloon. Reminiscent of the 1920’s underground bars of America, locals flock here nightly for quality whiskey, bourbon, fine spirits and cocktails. A cosy space is home to oak clad walls, adorned with a mounted deer head, vintage artworks and dimmed lighting, making for a sultry place to slip into a plush leather booth and enjoy a refreshing drink after a long day of work. Washington & Co. are known for their entertainment, with frequent live music nights, and with over 150 spirits on the back bar, it’s an irresistible watering hole.
Orange FOOD Week
April
Orange FOOD Week is Australia’s longest running regional food festival and has been acclaimed as one of Australia’s top ten food festivals. Since its inception in 1991, it has become one of the district’s most loved events by both locals and visitors alike. The 10 day community festival celebrates the region’s diverse and high quality food and wine. It showcases the farmers who grow it, as well as the local chefs, cooks, restaurateurs and caterers that create extraordinary dishes with it. Highlights include the Night Markets and Forage.
Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival
February
What better way to celebrate this great Australian’s life and work than with a festival in the district where he was born on the 17th February 1864. Recognised as one of Australia’s most famous and admired bush poets, he wrote many ballads about Australian life. The festival provides something for everyone with bush poetry, school performances and professional entertainers.
Australian National Field Days (ANFD)
October
The Australian National Field Days is the oldest annual agricultural exhibition in Australia. Established in 1952, the ANFD offers visitors a unique insight into the future of agriculture with the commitment to Advancing Australian Agriculture. More than 600 exhibitors travel from all over Australia and internationally to the Borenore site to display their products and services.
Newcrest Orange Challenge
Held annually
The Newcrest Orange Challenge is no easy cycle and there are no shortcuts. With 2 ride options, 88km and 170km, this Australian classic will test your legs with rolling hills, long false flats and short sharp climbs. Bicycle Network will be by your side the entire way with full on-route support, including food and rest stops. They’ll take care of everything, so that all you have to do is ride and soak up the beautiful NSW countryside.
Canowindra International Balloon Challenge
Held every April
The Canowindra Balloon Challenge is an annual balloon competition and festival held in the second week of the NSW April school holidays. Visitors can wake up each morning to the visual spectacle of a mass launch and flight of a fleet of colourful hot air balloons or…take flight themselves.
Carcoar Cup Running Festival
Held every November
The Carcoar Cup Running Festival is a grand annual challenge on the Australian running calendar. Held the first weekend of November in the historic Central West NSW town of Carcoar, the Carcoar Cup is a fantastic weekend for both runners and family, showcasing the beauty of Carcoar and the surrounding region.
Millfest
Held annually
