Tamworth will transform into an after-dark spectacle this weekend as the city’s CBD hosts the inaugural City of Lights Festival, a free, family-friendly event celebrating the region’s history as a pioneer of electric street lighting.
The festival runs from 5.30pm to 10.30pm on Friday, 25 September and Saturday, 26 September, spreading across Peel Street, Fitzroy Street and Bicentennial Park. It marks Tamworth’s status as one of the first cities in the Southern Hemisphere to switch on electric street lighting, with organisers billing the two nights as an “all-senses light experience” built around the theme “Land and Light”.
Activations will be centred on Fitzroy Plaza and Bicentennial Park, but organisers say the event will reach right across the CBD through projection art, live music, First Nations cultural storytelling, roving performers and illuminated shopfronts.
“This event has been a collaborative effort by the Tamworth Business Collective, a group committed to growing Tamworth’s night-time economy,” said Tamworth Chamber President Dave Errington.
“With a number of CBD businesses putting their hands up to be part of this event alongside some really unique installations, the City of Lights Festival is shaping up to be a vibrant night out for our community and we’re excited about the interest it is attracting from visitors outside of the region.”
In Bicentennial Park, Sydney design and production studio Mandylights, known for work on Vivid Sydney, the Beijing Light Festival, Sydney World Pride and Eurovision, will bring its Gallery, Laser Garden and Beacon concepts to life. The installation, designed specifically for the festival, features audio narrated by Kamilaroi Elder Len Waters.
Fitzroy Plaza will host projected illustrations by artist Eleri Mai Harris depicting the story of how Tamworth became the First City of Light. Nearby, the Post Office Hotel will run an outdoor barbecue with live entertainment and cocktail specials, Elevating Art Studio will set up a glow-in-the-dark slime station for kids, and Kelly George Aesthetics will stay open late. Paul Harvey Optometry and First National Real Estate Tamworth will have their shopfronts illuminated for the occasion.
Along Peel Street, Camp Grounds Coffee + Wine Bar will serve a “City of Lights” pre-event aperitivo with food and drink specials from 4pm to 6pm, sending patrons off into the festival atmosphere. Centrepoint Tamworth will host a Family Glow Zone on Level 1, with the food court downstairs open late.
Forum 6 Cinemas has teamed up with the Tamworth Film & Sound Archive to screen a short film featuring historical footage about the City of Lights, while The Tudor Hotel will offer live music and themed cocktails. Botanique New England will stay open late with themed goodies and fairyfloss, Tajoh & GG will welcome late-night shoppers, and Sonny’s Bakery and Cafe will open a dessert bar serving waffles, crepes, thickshakes and coffees.
Music will run throughout the precinct, with country act The Butler Band, blues performer Buddy Knox and musician Luke Prout all confirmed. UNE Tamworth and the Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music will light up their shopfronts in celebration, and Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth by Rydges will offer specials at The Workshop Kitchen, along with themed cocktails and live music for guests.
“We’re encouraging everyone across the Tamworth region to come into the CBD, experience the festival precinct and make a night of it,” said Mr Errington.
“Bring your friends and family and discover a different side of Tamworth after dark, entertainment, culture, dining, hospitality and shopping all in one spot.
“We have been thrilled to see the enthusiasm that this initiative has been met with, both by our business community and key stakeholders but also by community groups and the general public. Beyond two great nights, the festival is about supporting our local businesses and helping build a safe, vibrant and sustainable night-time economy for Tamworth.”
The City of Lights Festival is supported by the NSW Government’s Regional Night-Time Economy Program, delivered by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, with additional support from Essential Energy and Iberdrola Australia. It marks the launch of a broader push to bring Tamworth’s CBD to life after dark, with a monthly Light Up Late series set to follow from October 2026.
The Tamworth Business Collective, which is delivering the festival, brings together businesses including Camp Grounds, Central Hospitality Group, Centrepoint Tamworth, Forum 6 Cinemas, McDonald’s Tamworth, Post Office Hotel, The Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth by Rydges, The Press Basement Bar, TPG Hotels (The Pub Group), Tumbl and UNE Tamworth.
“Beyond two great nights, the festival is about supporting our local businesses and helping build a safe, vibrant and sustainable night-time economy for Tamworth,” Mr Errington said.
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