Tamworth, Armidale, and Narrabri are all throwing a party on Saturday, 17 October, with world food, street art, and a gathering of rural women on offer.
Tamworth’s Fiesta La Peel returns to Bicentennial Park from 4pm to 9pm. The free event celebrates the cultural diversity of the Tamworth Region, which is home to residents from more than 80 nationalities.
More than 16 performances will showcase cultural traditions and contemporary entertainment, from music and dance to community displays. There will be more than 30 food stalls too, serving dishes inspired by family recipes passed down through generations. Expect Vietnamese, Nepalese, Indian, and Filipino flavours, along with traditional dishes rarely found on local restaurant menus.
“Fiesta La Peel is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the many cultures that make the Tamworth Region such a welcoming and vibrant community,” said Multicultural Tamworth Inc. Chairperson Juanita Doody.
“Whether you’re trying a new cuisine, enjoying cultural performances or spending time with family and friends, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”
Now in its thirteenth year, Fiesta La Peel is delivered by Tamworth Regional Council and Multicultural Tamworth Inc. Locals are encouraged to bring a picnic rug and settle in for the evening.
Up the highway in Armidale, the Creative Streets Festival kicks off with Opening Night from 4pm to 9pm in the CBD. The festival then runs through to Monday, 9 November, taking in existing events including Packsaddle at NERAM, the New England Garden Festival, the Black Gully Festival, and New England Sings. The inaugural New England Regional Film Festival also starts on Saturday, 17 October and runs through to Saturday, 24 October.
Opening Night will feature the Gather and Trade market, a platform for Aboriginal artists and makers to connect with audiences. It is delivered with Arts North West. Cultural performances and community activations will come from Armidale’s diverse cultural communities, in partnership with Mosaic Multicultural Connections.
Music is being developed with NECOM and Musicians of Armidale, and the festival will also extend into the Armidale Mall. Working with the Armidale Folk Museum and the Armidale historical society, it will also share stories from the city’s past.
Students from Armidale Secondary College are working alongside professional artists on a major public mural. Preschool children from across the region are collaborating with NERAM on a large-scale installation in Hanna’s Arcade.
Further west, Narrabri will host the NSW Rural Women’s Gathering on Saturday, 17 October. The theme this year is Breaking new ground. The day will be hosted by 2025 NSW Regional Woman of the Year Kirsty Evans, with special guests including 2025 Archibald Prize winner Julie Fragar.
The event is sold out, but for the first time, the keynote presentations and panel discussion will be livestreamed from 9am until 1.30pm, so women across the state can tune in. There is no need to register for the livestream. The program is at www.nsw.gov.au/rwg.
“The Rural Women’s Gathering celebrates the incredible women who help shape and strengthen our regional, rural and remote communities,” said Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty.
“The livestream will give more women across the state the opportunity to hear new ideas, learn from others and celebrate the achievements of rural and regional women.”
Narrabri Shire Council Mayor Darrell Tiemens said hosting the Gathering was a chance to show off the region.
“For local residents who may have missed out on Gathering tickets, I’d encourage them to take a look at the weekend program and get involved in one of the many events taking place across the Shire,” he said.
One of those events is the CREATE Festival, which wraps up on Sunday, 18 October. This year’s theme is Water. The inaugural Narrabri Portrait Prize holds an In Conversation With event on Friday, 16 October, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Tourist Hotel. Two new public sculptures, a Wedge-tailed Eagle and a Sand Goanna, were unveiled at the start of the festival at the Narrabri Visitor Information Centre, celebrating Aboriginal culture and the natural heritage of the Shire. The full program is at createfestival.com.au.
“Whether you’re an artist, an arts enthusiast, or simply looking for something different to experience, there is something for everyone at CREATE 2026,” he said.
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