Unlock the excitement: Upcoming events and festivals to add to your calendar!
From lively music and vibrant cultural festivals to thrilling beachside sports, Kiama’s diverse events calendar promises to tickle everyone’s fancy!
The 2024 event calendar is in full swing in the Kiama area with a blend of culture, music, and sport on the list. Kiama Sevens returns to the most picturesque showground on earth and will host over 40 teams from around the country as they battle it out for over $30,000 in prize money! Kiamasala brings a taste of India to Black Beach with Bollywood beats and dancing, traditional spice market and street food as well as henna artists. Kiama Beach Tag invites oztag fans to the sand to compete for big bucks on Kendalls Beach while spectators enjoy a bar, kids entertainment and fetival atmosphere, and Kiama Jazz and Blues festival brings three days of musical talent to multiple venues for all to enjoy. Another one that can’t be missed is SurfLife Music Festival which promises a relaxed weekend of quality tunes, food and surf surrounded by Gerringong’s notorious rolling green hills.
Strap yourself in and take note as we run through details of the must-attend events this season.
Kiama Sevens Rugby
Date: Saturday 24 February 2024
Time: From 8am
Location: Kiama Showground
Cost: $15 per person (players, sporting staff and spectators)
Get set for a rugby extravaganza at the 52nd Kiama Sevens tournament! Watch over 40 top-notch teams go head-to-head in a day of thrilling competition. For just $15, join the crowd to cheer on your favourite team and soak in the lively atmosphere. Brace yourself for intense matches and exceptional rugby skills as teams compete for the coveted titles. Not only will you enjoy action-packed footy, but you’ll also be treated to stunning views overlooking the Kiama headland. Kiama Showground is an easy 8 minute walk from the Kiama Train Station (servicing Sydney) and only a hop skip and a jump to Kiama Harbour, the big Blowhole, Surf Beach, and Kiama’s main streets which are buzzing with cafes and restaurants. As the weekend will be busy, we recommend booking ahead at your favourite spots. Visit our dining guide for our top recommendations on places to eat.
Kiamasala Festival
Date: Sunday 25 February 2024
Time: 10am – 4pm
Location: Black Beach (Kiama Harbour Foreshore)
Cost: Free
Get ready to spice up your life at Kiamasala, the town’s much-anticipated Indian cultural festival. The day will be filled with vibrant colours and flavours of India, offering a unique cultural experience. You’ll find Indian regional street food stalls, live music, and a DJ spinning Bollywood beats that will get you moving.
Witness vibrant Bollywood and classical dance performances, explore a spice market offering a rich variety of Indian spices, and adorn your hands with beautiful henna designs, skillfully crafted by Indian artists. It’s an event you won’t want to miss!
Kiama Beach Tag
Date: Saturday 9 March 2024
Time: From 9am
Location: Kendalls Beach, Kiama
Cost: $900 for team registration. Spectators free.
The stunning Kendalls Beach is again hosting this year’s highly anticipated Kiama Beach Tag Championships. This competitive tournament guarantees participants and spectators a sandy and entertaining day of oztag. Drawing participants from all corners of the state, the event features various categories for Seniors, including Open Mens, Open Womens, Open Mixed, and Mens Over 35s. Juniors can also join the fun in categories such as U13 Boys, U15 Girls, and U18 Mixed. A round-robin style format for pooled games before teams progressing to the sudden-death stage. Whether you’re participating or spectating, you’ll enjoy delicious food stalls, a bar, live music, kids entertainment and an action-packed day and night on the sand.
Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival
Date: Friday 8 – Sunday 10 March 2024
Location: Multiple venues in Kiama, Gerringong & Minnamurra
Cost: Free music around town and/or weekend passes from $89 to access Finding Fillmores, Uniting Church and Kiama Surf Club
Let the rhythm take control as Kiama transforms into a hub for music lovers during the Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival. Spanning over three days, the festival promises an eclectic mix of live performances at various venues. Show your support for local businesses and enjoy the free live music at cafes, restaurants, bars, the Top Shop car park, Burnett’s Garden Centre, along with street buskers and music in Coronation Park. Simply take a stroll along the main streets of Kiama, to let your ears guide you to the music.
Craving more? Snag tickets from $89 to enjoy a weekend live music marathon across these venues:
Weekend Pass Venues
- Finding Fillmores: Kurtis Eller, The Glider, Julian James, Mitch Granger, Freshwater Crayfish, Nut Butter, Lux Trevis, Photo of the Moon, Kosher Groover, Seen Hebivor, Jazz Doof wrap-up party and more
- Uniting Church: Sweet Tooth, Hillary Geddes, Chloe Kim, Wilbur Whitta, Fauna, and more
- Kiama Surf Club: Frank Sultana’s presents Blues with a View with guests Nathan Beretta, Jesse Redwing, James Southwell and more plus Jesse Morris and the Shakedown, Dingo & Olivia Coggan
2022 Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival – South Coast Kiama See more at jonharris.photography
High Tea by the Sea
Date: Sunday 10 March 2024
Location: The Pavilion, Kiama
Cost: $69 per person
In support of the Cancer Council and the Shitbox Rally, treat yourself, family and friends to a fundraising High Tea by Central Perk at Kiama’s iconic Pavilion. The day will showcase a Show n Shine car display, guest speakers, raffles and much more!
SurfLife Festival
Date: Friday 22nd March (from 4pm) and Saturday 23 March (from 3pm) 2024
Location: Gerringong Town Hall
Cost: Tickets from $54
Get set for a laid-back weekend in Gerringong as SurfLife takes over the Gerringong Town Hall. The festival kicks off on Friday night with The Strides, offering a dynamic fusion of reggae, hip-hop, and afrobeat. Joining them are local favourites – The Appointments, Slow Cinema, Lemonise, Double Barrel, Salty, and Kane Cali – promising a night filled with diverse beats and eclectic sounds.
On Saturday night, the spotlight shifts to the powerhouse live act, Little Quirks, acclaimed as “one of the best live acts you can see.” Their indie-folk charm is poised to captivate the audience with infectious energy. Sharing the stage on Saturday are Mac Tango, Calcite, Magic Machine, In Good Hands, Sevilles, Lizzie Jack and the Beanstalks, Negative Space, and Tayah Larsen, guaranteeing a night filled with smokin’ tunes.
For information on all of these and more, head to the events calendar which covers everything from art exhibitions and markets to pop-up events and workshops.
Visiting and needing accommodation? Check out our accommodation page or call the Kiama Visitor Information Centre on 1300 654 262 for recommendations on where to rest your head at night.
Photo credit: Kiama Sevens Rugby, Kiamasala Festival, Kiama Beach Tag, Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival, SurfLife Festival
Belinda Williams
