When it comes to festivals, there is nothing quite like Childers Festival, held every year on the last weekend in July. Showcasing events sure to put a smile on everyone's dial, from the feel-good favourites Opera by the Lake, Cane Fire Tours and of course the iconic Childers Festival Day, to spunky new offerings such as Fiesta Latina and A Night of Burlesque at the Paragon, this year is set to be a four-day extravaganza of culture, food, history and music that stops the highway!
Hill of Promise Long Table Dinner
Thursday 27 July | 6.30pm - 9pm
Nestled in the rolling hills of Childers, Hill of Promise is a boutique winery that has been bringing a Sicilian flare to the region for over 20 years. Join local winemakers Terrance and Mary Byrne (or the Little Cellar Rat as she’s fondly known), to cheers, clink and drink the evening away at the Long Table Dinner. Dine on tantalising, seasonal, local produce, paired perfectly with the vineyard’s award-winning, preservative free vinos, and discover how this dynamic duo pour pride, passion and respect for tradition into every tipple.
Hill of Promise is more than just a winery; it's a time capsule for the multicultural family with every glass holding a new story to be told. From stories of Mary and Terry's early days as electrical contractors to memories from times gone by you would find hard to believe in today's day and age. Mary and Terry are captivating and inspiring storytellers carving themselves and their family name into the pages of the history books of Childers.
For tickets to the Hill of Promise Long Table Dinner, please call the cellar directly on 07 4126 1311.
Picnic in the Vines
Friday 28 July | 11am – 2.30pm
Take a seat on the picnic bench, or lounge under the shade of the orchard trees and soak up the sunshine, sweeping vistas and laid-back vibes at Vintners Secret Winery’s Picnic in the Vines. Whether you’ve packed your own hamper full of delectable goodies or pre-ordered a picnic this is the perfect way to spend a Friday arvo, with the Band of the 1st Regiment playing the soundtrack to your moment of bliss.
After spending a great part of their careers in teaching, Marianne and Ed, at the age of 60, decided to ‘retire’ to take on a whole new venture. With no experience in the agriculture industry, the couple took a leap of faith and purchased the vineyard over 10 years ago now, and with that Vintners Secret Vineyard began. Ever since then, they’ve been farming their own grapes and crafting their delicious range of wines.
Picnic in the Vines Tickets - https://bit.ly/CF-picnic-in-the-vines
A Night of Burlesque at the Paragon
Friday 28 July | 6pm-10pm
Things are spicing up in the heritage-listed Paragon Theatre this July, when all-female powerhouse The Kitty Kats, sassy Scarlett Tinkabelle and Bundaberg’s very own Neon Sparkles take to the stage for a night of cabaret and burlesque! Celebrating the female form and loving the skin you’re in, this 18+ event is all about dressing to impress. We’re talking feather boas, a sequin or two, and dancing shoes for the afterparty.
Equally as hot as this event is the theatres owner, Merissa Riccardi!
The Paragon has been in the family for close to 60 years and became a second home to Merissa while growing up in the hinterland town. From running up the creaky, wooden stairs with her crush and sharing their first kiss while hiding from her grandfather to raising her own children inside the theatre’s residence, the building holds a special place in Merissa’s heart.
It’s no wonder why Merissa, and the generations before her, fell in love with The Paragon Theatre. Why not come experience the grandeur of this prized piece of Australian architecture on a tour the following day, a peek behind the curtain into the ins and outs of this incredible hinterland jewel.
Opera By The Lake
Saturday 29 July | 2pm - 4pm
Always a crowd pleaser in the Childers Festival lineup, Opera by the Lake is back again in 2023. So pack a picnic, sip on local tipples and savour the sweet symphonies of The 7 Sopranos, in the stunning surrounds of Lake Redbrook.
P.S. if your looking for somewhere to catch your ZZZ’s on this trip to the region, Lake Redbrook Retreat is a great place to rest your head, with a number of cabins and sites for you to choose from. Click here to check it out.
Opera By The Lake Tickets - https://bit.ly/CF-opera-by-the-lake
Crescent St presents: Fiesta Latina
Saturday 29 July | 4pm - 8pm
Event hopping is always a good idea, right. So after your afternoon at Opera by the Lake, amp up the night at Fiesta Latina. Heralding back to Childers Festival’s multicultural roots, Crescent Street will come alive with the tastes and sounds of Latin America. A family-friendly event, this foody fiesta will be a carnival of colour, as the streets fill with salsa dancers bopping to Latino rhythms.
This is a FREE event, so no need for tickets, just come on down for a good time!
Twilight Markets
Thursday 27 July | 2pm - 7pm
A brand-new event in the Childers Festival calendar, the talents of the region are showcased as the sun sets at the Twilight Markets. As a region bubbling with artisans, crafters and creatives, the Childers Showgrounds will transform into a hive of activity, as stallholders line the laneways with food, condiments, arts, crafts, and fashion.
Sugar Mill and Cane Fire Tour
Thursday 27 + Friday 29 July | 3.30pm - 9pm
As a region renowned for its sugar cane, it’s only right we sweeten up Childers Festival with this spectacular event. Experience the journey of sugar cane from crop to crystal on this entertaining and informative Sugar Mill and Cane Fire Tour, followed by a delicious BBQ dinner.
Sugar Mill and Cane Fire Tour Tickets - https://bit.ly/CF-cane-fire-tour
Childers Festival
Sunday 30 July | 9am - 3.30pm
The last hoorah! Childers Festival is a celebration of all things uniquely Childers! People from all walks of life, come together to celebrate community, heritage and spirit! The Bruce Highway closes and is transformed into an action - packed hub of entertainment. From live music to market stalls filled with arts and crafts, vintage treasures and local produce – guaranteed to please those young and young at heart.
P.S. This is another cracking FREE event (so you can save your pennies for the local stalls)
Childers Festival is jam-packed with so many events this year, so click here to check out the whole program. Or why not get comfortable in those stretchy pants and stay a while longer? With Taste Bundaberg Festival kicking off the following week, there's never been a better time to explore the Bundaberg Region and make a splash in the Southern Great Barrier Reef.