New England Online > Culture & Society > Festivals & Events
Festivals & Events
Throughout the year, the people of New England like to showcase their talents, skills and produce for all to see. Cultural, sporting and sporting events are held on nearly every weekend with exhibitions, field days and carnivals attended by thousands. Indeed, the turnout at these events is huge, with every New Englander attending at least five events a year. The biggest events by far are those that appeal to nation-wide audiences. At the pinnacle are the Big Three events held annually. They are the Royal National Exhibition, the Pacific Song Contest and the Armidale Festival.
The next tier of events includes the finals of the five major sporting tournaments, the larger agricultural shows and floral festivals. All major cities and towns put on at least one major event (most do many more), and down to the smallest town, there are agricultural shows, floral festivals, fishing competitions, film festivals, air shows, rail trips weekends, historical and pioneer re-enactments, military shows, musical concerts and tattoos, pet shows and sporting competitions.
The Big Three
Armidale Festival – The major performing and creative arts festival of New England, the Armidale Festival was established in 2011 as a means of showcasing the best local theatre, music, paintings, sculpting and literature to the people. Today, the festival is a favourite for many local artists who participate, and has also become an attraction to many overseas artists over the years. The festival is held every September, and concludes with a free concert given by the Armidale Symphony Orchestra in the Armidale Domain.
Pacific Song Contest – Established in 2019, the Pacific Song Contest is the second largest song contest in the world after the Eurovision contest. All members of the Pacific Union compete every year, with the best song selected by a mix of televoting and jury panel. The winning nation gains the right to host the event the following year, meaning that the contest will usually move from country to country every year. Unlike in Europe, the very best artists from the region enter and compete (although there is a five year clause which prevents the same artists appearing again and again). About 65% of New Englanders tune in every year to watch and vote, making the Pacific Song Contest the biggest television event by far.
Royal National Exhibition – Held every March, the RNE is the premier agricultural show in New England. The exhibition beings the best fame produce and animals to the city for all to see. There are also sheepdog trials, woodchopping, animal showing and horse events. A major attraction of the RNE is the showcasing of the latest farming innovations and technologies. With trails, lectures and multimedia presentations taking place around Armidale during exhibition week. Absent however, are the side-show rides and showbags that came to dominate the shows before independence.
Other Events
The following events are generally considered in the second tier of national events calendar. There are all considered to be among the more significant cultural and commercial events held during the year.
Armidale Music Festival – New England's biggest festival of music entertainment, the AMF runs from the first to third weekend of May every year. Music from every genre popular in New England is featured in the festival, including popular, rock, punk, classical and jazz. Concerts are held in a variety of locations, with free events being a highlight for each genre. The AMF usually has one international group tour every year and has become a regular feature for many artists on tour.
Bingara Orange Festival – The biggest festival of fruit and food in New England, the Bingara festival has a long and proud history stretching back over one hundred and twenty years. The event is the biggest in Gwydirshire, with over 125,000 people attending every year for parades, dinners, cooking exhibitions and concerts. The festival features in the film, The Orange Harvest.
Cane Harvest Festival – Maclean's biggest annual event, the festival is a celebration of sugar, agriculture and confectionary all rolled into one. The festival features parades, agricultural exhibitions, sporting competitions, and a showcase day allowing local businesses to show their wares. The highlight of the festival is annual crowing of the Cane Harvest Queen, with funds raised going to charity.
Coffs Harbour Sports and Leisure Fair – The S&L Fair is the largest of it's kind in the Pacific, with thousands of businesses converging on Coffs Harbour to showcase their businesses over the last week in October, with examples including resorts, boats, cars, bikes, games, hobbies and sporting equipment. A number of sports, featuring elite athletes, also hold lightening trophies during the week to raise money for charity.
Jacaranda Festival – Grafton's big event is the annual floral festival celebrating the Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia). Held over two weeks every October and November, the festival is an opportunity for the city to let go and celebrate. The festival has a particular focus on the history and beautiful gardens on Grafton, but in recent years has become a celebration of the city itself. The festival includes street parades, garden competitions, concerts and the ‘crowning' of a Jacaranda Queen, with proceeds donated to charity.
