The Hunter Valley is buzzing this October long weekend with a great line-up of events on offer. The Hunter Valley Balloon Aloft Fiesta will take to the skies every morning of the October long weekend, with 20–30 colourful hot air balloons drifting across the sky, and the cosmic country music weekend Dashville Skyline returns for a jam-packed three days of live music, artistic collaborations and more. Brunch and long lunches hosted at picturesque wineries, live music, markets, and Oktoberfest celebrations will also be happening throughout the region. Keep reading to discover what’s on across the Hunter Valley this October long weekend.
Balloon Aloft Fiesta 2025
Friday 3rd October - Monday 6th October
The morning sky will turn into an incredible display of colourful hot air balloons each day over the long weekend for the Hunter Valley Balloon Fiesta. The event features approximately 20 to 30 hot air balloons taking off at dawn each morning, filling the skies with colour, energy and excitement. Don’t miss your chance to see this breathtaking display. Book your spot in a hot air balloon and be part of the action, blow bubbles during the flights, then enjoy a bubbly breakfast at Peterson House winery afterwards. Click here for more information.
Dashville Skyline at Dashville
Friday 3rd October - Sunday 5th October
Showcasing some of the best in Australian alternative folk and country music over one weekend, Dashville is the ultimate cosmic country weekender with an incredible line-up of musicians. The festival program is full of live shows, artistic collaborations, family activities, markets, workshops, vintage cars and laid-back old-school country-inspired fun. The festival is family friendly and guests are encouraged to bring the family along. Single day and full weekend tickets on sale now. Click here for more information.
Spring School Holidays at Hunter Valley Gardens
All long weekend
Celebrate the arrival of spring with a fun and colourful family day out at Hunter Valley Gardens these school holidays. From 27th September to the 12th October 2025, the Gardens will be blooming with flowers (and activity), offering something for all ages to enjoy. Plus, their amazing amusement rides will be operating throughout the school holidays and there will be a variety of special pop-up talks, nursery and garden society displays and more. Click here for more information.
Festa Italiana at Saddler’s Creek
Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October
Step into a little slice of Italy right here in the Hunter Valley this October long weekend. Festa Italiana is a two-day celebration of Italian wine, food, and music hosted at Saddler’s Creek Wines. On Saturday enjoy funky Italian and Latino-inspired beats by Zenith Pop Funk, and on Sunday enjoy soulful live music by local Pat McMahon and Isabella McGavin who are teaming up for an exclusive duo performance. Their Italian varietals and antipasti boxes will be available all weekend.
Oktoberfest & NRL Grand Final @ 4 Pines at The Farm The Valley Brewhouse Oktoberfest
All long weekend
Join us for a festive weekend filled with delicious Oktoberfest-inspired food and beer specials. 4 Pines 600-square-metre tap room, cellar door and restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating means there’s plenty of space for the whole family. Plus, catch the NRL Grand Final live on our big screens on Sunday, 5th October.
Winmark First Saturday Lunch
Saturday 4th October
Join premium Chardonnay producer Winmark Wines for their special monthly pop-up restaurant on Saturday 4th October. Make the most of the day by starting off exploring their Sculpture Park, browning the art gallery and gift shop and book in a Chardonnay tasting to find your perfect lunch pairing. The lunch menu is a bright, share-style feast designed to match Winmark’s Chardonnay range, all set to the backdrop of live music and vineyard views.
Oktoberfest at The Valley Brewhouse
Sunday 5th October
Visit The Valley Brewhouse on Sunday 5th October for a full day of German-inspired beer, food & live music at their Oktoberfest celebrations. German food specials and in-house brewed German-style beer on tap will be available throughout the day. The Oompah Pah Pahs will be playing live music from 3–6pm. Entry is free and booking a table is highly recommended.
Emma's Cottage Brunch Club
Sunday 5th October
On the first weekend of every month, Emma’s Cottage hosts a stylish brunch on their vineyard estate in Lovedale. Book your spot at the October event on Sunday 5th October. With vineyards as the backdrop, you’ll enjoy a leisurely brunch with bottomless bubbles and mimosas, vibrant cocktails, refreshing non-alcoholic sparkling tea and a beautifully curated brunch selection of sweet treats and savoury favourites.
MARKETS
Handmade in the Hunter Markets
Saturday 4th October
Who doesn’t love a local handmade market when on holidays. The Handmade in the Hunter Markets are hosted each Saturday at Sobel’s Wines in the heart of the Hunter Valley. Here you will find a variety of products made by local artisans, all handmade right in the Greater Hunter area. Click here for more information.
Pokolbin Farmers Markets
Sunday 5th October
Browse the Pokolbin gourmet farmers market where local farmers, growers, and artisan producers share their fresh seasonal produce, wines, and handmade goodies. Pokolbin Farmers Markets are located on 691 Hermitage Road Pokolbin, and are open from 8am-2pm. There is plenty of parking on-site. Click here for more information.
LIVE MUSIC
Bimbadgen Woodfire Pizza and Live Music
Friday 3rd October
Step into Bimbadgen’s Woodfire Pizzeria set in the Tuscan-inspired courtyard of their cellar door to start your long weekend with pizza, wine and live music. Enjoy happy hour from 4.30pm to 6pm, live music from 4.30pm to 7.30pm and made-to-order pizzas cooked in a traditional outdoor pizza oven. Watch the sunset over the mountain range and vineyards below. Available every Friday night.
Saddler’s Creek
Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October
On Saturday enjoy funky Italian and Latino-inspired beats by Zenith Pop Funk, and on Sunday enjoy soulful live music by local Pat McMahon and Isabella McGavin who are teaming up for an exclusive duo performance. Their Italian varietals and antipasti boxes will be available all weekend.
NINETEEN Hunter Valley
Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October
Sit back, relax and enjoy live music in NINETEEN's Beer Garden with three days of live music. Friday 5pm - 8:30pm, Saturday 4:30pm - 8pm and Sunday 12pm - 3pm.
The Valley Brewhouse
Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October
Enjoy Live music all weekend at The Valley Brewhouse.
Harrigan’s Hunter Valley
Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October
Enjoy Live music all weekend at Irish-pub Harrigan’s Hunter Valley including special Oompah Pah Pahs on Sunday 5th October for their Oktoberfest celebrations.
Jimmy Joans
Sunday 5th October
Head to Jimmy Joans, a warm neighbourhood favourite in the quaint Lovedale region for a laid back afternoon on their spacious outdoor lawn area to enjoy some live music from 1pm - 4pm.
This blog was created by the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association.