The Hunter Valley doesn’t slow down when the temperature drops, in fact winter is one of the most exciting times to visit. With a packed calendar of events from wine and food festivals to live music, winter markets, and cosy evening experiences, there’s always something happening. Grab your coat, rally your crew, and get ready to explore everything our region has to offer this season.
Broke BBQ Festival - A BBQ festival with The Screaming Jets
Friday 6th - Sunday 8th June
BBQ and live music sound like your vibe? Don’t miss the Broke BBQ Festival this June Long Weekend. Experience every BBQ lover’s dream, a weekend of BBQ, beer, wine, live music, and more. This weekend promises meaty goodness, cooking demonstrations, markets, wine, beer and spirit tastings, kids activities and music headlined by none other than The Screaming Jets themselves. Gates open Friday afternoon for their blue, bourbon, bbq and beers night with live blues music on the main stage. Purchase a weekend pass, or a day pass to join in on the fun. Kids and teenagers under 16 are FREE to enter the event.
Stomp! Wines Cheese and Pottery
Friday, 6th June
Join boutique producer Stomp! Wines in their quaint Lovedale cellar door for hands-on pottery workshop. Enjoy a tasting of Stomp! Wines accompanied by a local cheeseboard, all whilst crafting your very pottery (think mugs, bowls and plates) with help and demonstrations. After the workshop your pieces will be glazed and fired, which you can then pick up at a later date. Click here to book.
Mercer Anniversary Weekend
Saturday 7th June - Sunday 8th June
Join the Mercer team as they celebrate one incredible year at their new cellar door with a relaxed weekend of wine, food, and live music. Be among the first to taste 5 exciting new Mercer releases, enjoy woodfired mezze plates cooked onsite and soak up the Hunter Valley vibes with music from Patrick McMahon. Click here to book.
A Little Masterclass at The Little Wine Company
Saturday 7th June
The Little Wine Company invites you to a laid back, winemaker-led tasting where owners Suzanne and Ian will guide you through their latest releases and give you a sneak peak at some of their new release wines (before anyone else gets a taste). You’ll get the full winemaker’s story, straight from the source, in a fun, informal setting where questions and conversation are always welcome. Click here to book.
Jazz Sessions at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley
Friday, 13th June
Step into a world of smooth melodies, smoky vibes, and exquisite cocktails at The Jazz Session. Set in the elegant Ballroom at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, this exclusive event invites you to indulge in live jazz performances by Loose Armsprong’s Hot Jives while sipping on gin martinis and delighting in a symphony of shareable flavours—creamy cheeses, crusty breads, and savoury morsels. Click here to book.
NINETEEN's Wine Dinner: Old World vs New World
Thursday 19th June
Nineteen invites you to an unmissable night of wine-fuelled banter, bold flavours and a battle of epic proportions: Old World vs New World wines. This four-course wine dinner puts the timeless elegance of Old World French wines against the innovative brilliance of Hunter Valley heavyweights - Keith Tulloch, AEON Wines and Thomas Wines. With every course, you'll taste three wines - one Old World classic and two Hunter Valley challengers - and decide for yourself which side of the wine world reigns supreme. Click here to book.
Wedding Open Day at Rydges Resort
Thursday 22nd June
Plan your big day at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley. View four stunning ceremony locations, eight options for your reception, taste their sample menu, and meet their professional staff to plan out a day that is perfect for you. Plus, have the opportunity to explore their accommodation and pre-wedding celebration options from engagement parties to bucks and hens weekends. Click here to book.
Burning of the Barrel at Glandore Estate Wines - Rated Top 50 Wine Experiences worldwide
Saturday 28th June
A unique and unforgettable evening of wine, food and live music, all capped off with a spectacular roaring bonfire and fireworks display. Local chef’s will be cooking up a storm, and the Glandore staff ready with their award-winning wines to pour. Gather around as they set alight the ceremonial wine barrel, and dance the night away to some jazz funk music next to the roaring fire. In recent years, Burning of the Barrel has been named in the worldwide list of “Top 50 Wine Experiences” by Gourmet Wine Magazine. Click here to book.
Snow time at Hunter Valley Gardens
Saturday 28th June - Sunday 27th July
Discover the magic of Winter at Hunter Valley Gardens as the Gardens transform into a winter wonderland with artificial snow, ice skating rinks, and various winter-themed activities. Families and visitors can enjoy tobogganing, build snowmen, participate in snowball fights, and explore the enchanting gardens adorned with icy decorations. Click here to purchase tickets.
Dinner with Miguel Maestre and friends
Friday 11th July
Savour the Flavours of the Hunter Valley with Miguel Maestre, Matt Dillow & Ashleigh Hedger. Experience a personal culinary celebration like no other! Set in the heart of the Hunter Valley, this exclusive event features a delectable 3-course dining experience crafted in collaboration with a handpicked line-up of the region’s top chefs. Highlights include a specially curated 3 course menu paired with Hunter Valley wines, a four hour beverage package and a Q&A and story telling by Miguel Maestre and others. Click here to book.
Hunter Valley Wine and Beer Festival - with special guest Miguel Maestre
Saturday 12th July
The 13th annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival will showcase over 50 top local wineries, craft breweries, distilleries, and gourmet food vendors at the grounds of Rydges Resort Hunter Valley. Festival goers will be spoilt for choice as is always the case with a true Hunter Valley Experience. Plus, this year special guest and TV personality Miguel Maestre will host special masterclasses on stage. Family-friendly activities will also be on offer, making this a great day out for the whole family. Click here to book.
Stomp! Fireside Tastings
Saturday 12th July
Rug up near a roaring fire and indulge in the beauty of a winter’s afternoon at Stomp! Wines. Winemaker & owners Michael & Meredith McManus will host the tasting, sharing their passion and knowledge about each wine's terroir, how it affects the wines, and the cheeses that pair best with each variety. The tasting will be paired with a delicious array of local Binnorie Dairy cheese, and local guitarist Mark Henderson will add to the evenings ambience. Click here to book.
Sunday Valley Winery Run at Wandin Estate - The Hunter Valley Marathon
Sunday 20th July
Take a run through the vineyards at the annual Winery Run. Runners can choose from an accredited marathon, half marathon, 10.5km, 5km and kids 2km. The event is staged on the oval of Wandin in Lovedale and is an ideal location for spectators who can see their friends and family on each lap of the course. A festival atmosphere is created with coffee, food and wine on sale as well as entertainment. Click here to book.
Stomp Festival
Saturday 2nd August
The Cessnock STOMP Festival is returning this year. More details to follow soon.
Interactive Theatre presents Confetti and Choas
Thursday 21st August
You are cordially invited to a complete stranger’s wedding! It was meant to be a surprise party to celebrate Will and Stacey’s wedding, but it’s turned into pandemonium – with secrets spilling out as uninvited and misbehaving family members bust in, bust up and bust a move. This fabulous 5-star experience has fun and mayhem bursting from the seams. From arrival through to seating, eating, and dancing, audiences will become part of a classic wedding reception gone wildly wrong. Join for a night of laughter, hosted at Hunter Valley Resort. Click here to book.
Hunter Valley Highland Games at Saltire Estate - Scotland in the Hunter Valley
Saturday 23rd August
Come experience the Hunter Valley Highland Games in beautiful Wine Country. These games celebrate the deep connection between Australia and Scotland. Enjoy a full day of Scottish culture including National highlander championships, live jousting, pipe band competition, highland and country dancers, highland cows, clans and societies, jacobites living history group, market stalls, kids activities and more. Click here to book.
WEEKLY EVENTS
No matter when you are planning to visit these fantastic events will be on.
Friday Night Wine and Chill at Saddler’s Creek
Every Friday Night
Go where the locals go. The Saddler’s Creek Friday Night wine and chill has become a popular local institution. With outdoor firepits, wine pouring until 8:30pm, a local food truck on site for dinner and music, it's easy to see why it’s the spot to be on Friday nights. Click here for more information.
Live Music at Nineteen
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Nothing creates an atmosphere quite like live music. Sit back, grab a drink, a meal, and enjoy live music at Nineteen’s beer garden every Friday (5pm - 8:30pm), Saturday (4:30pm - 8pm) and Sunday (12pm - 3pm). Click here for more information.
Handmade in the Hunter Markets
Every Saturday
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.
Glandore Monthly Trivia
Every second Thursday of the month
Join the fun from 5.30pm at the cellar door, with questions kicking off at 6pm sharp. Grab a glass of Glandore wine, settle in on the deck overlooking the vineyard, and get ready for a night of laughs, local food, and plenty of prizes including a meat raffle. Rug up if it’s a cool evening as the event is hosted outdoors. Click here for more information.
This blog was created by Hunter Valley wine and Tourism Association.
