Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival 2026
March 23, 2026

Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival a step back in time

For one weekend each year, Kurri Kurri trades the present for a polished slice of the past.

Shopfronts hum with rock ’n’ roll, chrome gleams under the autumn sun, and the streets fill with the unmistakable energy of decades gone by as the Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival returns.

Running from 27 to 29 March, the much-loved event transforms the town into a living tribute to the 1950s through to the 1970s. It is free to attend and draws crowds of up to 30,000 people each day, cementing its place as one of the region’s most iconic cultural weekends.

At the heart of the festival, Lang Street and Barton Street become a moving showcase of vintage style. The Shannons Show and Shine brings together hundreds of classic vehicles, from lovingly restored icons to rare collector pieces. Saturday offers a curated display of around 100 vehicles, before the festival reaches full throttle on Sunday with more than 500 on show.

“Running from 27 to 29 March, the much-loved event transforms the town into a living tribute to the 1950s through to the 1970s.”

Behind the scenes, local brothers Gavin and Dave Bean bring an authenticity that can’t be manufactured. Having grown up immersed in the culture, they curate a program that feels both nostalgic and deeply personal, ensuring every detail speaks to the era.

Beyond the cars, the experience unfolds in layers.

The Retro Market Place invites visitors to wander through stalls filled with vintage fashion, memorabilia and nostalgic treasures, while the Vintage Motorcycle Display showcases pre-1984 machines that capture the spirit of a different kind of freedom. For those curious about the past they already own, the Antiques to Vintage appraisal sessions offer a chance to uncover the stories and value behind family heirlooms.

Music, as always, is the heartbeat of the weekend. Live performances from acts including The Hellraisers, Klub Kongo, Bang Bang and Toni and the Hell Cats set the tone, creating a soundtrack that carries through the streets and into the night.

Style plays its part too, with Best Dressed competitions celebrating everything from classic silhouettes to playful retro interpretations. With categories spanning couples, juniors and individuals, it is as much about expression as it is about accuracy.

Festivities begin on Friday evening with a series of ticketed experiences that set the scene. A Retro High Tea at the Western Workers Club offers a refined nod to the era, while a screening of Grease at the Heddon Greta Drive-In delivers pure nostalgia under the stars. From there, local venues come alive with themed parties that carry the celebration late into the evening.

By Saturday morning, the town is in full swing. Across the weekend, visitors can expect a packed program of live entertainment, family-friendly activities, food, markets and moments that feel both familiar and entirely new.

Beyond the spectacle, the festival plays an important role in the local community. Funds raised through car registrations support local groups, while the influx of visitors provides a welcome boost for businesses across the region.

For a few days each March, Kurri Kurri becomes more than a destination. It becomes an experience, a place where past and present meet, and where nostalgia is not just remembered, but lived.

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