Autumn Festival 2026

Get ready for a full day of colour, community and festival energy on Saturday, 21 March 2026. From sunrise to late afternoon, Civic Park and the Armidale CBD will be buzzing with experiences, entertainment and family fun.

Start your day with a sunrise spectacle: from 5:30am, Patricia Piccinini’s Skywhales rise over the CBD as part of their national tour.

Then keep the momentum rolling:7:00am — Breakfast with the Band
Morning — Campus to City Canter from UNE to the CBD
11:00am — Markets + food stalls take over Civic Park with local produce, artisan goods and market favourites
11:40am — Look up! Edwards Aviation jet will soar over the CBD followed by Paul Bennett’s first flyover kicks off the afternoon energy
12:00pm — The iconic Autumn Festival Parade fills the streets with colour and creativity (and don't forget the best float takes home $1000 in prize money)
1:00pm — Kids Zone in Civic Park (activities, rides + entertainment)
2:00pm — Sheep Dog Trials + the New England heritage zone (a brand-new 2026 highlight with vintage machinery and “lost-trade” demos)
2:00pm — Paul Bennett returns to close out the day with high-energy aerobatics

✨ New for 2026: a heritage-focused zone celebrating craftsmanship and rural traditions — bringing “old skills, new thrills” right into the heart of the festival.

Where: Civic Park, Armidale
When: Saturday 21 March 2026 | 5:30am–5:00pm

Bring your mates, bring the kids, bring everyone — Autumn Festival has something for all ages!