2026 Events near Lake Keepit, New England High Country NSW
A Year Of Memories Waiting To Be Made
Imagine a calendar like a narrative that unspools through the seasons. Each moment a chance for new experiences - your story in the making. That’s what 2026 promises in the northern NSW country towns, like Tamworth’s tunes, Gunnedah’s markets, Quirindi’s effortless charm. And it’s all on the doorstep of Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.
January 2026: A Big-hearted Opening
16–25 January – Tamworth Country Music Festival (Tamworth)
Tamworth doesn’t just host a festival, it turns the whole town into a stage. The Tamworth Country Music Festival is packed with guitars, boots, glittering awards, and thousands of shows across the region that will tantalize music-lovers and festival goers alike. It’s the largest music event this side of the equator with entertainment, activities and experiences for all ages and tastes.
March 2026 - Ladies & Gentlemen, Start Your Engines
7–29 March – Gunnedah Weeks of Speed Festival (Gunnedah Rural Museum)
The Gunnedah Weeks of Speed Festival is an adrenaline-packed celebration of all things motor sport is when Gunnedah starts firing on all cylinders. Vintage hot rods, drag races, motorbikes, even whip-cracking contests, it’s sure to get your motors running. And if the need for speed isn’t your thing, come for the Billy Boiling, Fishing and Shooting competitions. It’s where motorsport meets rural pageantry.
April 2026
10–19 April – Taste of Tamworth Festival (Tamworth)
The Taste of Tamworth Festival is a ten days where food lovers get to taste the local harvest, sip the regional wines, and see chefs turn produce into storytelling.
17–19 April – Gunnedah Show (Gunnedah Showground)
The Gunnedah Show is where the community gathers to celebrate the very best of rural life. Think Carnival lights, livestock parades, pavilion exhibits and fireworks, food on a stick and thrills on repeat.
25 April – Gunnedah Anzac Day Services (Gunnedah)
On the 25th of April, Gunnedah pays its respect to the ANZACs and the 400 local veterans in the community, with dawn and main services and a parade down Conadilly Street, convening at the Gunnedah Cenotaph.
August 2026 - Livestock & Legacy
Date TBC – Quirindi Prime Stock Show / Hook and Hoof Competition
Visit the Quirindi Showground to see the land’s muscle is on display. Livestock, graziers, judging competitions, market stalls and activities that are well worth saddling up for.
September 2026 - History in Motion
4&5 September – Tamworth Show
The Tamworth Show is a traditional agricultural show, a family favourite blending rural heritage with modern fun. From livestock judging, equestrian events, craft and produce competitions, wood chopping, carnival rides, and live entertainment. It’s part living museum, part carnival and 100% country proud.
December 2026 - A Spirited Close
26 December – Quirindi Boxing Day Races
Visit the Quirindi Boxing Day Races at Quirindi Racecourse, for dust, cheers, fancy hats and a farewell to another Christmas. It’s country racing in its most festive form. Close the year with flair, fillies and friends, trackside.
Regular markets & monthly events
Gunnedah Country Market - 3rd Saturday of Every Month
The Gunnedah Country Market, is a vibrant community market on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Think handcrafted preserves, flowers in crates, and smiles from stallholders who might already know your name. These markets aren’t just about shopping, eating and having a yarn, this is the heartbeat of the region and it’s open year-round.
Tamworth Community Markets - 2nd, 4th and 5th Saturday Each Month
From 8am - noon, the Tamworth Community Markets, offers homemade, homegrown artisan products, from Bicentennial Park in the heart of Tamworth.
Quirindi Country Markets - First Saturday of every month
Located in the grounds of Random Rural Art Gallery on the New England Highway in Willow Tree, the Quirindi Country Market runs from 9am - 1pm on the first Saturday of every month.
Plan Your 2026 New England Escape
This isn’t just another events list, it’s the annual pulse of a place that wants to tell you its story. One rich in twists and turns, history and community, that, closes with a grand farewell. And 2026 is the perfect year to experience the magic of the New England High Country.
And the perfect basecamp for experiencing this story is Wilderluxe Lake Keepit . Because it isn’t just a place to stay, but a perfectly appointed pause between scenes where you can spoil yourself a little. A place where Big Sky feels bigger, Lake Keepit seems calmer, and quality time is made even better. So book today and start planning your visit.
*Heads up: dates sometimes need to change, so double-check with event organisers closer to your visit to confirm dates, tickets and other details.