Join 3,500 festivalgoers for Gulgong’s annual celebration, where history comes alive like a living museum from Friday 6 to Monday 9 June.
With its beautifully preserved 1800s streetscape, wandering through the town of Gulgong often feels like a time capsule. But nothing transports you back to Gulgong’s gold rush era more than the Henry Lawson Heritage Festival, held every June long weekend. An ode to the legendary poet and writer who spent his childhood in the town, the festival has been bringing the town to life with parades, poetry and live performances since 1975. Get ready to step back in time for this beloved family-friendly festival.
A festival steeped in history
The Henry Lawson Heritage Festival is a celebration of storytelling, poetry, and the history that’s ingrained into the town’s sandstone walls, cobblestone streets and living culture. What started nearly 50 years ago with locals gathering to show off their vintage vehicles has grown into a longstanding event that attracts visitors and businesses from across the country. It’s a weekend where the past meets the present, where performers don period costumes, the local community comes together and poets continue to honour the works of one of Australia’s most renowned poets.
For 2025, we’ll see several newcomers to the festival lineup, while traditions are kept alive. Poetry readings are set to move to the historic Prince of Wales Opera House, and local school groups will take part in the poetry festivities. For those with a taste for after-dark fun, a brand-new ghost tour will add a spine-tingling element to the weekend.
Festival highlights
At the centre of the festival is the midday parade. Running from the bowling club along Mayne Street, you’ll witness vintage trucks, motorcycles, animals and floats. The festival also boasts more than 50 market stalls selling everything from handmade crafts to gourmet food, with vendors travelling from as far as Victoria and Queensland. Authentic horse and carriage rides are always a crowd favourite, attracting around 500 festivalgoers every year.
Throughout the weekend, live music, costume competitions and street performances add to the festival’s lively energy, while kids can enjoy free activities like face painting, inflatable obstacle courses and bungee cords. Of course, no Henry Lawson Heritage Festival would be complete without a slice of birthday cake in his honour. Be sure to wear your best period outfit to the joint birthday cake-cutting and costume competition ceremony.
A community affair
For longtime festival coordinator, Bill Murphy, this event is a cornerstone of the Gulgong community. “Everyone just gets involved, the community loves it,” he says. “If we didn’t run a Henry Lawson Heritage Festival, the business community would feel the loss, but the people of Gulgong would feel like they’ve lost something they’ve grown up with.”
Keeping a festival of this scale running takes work. A core team of five dedicated locals keeps the event ticking, but fresh hands are always welcome. If you love history, and storytelling, or just want to be part of something special, Bill and the team welcome volunteers. No formal committee titles, just good people keeping the tradition alive.
For now, mark your calendars for Friday 6 to Monday 9 June 2025 and get ready to step back in time. The Henry Lawson Festival is back, and it’s as lively as ever.
