Culture Mix returns in 2025

Wollongong City Council’s much-loved celebration of our city’s diversity will return in September 2025, following today’s announcement that Culture Mix has been awarded a $250,000 funding grant under the NSW Government’s Stronger Together Local Council Major Festival program.

The one-day event had previously been held in the Wollongong City Centre in October 2024 and 2023. It had been a huge success attracting more than 16,000 people last year, and involving a wide range of multicultural community groups and organisations in its planning and delivery.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that the NSW Government has seen the value of this wonderful community event and provided a funding grant that will allow us to deliver this celebration again in 2025,’’ Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.

“Anyone who was involved or attended Culture Mix in the past two years would know just how colourful, fun and joyous this event is. It’s terrific that we’ll be able to do it again.

“I’m very grateful to the NSW Government, who received our request for further funding to keep the festival going, and have provided the opportunity to see it return in 2025.’’

Wollongong City Council Community Services Director Kerry Hunt said Culture Mix was a unique festival on Council’s event calendar, and she was grateful the NSW Government recognised its significance to community.

“Culture Mix is quite a unique event in that, while it’s coordinated by Council, we work really closely with people from all ages and backgrounds to ensure it’s a celebration that captures the broadest representation possible of our city’s multicultural community,’’ she said.

“The original events were made possible through a two-year grant from the NSW Government and so to be able to continue this event in its third year is just wonderful.’’

Following the announcement, Council will now work to deliver the one-day event on Saturday 20 September.

As in previous years, the event will be presented across numerous locations in the lower Crown Street Mall, Lower Crown Street and through into the Arts Precinct.

The program will see the return of elements like the Food Fair, World Stage, Culture Kids program and interactive workshops at the Wollongong Library. We will also look for other activities that encourage participation.

“We’re hitting the ground running with our planning for the 2025 event and will be reaching out to our community to see who would like to be involved this time around,’’ Cr Brown said.

“I encourage people to make sure they’re following Wollongong City Council’s social media channels for updates on this exciting event, including announcements about upcoming Community Development Grants which will offer opportunities for local creatives to develop new contemporary and cross-cultural works for presentation at the festival.’’