Southern Highlands Set to Shine with Inaugural Horizontal Festival

Wingecarribee Shire Council is proud to welcome the inaugural Horizontal Festival to the Southern Highlands this October Long Weekend. 

Backed by Destination NSW’s Major Event Fund, Horizontal Festival brings the Southern Highlands into the company of other state-significant events. 

Held at Centennial Vineyards, the two-day festival will showcase the very best of New South Wales produced music, wine, food and culture, drawing visitors from across the state and beyond. The event is expected to deliver a significant economic boost for local businesses, accommodation providers, and hospitality operators while offering our community a unique opportunity to celebrate together. 

This investment marks the first time Destination NSW has supported the region at this scale, highlighting the growing recognition of the Highlands as a premier destination for major events and future marketing investment. 

Deputy Mayor Erin Foley said that Council is committed to supporting and attracting high-caliber events that strengthen the region’s profile. 

“Events like Horizontal Festival don’t just bring people to the Highlands, they showcase who we are as a community and why this is such a special place to live, visit and invest. Council will continue to support opportunities that grow our economy, support our local businesses and give our community more reasons to come together and celebrate.” 

The delivery of major events is directly aligned to Council’s Delivery Program 2025–2029 and the community’s long-term vision in Wingecarribee 2035. By supporting a thriving events calendar, Council is fostering local jobs, strengthening the visitor economy, and creating social and cultural opportunities for all generations. 

The Horizontal Festival runs on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October at Centennial Vineyards, Bowral. For more information, full program details, and ticketing, visit: 

• https://www.visitsouthernhighlands.com.au/event/horizontal-festival/  

• https://horizontalfestival.com.au/