The Blue Mountains region is always busy with annual events and festivals, with something happening in every month of the year. Visitors often schedule their holidays to coincide with major events such as January’s Australia Day celebrations or the popular Blue Mountains Music Festival in March. There are also plenty of small events which visitors will love for their sense of community spirit.

Australia Day: to witness the celebrations, head for the Glenbrook Blue Mountains area on the 26th of the month for a lively variety of attractions and entertainment, with something for all members of the family.

Jazz Picnic in the Gardens: the Norman Lindsay Gallery hosts an annual jazz concert in honour of Norman Lindsay’s Birthday. The gallery gardens are the setting for this popular event with locals enjoying food and drink while various jazz bands provide lively audio entertainment.

Blue Mountains Music Festival: Katoomba is the setting for the Blue Mountains Music Festival, a three-day event which sees musicians from the genres of folk, roots and blues music showcase their talents at a variety of venues around the town.

Lithgow Agricultural Show: Lithgow is the setting for this annual affair involving all things farm-related. Visitors can expect wood chopping displays, cattle exhibitions and more.

Great Escapade: this giant bike ride is staged in three different sections and attracts between 2,000 and 3,000 participants every year. Riders can choose to do the epic Blue Mountains to the Hunter Valley ride, the Tablelands Way ride or the Taste the Hunter Valley ride. The rides last 13 days, eight days and five days respectively.

Springwood Foundation Day: members of the Springwood community come together for a day of festive fun involving parades, stalls, rides, live entertainment and food and drink.

Blue Mountains Fine Food Festival: held annually at Blackheath, this festival is dedicated to promoting the Blue Mountains as a destination of fine food and wine.

Winmalee Autumn Artfest: the first week of May sees Winmalee hosting the largest event of this kind in the area. Visitors get the chance to view locally produced art and crafts and meet the talented individuals responsible for creating them.

Mount Victoria Village Great Train Weekend: all things rail and transport-related are represented during two days of fun at Mount Victoria Village.

Winter Magic Festival: Katoomba is the setting for the Blue Mountains’ most significant annual event. The local community comes together to celebrate the changing of the seasons with a variety of entertainments and attractions including magic shows and live music and dance performances.

Blue Mountains Antique Fair: held at the Blackheath Community Hall, this is a popular event at which enthusiasts can buy and sell antique goods of all descriptions.

Springwood High School Annual Artshow: aimed at art buffs and lovers of aesthetics, this annual show introduces visitors to more than 1,000 pieces of locally-produced art.

The Secret Life of Women-Earth Spirit Festival: with a distinctly New Age theme, this festival explores and celebrates some of the finer points of womanhood through media such as poetry, dance, arts and crafts.

Leura Gardens Festival: celebrate nature at its finest at this popular annual spring garden display.

Blackheath Rhododendron Festival: aside from rhododendron displays, this lively festival offers a wealth of activities and attractions with something for all the family.

Christmas in the Mountains: the Glenbrook Oval hosts this pre-Christmas celebration with traditional activities such as carol singing and a nativity presentation.