Hunter Valley Events and Festivals

Wine tasting is the number one activity of Hunter Valley’s calendar of festivals and events. Most all of the wineries in the region feature some type of activity throughout the year to help promote their crop and give back to the community. Food, music and the arts are also well represented.

Valentines Day: is a very special time in Hunter Valley as many couples flock here for special meals or weekend stays. The Undercliff Winery provides one of the best dinners for the occasion, offering romantic couples chance to relax.

Waterfest: features dragon boat racing, barefoot drag racing, a concert and loads more fun at Lake St Clair.

Hunter Valley Harvest Festival: beginning in March, this important festival is spread over two months to celebrate wine and arts, featuring lots of theatre and music. Dozens of events kick off all over Hunter Valley to celebrate the annual grape harvest.

Bimbadgen Blues: is a picnic-style festival at the Bimbadgen Estate in Pokolbin featuring blues musicians from around Australia. Lots of food and wine complement the performances.

Teapot Festival: is held at Morpeth Gallery every year and is ideal for those with a liking for art, pottery, and Lilliput Lane Cottages. The gallery also features exhibitions and teapots year-round.

Hunter Valley Cheese Festival: the picturesque Batchelors Terrace Vale Boutique Winery is the venue for this food and wine event which sees lots of cheese, cooking demonstrations, subsequent tastings, and children's entertainment.

Chocolate Festival: held on Mother's Day weekend at Ivanhoe Wines with chocolates and wines galore. If you are looking for a way to treat your Mum, this is the place to take her.

Boutique Wine and Food Fair: the Rothbury Estate is the venue for this event which includes cooking and wine demonstrations as well as tastings.

Live at Lovedale: live music, gourmet food and wine, and delicious tastings are the order of the day at the fabulous Apthorpe Estate in July.

Fireside Fortifieds: the height of winter sees this food and fortified wine tasting event by open fire held at the indefatigable Rothbury Estate.

Barrel Tasting Lunch, Winery and Cellar Door: the Gartelmann Wines Estate is extremely popular on this fun day, which sees many wines being swilled. Be sure to book ahead if you want to get in on the action.

Broke Village Fair: features vintage cars and great food and boutique wines from the Broke Fordwich region of the Hunter Valley. Handicrafts are also big on the agenda as well as artwork, plants, and children’s entertainment.

Feast of the Olives: not only known for its delicious wines, Hunter Valley is also a renowned place for growing olives. Don’t miss your chance to nibble on black and green varieties at this Gartelmann Wines event complemented by country music galore.

Hunter Valley Wine Country Cup: mixes wine and food with horseracing at Cessnock Race Course. Events include wood-chopping, fashion parades, and children’s activities.

Jazz in the Vines: Australia's most significant outdoor jazz event is held at Tyrrell's Vineyard, with great food and wine available by the bottle. If you are looking to relax to some good tunes and great wine, this is the event for you.

Festival of Gardens: a particularly colourful time of year is springtime in Hunter Valley when this garden show takes place. Running from September to November, the second half of the festival is the best time to see the gardens.

UnWINEed: the Rothbury Estate features carols by torchlight making this a very special occasion for kids at Christmas time. Visitors are welcome to join in the fun.