2026 Festival Program
October Long Weekend 2026
Friday 2 October to Monday 5 October 2026
Celebrate 75 years of community, art and culture at the Goulburn Lilac City Festival, held across the October long weekend from Friday 2 October to Monday 5 October 2026. This year’s program brings together the festival’s much-loved traditions, including the Joylands Carnival, festival markets, official opening celebrations, live music, street parade, competitions, Pet Parade and community brunch.
From the colour and energy of Belmore Park to the excitement of the Street Parade, the 2026 program is designed for families, visitors, locals and community groups to enjoy at their own pace. Browse the daily highlights below, then explore each event for times, locations, entry details and updates as they are confirmed.
Plan your long weekend, bring the family, and enjoy one of Goulburn’s most enduring community celebrations.
Friday 2 October 2026
- 10am - 12 noon
- Belmore Park
Joylands Carnival Inclusive Session
Disability Session only
- 12 noon–6pm
- Belmore Park, Montague Street
Joylands Carnival
Kick off the Lilac City Festival long weekend with carnival rides, sideshow fun, family entertainment and festival atmosphere as Joylands Carnival opens for the 2026 celebrations.
- 4.30pm
- Goulburn Brewery, 23 Bungonia Road
Alice in Wonderland Dress Up Competition
Come dressed as your favourite Alice in Wonderland character and join in the fun! The competition is open to all ages, so children and adults are encouraged to dress up.
- 5pm
- Goulburn Brewery, 23 Bungonia Road
Goulburn Lilac Festival Movie and Firework Night
The Goulburn Lilac City Festival, in conjunction with the Goulburn Brewery, invites you to kick off the Lilac Time celebrations with a fantastic family evening of costumes, a movie and fireworks!
Fireworks
- 6pm–8pm
- Goulburn Performing Arts Centre
Embracing Friendship — Sogetsu Ikebana exhibition
Saturday 3 October 2026
- 9am – 4:00pm
- Belmore Park
Lilac City Festival Markets
Browse regional food, produce, handmade goods, community stalls and festival merchandise in the centre of Goulburn.
- 9am–1pm
- St Saviours Cathedral Hall, Bourke St
St Saviours Cathedral Markets
- 10am–6pm
- Belmore Park, Montague St
Joylands Carnival
Kick off the Lilac City Festival long weekend with carnival rides, sideshow fun, family entertainment and festival atmosphere as Joylands Carnival opens for the 2026 celebrations.
- 10am–3pm
- CWA Building, 2 Montague St
Youth Creative Art Show
- 10am-12noon
- Belmore Park
Petals & Paint at Lilac Time
A collaboration between Bek's Bloomz & Kathryn O'Connor Little House Galerie (Kids)
Children’s session
- 10am–5pm
- Goulburn Workers Club, 1 McKell Place
Goulburn Workers Club Annual Art Show
For 25 years, the Goulburn & District Art Society and Goulburn Workers Club have proudly partnered to celebrate and showcase the incredible artistic talent of our local area.
- 10am–3pm
- Goulburn Performing Arts Centre
Embracing Friendship — Sogetsu Ikebana exhibition
Featuring an array of extraordinary ikebana arrangements by Sogetsu Artists from both Goulburn and further afield.
- 10am–2pm
- CWA Building, 2 Montague St
Devonshire Tea
Need a break, come and enjoy a Devonshire Tea with the CWA
- 10am–3pm
- CWA Building, 2 Montague St
Festival Memorabilia
Come and check out the years of memorabilia collected by the Goulburn Lilac City Festival. A wonderful collection celebrating the history, memories and traditions of this much loved local festival
- 10am–4pm
- Shop 4, 162 Auburn Street Goulburn
Bonsai Club
- 10am–4pm
- Goulburn Soldiers Club, Market Street
Hanging of the Quilts
Associated organisations: Goulburn Mulwaree CWA & Goulburn & District Can Assist
- 11am–11.45am
- Goulburn Performing Arts Centre
Ikebana demonstration and introduction
Join experienced local ikebana teacher Alexander Evans for a special live demonstration. Alexander will create five beautiful ikebana arrangements while sharing insights into the art of ikebana.
- Saturday, 11am
- Belmore Park Rotunda
Opening Ceremony
with Kate Ritchie
- Crowning of the 2026 Sovereign
- Senior/Junior Prince & Princess
- Lilac Baby
- Soroptimists Business Window Display Winners
- Garden Competition Winners
- Youth Art Show Winners
- Photography Competition Winners
- Goulburn Awards
- Tony Lamarra
- 12 noon-2pm
- Belmore Park
Music in the Park
Relax in the park with live music, festival atmosphere and community entertainment as part of Saturday’s Lilac City Festival program.
- 2pm-5pm
- Belmore Park
Petals & Paint at Lilac Time,
A collaboration between Bek's Bloomz & Kathryn O'Connor Little House Galerie (Adults)
Adult’s session
- 2pm–4pm
- Hume Conservatorium
Youth Talent Show
Take the stage and show Goulburn what you can do! Young performers are invited to showcase their talents in singing, music, comedy, magic, dance, impressions or acting.
Saturday 3 October 2026
2.00pm–4.00pm, before Battle of the Bands
Belmore Park, Goulburn
For enquiries, contact Carol on 0409 483 766 or Lyla on 0431 472 456.
- 4pm
- Hume Conservatorium
Regional Battle of the Bands Final
Watch emerging regional musicians perform live as finalists take the stage for the 2026 Regional Battle of the Bands.
- 6.30pm
- The Goulburn Club, Market Street
Bush Dance
Sunday 4 October 2026
- 9am–4pm
- Belmore Park
Lilac City Festival Markets
Return to the festival markets for another day of food, handmade goods, local stalls, community groups and festival shopping in the heart of Goulburn.
- 10am–6pm
- Belmore Park, Montague Street
Joylands Carnival
Bring the family back for another day of rides, games and carnival entertainment as Joylands Carnival continues across the long weekend.
- 10am–2pm
- CWA Building, 2 Montague St
Devonshire Tea
Need a break, come and enjoy a Devonshire Tea with the CWA
- 10am–4pm
- Shop 4, 162 Auburn Street Goulburn
Bonsai Club
- 10am–5pm
- Goulburn Workers Club, 1 McKell Place
Goulburn Workers Club Annual Art Show
For 25 years, the Goulburn & District Art Society and Goulburn Workers Club have proudly partnered to celebrate and showcase the incredible artistic talent of our local area.
- 10am–3pm
- CWA Building, 2 Montague St
Festival Memorabilia
Come and check out the years of memorabilia collected by the Goulburn Lilac City Festival. A wonderful collection celebrating the history, memories and traditions of this much loved local festival
- 10am–4pm
- Goulburn Soldiers Club, Market Street
Hanging of the Quilts
Associated organisations: Goulburn Mulwaree CWA & Goulburn & District Can Assist
- 10am–3pm
- CWA Building, 2 Montague St
Youth Creative Art Show
- 11am–12pm
- Auburn Street - Goulburn CBD
Lilac City Festival Street Parade
This year’s parade celebrates 75 years of our story, honouring the people, memories, achievements and milestones that have shaped our community. To add a touch of imagination and wonder we are also celebrating 75th Anniversary of Alice in Wonderland. Parade entrants will embrace either or both themes.
- 11am–12pm
- corner of Market St and Auburn St
Lilac City Brass Band
Lilac City Brass Band is bringing the joy of brass music back to the community, with a strong focus on inclusion, connection and fun.
- 12pm-12.15pm
- On Stage Belmore Park
Rock Hill Musical Theatre Company
- 12.30pm–12.45pm
- Belmore Park
Physie dance group
Goulburn Physie provides a fun, friendly and inclusive environment where members can learn, dance, make friends and build confidence.
- 12 noon-2pm
- Montague Street Goulburn
Display of Parade Floats and Military Jeeps
- 2pm
- On Stage Belmore Park
Big Band Bonanza
- Throughout the day
- Belmore Park
Spinners & Weavers, Live Shearing Demonstration and Live Folk Music
- 12.45pm–1pm
- Belmore Park
Goulburn Soldiers Club Pipes & Drums
Showcase of Scottish Traditional Music
- 1pm–1.45pm
- Belmore Park
Australian Men's Rugby Choir
The Australian Men’s Rugby Choir is a men’s choir which aims to promote singing in the community through performances at rugby matches and other community and charitable events. The choir is a non-profit organisation, with its members sharing the love of both rugby and singing.
- 1pm–2pm
- Goulburn Performing Arts Centre
Power of One Workshop
Join us for an exclusive ikebana workshop exploring the theme “The Power of One” – one flower, one branch, one leaf
Monday 5 October 2026
- 9am–4pm
- Belmore Park
Lilac City Festival Markets
Browse regional food, produce, handmade goods, community stalls and festival merchandise in the centre of Goulburn.
- 9am–1pm
- Belmore Park, Montague Street
Brunch On Us
Close out the Lilac City Festival with a relaxed community brunch and a chance to gather, connect and enjoy the final morning of festival celebrations
- 9am–1pm
- Belmore Park
Community Showcase
This is where any volunteer organisation can set up a stall to showcase what their organisation does.
- 10am - 12.30pm
- Rotunda, Belmore Park
Celtic Folk
Showcase of Traditional Irish Music
- 10am–3pm
- Goulburn Workers Club, 1 McKell Place
Goulburn Workers Club Annual Art Show
For 25 years, the Goulburn & District Art Society and Goulburn Workers Club have proudly partnered to celebrate and showcase the incredible artistic talent of our local area.
- 10am–4pm
- Belmore Park, Montague Street
Joylands Carnival
Enjoy the final day of carnival fun, rides and amusements before the 2026 Lilac City Festival long weekend wraps up.
- From 2pm
- Belmore Park
Pet Show
Bring along your much-loved pets for a fun, light-hearted community parade celebrating animals of all shapes, sizes & Personalities
- 3pm
- Rotunda, Belmore Park
Lilac Raffle Draw
- 3.15pm
- Rotunda, Belmore Park, 173 Auburn Street, Goulburn
Closing Ceremony
Closing of the 75th Goulburn Lilac City Festival