Visit the 75th Goulburn Lilac City Festival
Four days of spring colour, community celebration, live entertainment, markets, food, flowers and family activities across the October long weekend.
Friday 2 October – Monday 5 October 2026 · Belmore Park, Goulburn NSW
A long weekend tradition in the heart of Goulburn
The Goulburn Lilac City Festival is one of the city’s most loved community celebrations, bringing locals, visitors, families, performers, stallholders and community groups together over the October long weekend.
In 2026, the festival celebrates its 75th year with four days of activity centred around Belmore Park and the Goulburn CBD. Visitors can enjoy markets, live music, carnival rides, children’s activities, food, flowers, competitions, community presentations and the much-loved Lilac City Festival Street Parade.
Whether you are visiting for one event or planning a full long weekend in Goulburn, this section will help you find the program, plan your day, check parking information and make the most of the festival.
View the Festival Program
See what is happening across Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, including markets, entertainment, presentations, family activities and feature events.
Plan Your Visit
Find helpful information for getting to Goulburn, choosing when to arrive, what to bring and how to enjoy the festival weekend.
Map & Parking
Check festival locations, parking guidance, street closures and key areas around Belmore Park and the Goulburn CBD.
Accessibility
Find information to help visitors plan a comfortable and inclusive festival experience, including access, mobility and facilities guidance.
What to expect across the weekend
From relaxed park entertainment to the colour and movement of the Street Parade, the festival offers a mix of family activities, community traditions and visitor-friendly experiences across the long weekend.
- Festival markets and community stalls
- Live music and entertainment
- Food, produce and local treats
- Carnival rides and children’s activities
- Flowers, gardens and spring colour
- Street Parade and community celebrations
Four days of festival highlights
Friday 2 October
Saturday 3 October
Sunday 4 October
Monday 5 October
A festival made for locals, visitors and families
The Goulburn Lilac City Festival is designed to be easy to enjoy, whether you are walking through Belmore Park, meeting friends for live music, visiting the markets, entering a competition or bringing the family for a full day out.
Please check the program page before travelling so you have the latest festival details.
Plan Your Visit
Plan your October long weekend with key dates, arrival tips, parking guidance, accessibility information and visitor FAQs.
Make the most of your festival weekend
The Goulburn Lilac City Festival takes place over the October long weekend, with most major activities centred around Belmore Park and the surrounding Goulburn CBD. Whether you are coming from across town, visiting from Canberra, the Southern Highlands, Sydney, regional NSW or further afield, a little planning will help you enjoy the weekend more comfortably. Use this page to check key dates, arrival tips, what to bring and where to find related visitor information.
Dates:
Friday 2 October – Monday 5 October 2026.
Main location:
Belmore Park and surrounding areas, Goulburn NSW.
Best starting point:
Start at Belmore Park for markets, entertainment, information and central festival activity.
Before you travel:
Check the Program page for confirmed times, updates and event-specific details.
Choose your festival day
Coming for the markets:
Arrive earlier in the day, allow time to browse stalls, enjoy food and explore nearby shops and attractions in the Goulburn CBD.
Coming with children:
Look for family-friendly activities, carnival rides, workshops, face painting and park-based entertainment. Bring hats, water, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.
Coming for the Street Parade
Plan to arrive early, allow extra time for parking and check the Map & Parking for road closure or access updates closer to the festival.
Coming for a full weekend
Use the daily program to plan a mix of markets, music, food, local attractions, competitions and relaxed time around Goulburn.
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes for walking around the park and CBD
- Hat, sunscreen and weather-appropriate clothing
- Reusable water bottle
- Picnic rug or folding chair for park entertainment
- Cash/card for food, market stalls and activities
- A copy of the program or saved event times on your phone
Visiting with family
The festival includes a variety of family-friendly activities across the long weekend, including park entertainment, children’s activities, carnival rides, markets and community events.
Some activities may have specific times, locations or entry details, so check the program before you arrive.
For a smoother day, allow extra time for parking, bring weather protection and choose a clear meeting point in case your group separates during busy periods.
Getting to Goulburn
Goulburn is located in the Southern Tablelands of NSW and is accessible by road and rail. Visitors travelling for the October long weekend should allow extra time, especially around peak arrival periods and major festival events.
The main festival activity is centred around Belmore Park and the Goulburn CBD, making it easy to combine festival events with local cafés, shops, accommodation and attractions.
Plan your long weekend at the Lilac City Festival
Check the latest program, choose your festival day and allow plenty of time to enjoy Goulburn during the October long weekend.
Map & Parking
Find your way around the Goulburn Lilac City Festival, including key locations, parking guidance and visitor access information.
Finding your way around the festival
Most Goulburn Lilac City Festival activity takes place in and around Belmore Park, with additional events and visitor activity across the surrounding Goulburn CBD.
Please check back closer to the October long weekend for the latest details.
Main festival area
Belmore Park is the central festival location for many of the weekend’s markets, entertainment, community activities and visitor experiences.
Parking in and around the Goulburn CBD may be busier than usual during major festival periods, especially around markets, live entertainment and the Street Parade.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, follow local signage and allow extra time to walk from parking areas to Belmore Park or nearby event locations.
The festival map, parking information and road closure details will be added once confirmed.
Belmore Park
Auburn Street / Montague Street / Market Street area
Goulburn NSW 2580
Arrive early
Allow extra time to find parking, especially on Saturday and Sunday.
Check signage
Follow temporary traffic signs, parking restrictions and any event-day directions.
Allow walking time
Some parking may require a short walk to Belmore Park or the parade route.
Be patient
The October long weekend can bring increased traffic around the CBD and major event areas.
Street closures and traffic updates
Some streets may be temporarily closed or affected during major festival events, including the Street Parade. Confirmed road closure and traffic information will be added here when available.
Notice:
Road closure information for the 2026 festival is still to be confirmed.
Please check this page closer to the event weekend.
Moving around the festival precinct
Belmore Park and the surrounding CBD are best explored on foot during busy festival periods. Visitors should use marked crossings, follow event signage and take care around roads, crowds and moving vehicles.
Families are encouraged to choose a meeting point and keep children close during high-traffic periods, particularly before and after the Street Parade.
Helping every visitor enjoy the festival
Key access considerations
The Goulburn Lilac City Festival welcomes visitors of all ages and abilities. As a community festival held across public spaces, parks and CBD areas, accessibility can vary depending on the event location, weather, crowd levels and temporary festival infrastructure.
This page provides general guidance to help visitors plan ahead. More detailed accessibility information will be added as the 2026 festival layout, event locations and facilities are confirmed.
Main festival areas
Many major activities are centred around Belmore Park and nearby CBD locations. Some areas may include grassed surfaces, pathways, kerbs, temporary infrastructure and uneven ground.
Mobility and walking distances
Visitors with mobility needs are encouraged to check the map and parking information before arrival and allow extra time to move between event areas.
Crowded periods
The festival may be busier during markets, live entertainment and the Street Parade. Visitors who prefer quieter times may wish to arrive earlier or attend selected events outside peak periods.
Weather conditions
As many events are outdoors, conditions may vary. Please prepare for sun, wind, rain or cooler spring weather as needed.
Toilets and facilities
Public toilets and event facilities may be available in or near the main festival precinct.
Visitors with support needs
Visitors attending with carers, companions or support workers are encouraged to review the program and map before the event. Some activities may be easier to access than others depending on timing, location, crowd size and surface conditions.
If you have a specific access question, please contact the festival team before attending and we will do our best to provide practical information.
Sensory and crowd considerations
The festival may include live music, amplified sound, crowds, carnival activity, food vendors, vehicle movement, parade activity and changing noise levels throughout the weekend.
Visitors who are sensitive to noise or crowds may prefer to arrive earlier, choose quieter viewing areas or plan shorter visits around selected events.
Assistance animals
Accredited assistance animals are welcome in public festival areas where permitted by law. Visitors attending with assistance animals should consider crowd levels, weather, noise and walking distances when planning their visit.
Need access information before you visit?
If you have a specific accessibility question about the festival, please contact the festival team before the event weekend.
Festival information at a glance
The Goulburn Lilac City Festival takes place over the October long weekend and includes events, markets, entertainment, family activities, community celebrations and visitor experiences across Goulburn.
General festival questions:
When is the 2026 Goulburn Lilac City Festival?
The 2026 Goulburn Lilac City Festival will be held from Friday 2 October to Monday 5 October 2026, across the October long weekend.
Where is the festival held?
Many major festival activities are centred around Belmore Park and the surrounding Goulburn CBD. Some events may take place at other locations, so please check the program for event-specific details.
Is the festival suitable for families?
Yes. The festival includes a range of family-friendly activities, including markets, entertainment, carnival rides, children’s activities and community events. Some activities may have specific times, costs or conditions.
Do I need tickets to attend?
Many festival activities are held in public spaces and are free to attend. Some events, rides, stalls, workshops or activities may have their own costs or booking requirements. Please check individual event details as they are confirmed.
Program and events:
Where can I find the 2026 festival program?
The 2026 program is available on the Festival Program page and will be updated as event details are confirmed.
Are event times final?
Some event times may still be subject to confirmation or change. Please check the program page closer to the festival weekend for the latest information.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The festival includes outdoor events, so weather may affect some activities. Any major updates, changes or cancellations will be communicated through the festival website and official channels where possible.
When is the Street Parade?
The Street Parade is scheduled as part of the Sunday festival program. Final parade timing, route and access information will be confirmed on the Program and Map & Parking pages.
Visiting and parking:
Where should I park?
Parking information will be added to the Map & Parking page as details are confirmed. Visitors should allow extra time during busy periods, especially around markets, major entertainment and the Street Parade.
Will there be road closures?
Some temporary road closures or traffic changes may apply during major festival events. Confirmed information will be added to the Map & Parking page closer to the event.
Can I bring a picnic rug or chair?
Yes, visitors may wish to bring a picnic rug or folding chair for park-based entertainment. Please be considerate of pathways, access areas and other visitors.
Are there toilets available?
Public toilets and festival facilities may be available in or near the main festival precinct. Facility details will be added once the 2026 site layout is confirmed.
Accessibility:
Is the festival accessible?
The festival takes place across public park and CBD spaces, so access conditions may vary by location. Please check the Accessibility page for current guidance and contact the festival team if you have specific access needs.
Will accessible parking be available?
Accessible parking details will be confirmed closer to the 2026 festival. Information will be added to the Map & Parking and Accessibility pages when available.
Can I attend with an assistance animal?
Accredited assistance animals are welcome in public festival areas where permitted by law. Visitors should consider crowd levels, noise and weather conditions when planning their visit.
Markets, stalls and getting involved:
How do I book a market stall?
Market stall information and booking details will be available through the festival website once applications are open.
How do I enter the parade?
Parade entry information will be available through the festival website. Please check the Get Involved or Parade page for entry details when confirmed.
How do I enter a competition?
Competition information will be listed on the website as details are confirmed. This may include garden, baby, pet, window display or other festival competitions.
How can my business sponsor or support the festival?
Businesses and community organisations interested in supporting the festival can contact the festival team for sponsorship and supporter opportunities.