Spring is upon us, with warmer weather on the way and plenty of opportunities to get the family out of the house and into the community.

Check out the Mid North Coaster’s picks for family-friendly events in September.

Know of any upcoming events? Send an email to: [email protected].

Looking for our August events? Scroll down to the bottom of the page.

A theatrical adaptation of award-winning Australian children’s television series Bluey comes to Port Macquarie after a global tour. 

🗓️ Tuesday September 1 and Wednesday September 2 
📍 The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie 
🎟️Single: $59.90, Child (up to 12 years) $55
More information

An annual showcase of locally grown produce, offering a self-drive tour of properties across the Hastings region.

🗓️ Saturday September 12 and Sunday September 13
📍 Farms across Hastings region
🎟️To be released
More information

A day of music, markets and community activities on the banks of the Macleay River at Kempsey, headlined by Nambucca Valley artist Tasman Keith.

🗓️ Saturday September 5
📍 Riverside Park, Kempsey
🎟️Free
More information

Annual community event celebrating diversity in the Macleay Valley, featuring a runway show, free entertainment and games for the kids.

🗓️ Sunday September 20 
📍 Riverside Park, Kempsey
🎟️Free
More information

The historic Fredo Pub is hosting pig racing, live music and activities for families on Father’s Day.

🗓️ Sunday September 6
📍 Fredo Pub, Frederickton
🎟️Free entry
More information

A regular opportunity for kids and parents to create with Lego at the Nambucca Heads Library.

🗓️ Every Friday in September
📍 Nambucca Heads Library
🎟️Free
More information

Beginner courses for kids and adults wanting to learn to paint using acrylics, with artist Deborah Broughton.

🗓️ Saturdays in September
📍 Studio45, Gladstone 
🎟️Kids: $30 per class, Adult: $60 per class 
More information

🟡 Kids Gamer Party

An evening of games, music, dancing and visits from beloved gaming characters at Social Alley in South West Rocks.

🗓️ Wednesday September 30
📍 Social Alley, South West Rocks Country Club 
🎟️Free
More information

A community running festival featuring a 42.2km Marathon, 21.1km Half Marathon, 10km Fun Run, 5km Fun Run/Walk and a 3km Family Fun Run/Walk. 

🗓️ Sunday August 30
📍 Coffs Harbour Showground
🎟️Register

A six week program designed to introduce kids to the wonders of the ocean through hands-on activities, stories, games, and wildlife-themed learning experiences.

🗓️ Every Saturday from August 8 to September 12
📍 Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary
🎟️Cost: $149.00
More information

Free event highlighting the abilities native animals have developed to enable them to survive in Australia's harsh environments.

🗓️ Saturday August 22
📍 Nambucca Heads Library, Nambucca Heads
🎟️Free
More information

A weekly program where children explore science, geography, engineering, space, history and how things work through practical activities, challenges and creative projects.

🗓️ Fridays from 4-6pm
📍 The Education Centre, Coffs Harbour
🎟️Casual Booking (2 hours): $44
More information

The Bugalugs Bum Thief play takes audiences on a journey through an imaginative world created by Australian author Tim Winton.

In short, an entire town wakes up one morning to find that their bums are gone.

🗓️ Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 August 
📍 Glasshouse, Port Macquarie
🎟️Tickets: $30
More information

🗓️ Friday 7 August 
📍 Jetty Memorial Theatre, Coffs Harbour
🎟️Adult: $30, child $25
More information

A curated program of local and international films, including a romantic comedy from Afghanistan and a Sydney Film Festival crowd favourite about competitive whistling. 

🗓️ August 7-9
📍 BCC Cinemas Coffs Harbour
🎟️Adult: $21 per film or flexipass/subscripton offers
More information 

Aladdin and his adventures come to life at the Manning Entertainment Centre, in a production created by Michelle Cassar de Sierra and Martin Sierra for the Victorian State Ballet. 

🗓️ Saturday 29 August and Sunday 30 August 
📍 Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree
🎟️Adults $70, Concession $65, Child (up to 12 years) $55
More information

Spotlight possums, koalas and other animals while walking through the natural forests of the botanic garden with experienced guides. 

🗓️ Friday 7 August 
📍 North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, Coffs Harbour
🎟️Adult: $10, Concession $65, Child under 12 $5
More information

Held every Sunday in the Castle Street carpark in central Coffs Harbour, the market features fresh produce, Asian vegetables, handmade clothing, locally sourced products, plants and bric a brac.

🗓️ Every Sunday
📍 Vernon Street, Coffs Harbour
🎟️Free
More information

During school terms, join Nambucca Valley Council for stories, songs and craft for children below five.

🗓️ From 10am Tuesdays at Nambucca Heads Library, Thursdays at Macksville Library. 
🎟️Free
More information 

An all-ages celebration of Taylor Swift featuring Mia Isoardi and a full band. 

Expect hits like “Shake It Off”, “We Are Never Getting Back Together”, “Love Story” and “Anti-Hero”.

Coffs Harbour:
🗓️ Friday 10 July
📍 Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
🎟️General admission: $34.20 
More information

Nambucca Heads: 
🗓️ Wednesday 8 July
📍 Nambucca Heads RSL Club
🎟️General admission: $34.20
More information 

This hands-on event at Bunderra Reserve, Beechwood, will see Hastings Landcare and locals plant more than 150 native trees and shrubs and 230 grasses, to support habitat regeneration and improve the health of the reserve.
.
🗓️ Sunday 26 July
📍 Bunderra Reserve, Beechwood
🎟️Register 

A family-friendly afternoon in the Rydges Port Macquarie ballroom, filled with “delicious treats and fairy-tale charm”.

Includes a high tea buffet with fairy bread, cupcakes, fruit, scones, sausage rolls, party pies and an array of sweet treats.

There will be face painting and a children’s disco.

🗓️ Saturday 18 July
📍 Rydges Port Macquarie 
🎟️$35
More information

The Settlers Inn Hotel is hosting a free show with comic and magic entertainer Troppo Bob.

Known as the “Ultranormalist”, Bob’s show includes comedy, mind reading and ventriloquism.

🗓️ Monday 6 July
📍 Settlers Inn Hotel, Port Macquarie
🎟️Free
More information 

The Salvation Army is hosting one-day kids’ programs throughout the school holidays, including at Port Macquarie and Macksville. 

Thursday 16 July - Port Macquarie Salvation Army (110 Lord St , Port Macquarie).

Friday 17 July - Nambucca River Church Salvos Macksville (21 River Street Macksville).

🎟️Free
Register 

West Kempsey’s Great Northern Hotel is hosting Reptile Solutions for an interactive reptile show for the kids.

🗓️ Sunday 12 July
📍 Great Northern Hotel
🎟️Free. Book via 6562 4323. 

One of the largest, oldest and most diverse markets on the coast, featuring over 250 stalls and live music. 

🗓️ Saturday 18 July
📍 Bellingen Park 
🎟️More information

More than 100 stalls along the Kempsey riverfront showcasing local and regional produce and products.

🗓️ Saturday 4 July
📍 Riverside Park, Kempsey 
🎟️More information

Mid-week holiday markets will be held on two Wednesdays (10am-2pm) in Scotts Head during July, featuring local musicians, a variety of food trucks and plenty of local stalls.

🗓️ Wednesdays 8 and 15 July 
📍 Scotts Head Reserve
🎟️More information

Mid North Coast councils are offering free or low cost events for families during the school holidays.

On the Coffs Coast this includes games mornings, brain training activities, stop motion workshops, family-friendly films and music events.

More information here.

In Bellingen Shire, events include journaling at Urunga, a film club at Dorrigo and mask making sessions at Bellingen.

More information here. 

In the Nambucca Valley, you can learn to build a musical instrument or a lantern, or challenge yourself with boardgames and Lego sessions.

More information here. 

In Kempsey Shire, there is a musical performance from the ARIA-nominated Vegetable Plot, plus music making events in Kempsey and South West Rocks and NAIDOC Week activities. 

More information here. 

In Port Macquarie-Hastings, the event offering includes a Skate Jam, an outdoor movie night and art sessions.

More information here. 

In the MidCoast LGA, events include a toddler and preschooler disco, basket weaving workshops, science displays, kids trivia events and treasure hunts. 

More information here. 

Thumbnail image: Reptile Solutions.

Celebrate the shortest day of the year with a fun-filled afternoon for all ages. Enjoy classic games, jumping castles, face painting, a reptile display, live music, dancers, community stalls, food, and more. As the sun sets, experience the magic of fire twirlers, a lantern parade, and a spectacular bonfire to light up the night. 

This is a “no cost–low cost” event, making it accessible for everyone in the community. 

🗓️ 2-8:30pm, Saturday 20 June

📍 Boambee East Community Centre

Join fellow motoring enthusiasts for a Show & Shine event at the National Holden Motor Museum. 

This event is for early Holden models from FX through to HQ series or any Holden of the classic Chrome bumper era. 

Kicking off at 10am, it’s the perfect chance to catch up, check out some great machinery with like-minded people. 

Entrants must register by contacting Mitch on 0466376903 or messaging the museum via the National Holden Motor Museum Facebook page.

🗓️ Saturday 20 June

📍 National Holden Motor Museum, Coffs Harbour

🎟️Standard museum entry fees apply.

Sausage dogs and their human companions are invited to celebrate World Dachshund Day at Club Scotts. 

Activities will include product and supplier stalls, a photo booth and dog competitions (Longest Dog, Shortest Dog, Thickest Dog, Best Dressed). Plus, the team from Stoney's By the Beach will be serving up gourmet hot dogs as a special lunchtime treat.

This is a fun community event celebrating everything Dachshund, so dust off the costumes, grab the lead and bring your sausage dog along for an afternoon of laughs and tail wags.

Please note: This event is strictly for the Dachshund breed only (no other breeds can and conditions of entry apply.

🗓️ 12:30pm, Sunday 21 June

📍 Club Scotts, Scotts Head

Learn about resilience and local sustainability projects at the Our Sustainable Future Expo held at Unkya Reserve, Eungai Creek. 

The family-friendly day out will include a kids area and activities, and presentations on “Local Food Matters”, “All Things Solar and Electric” and “Saving Money in 2026”. 

Enjoy demonstrations of fermenting, composting, basketweaving, food growing techniques and more. 

Presenters include actress and farmer Rachel Ward and former ABC weatherman Graham Creed.

🗓️ Sunday 28 June

📍 Unkya Reserve, Eungai Creek

🎟️ Free entry

Join Rainbow Coffs Harbour for a Pride Walk on Saturday 27 June. This is a day for LGBTQIA+ people, families, friends and allies to walk proudly, connect, and “show that diversity belongs here”.

🗓️ 11am, Saturday 27 June

📍 Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour (near the southern break wall). 

We hope you enjoyed our rolling list of family-friendly events happening across the region. 

Don’t forget to check out our What’s On and Live Music lists for more.