🟡 Our ultimate January event guide

Including: What's happening across this region this month, local crime updates, and how long has Cunningham's Bananas stood road-side?

Ellie Chamberlain
January 07, 2026

⏱️ The 85th edition of our newsletter is a 5-minute read.

👋 Hi, it’s me Ellie – I’m back.

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🔍 Today we’re looking at our picks of live music, kid-friendly and other events happening across the Mid North Coast through January.

But first, a crime update for two recent incidents that happened in Port Macquarie.

Detectives are appealing for information after the death of a woman in Port Macquarie late last month.

What happened: About 11.40am on Saturday December 27, 2025, emergency services were called to a unit on Gore Street, Port Macquarie, where a woman was found to be suffering multiple injuries. The 31-year-old woman was taken to Port Macquarie Hospital where she died a short time later. She has since been identified as Port Macquarie woman Megan Tangye.

“A crime scene was established at the unit and officers … commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the woman's death under Strike Force Hazen,” police said. “Following extensive inquiries including a port-mortem examination, officers are continuing to treat her death as suspicious.”

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

What happened: About 1.25am on Friday January 2, 2026 emergency services responded to reports of a stabbing at a service station on Gordon Street, Port Macquarie.

Paramedics treated a 30-year-old man at the scene. He was taken to Port Macquarie Base Hospital in a serious but stable condition and was later airlifted to John Hunter Hospital.

Early on Friday evening officers arrested a 27-year-old man at a unit on Gordon Street, Port Macquarie.

He was taken to Port Macquarie Police Station and charged with wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

On Saturday (January 3, 2026) he was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Port Macquarie Local Court on March 11, 2026.

Inquiries continue: Detectives have released an image of a man and woman seen in the area at the time of the incident who might be able to assist police.

The woman is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in her early 20s, and of small build. She is depicted wearing black leggings, a dark hooded jumper, a black cap, white joggers, carrying a dark backpack and white handbag. She was last seen walking a white dog.

The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his early 20s, of medium build, with short dark hair. He is depicted wearing light-coloured pants, a dark long-sleeve top, and a baseball cap. He was last seen riding a bicycle.

What’s on across the MNC in January

The Mid North Coaster’s top picks for events happening in January include budget-friendly options, markets and live music.

Or maybe you’d prefer art exhibitions, creative festivals and an open mic?

What about wildlife tours and a pool party?

We’ve got a bit of everything.

Here are just some of the options. You can see the full lists on our website.

🟡 Camp Creative

Camp Creative is a week of workshops held each January.

Returning to Bellingen in 2026 with a program of 80 workshops led by artists, designers and musicians.

Whether you’re an experienced creative seeking a challenge, or a novice looking to learn, there’s something for all ages and skill levels.

The workshops cover visual arts, writing, dance, music and wellbeing. You can learn to build a canoe, play ukulele, take photos or become a master of Dungeons and Dragons – and much more.

🗓️ January 12-16 (workshop dates vary)
📍 Bellingen
🎟️Courses and tickets here
ℹ️ Visit the Camp Creative website for full program details and bookings

🟡 Valla Expressions Art Show

Image: Painter, sculptor and Gunggari man Gary Cattanagh, Valla Expressions Art Show Facebook page.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Valla Expressions Art Show will showcase work from 16 locals across different art forms.

All artworks will be available to buy, with a percentage of proceeds donated to local community projects.

To celebrate this year’s show, the hall will stay open until 7pm on Sunday 4 for light refreshments and live music.

🗓️ Saturday 3 - Sunday 11, daily 10am - 5pm
📍 Valla Community Hall, Valla Beach
🎟️ Free entry

🟡 Douglas Vale Open Mic

An afternoon of wine tasting with free live music at Port Macquarie’s historic Douglas Vale Homestead & Vineyard. The monthly open mic spotlights local artists in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

Bring a picnic or grab a cheese platter at Douglas Vale’s open mic afternoon. Picture supplied.

Guests are welcome to pack a picnic and bring well-behaved dogs on leads. Wine, beer, soft drinks and cheese platters are available for purchase. No BYO.

🗓️ Sunday 25, 12pm – 2.30pm
📍Douglas Vale Historic Homestead & Vineyard, Port Macquarie
🎟️Free entry

🟡 The Rocky Horror Show

The cult musical is coming to Coffs Harbour, with audience members encouraged to dress in costume for the interactive sing-along experience.

🗓️ Friday 9 – Sunday 18, multiple performances
📍 Jetty Memorial Theatre, Coffs Harbour
🎟️ From $39

🟡 Wildlife tour

Wildlife conservation organisation Aussie Ark is opening its gates throughout January, offering visitors the chance to see Tasmanian devils, eastern quolls, koalas and other rare native species up close.

Visitors can take a 2.5-hour guided tour through the Barrington Tops conservation facility, learning about Aussie Ark’s breeding and re-wilding programs while meeting animals in a natural habitat.

Image: Aussie Ark

🗓️ Open days throughout January, daily 10.30am - 1pm, tours start at 11am.
📍 Aussie Ark, Tomalla
🎟️ Ticketed event from $22 (Free for children under 3)
ℹ️ Bookings here.

🟡 Splashfest

A family-friendly pool party at multiple pools across the Port Macquarie-Hastings LGA. Cool off, enjoy a free sausage sizzle and some poolside games.

🗓️ Monday 26, 10am – 2pm
📍 Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Kendall and Laurieton pools
🎟️ Free entry for the first 200 through the gate

🟡 Harbour Sounds – Summer Series

Harbour Sounds returns to Jetty Beach House with a lineup of Australian artists performing shows across January. Set against the backdrop of Coffs Harbour’s Jetty foreshore, these ticketed concerts are a summer highlight for live music fans.

The January lineup:

🎶 The Temper Trap
🗓️ Saturday 3

🎶 Pete Murray
🗓️ Sunday 4

🎶 Birds of Tokyo
🗓️ Saturday 24

🎶 Ash Grunwald
🗓️ Sunday 25

📍 Jetty Beach House, Coffs Harbour
🎟️ Tickets via the website

🟡 Red Hot Summer Tour

The Red Hot Summer Australian Tour is coming to Port Macquarie, with headline act Paul Kelly, as well as Missy Higgins, Kasey Chambers and The Cat Empire.

🗓️ Saturday 31, 1pm
📍 Westport Park, Port Macquarie
🎟️ Tickets from $162.94

📹 VIDEO OF THE WEEK

You know Cunningham’s stall in Coffs Harbour selling bananas – and other fruit and veg – roadside the Pacific Highway!? I’ve driven past it my whole life, and I have out-of-town friends who know it well, always stopping during family road-trips.

It’s a bit of an icon and I recently wondered how long it’s been in Coffs Harbour.

So, during my previous visit to the area, I pulled over to find out. I was lucky with timing as the owner, John, had just rolled in too. I figured he was the best person to ask.

He told me “about 50 years” but it may just be longer. Many people in the comments section have said it’s been there for as long as they remember, and they’re in their 60s. One person believes it’s closer to seven decades.

Watch the video below 👇