Art, food, and music: This week’s free events across Kempsey Shire
It’s holidays for some and summer for all.
Ellie Chamberlain
January 06, 2025
While some are still on holidays, soaking up the sun, the rest of us are either back at work or back into our Real Live. Still, that doesn’t mean there’s not plenty to do over the next week or so to remind you that life isn’t all about work.
Here’s a few free things to do in Kempsey Shire this week to make the most of the long days and warm nights – our top picks to celebrate this community through art, music and food.
Night Markets
The Macleay Valley Night Markets are back for the summer.
Every Thursday evening from 6pm you’ll find about 15 local market stalls and food trucks set up on the grass beside Hat Head Bowling Club.
Peruse, pick your dish, get your face painted, and pop down a picnic rug to listen to live music from local musicians.
This week, January 9, Pete Ball will be behind the mic.
Photo Exhibition
Nulla Nulla Regional Gallery at the Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey is currently exhibiting a powerful photo series.
We Were Just Little Boys by Indigenous artist Tace Stevens showcases surviving Uncles of Kinchela Boys Home or Kinchela Aboriginal Training Home (KBH) to help tell their stories and celebrate their strength and resilience.
The portraits are part of the 100th commemoration of the home opening in 1924. The training home closed in 1970 and during that time about 600 Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and taken to KBH to assimilate into white society - a time in Australian history now referred to as the Stolen Generations.
The Slim Dusty Centre is a short drive from the Macleay Valley Way exit off the Pacific Highway.
Live Music
The dad and daughter duo of Morganui Music are back.
Dom and Dan Morgan of Crescent Head are gearing up for their first gig of 2025 after taking time off after the birth of Dom’s son.
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, January 8, and head to La Costa Cantina at The Med in Crescent Head.
Music between 6pm and 9pm, with kitchen and bar open from 5pm.
Know of upcoming free events on the Mid North Coast? Send details to: [email protected] or message us on Instagram.