Why Young throws the juciest summer festival you've never heard of

In a nation obsessed with mangoes and prawns flung on barbies, there’s a small southern NSW town that refuses to let its iconic fruit be a passing summer fling.

Every December, Young, nestled in the heart of the Hilltops Region, throws the ultimate homage to its lifeblood: cherries. And when we say homage, we mean a full-blown weekend party.

Welcome to the National Cherry Festival, where the air smells like pies baking, the streets are drenched in ruby-red hues, and the vibes are as sweet as the fruit locals laud and celebrate.

Young isn’t just any rural speck on the map — it’s the ‘Cherry Capital of Australia’, a title its 10,000-strong regional community wears with a certain pride as the fruit they’ve seen grow from buds to bursting, starts to fill the fridges of the nation.

Located two hours from Canberra and four from Sydney, it’s a town that trades suburban grind for orchards, vineyards, pastoral scenes, bustling boutique shops, and gourmet everything.

But come December, Young transforms into a Pinterest board brought to life: twinkling lights, parades, and cherry-themed everything.

Think cherry pies, cherry ice cream, cherry wine, cherry pips and the kind of cherries you’d Instagram before eating.

This isn’t your standard fruit festival with a few stalls and a lackluster band. This is cherries done extra.

Want to immerse yourself? Grab a bucket and pick your own cherries.

More of a spectator? Watch someone attempt to shatter the world record for longest cherry pip spit (yes, that’s a thing).

Prefer chaos? Sign up for the cherry pie eating contest, where strategy and stamina are your best allies.

The Friday night fireworks? Absolutely dazzling.

Topped only by a king and a queen and a street parade, which is an explosion of small-town charm meets passion and creativity. And a pipe band for some added flourish.

And that’s all before the Sunday morning Big Breakfast at Anderson Park where the vibe is pure country, complete with bush poetry, kelpie dog demonstrations, and the kind of community warmth you didn’t know you were missing.

In a world where small-town festivals are a dime a dozen, the National Cherry Festival feels, well, different, magnetic even. It draws in curious travelers, long-time visitors, and locals who wouldn’t miss it for the world.

But, let’s not forget why we’re here: cherries.

Cherries in Young are practically a cultural artifact.

The town’s been growing them for over 150 years, weaving the fruit into its DNA and, frankly, its economy.

Today Young’s orchards produce an impressive line-up of varieties, from the sweet Supreme to the tart Vista, and late-season stunners like Black Douglas.

These aren’t the cherries you find at your corner grocery store.

These are the cherries — juicy, sun-kissed, fresh, and seasonal in a way that makes them taste like a small rebellion against the era of year-round everything.

And the locals? They know how to make cherries feel downright glamorous.

Speaking of locals, this is where you see Young’s charm in spades.

Its historic main street is lined with boutiques, gourmet coffee shops, and hair salons that could make you forget about Sydney’s overpriced everything.

Foodies, take note: this region doesn’t stop at cherries.

Award-winning wines, artisanal honey, jams and sauces line the shelves at the local information centre, which also happens to be housed in an 1885 railway station.

History buffs will geek out over the town’s heritage walks, showcasing everything from elegant churches to a clock tower-turned-WWI memorial.

And then there’s the flex you didn’t know Young had: back in 1889, not long after it became home to 20,000 goldminers, this tiny town was the first in Australia to install electricity into homes and streets. Yes, Young had lights before Sydney. Let that sink in.

So, if you’ve been searching for a reason to escape the monotony of big-box shopping malls and overpriced brunches, consider this your sign.

Young, with its cherries, its charm, and its unapologetic love for a good time, is calling.

Mark your calendar for the first weekend of December (that’s Friday 29 November – Sunday 1 December, with Saturday 30th being the main fun-filled day). Full details and festival program here.

Bring your appetite, your camera, and maybe your stretchy pants. Your sweetest adventure yet is waiting in Young.

Take it from a local.

Original Article published by Edwina Mason on About Regional.