Wagga’s Botanic Gardens are your go-to for school holiday events this spring. Photo: Wagga Events Facebook.
There’s a whole lot to see and do across the Riverina this week, with plenty of events for the school holidays to keep you and your family busy.
The Wagga Spring Jam Festival is coming to the Botanic Gardens with a packed schedule of kids’ events, live music, performances, workshops, food trucks, games and much more.
The Jerilderie Gold Cup Races is a full family day out with fashions on the field, kids’ entertainment and of course excellent displays of horsemanship.
An exciting new retelling of Romeo and Juliet in musical form comes to the Wagga Civic Theatre.
Dig into this week’s guide on all this and more.
Multiple Days
Get up close with some of Wagga Zoo’s most cuddly creatures. Photo: Wagga Wagga City Council.
Meet and Greet Encounters at Botanic Gardens Zoo
When: 29 September to 2 October, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, MacLeay Street, Turvey Park
Cost: Free. Donations welcome.
Wagga’s favourite zoo is running special meet-and-greets during the school holidays, giving kids a chance to get up close to some of the Botanic Gardens’ amazing animals. Curious kids will be able to feed some of the zoo’s most lovable residents. There will also be mini pony walks around the gardens and photo opportunities. In addition to this school holiday event, the zoo’s regular menagerie of dingoes and reptiles is still wild and waiting.
Meet near the wombat enclosure to get started.
One of the English language’s most enduring stories, with a twist. Image: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre.
& Juliet
When: Performances on 26, 27 and 28 September and 2 October
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way, off Tarcutta St, Wagga
Cost: Tickets from $58 | Book online.
This exciting jukebox musical features some of the world’s biggest pop hits and tells the story of Romeo and Juliet, with a twist. What would have happened if Juliet hadn’t taken her own life with Romeo?
This romantic comedy has seen roaring success as a coming-of-age romantic comedy, bringing a fresh, fierce take on the classic play, with a run on Broadway and London’s West End.
Don’t miss out on this hilarious new musical, which has taken home nine Tony Awards.
Masterpieces of glasswork as art come to the Wagga Art Gallery. Image: Wagga Wagga Art Gallery.
Glass Chrysalis II – Art exhibition at the Wagga Gallery
When: 27 September to 2 October, during normal gallery hours
Where: Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Morrow Street, Wagga
Cost: Free.
Six recent graduates of art school and studio glass residency programs have been chosen to provide works to demonstrate their commitment to their art, showing the culmination of innovation, technical prowess and creativity.
Grass Chrysalis, a triennial exhibition showing the promise of young artists, is co-curated by Wagga Art Gallery, Canberra Glassworks and The JamFactory to showcase glass as an art form.
This year’s finalists are Jordan Benson, Madeline Cardone, Calum Donaldson, Hamish Donaldson, Carman Skeehan and Isobel Waters.
Friday
Take advantage of the wide open country sky. Image: Humanitix.
Charles Sturt University Sky Stories
When: 26 September, 6 to 8 pm
Where: Charles Sturt Winery, Wagga Wagga
Cost: Children under 18 free | Adults tickets $5 | Book online.
You’re invited to Sky Stories at Charles Sturt University for Sky Stories night, an unmissable, unique experience featuring First Nations stories about the night sky, guided telescope viewing sessions and insights from skygazers at The Rock Regional Observatory, as well as interactive activities for kids. There will also be plenty of delicious food and drinks on offer for purchase and live music throughout the night.
Saturday
Just what role do the wetlands play for local birdlife? Find out this Saturday. Photo: Visit Wagga.
Exploring Bird Life at Marrambidya Wetlands with Professor Daryl Jones
When: 27 September, 8 to 10 am
Where: 100 Narrung St, Wagga
Cost: Free.
Have you ever looked at your local birds and wanted to know more about them? Maybe you’re looking to dip your toe into bird watching? If so, head to the Marrambidya Wetlands for a special exploration of local birdlife with Professor Darryl Jones.
Birdwatchers for a day will get some inside knowledge on the wonderful birds that call the Riverina home and hopefully they’ll be able to spot some.
The Spring Jam brings entertainment, workshops and heaps of fun to the Wagga Botanic Gardens. Photo: Visit Wagga.
Spring Jam – Kids’ Festival in Wagga
When: 27 September, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, MacLeay St, Turvey Park
Cost: Free.
Spring Jam brings in Wagga’s spring season in style, with a whole lot of family fun and entertainment to get excited for.
The Botanic Gardens will be absolutely jam-packed with kids’ events. There is a zoo safari with dingoes and peacocks, fun obstacle courses, plenty of fun workshops, dance academies, live performances of music and science shows, food trucks, games, dough-making classes and book nooks, where bookworms get to sit and enjoy the wonder of reading together.
Don’t miss out this Saturday!
A proper race day is set for Saturday. Photo: Visit NSW.
Jerilderie Gold Cup Races
When: 27 September, gates open at 11:30 am
Where: Jerilderie Racecourse, Showgrounds Road, Jerilderie
Cost: Tickets $25.
The Jerilderie Gold Cup Races offers a full day of country racing across a six-race program.
This cup day will feature bookmakers, bar, free kids entertainment and prizes for fashion on the field for the best dressed ladies and gentlemen. So whether you want to cheer on your lucky pick or just enjoy a day in the sun dressed up in your best, head to the Jerilderie Racecourse.
Tuesday
How many birds will you be able to spot. Photo: Humanitix.
Museum of the Riverina Bird-watching Workshop for Kids
When: 30 September, 9 am to 10 am
Where: Museum of the Riverina, Botanic Gardens Site, Turvey Park
Cost: Tickets $15 | Book online.
Head to the Museum of the Riverina for a special Bird-watching Workshop for Kids, where they’ll learn about why birds matter as well as how to spot and identify them using guidebooks and digital tools.
From the Museum of the Riverina, they’ll move on to the Botanic Gardens site, where they will explore the birds of Willans Hill, finishing of course at the aviary.
Each participant will also get their own kids’ binoculars for the day as well as a custom bird-watching guide to take home, so they can continue their bird-watching at home.
Thursday
The joy of reading in the great outdoors, hosted by the Wagga Library. Photo: NSW Government.
Sunshine Storytime at Riverside – Wagga Library
When: 2 October, 10:30 am
Where: Riverside Precinct, Johnston Street, Wagga
Cost: Free | No bookings required.
Sunshine Storytime at Riverside brings the Wagga Libraries storytime sessions outside into Wagga’s beautiful river scenery.
There will be plenty of picture books, songs and craft activities and at the end, a visit from the Agile Library van will give kids a chance to get their reading fix on wheels.
Take advantage of the beautiful spring weather and get out and about by the river.
