Festival FAQ’s

All your festival questions answered below.

General FAQ’S

  • Held on the traditional lands of the Dharawal People, Illawarra Folk Festival - is an iconic 38 year old festival celebrating folk music and cultural diversity underneath Illawarra’s stunning rainforest escarpment.

    Performers, volunteers and audiences alike continue to return to the Illawarra Folk Festival to experience and participate in the diversity of music and performances, and enjoy the intimate, vibrant, community atmosphere the festival has become renowned for.

    The Illawarra Folk Festival originated at Jamberoo in 1985, and has grown to be one of the largest festivals in Australia run entirely by volunteers. Now nestled in the northern Illawarra escarpment at Bulli, the festival presents a family friendly festival that can be enjoyed by everyone. 

    FIND OUT MORE HERE

  • The Illawarra Folk Festival is held at the Bulli Showgrounds underneath the beautiful escarpment of the Illawarra. The address is Grevillea Park Rd Bulli, NSW 2516.

  • Find the link to our ticketing page here

  • There is plenty of parking inside the Showground. Once you have collected your wristband passes at the ticket office you can find a parking space within an easy 150 metre (maximum) walk into the festival.

  • The Festival runs entirely on volunteers who appreciate a helping hand and the odd thank you! If you’d also like to volunteer then check out our Volunteer information page.

  • For information on how to get to the festival, please see Getting Here.

  • Festival General Enquiries: 1300 887 034


    For local tourist information, call Tourism Wollongong: 1800 240 737

  • Become a Stall Holder Head to our Stall Holder application page.

At The Festival

  • A festival wristband must be worn at all times.  All children must also have an armband as well.  Sound or video recordings are not permitted without the prior written consent from the Festival Director. 

    We expect all patrons, volunteers, guests and performers to abide by mutual respect when conducting themselves at the festival.

    No pets are allowed on the site.

  • The festival ticketing and reception is in a marquee located at the main southern entry to the Bulli Showground complex. This is where you can purchase passes or exchange your pre-purchased voucher for an armband. Please wear your armband at all times!

    The centre will be open during the following times:

    • Friday 12pm to 7pm

    • Saturday 8.30am to 7pm

    • Sunday 7.45am to 3pm

    Adjacent to the centre is the registration area for Performers and Volunteers.

  • The merchandise shop is located in the Slacky Flat Bar area, under the grandstand. Performer and Festival merchandise such as performer vinyl and apparel, official festival t-shirts and other products are available here. 

  • A noise curfew will apply to all camping areas after 10pm. Anyone wishing to party can go to the Grandstand Bar area inside the Grandstand building. Please keep all sessions inside the building. Please be courteous of other campers and festival neighbours.

  • The Festival organises its own bar and the proceeds help keep ticket prices down. Please patronise it but do drink sensibly! The bar is conducted strictly according to licensing regulations, i.e. under-aged and intoxicated persons will not be served and no alcohol is to be taken inside or outside licensed areas. No alcohol purchased outside the festival is to be allowed into the festival.

    There are a variety of food outlets within the festival, offering tasty flavours from around the globe.

    • An EFTPOS facility for cash-out is available in the Slacky Flat Bar area. Check ATM 2025

    • Festival venues and the showground site are fully licensed for alcohol – children are welcome in all locations as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

    • There is a wide range of food available at the showground.

  • In consideration of the comfort and safety of all festival-goers there is a no smoking policy in all venues. There are now designated smoking areas on the festival site – see Festival Map.

  • A patron survey is conducted at every festival.  The information gathered is confidential and is used to improve future festivals and assess the quality and impact of the festival on the community. We sincerely appreciate your assistance by completing them.

  • Head to VisitWollongong.com.au or drop into our Visitor Information Centre at the Southern Gateway Centre.

Families

  • The Festival aims to provide a safe environment for families. Parents and guardians are responsible for their children at all times. The children’s tent is for the provision of entertainment, but has no child minding facility, so carers are asked to please stay with their children at all times.

    All children must be wristbanded prior to entering the Festival. Please add children to your cart when purchasing. Write the responsible adult's mobile number clearly on the wristband. Parents or guardians should arrange with children to meet at a designated spot if they get separated.

  • Children under 12 years of age are free. Children aged 12-18 must have a valid ticket to enter the festival and be accompanied by an Adult Ticket holder. Children must enter with a responsible adult; unaccompanied children will not gain access.

To Bring Or Not To Bring

    • Your wristband! (or your booking reference number/confirmation email)

    • Valid photo ID

    • Hat

    • Sunscreen

    • Medication (especially for asthma, allergies or hay fever as the park can get dusty at times)

    • Clothes to suit the weather / rain poncho

    • Portable phone charger

    • Sturdy shoes

    • Friends

    • Sunnies

    • Water bottle

    • Drones, remote control aircraft / cars

    • Professional cameras & audio recording devices

    • Selfie Sticks

    • Alcohol and illicit substances

    • Weapons and knives

    • Fireworks, flares, sparklers or fire-twirling equipment

See you for our 40th anniversary

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