The countdown is on for this year’s Illuminate Wollondilly Festival of Art & Light, which will see the town of Picton transformed into a wonderland of light and colour on the weekend of 20-22 September.

This year’s festival will be bigger and brighter than ever, with a range of visually inspiring events and activities happening across the town over the three days.

Council’s Director Shire Services, Peter Buckley said, “Illuminate has traditionally been one of the biggest events on the Wollondilly annual calendar and attracts visitors from far and wide.”

“With music and art on display, a family carnival, long table dinner and amazing food and market stalls, it is once again shaping up to be a spectacular event that will really showcase our beautiful Shire.”

On Friday 20 September the Picton Botanic Gardens will come to life with lights, an illuminated sculpture and lantern display, a lantern parade and the sensational long table dinner. Back for its third year, the long table dinner will be set under a canopy of lights with the theme of ‘Fire and Ice.’ Tickets are now available on the Illuminate website.

The Illuminate family carnival will make a comeback at Hume Oval on Friday 20 September from 5pm to 9pm, Saturday 21 September from 12pm to 9pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm with a huge range of rides, sideshow alley and food stalls to suit all ages.

A free sensory friendly session for children, young people and adults with a disability will run on Saturday at the Family Carnival with no PA announcements, no flashing lights or music on rides, and a quiet tent with sensory activities. Bookings are essential and are available on the Illuminate website.

A three-day art exhibition curated by the Wollondilly Arts Group will commence in the Wollondilly Shire Hall on Friday from 10am to 4pm, Saturday 12pm to 9pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm, while the popular Artisan Markets will be held on Saturday in the Picton Shire Hall from 12pm to 9pm. 

The main festival will be held in and around Menangle Street Picton on Saturday 21 September, including market stalls, food court, vibrant building projections and light displays, and a live entertainment stage packed with local community and music performances.

The lighting and lantern display will continue at the Picton Botanic Gardens and Hume Oval, as well as live performances on the Botanic Gardens Stage on Saturday with a fireworks display over the town capping off the night at 9pm.

On Sunday 22 September there will be a relaxing afternoon of musical entertainment in the Picton Botanic Gardens from 10am to 4pm with Music on the Lawn.

C91.3 will also be back broadcasting live from Picton Hotel for the week of the festival.

For more information please visit the Illuminate Website , Facebook page or call the Events Team on 4677 1100