A vibrant and buzzing city in the NSW Riverina region, Griffith is known as the ‘food bowl’ of Australia, and it’s bursting at the seams with unique festivals and community events, all year round.
During these wonderful celebrations, the city’s abundance of fresh produce, world-class wineries, friendly people and rich mix of cultural heritage is on show for all to experience.
You’ll find plenty of eclectic cellar doors to visit, creative providores dishing up delicious local produce and a plethora of world-class restaurants and charming cafes. Or you can window shop with a gelato, or relax with a glass of local pinot grigio in a local bar and watch the world go by.
Griffith Easter Party
6-10 April 2023
During the Griffith Easter Party the whole city comes to life with a multi-day celebration of fun festivities for the whole family over the Easter Long Weekend. There is a host of entertainment, activities, demonstrations, wine tastings and scrumptious food to be enjoyed.
Griffith Easter party. Image: Supplied.
Action Day at the Griffith Pioneer Park Museum is always a highlight, bringing the museum to life with activities for the whole family. Or you can nab a bargain at the Easter Saturday Sidewalk Sale, where the main street of town – Banna Avenue – is bustling with local retail stalls selling their wares.
On Saturday, make sure to check out Blood, Sweat and Beers, showcasing some of the best drops from breweries around Australia. Park yourself on the grass and enjoy some street eats and live music from local bands. Or at the Griffith Vintage Festival, you can tuck into wine, beer, cider, live music, local food and much more.
A Taste of Italy. Image: Supplied.
A Taste of Italy: Griffith
22-28 August
Experience Griffith’s rich Italian heritage and culture with this seven-day celebration of all things Italian. Indulge in a program of wine tastings, music, salami judging and more.
Italian immigrants first settled in the region after the first and second World Wars, and started making wines like they enjoyed back at home. Demand for these wines saw passion and sentimentality evolve into thriving businesses, some of which are now the largest family-owned wine companies in Australia.
All week, you can enjoy tastings at some of these iconic wineries and cellar doors, including De Bortoli Wines, Calabria Family Wines, Yarran Wines and Berton Vineyards. Or take the ‘Hidden Gems’ tour with Bella Vita Riverina Tours to discover some Italian food and wine offerings that are off the beaten track and down some winding tracks.
Salami Festival at A Taste of Italy. Image: Supplied.
The program also includes fantastic opera performances from Co-Opera performing on the beautiful grounds of the Piccolo Family Farm. Your ticket price will include a fully catered dinner by local legends Limone Dining, with paired wines to enjoy alongside this world-class performance under the stars.
Make sure you head to the Yoogali Club on Saturday to check out the Salami Judging Competition to find the best homemade salami. Festa delle Salsicce e Salami (better known as the Salami Festival) is celebrated on the Sunday where locals and visitors join together to eat, drink and enjoy Italian music over a long lunch to celebrate the end of salami making season and to announce the winners of the salami competition. Tickets sell out quickly so make sure you book ahead.
Alternatively, there will be meat and cheese tastings at La Piccola Grosseria & Italian Deli – and a complimentary espresso for every customer to keep the energy high.
Griffith Spring Fest Citrus Sculptures. Image: Supplied.
Griffith Spring Fest
8-22 October
Ring in spring with this splendid two-week long community festival celebrating orange harvest, a love of gardening, the outdoors and Griffith’s cultural richness.
Griffith Spring Fest is packed with a range of exciting events including the much-loved Citrus Sculptures, the stunning Griffith Garden Festival, Garden Bus Tours and the Launch Party.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope, it’s the Griffith Spring Fest Citrus Sculptures! More than 50 sensational sculptures made with over 100,000 oranges and grapefruit will line the main street of town – all put together by an army of more than 700 volunteers at sunrise. Based on the famous lemon sculptures in Menton, France, these larger-than-life sculptures were first installed in 1995 and draw thousands of visitors to Griffith every year.
Griffith Garden Festival. Image: Supplied.
Visit Griffith’s best open gardens to celebrate 31 years of the Garden Festival, where garden owners warmly welcome visitors to enjoy their space. Some are set amongst the citrus orchards or the vineyards, with others located close to town. Simply hop on a bus tour to enjoy them all.
The Garden Festival also allows you to join in on many workshops and demonstrations that support Griffith’s food, arts and culture.
Banna Lane Festival. Image: Supplied.
Banna Lane Festival
April 26-May 6
It’s time to paint the town! Banna Lane Festival is a not-for-profit public art initiative focused on curating a series of large-scale murals by local artists throughout Griffith’s Banna Lane. As well as mural painting, there are events such as meeting the artists, school tours and talks, a youth program and the celebration of lighting up the lane. During the night, the murals are lit up and the lane is closed for live music, performers, local wine, beer and food, as well as children’s activities, making it a great night out for all.
Banna Lane Festival was gold award winner for the Best Street Art Laneway in the Australian Street Art Awards (ASAA) 2022. The Banna Lane Festival’s Lighting Up The Lane event was also awarded Silver for Best Street Art Festival or Event.
Griffith Shaheedi Tournament (Sikh Games). Image: Supplied.
Griffith Shaheedi Tournament (Sikh Games)
10-12 June, long weekend
Every June long weekend, the Sikh community hold a two-day event at Ted Scobie Oval against the backdrop of Scenic Hill in Griffith.
For nearly 30 years, the Griffith Shaheedi Tournament has been a popular cultural event which attracts thousands of people to Griffith from around Australia and overseas to compete in and watch the games. This includes sports such as soccer, volleyball and the main attraction, the traditional sport of Kabbadi – a physically demanding contest best described as a mix of wrestling and rugby.
Griffith Shaheedi Tournament (Sikh Games). Image: Supplied.
There is traditional Indian cuisine and hospitality to enjoy throughout the day, and the event is a celebration of culture, sport and food. In 2022, event organisers trucked in two tonnes of onions, three tonnes of flour and 700 litres of milk to help feed 25,000 people over the two-day event. The food is provided free of charge with over 100 volunteers helping to serve the community.
By Emily Riches for Truly Aus. 15 March 2023