Sweet Indulgence Dessert Festival (part of Blacktown City Festival). Friday 16 May. 4pm to 9pm.
Oh sugar, it’s back! The dessert lover’s paradise Sweet Indulgence is back for another year to Blacktown Festival! Sugar lovers will flock to the Village Green to satisfy their sweet tooth with mouth-watering creations from some of Sydney’s top, hand-picked dessert vendors.
The event will also feature candy land props, live music, free face painting, roving performers and baby bungy jump. The festival will be held at Village Green and Civic Plaza, Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown from 4pm to 9pm on Friday 16 May. Find out more here.
Heritage Day at Parramatta North. Saturday 17 May. 9am to 3pm.
Heritage Day at Parramatta North on Saturday 17 May, is family-friendly, with guided tours of sensitively restored heritage-listed buildings, historical talks, live music, great food, Koori cooking demonstrations, market stalls and children’s activities.
This event is part of the 2025 Australian Heritage Festival, Australia’s largest community-driven celebration of heritage, running from Friday 18 April to Sunday 18 May. Coordinated by the National Trust of Australia, this year’s theme – “Unearthed” – invites communities to explore untold stories, rediscover the past, and pass on cultural knowledge to the next generation.
Heritage tours and historical talks are free and require pre-booking with tickets allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. All tours and talks are approximately 45 minutes duration. Get your tickets here.
GLOW at Sydney Zoo. Friday 9 May through to Saturday 31 May.
With over 200 NEW animal lanterns and interactive light sculptures, experience the ultimate light festival – GLOW at Sydney Zoo. Explore the GLOW Light Walk where you will step through the giant jaws of a colossal crocodile, marvel at the towering tentacles of an octopus and see the butterflies flutter in a stunning display of light and motion.
Head over to the GLOW Zone for epic rides and activities. Beat the drums as fast as you can in a race to illuminate the giant glowing heart. Create your own melody dancing on the keys of a piano and kids can slide down the colourful Carnival Cruise Line Funcastle Check out the view from the magical 7NEWS Ferris Wheel and grab something delicious from the food trucks and GLOW bar.
Click here to buy tickets.
Pick your own fruit
Throwing all the kids in the car and heading off fruit picking is a great activity that the whole family can enjoy! It’s a great way to show kids where their fruit comes from while also being out in the sunshine and fresh air. We’re lucky here in the Hills to have fabulous farms right on our doorstep so the journey isn’t too far – as we all know, with young kids there’s no such thing as enjoying a long, leisurely drive!
Here are our tips for places to visit this Autumn. Most places charge a price for for what you pick. Also, things change due to seasons and weather, so make sure you check the farm’s website or Facebook page for opening times before you set off. And don’t forget to take your own bags.
Markets
- DownTown Markets – Sunday 18 May. 9am to 3pm. Wollundry Park, Pennant Hills.
Other ideas
- Don’t Change – Ultimate INXS tribute at Castle Hill RSL. Friday 16 May. 8pm show start.
- Brown Sugar live at Bella Vista Hotel. Saturday 17 May from 9pm.
- Big Play Out at St Paul’s Castle Hill. Saturday 17 May. 2pm to 4pm.
- Powerhouse Castle Hill. Open every Saturday and Sunday in May. From 10am.
- Rouse Hill Estate open to the public. Every Sunday. 10am to 4pm.
- Go for a bush walk. Here are our favourite kid friendly bush walks in the Hills.
- Go for a bike or scooter ride. Parks in the Hills with bike and scooter paths.
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