KEY DATES
- Daylight saving ends – Sunday 6 April.
- Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday – Friday 18 April – Monday 21 April.
- School holidays – start Saturday 12 April. School goes back on Monday 28 April (but usually first day for public schools is a staff development day and hence kids return on Tuesday 29 April)
- Anzac Day – Friday 25 April.
WHAT’S ON
- Messy Makers at Lynwood Country Club. Every Wednesday. 11am to 12pm. Except for school holidays
- Messy Makers at Castle Hill RSL. Every Thursday. From 9am. Except for school holidays.
- Taste of the World Cultural Festival. Hornsby Mall. Friday 4 April. 4pm to 8pm.
- Seven Hills Festival. Grantham Reserve Seven Hills. Saturday 5 April. 10am to 4pm.
- Mayor’s Easter Egg Hunt and Bella Vista Farm Open Day. Sunday 6 April. 9am to 2pm.
- Rouse Hill Estate open to the public. Every Sunday. 10am to 4pm.
- Powerhouse Castle Hill. Open every Saturday and Sunday. 10am – 4pm.
- Sydney Education Expo. Sunday 6 April. 10am – 4pm. Castle Hill RSL.
- Ladies night. 80s Dance Film Trivia. Castle Hill RSL. Thursday 10 April. From 7pm.
- Lifeline Giant Book Fair. Macquarie University. Friday 11 April to Sunday 13 April. 8am to 5pm.
- Sydney Royal Easter Show. Friday 11 April to Tuesday 22 April.
- Golden Ridge Animal Farm Easter Egg Hunt. Saturday 12 April to Sunday 20 April.
- Galston Valley Railway Open Day. Sunday 13 April. 9.30am – 3pm.
- Colouring & coffee with a cop at Castle Hill RSL. Tuesday 15 April. from 10.30am.
- Easter Fun at PHIVE. Thursday 17 April. 10am to 1pm.
- The Hills Easter Show. Friday 18 April, Saturday 19 April, Sunday 20 April and Monday 21 April from 12pm to 9pm. Castle Hill Showgrounds. Presented by Aussie NightMarkets.
- Easter at Castle Hill RSL. From their Easter Egg Raffle, visits from the Easter Bunny, face painting and kids activities to their delicious Easter food & beverage specials, they’ve got it all! From Friday 18 April to Monday 21 April.
- Easter at Lynwood Country Club. Free kids activities and face painting for the kids and Easter food & beverage specials. From Friday 18 April to Monday 21 April.
- Poppy Making Workshop. Castle Hill RSL. Tuesday 22 April. From 10.30am.
- ANZAC Day – Friday 25 April. Find out more here.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Do you still need to arrange a camp, class or activity if you need to work or just need to fill in a half-day, a day or more? Here are some options in and around the Hills that may have some spots left.
City of Parramatta’s Outdoor Cinema Series
Parramatta is bringing free movie nights to local parks during the April school holidays! 11 – 27 April | 4 – 9pm. Roll-out a picnic blanket and enjoy fun-filled activities with family and friends before catching your favourite Hollywood films on our pop-up cinema screen at sundown. There will be live music, kids arts and sports workshops, dog-friendly obstacle courses, jumping castles and so much more — it’s free with food options available for purchase.
Dates, Locations & Films:
- Friday 11 April: Wicked (PG) – Binalong Park, Old Toongabbie
- Saturday 12 April: IF (PG) – Doyle Ground, North Parramatta
- Sunday 13 April: Despicable Me 4 (PG) – North Rocks Park, Carlingford
- Saturday 26 April: The Wild Robot (PG) – West Epping Park, Epping
- Sunday 27 April: Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (PG)- F.S. Garside Park, Granville
Castle Hill RSL
- Weird and Wonderful Pets Workshop. Thursday 17 April. 10.30am. This hands-on experience lets kids meet funky-haired guinea pigs, chickens and quails, unusual beetles and bugs, bright tree-climbing frogs, prickly lizards, freaky fighting fish and of course, man’s best friend, a loving dog all while learning about each animal’s unique traits, habitats, and care needs. Tickets can be purchase here.
- Poppy Making Workshop. Tuesday 22 April. From 10.30am.
Riverside Theatres
Looking for a fun, engaging, and imaginative experience for your kids? This autumn, Riverside Theatres is the ultimate destination for an unforgettable theatre experience, presenting two amazing and hilarious shows that are sure to entertain the entire family!
- You’re an Instrument – Dive into a magical, musical adventure with this ‘workshop gone rogue’ performance. Join two scientists for a wild, interactive ride where the audience shapes the story, moves their bodies, and makes music together. Dates: 16 – 17 April. More show info at https://riversideparramatta.com.au/whats-on/youre-an-instrument/
- Mr Snotbottom – Get ready for giggles and gags as the Prince of Putrid, The Willy Wonka of Weird, Mr Snotbottom himself, takes the stage with snot-loads of gross-tastic gags and slimy songs! Perfect for kids (and families!) who love a bit of silliness. Dates: 22 – 24 April. More show info at https://riversideparramatta.com.au/whats-on/mr-snotbottom/
Special offer! Book 4 tickets or more and save from $30 with the group discount offer. Don’t miss out on this fantastic deal!. Book tickets now at https://riversideparramatta.com.au/education/school-holidays/
Fun at local shopping centres
- Castle Towers – Mystic Hollow – 7 April 27 April – more information to come.
- Seven Hills Plaza – Mini Challenger – Saturday 12 April to Saturday 19 April (excluding Good Friday). 11am to 2pm. Free Mini Challenger obstacle course and challenge your friends with our exciting ring toss, skill tester, rope balance and hoop games in Centre Court.
Swing City
Inflatable Holiday Fun at The Centre Dural
These school holidays, your kids can get out some energy jumping on a wide range of inflatable rides at The Centre in Dural while you can sit back and enjoy their cafe. 2 hour sessions are available between the hours of 9am to 4pm, no prior booking required. Tickets start at $9 for kids 4 and under, and $17 for kids 5 and over, but discounts are available for multiple kids or multi day bookings. See website for details.
Youth Week
Youth Week is held state-wide in April each year with activities organised by young people, for young people from 12 to 17 April. Local events and activities include:
- Strength in Style: Design Your Own Tote Bag Workshop. Unleash your creativity and design a custom tote bag in this interactive, hands-on workshop. Date: Saturday, 12 April (10am – 4pm, multiple sessions). Location: Powerhouse Museum, Castle Hill. Registration is required.
- Minecraft ‘Build Your Future’ Workshop. Join fellow gamers and build your future in this immersive and collaborative digital environment. Date: Sunday, 13 April (10am – 4pm, multiple sessions). Location: Powerhouse Museum, Castle Hill. Registration is required.
- Skate Workshop. Learn new tricks or sharpen your skills at this beginner-friendly skateboarding workshop. Date: Monday, 14 April (1pm – 4pm, multiple sessions). Location: Balcombe Heights Skatepark, Baulkham Hills. Registration is required.
- Terrarium Workshop. Get creative and build your own miniature garden in this guided workshop. Date: Tuesday, 15 April (10:30am – 12pm). Location: Henry Rooke Room, Vinegar Hill Memorial Community Centre. Registration is required.
- Youth Week Family Fun Day. Enjoy a day of free family-friendly activities, a jumping castle, community stalls, and more. Date: Wednesday, 16 April (10am – 1pm) Location: Balcombe Heights Estate, Turner Buildings Carpark. No registration required.
- A Minecraft Movie Screening. Kick back and enjoy a free screening of A Minecraft Movie with a complimentary choc top and popcorn. Date: Wednesday, 16 April (2pm – 4:30pm). Location: Event Cinemas, Castle Towers. Registration is required.
- The Hills Fall Festival. Join an afternoon of live entertainment, free food, and fun activities – all while raising awareness of youth homelessness. Date: Thursday, 17 April (1pm – 5pm). Location: Aub Juleff Arena, Castle Hill Showground. Registration is required.
More information can be found here.
School Holiday Activities at Hudson Hotel
Get ready for an action-packed Autumn School Holidays at Hudson Hotel! See schedule of activities below. All activities are FREE unless noted and they take place between 11am and/or 1pm unless specified. Book online now.
WEEK ONE: Monday 14th April: Kids Disco | Tuesday 15th April: Movie | Wednesday 16th April: Pizza making class from 11am $20 per child | Thursday 17th April: Easter Basket Decorating
WEEK TWO: Tuesday 22nd April: Kids Karaoke | Wednesday 23rd April: Pizza making class from 11am $20 per child | Thursday 24th April: Slime Making
Other ideas:
- Feature Creatures Reptile Show. Pennant Hills Library. Tuesday 15 April. 10.30am to 11.30am.
- JD’s World of Magic. Pennant Hills Library. Thursday 24 April. 2pm to 3pm.
- School Holidays at PHIVE Parramatta. Saturday 12 April to Tuesday 29 April. Join in Easter fun, tabletop games, mysteries, arts and craft, bingo and more!
- Free Hills Shire Council School Holiday activities.
- Autumn School Holiday Activities at Blacktown City Libraries.
ANZAC DAY
- ANZAC Day – Thursday 25 April. Find out more here.
MARKETS
- Castle Hill Farmers and Fine Food Market – Saturday 12 April and Saturday 26 April. 8am to 12pm. Castle Hill Showground.
- Dural Village Markets – Sunday 13 April. 9am to 2pm. Dural Country Club.
- DownTown Markets – Sunday 20 April. 9am to 3pm. Wollundry Park, Pennant Hills.
- The Hills UPMarket – Sunday 27 April. 9am to 2pm. Castle Hill Showground.
STORYTIME
- FREE storytime sessions for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers are held by libraries in the Hills throughout the week. Check out the Hills Shire Library website for more details. Note: These sessions don’t run during school holidays.
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