Things to do this July: The Hills Sydney

If you are looking for what’s on in the Hills this July here is a comprehensive list:

KEY DATES

• Public school holidays start Saturday 6 July. School goes back on Monday 22 July but most public schools have a staff development day on the first day back, with kids returning to school on Tuesday 23 July.

WHAT’S ON IN THE HILLS

• Marilyn Monroe Pop Art Drawing Workshop. Castle Hill RSL. Thursday 4 July. From 7.15pm
• Outdoor Cinema – The Lorax.  Arthur Whitling Park, Castle Hill. Thursday 4 July. From 5pm.
• Bella Vista Farm Open Day. Sunday 7 July. 9am to 2pm.
• Rouse Hill Estate open to the public. Every Sunday. 10am to 4pm.
• The Farm at Lynwood Country Club. Every Sunday 11am – 2pm. Bring the kids along to see rabbits, birds and sheep! They’ll be entertained by the animal feedings and learn about life on the farm.
• NAIDOC Week: Have a Yarn on the Farm. Bella Vista Farm. Thursday 11 July. 11am to 2pm.
• Burramatta NAIDOC. Parramatta Park. Saturday 13 July. 10am to 4pm.
• Family Day: Alchemy. Castle Hill Powerhouse. Saturday 13 July. 10am to 4pm.
• Galston Valley Railway Open Day. Sunday 14 July. 9.30am – 3pm.
• NAIDOC Week at Rouse Hill Estate. Sunday 14 July. 10am to 2pm.
• Hills High End pre-loved Clothing Market. Sunday 14 July. 9am to 1pm.
• Reality TV Trivia Night at Castle Hill RSL. Thursday 25 July from 7.15pm.
• National Tree Day. Sunday 28 July.

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.

School Holidays at Castle Hill RSL

• Winter Dream Catcher Kids Workshop – Tuesday 9 July. 10.30am to 12pm. Get ready for some creative and colourful crafting this Winter when you make your very own Dream Catcher. You can choose to wrap it with colourful wool, tape or keep it natural. Decorate your Dream Catcher with a choice of crafting decorations including a pretty pleated pinwheel, a hand-crafted pom-pom, a string of beads or hand stitch a felt heart. Various options are available based on age, skill level and interest. Suitable for 6+. Find out more here.
• Cardboard Constructors Kids Workshop – Tuesday 16 July.10.30am to 12pm. Find out more here.
• Ultimate Magic Show with Jonas Jost – Wednesday 17 July. 11am. A super popular action packed family show, featuring hilarious comedy and mind-blowing magic for kids and adults alike. This show is highly interactive, getting the kids involved in all the action onstage and isn’t just funny for the kids but the parents will have a good laugh too! Find out more here.

Fun at local shopping centres

The following centres are running school holiday activities:

• Castle Towers – the Champions Arena. Make your way through the arena to complete 5 interactive sporting activities. 8 – 21 July, 10am – 2pm. More info here.
• Carlingford Court – Build a bear – Join them these school holidays and bring a new friendship to life in your very own bear-making experience for just $5! From the Monday 15 July to Thursday 18 July at Carlingford Court. Bookings are essential so secure your spot now.
• Seven Hills Plaza – Build a bear – Monday 8 to Friday 12 July.   For $11 receive a pre-stuffed furry friend birth certificate, colouring-in sheets and games/activities. All sessions run for approximately 1 hour. PLUS Meet Mr. Teddy on Tuesday 9 July from 11 am – 2 pm Book here now >>> https://bit.ly/SevenHillsBABW24.
• HomeCo Kids Club – free school holiday fun! Join the Paint Party and get creative these school holidays with painting workshops and face painting. Friday 12 July to Monday 15 July. Bookings required for one hour sessions: 10am to 11.30am (5 – 8yrs) and 1pm (9-12yrs).  To book visit trybooking.com/CTBOU
• Rouse Hill Shopping Centre – Soccer Studio (Monday 8 – Friday 19 July, excludes weekends) and NAIDOC activities (Monday 8 July, Tuesday 9 July and Thursday 11 July). Find out more here.

Burramatta NAIDOC. Saturday 13 July, 10am – 4pm The Crescent, Parramatta Park.

NAIDOC Week at Rouse Hill Estate. Sunday 14 July. 10am to 2pm.

On Sunday 14 July, Museums of History NSW is partnering with Muru Mittigar to bring you a FREE day of fun activities for the whole family. Experience a Welcome to Country by Uncle Colin Locke and Smoking Ceremony by Uncle Wes Marne, followed by dance performances by the Khuna Family Dance Group, before joining elders Uncle Wes and Uncle Colin in the yarning circle and discover more than a century of knowledge, culture and strength.

Throughout the day you can also enjoy didgeridoo performances and storytelling or learn weaving techniques with Ngiyampaa and Guringai multidisciplinary artist Tarni Eastwood, owner of Nula Weaving, based on Dharug land. See how Brad Burrows creates traditional tools, and drop in to Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural and Education Centre to learn how to throw a boomerang, make art, or check out Aboriginal art and artefacts while listening to some great yarns.

Rotary and the Country Women’s Association will be on hand to provide light refreshments and food.

Check out the full program and book your FREE tickets online here. 356 Annangrove Road, Rouse Hill.

Performances at Riverside Theatre

Children are Stinky – Thursday 11 July to Saturday 13 July. Winners of the coveted Children’s Choice Award and a sell-out Edinburgh Fringe sensation, this award-winning kid’s comedy can’t wait to perform in Parramatta! High calibre circus, a rocking soundtrack, and genuine belly laughs propelled the Australian debut of Children are Stinky to Sell-Out seasons across the world. This is a show to be seen. Suitable for ages 3-12. Innovative stagecraft combined with mischievous fun have wowed reviewers and audiences alike with their focus on high skilled acrobatics and entertaining circus mix with a fun accessible narrative. Buy tickets here.

The Bugalugs Bum Thief – Wednesday 17 July to Sunday 21 July. Based on the book by Tim Winton. Skeeta Anderson and the whole town of Bugalugs wake up one morning to find that their bums are gone. They can’t sit, they can’t keep their pants up, and they can barely stand! There’s just a big hollow where a bum should be. And not only Skeeta’s bum, but the bum of every person in the town of Bugalugs. All 496 of them! Skeeta Anderson, Mick Misery and Billy Marbles begin their adventure to catch the thief and get their bums back! Who is the Bugalugs bum thief? Buy tickets here.

Winter School Holidays at Hudson Hotel

School holiday fun at PHIVE at Parramatta

High energy parkour and breakdance combine with the Dauntless Movement Crew, and Junkyard Beats brings electrifying rhythm to the awe-inspiring shows at PHIVE these school holidays. $10 per person, Adults at children’s prices, Babies free. Plus there’s magic, yoga, crafts and other discovery workshops (all free!) on offer at PHIVE. Take a look and book here.

Powerhouse Castle Hill 

• Lyric Writing with Akala Newman. Sunday 14 July. Book here.
• Colours of Country with Virginia Keft. Sunday 7 July. Book here.
• Family Minecraft Escape Room – Sunday 7, Sunday 14 and Saturday 20 July. Book here.
• Family Micro: Bit cardboard robots – Saturday 6 July and Sunday 21 July. Book here.

Visit Inflatable World in 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.

Other ideas

• School holiday activities at PHIVE Parramatta. Find out more here.
• Aboriginal Cultural Sessions with Muru Mittigar. Wednesday 10 July. Castle Hill Library. K-2 – 10am to 11am. Yrs 3-6 – 11.30am to 12.30pm. Bookings essential.
• Aboriginal Art Workshop Muru Mittigar. Wednesday 10 July. Castle Hill Library. 2pm to 3pm. Bookings essential.

MARKETS

• Sydney Boutique Markets – Saturday 7 July. 10am to 4pm. Rouse Hill Town Centre.
• Castle Hill Farmers and Fine Food Market – Saturday 13 July and Saturday 27 July. 8am to 12pm. Castle Hill Showground.
• Dural Village Markets. Sunday 14 July. 9am to 2pm. Dural Country Club.
• The Hills UPMarket. Sunday 28 July. 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. For the full calendar see here. Note: these sessions aren’t run during school holidays.

Other articles that might interest you:

• Winter School Holiday Guide
• Term 3 Activities and Classes Guides
• Kid friendly bush walks in the Hills
• The Hills Sydney: Best playgrounds for Under 5s
• Pubs, Clubs or Restaurants with a Playground in the Hills
• Parks in the Hills with bike and scooter paths