What’s On in the Hills This Weekend | Friday 11 September – Sunday 13 September

Looking for things to do in the Hills District this weekend? We’ve rounded up the best family-friendly events, festivals, playgrounds and activities happening across the Hills District including Castle Hill, Rouse Hill, Kellyville, Dural, Norwest, Box Hill and surrounding suburbs. Updated every week.

This weekend at a glance

  • Come and Try BMX Day
  • Kenthurst Fair
  • Emergency Expo with NSW SES
  • Warrah Spring Picnic
  • West Pennant Hills Public School Family Fun Day
  • Galston Valley Railway Open Day
  • Castle Hill Farmers and Fine Food Market
  • Sydney Boutique Markets
  • Dural Village Markets
  • Bingo Loco at Bella Vista Hotel
  • Emotions Old School RNB Party
  • New playgrounds to explore
  • Pick your own fruit
  • Ongoing attractions

 

Orange Blossom Festival

Come and Try BMX Day. Saturday 12 September. 1pm to 3pm.

Give BMX racing a go at this fun Come and Try day at Castle Hill BMX Track. It’s a great opportunity for kids and adults to get on a bike, have a go at BMX racing and experience the track in a safe and friendly environment. Saturday 12 September, 1pm–3pm at Fred Caterson Reserve, Castle Hill. Read more here.

Kenthurst Fair. Orange Blossom Festival. Sunday 13 September. 10am to 3pm.

The Kenthurst Fair is a classic Hills community day with plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Enjoy a colourful street parade, stage performances, amusement rides and food stalls, all set in the heart of Kenthurst. Sunday 13 September, 10am–3pm at John Benyon Rotary Park. Read more here.

Emergency Expo with NSW SES. Sunday 13 September. Castle Hill Showground. 10am to 4pm.

Get up close to the people and equipment that keep our community safe at the Sydney 000 Expo. Emergency services will have interactive displays and demonstrations, giving families a chance to learn more about the work of NSW SES and other emergency services. There’ll be plenty to see and do for curious kids. Sunday 13 September, 10am–4pm at Castle Hill Showground. Read more here.

Family Fun

Warrah Spring Picnic. Saturday 12 September. 10am to 2pm.

The Warrah Spring Fair is a lovely family day out at Warrah’s beautiful bush campus in Dural. There’ll be market stalls, food and drink, live entertainment, face painting, woodworking, flower crown making and plenty of activities for the kids. You can also browse local artisan products and organic produce while enjoying the relaxed spring atmosphere. Saturday 12 September, 10am–2pm at 20 Harris Road, Dural. Read more here.

West Pennant Hills Public School Family Fun Day. Sunday 13 September. 10am to 3pm.

Head along to the West Pennant Hills Public School Family Fun Fair for a classic school fete packed with family fun. There’ll be rides, food trucks, an animal farm, live entertainment, a chocolate wheel, cake and lolly stalls, plus a monster raffle and silent auction. Everyone is welcome, so it’s a great Sunday outing for local families. Sunday 13 September, 10am–3pm at West Pennant Hills Public School, Church Street.

Galston Valley Railway Open Day. Sunday 13 September. 9.30am – 3pm.

Climb aboard and enjoy a ride on the Galston Valley Railway at their monthly Open Day! This much-loved family attraction features miniature trains winding through beautiful bushland, giving visitors a fun and unique railway experience. It’s a great day out for train enthusiasts, young families and anyone looking for something a little different, with friendly volunteers on hand to share their passion for railways. Read more here.

Markets

Castle Hill Farmers and Fine Food Market. Saturday 12 September. 8am to 12pm. Castle Hill Showground.

Start your Saturday morning at the Castle Hill Farmers & Fine Food Market, where you’ll find a delicious selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, artisan breads, gourmet treats, locally made products and specialty foods. It’s the perfect place to stock up on fresh produce, support local growers and enjoy a relaxed morning browsing the stalls.

Sydney Boutique Markets. Sunday 13 September. 10am to 4pm. Rouse Hill Town Centre.

Sydney Boutique Markets are held at Rouse Hill Town Centre on the first Sunday of every month from 10am to 4pm – for this month it’s the second Sunday of the month! Browse a fantastic range of stalls featuring handmade gifts, fashion, jewellery, homewares, artwork, gourmet food and more, while supporting talented local makers and small businesses.

Dural Village Markets. Sunday 13 September 9am to 2pm. Dural Country Club.

Discover unique finds at the Dural Village Markets, where you’ll find a wonderful mix of handmade gifts, artisan products, fashion, homewares, gourmet food and fresh local produce. With a friendly community atmosphere and plenty to browse, it’s a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning in Dural.

 

Adults only

Bingo Loco at Bella Vista Hotel. Saturday 12 September. From 4pm.

Forget everything you know about traditional bingo! Bingo Loco brings a wild night of bingo, DJs, dance-offs, confetti, crazy prizes and plenty of hilarious entertainment to Bella Vista Hotel. It’s more like a party than a game of bingo, so grab your friends and get ready for a big night out. Saturday 12 September from 4pm. Tickets are $51 per person. Find out more here.

Emotions Old School RNB Party.  Bella Vista Hotel. Saturday 12 September. From 7pm.

Get ready for another night of old-school R&B at Bella Vista Hotel, with DJs spinning all those throwback anthems you know and love. Expect plenty of 90s and 2000s R&B, a packed dancefloor and late-night party vibes. Saturday 12 September from 7pm. Free entry. Find out more here.

Play and explore

Visit a new playground.

Edward Bennett Park Playground in Cherrybrook recently opened after a major upgrade.  Read more.

A couple of awesome playgrounds have opened recently. Find out more:

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 Spring. 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.

Ongoing attractions

Powerhouse Castle Hill.  Open every Saturday and Sunday. 10am – 4pm.

Home to hundreds of thousands of fascinating objects from the Powerhouse collection, Powerhouse Castle Hill where you can get up close to everything from vintage cars and trains to space technology, fashion and Australian history. With free weekend entry, guided tours and family-friendly activities, it’s a great place to explore, discover something new and see what’s usually hidden behind the scenes. Find out more here.

Rouse Hill Estate open to the public. Every Sunday. 10am to 4pm.

Rouse Hill Estate is one of the Hills District’s hidden gems, offering a relaxed day out where you can step back in time and explore one of Australia’s best-preserved colonial estates. Wander through the historic homestead, beautiful gardens, stables and outbuildings, and discover what life was like for the families who lived here over the past 200 years. Best of all, general entry is free. The museum is open every Sunday from 10am to 4pm, making it a great weekend activity for families, history lovers and anyone looking to explore something a little different. Find out more here.

Looking for more ideas? Check out our guide to:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to do in the Hills this weekend?

Each weekend we update this page with local markets, festivals, family events, kids activities and free things to do throughout Sydney’s Hills District.

Are there free events this weekend?

Yes. We include free community events whenever possible.

What markets are on this weekend in the Hills?

Local markets are included each week, when they are running.

Hosting an event in the Hills? Listing your event in our community calendar is completely free – list your event here. Looking to reach even more local families? Contact us here to find out about our advertising and promotional options.