What’s On in The Hills This Weekend | Family Events, Markets & Things to Do

By | Sep 15, 2026 | Latest, Play & explore

What’s On in the Hills This Weekend | Friday 18 September – Sunday 20 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

  • Echoes immersive light show
  • Orange Blossom Festival Bonsai Show
  • Orange Blossom Festival Street Parade
  • Pymble Ladies College Garden Party
  • Rouse Hill Fire Brigade Get Ready Community Event
  • Westleigh RFS Open Day
  • E-waste drop off event – Hills Shire Council
  • DownTown Markets
  • Elvis: An American Trilogy
  • Brown Sugar Live at Bella Vista Hotel
  • New playgrounds to explore
  • Pick your own fruit
  • Ongoing attractions

 

Orange Blossom Festival

Echoes immersive light show at Bella Vista Farm

Experience Echoes, an immersive light show that transforms Bella Vista Farm into a magical evening of colour, light and sound. Wander through the historic farm and enjoy a unique night out with family or friends. Friday 18 September to Sunday 11 October, with sessions from 6pm. Shows run Wednesday to Sunday, with additional Monday and Tuesday sessions during the NSW school holidays. Find out more here.

Orange Blossom Festival Bonsai Show. Friday 18 September and Saturday 19 September – 10am to 4pm – and Sunday 20 September – 10am to 3pm. Castle Hill Showground.

Discover the art of bonsai at the Orange Blossom Festival Bonsai Show. Admire beautiful miniature trees, chat with experienced growers and learn more about this fascinating Japanese art form. It’s a lovely event for gardening enthusiasts and anyone looking for something a little different. Friday 18 and Saturday 19 September, 10am–4pm, and Sunday 20 September, 10am–3pm. Find out more here.

Orange Blossom Festival Street Parade. Saturday 19 September. Rouse Hill Town Centre. 11am to 4pm.

Get ready for a colourful day of community celebrations at the Orange Blossom Festival Street Parade! Enjoy an exciting line-up of floats, performers, music and entertainment as the parade brings the Hills community together. It’s a fantastic family-friendly event and a great way to celebrate the annual Orange Blossom Festival. Saturday 19 September, 11am–4pm at Rouse Hill Town Centre. Find out more here. 

Family Fun

Pymble Ladies College Garden Party. Saturday 19 September. 10am to 3pm.

Enjoy a lovely day out at the Pymble Ladies’ College Garden Party, with beautiful gardens, stalls, food and plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy. It’s a great opportunity to explore the school grounds and spend a relaxed Saturday with the community. Find out more here.

Rouse Hill Fire Brigade Get Ready Community Event. Saturday 19 September. 10am to 2pm.

Get ready for the upcoming bushfire season at the Rouse Hill Fire Brigade Get Ready Community Event. Families can explore the bushfire truck, enjoy water-spraying activities and fire truck hose races, watch a live kitchen fire demonstration and learn important home fire safety tips, including information about lithium-ion battery fires, fire blankets and extinguishers. There’ll also be a recovery truck, inflatable fire house, free face painting, colouring-in with prizes, a raffle, a free community BBQ and plenty of hands-on activities for all ages. 402 Withers Road, Rouse Hill. Check out their Facebook page for more info.

Westleigh RFS Open Day. Saturday 19 September. 10am to 3pm.

Head along to the Westleigh RFS Open Day for a fun and informative day with the local Rural Fire Service. Families can meet firefighters, explore the fire trucks and learn more about bushfire safety, emergency preparedness and the important work of the RFS. Check out their Facebook page for more info.

Community

E-waste drop off event – Hills Shire Council. Saturday 19 September. 9am – 3:30pm. Castle Hill Showground.

Do you have textiles, polystyrene, and cardboard piling up at home? Drop-off your items at The Hills Shire Council’s E-Waste PLUS Drop-Off Event for recycling for free and help keep valuable resources out of landfill.

You can drop off electronic waste, soft and hard plastics, textiles, polystyrene, cardboard. This event is available to Hills residents only. For more information, click here.

Markets

DownTown Markets. Sunday 20 September. 9am to 3pm. Wollundry Park, Pennant Hills.

Spend your Sunday morning exploring the DownTown Markets, where you’ll find a fantastic mix of boutique stalls, handmade goods, artisan products, gourmet food and unique gifts. With live music, delicious food options and a relaxed community atmosphere, it’s a great spot to browse, shop and enjoy a day out with the family.  There is also a great playground to explore.

 

Adults only

Elvis: An American Trilogy. Castle Hill RSL. Saturday 19 September. From 8pm.

Enjoy a night of timeless music at Elvis: An American Trilogy at Castle Hill RSL. This exciting tribute celebrates the different eras of Elvis Presley, bringing his biggest hits and iconic performances to the stage. Find out more here.

Brown Sugar Live at Bella Vista Hotel. Saturday 19 September. From 9pm

Get ready for a night of old-school R&B as Brown Sugar takes over the Main Room at Bella Vista Hotel. Expect all the classic throwback hits you know and love, performed live and guaranteed to get you singing along and onto the dance floor. 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.