Everything to look forward to at Ngununggula's Midwinter Festival

Nationally acclaimed artists, musicians and producers across the Highlands are coming together this week to mark the winter solstice.

The Midwinter Festival is making a comeback after its successes in 2022, and will take place at Ngununggula from June 23 to 25.

"From thought-provoking art installations to wonderful live music, this is an opportunity to showcase the best of the Southern Highlands, and to celebrate our extremely talented local artists and musicians," said Ngununggula director Megan Monte.

Check out what you can look forward to at the festival, which kicks off at 4pm.

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Ngununggula and Fremantle Biennale will showcase the drone show First Lights - Buungbaa-ma-ndhu on June 23. The show reflects brings life to the mugaru (cold winter) with a synchronous installation of language and light, reflecting the artwork's title meaning rise (as the sun). It will begin at 6.15pm.

Award-winning Gundungurra-raised Gunai writer and artist Kirli Saunders OAM, is behind the show. The bi-lingual digital work honours and celebrates the ancestral stories of the late Aunty Velma Mulcahy, a traditional owner of Gundungurra Country, and encourages audiences to create a future together.

A large-scale sculpture installation will be resurrected and set alight once again on June 24. The work is by artist Ben Quilty, Michael Whyte and Jesse Saunders. Bagpipes from Oxley College will be playing as winter sins are purged and audiences are invited to rejoice in the sacrifice. It starts at 6.15pm and the festival's night time session begins at 5pm.

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Artist Lily Cummins will host an art-making and performance workshop for kids above the age of eight as part of the Burning Man celebrations. Children will be encouraged to create costumes. It is free and registrations can be made through Eventbrite. The workshops will take place at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on June 24.

Attendees can be entertained by Piccolo the Unicorn, who is known for painting and making people smile with Fairy Erin. Watch them from 10am on June 25. Yvette Tzillas will also be doing face painting and hold a mindful colouring workshop at this time.

Rosa Fedele will hold an interactive mural painting workshop and Moss Vale Public School's choir will perform. Both will kick off at 1pm on June 25. A crown making workshop will also start at 1pm for all ages.

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June 23

Emerging musicians from the region will perform throughout the festival. DJ Sheba Williams will headline the night line-up on June 23 at 8.15pm, and DJ Hamish Diver will perform at 6.45pm.

June 24

June 25

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Find the popular food trucks Lily Piggy, Delilah's, OMG Donuts, Billy Chan Dumplings and Momo's on Wheels throughout the festival. You will also find foods and drinks from restaurants, wineries and producers in the Highlands such as the Berrima Vault House, Birch Restaurant, Dawning Day Farm, and more.

People can also walk around the gallery and see all of the sculptures, installations and paintings in this exhibition. Cybele Cox, Michelle Ussher, Georgia Spain and Karen Black come together to start conversations about femininity and the female form.

Passes per day are $11.90 for adults and free for children. Parking is limited and passes are $11.90. Children must still register for the event when securing a free ticket. They can be bought through Eventbrite.

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