Blue Mountains News

Council will use funding from the NSW Government’s Open Streets Program 2025-2028, led by Transport for NSW, to revive two treasured local festivals.

These include Winter Magic in Katoomba, which has struggled to fund the increasing costs of road closures, and Glenbrook’s Spring Fair, not held since 2019.

The program will kick off with a Spring Solstice festival in September 2025 in Katoomba that will include a half street closure.

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said: “I’m delighted to be part of the Open Streets Program to help reinvigorate some of the key cultural events our region is famous for, and which are cherished by both locals and visitors.

“It’s a major priority for this Council to inject life into our local streets and research shows that closing streets for activities can bring real positive economic and wellbeing outcomes for communities.

“Temporarily closing streets to vehicles and opening them to foot traffic is proven to attract visitors to our regions and support our local business.

“This helps us to position the Blue Mountains as a desirable eco and cultural tourism destination which in turn enhances our eco destination accreditation status.

“These community events, which are free and open to everyone, attract people to existing businesses in our towns and to spend time on the street, while listening to music and community performers,” continued Cr Greenhill.

“I encourage local businesses to get involved in these events which can benefit the whole community.”

As part of the program, Council will partner with Winter Magic Inc, the Katoomba Chamber of Commerce and Belong Blue Mountains to deliver the Spring Solstice festival in September and there is a plan to return to the traditional Winter Magic street parade in 2026 and 2027.

The popular Glenbrook Spring Festival, which started in 1982 and has not been held since 2019 due to the pandemic and increased operational costs, will be held in October this year and for at least the following two years.

Member for Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle MP, said: “The State Government is committed to helping our Mountains villages flourish by contributing $350,000 to these street events that will capture some of the local character of Katoomba and Glenbrook.

“This means we will see the return of the beloved Winter Magic festival’s traditional street parade and see Glenbrook’s Spring Festival return after the COVID hiatus.

“I congratulate Blue Mountains City Council for their successful grant application to our state-wide Open Streets program, to restart these important festivals.

“Funding can be used to literally open the street to a festival – whether that is the cost associated with traffic control, the leasing of equipment, engaging artists and musicians and any other service or resource that contributes to delivering the event.

“I wish these events great success for the coming years.

“I also wish to thank everyone involved in making these festivals a success in previous years. For those looking to volunteer in the coming years, a huge thank you. Hopefully the return of these events will showcase the vibrancy and talent our World-Heritage region has to offer.”

The Open Streets Program 2025-28 is part of the NSW Government’s Vibrant Streets Package, an over $39 million commitment aimed at injecting vibrancy into our streets and creating thriving local spaces that support businesses, creative sectors, and the community.

For more information on the Open Streets program: here