Wollongong’s streets came alive on Saturday as Culture Mix 2025 transformed the CBD into a vibrant celebration of art, music, dance, and food from around the world.
Held in Wollongong and supported by NSW Government funding, the free festival attracted crowds of families, students and performers to areas across the Arts Precinct, Crown Street Mall, Lower Crown Street, Wollongong Library and Wollongong Art Gallery.
The day began with a Welcome Ceremony, featuring Aunty Sharralyn Robinson’s Welcome to Country, a cultural dance by Kugang Djarmbi, and a smoking ceremony led by Uncle Peter Button. For many attendees, this opening set a tone of respect, connection and inclusivity.
Participant Stella Camargo, who has Brazilian and British heritage, said the festival gave her a sense of belonging.
“The Fiesta Latina was amazing… the music and dance reminded me so much of my Brazilian heritage… But I also loved the Pasifika Showcase… it was so different from my own culture, but the energy was incredible.”
Performers also showed the deeper meaning behind their participation. Leilani Tonoa, a Pasifika dancer born in Wollongong, described performing as an act of cultural storytelling.
“After we performed, a little girl in the crowd came up to me with her mum and said she wanted to dance like me one day. That hit me,” Tonoa added.
Away from the stage, Culture Mix offered over 16 cuisines, a Henna Station, Aboriginal Weaving workshops, a “make your own instrument” activity, and interactive craft sessions for children and adults.
Camargo said, “Learning about other traditions in such an interactive way… made the day feel less like just ‘watching performances’ and more like joining in”.
The festival reflects Wollongong’s diverse identity. Around one in three residents were born overseas (31.2%), and 28.5% speak a language other than English at home (ABS, 2021). Wollongong is also a regional hub for refugees, and 36.2% of residents have both parents born overseas.
Tonoa believes government support is crucial to keeping the festival inclusive and accessible.
“Without the NSW Government funding, events like this wouldn’t be possible at this scale. Free entry is huge… families who might not afford tickets can still come and feel part of something bigger. This inclusivity is everything,” she said.
With its mix of storytelling, food, workshops, and dance, Culture Mix 2025 not only entertained Wollongong’s diverse community but also strengthened connections and celebrated the voices of all cultures.
