Horizontal Festival Brings Family Fun to Bowral This October Long Weekend

Deb Carr
40 minutes ago
2 min read

Aerial view of vineyard rows at sunset, with golden sun rays over rolling hills, trees, and a small pond at Horizons Festival

Looking for something a little different to do with the family over the October long weekend? Horizontal Festival returns to Centennial Vineyards in Bowral from 2–4 October 2026, with a dedicated Family Day on Sunday 4 October bringing art, circus, animals and live music to the vines.

The three-day Southern Highlands festival celebrates regional New South Wales through food, wine, music and culture, but Sunday afternoon has been designed with younger festivalgoers firmly in mind.

Art, Circus and Working Dogs

Running from 12pm until 4pm, Family Day will feature 50 art classes led by Melanie Norman, giving children plenty of opportunities to get creative.

There will also be a chance to get up close to the Highlands fire truck and meet Farmer Gavin and his working dogs, while the Soul Street Brigade will provide a roving live soundtrack throughout the afternoon.

Chaos Meets Circus will host special interactive circus workshops for children, while Weird Assembly takes to the Main Stage with a live show suitable for all ages.

Food trucks and the outdoor vineyard setting should make it an easygoing afternoon for parents as well as children.

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Something for the Grown-Ups Too

Parents can still experience plenty of the wider Horizontal Festival while visiting Family Day.

More than 80 wineries, distilleries, breweries and artisan producers will be showcasing produce from regional New South Wales throughout the festival, alongside gourmet food experiences, workshops and live music.

Outdoor table with three wine glasses and a cheese, fruit, nuts, and flatbread platter in a garden, relaxed al fresco setting. — Centennial Vineyards

The program also includes conversations on the Maldon Salt Culinary Stage, bringing chefs, producers and other guests together across the weekend.

Horizontal Festival Family Day – Event Details

When: Sunday 4 October 2026Time: 12pm–4pm

Where: Centennial Vineyards, Bowral, Southern Highlands

Children aged 3–14: $25

Children aged two and under: Free

Family Day forms part of Horizontal Festival, which runs at Centennial Vineyards from 2–4 October 2026.

Tickets and further information are available from the official Horizontal Festival website.

You might also like to attend: The Big Design Market