A vibrant and buzzing city in the NSW Riverina region, Griffith is known as the ‘food bowl’ of Australia, and it’s bursting at the seams with unique festivals and community events, all year round.
During these wonderful celebrations, the city’s abundance of fresh produce, world-class wineries, friendly people and cultural heritage is on show for all to experience.
You’ll find plenty of eclectic cellar doors to visit, creative providores dishing up delicious local produce, and a plethora of world-class restaurants and charming cafes. Or you can window shop with a gelato, or relax with a glass of local pinot grigio in a local bar and watch the world go by.
Griffith Shaheedi Tournament (Sikh Games)
6-7 June, long weekend
Every June long weekend, the Sikh community hold a two-day event at Ted Scobie Oval against the backdrop of Scenic Hill in Griffith.
For nearly 30 years, the Griffith Shaheedi Tournament has been a popular cultural event which attracts thousands of people to Griffith from around Australia and overseas to compete in and watch the games. This includes sports such as soccer, volleyball and the main attraction, the traditional sport of Kabbadi – a physically demanding contest best described as a mix of wrestling and rugby.
The festival honours the sacrifices of Sikh martyrs, who gave their lives for freedom. There are ancient Sikh martial art demonstrations and competitions all weekend long, as well as traditional wrestling matches.
Visitors will find traditional Indian cuisine and hospitality to enjoy throughout the day, and the event is a celebration of culture, sport and food. In 2022, event organisers trucked in two tonnes of onions, three tonnes of flour and 700 litres of milk to help feed 25,000 people over the two-day event. The food is provided free of charge, with over 100 volunteers helping to serve the community.
In the evenings, sports are replaced with music, Bhangra and celebrations, including a musical chairs competition exclusively for women.
Australian Art Deco Festival
10-12 July
Drive just 45 minutes from Griffith to the neighbouring town of Leeton, and you can immerse yourself in the golden age of the art deco era at Australia’s largest art deco festival.
The extensive program of exhibitions, markets, music and workshops will transport you back to this iconic period, with plenty of chances to dress up in 1920s-40s fashion. While the 2026 program is yet to be announced, visitors can expect similar events to standout 2025 hits, including the soapbox derby where entrants design their own cart and dress up Deco-style to race down the hill.
Other 2025 standouts include High Rollers at the Hydro, a night of casino games, canapes and music that transported visitors back to the era of flappers and speakeasies, as well as an hour-long cocktail making class at the Hydro Hotel, featuring period drinks such as the 1920s Bee’s Knees and the 30s Daiquiri.
The festival will centre around Chelmsford Place, where a hub of free activities, including live music, market stalls and a vintage car display, will entertain guests of all ages.
A Taste of Italy
24-30 August
Experience Griffith’s rich Italian heritage up close with this seven-day celebration of all things Italian. The exciting program features wine tastings, music, salami judging and car shows, all designed to offer visitors a glimpse of Griffith’s vibrant culture.
Italian immigrants settled in the region after the first and second World Wars, and started making wines like they enjoyed back at home. Demand for these wines saw small family projects evolve into thriving businesses, some of which are now the largest family-owned wine companies in Australia. As a result, Griffith now has the highest percentage of Italian ancestry of any local government area in Australia.
All week, you can enjoy tastings at some of these iconic wineries and cellar doors, including De Bortoli Wines, Calabria Family Wines, Yarran Wines and Berton Vineyards. De Bortoli will even be hosting La Tavola Lunga (the long table), as a homage to Vittorio De Bortoli, who fed his family and staff together in the early days of the winery. Sit down with friends and strangers alike, meet the winemakers, and enjoy an authentic Italian meal.
The entire 2026 program is yet to be announced, but you can expect a jam-packed week. Standouts from the 2025 festival include Musica dal Vivio, a three course meal at Piccolo Family Farm soundtracked by live Italian music, as well as the Berton Vineyard Macchina Car & Bike Show, which showcases Italian cars and motorbikes in a relaxed setting, with fine wines available for tasting.
Griffith Spring Fest
11-24 October
Ring in spring with this splendid two-week long community festival celebrating orange harvest, a love of gardening, the outdoors and Griffith’s cultural richness. Griffith Spring Fest is packed with a range of exciting events including the much-loved Citrus Sculptures, the stunning Griffith Garden Festival, Garden Bus Tours and the Launch Party.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope, it’s the Griffith Spring Fest Citrus Sculptures! More than 50 sensational sculptures made with over 100,000 oranges and grapefruit will line the main street of town – all put together by an army of more than 700 volunteers at sunrise. Based on the famous lemon sculptures in Menton, France, these larger-than-life sculptures were first installed in 1995 and draw thousands of visitors to Griffith every year.
Visit Griffith’s best open gardens to celebrate 34 years of the Garden Festival, where garden owners warmly welcome visitors to enjoy their perfectly manicured space. Some are set amongst the citrus orchards or the vineyards, with others located close to town. Standouts include Emeri De Bortoli’s garden, featuring a specimen rose garden, dry riverbeds, a cherry and wisteria walk, sculptures and more. When visiting, you will discover 12 local artist stalls, hands on art activities, and demonstrations from local makers.
Then, head to Marj and Mick Careri’s botanical garden, filled with hundreds of roses in all manner of colours, shapes and sizes. Surrounded by orange trees and a rolling vineyard, the garden has many unique rooms to explore, as well as a jetty over the calm pond. There’s even market stalls, live music and food waiting for your arrival.
Join a garden bus tour and let a dedicated driver take you to three open gardens and a light lunch, departing conveniently from the Griffith Tourism Hub. It’s the best way to soak in the most of the festival.
Of course, the Spring Fest isn’t complete without the annual street party. Wander amongst the citrus sculptures while you discover children’s activities, live entertainment, food vendors and music. It’s a free event that keeps going well into the evening, and a great way to embrace the community spirit of Griffith.
For more awesome things to do in the Riverina region, check out the gourmet offerings of Griffith.
Rex flies to Griffith! Their route map offers the best routes for every traveler, and you can head to the Rex website for more details.
