The York Festival

20/06/2026

Wheatbelt Arts & Events is the volunteer-led organisation behind The York Festival, Ballardong First, Paper + Thread, the Regional Writers Weekend and a growing program of arts, culture and community events.

By becoming a member, you're helping us create opportunities for artists, bring visitors to our region, celebrate local stories and build a vibrant cultural future for our community.

As a member you'll:
✨ Support arts and culture in the Wheatbelt
✨ Receive member updates and invitations
✨ Be the first to hear about upcoming events
✨ Get early access to York Festival ticket releases and special member offers

Whether you're an artist, volunteer, local resident, business owner or simply someone who believes arts and culture matter, we'd love to have you on board.

Join today and help us keep creativity thriving in the Wheatbelt.

Memberships are now open:
https://www.yorkfestival.com.au/membership/

21/05/2026

A handful of places remain in selected paper + thread workshops with:

🌿 Susie Vickery – stitching inspired by the natural world
🎨 Helen Coleman – botanical colour, dyes, pigments & experimentation
💍 Sultana Shamshi – thoughtful jewellery workshops combining walking, making & adornment

Small groups. Deep learning. Beautiful materials. June in York.

Take a look + book

Paper + Thread, a curated series of small-group masterclasses led by respected Australian artists working across fibre, textiles and material-based practice.Designed for committed makers and creative practitioners, the program provides the time, depth and guidance needed to explore new techniques, r...

14/05/2026

Looking for a creative reset this winter?

Paper + Thread is now booking.

Join nationally recognised artists in York for immersive 2-day and 4-day textile and fibre masterclasses this June.

✔ Small group learning
✔ Premium artist-led workshops
✔ Bundle discounts available
✔ Easy weekend away from Perth

Workshops run from 9:00 to 16:00 daily and include morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.

COST
2 day workshops: 3-4 June 2026 $490pp (ex accomm)

4 day workshops: 5 to 8 June 2026 $720pp (ex accomm)

Any 2 & 4 day workshops: $1100pp (ex accomm)

View workshops + book now: https://www.yorkfestival.com.au/masterclasses/

14/05/2026

Creative retreats in York WA

05/05/2026

CATALPA: Flight to Freedom

Experience the incredible true story of courage, tenacity, and one of the most audacious prison escapes in Australian history.

Join us at York Town Hall (WA) on Saturday 6 June 2026 for two powerful performances:

🎭 2pm and 7pm

Presented by Theatre 180 & WA Museum, this gripping stage production brings history to life with intensity, heart, and unforgettable storytelling.

🎟 Tickets: https://www.yorkfestival.com.au/.../catalpa-flight-to.../
Don’t miss this extraordinary journey of survival and freedom.!

Courage...tenacity...daring and a shipload of adventure! The incredible true story of the most audacious prison break in Australia’s history.

06/04/2026

𝓜𝓮𝓮𝓽 𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓽𝓲𝓮𝓷 𝓿𝓪𝓷 𝓩𝓾𝓲𝓵𝓮𝓷

An internationally recognised felt artist, Martien brings a deeply material-led and sculptural approach to working with fibre.

As part of Paper + Thread, Martien will lead two immersive workshops exploring the expressive possibilities of felt — from structured vessel forms to organic, nature-inspired pieces.

In Tall Vessels: Sculptural Felt (2-day), you’ll create a distinctive hand-felted vessel, learning techniques to build structure, depth and texture through fibre blending, surface manipulation and mixed media.

In Felt Inspired by Nature (4-day), you’ll explore more experimental, organic forms — working with merino wool, layered fibres and even locally gathered natural materials to create sculptural, tactile works inspired by the landscape.

Across both workshops, Martien’s teaching invites curiosity, experimentation and a deeper understanding of how soft materials can be transformed into strong, expressive forms.

2-day + 4-day workshops available
Small groups | Hands-on learning

Early bird now open
Places are limited

https://www.yorkfestival.com.au/masterclasses/

31/03/2026

🎸 CALLING ALL MUSIC LOVERS + MAKERS

TWANG! Music Markets are coming to York this September — and we’re on the hunt for stallholders.

If you’ve got a standout stall selling instruments, vinyl, CDs, accessories, books, clothing or music-inspired goods, we want to hear from you.

📍 York Town Hall
📅 26–27 September 2026

Be part of a high-energy weekend celebrating guitar, music and culture as part of The York Festival.

👉 Submit your Expression of Interest now: https://forms.gle/xk2Fw31ngFXwhbvb9