National Cherry Festival - Young

01/09/2026

🌸 First come the blossoms, then come the cherries! 🍒

Get a little taste of what's to come at the Ballinaclash Wines & Fruit Cherry Blossom Festival. Wander among rows of white blossoms, tuck into cherry pies and sample cherry wines. It’s a sweet way to spend a spring day with the family before cherry season begins. 🍒

21/08/2026

🍒 Multicultural Cherry Fiesta – STALLHOLDER APPLICATIONS OPEN 🍒

Calling all food vendors, makers and multicultural stallholders! Applications are now open to be part of the award-winning Multicultural Cherry Fiesta, held on Friday night of the 2026 SWSbank National Cherry Festival. It's a unique opportunity to showcase your food, products or cultural traditions right in Young's CBD as we kick off the festival weekend!

🌏 Cultural information stalls can participate for FREE! Young's rich history spans from the Wiradjuri people and early European settlement to the Chinese during the gold rush, the first commercial cherry orchard by a Croatian and the many cultures that make up our community today. Have a story, tradition or cultural connection to share? We'd love to learn more and celebrate with you at the Fiesta!

Apply online today and secure your spot by Sunday 27 September
👉 www.nationalcherryfestival.com.au/get-involved

📅 Application is for Friday 4 December 2026
📍 Boorowa St, Young, Hilltops Region NSW

08/08/2026

🍒🏆 The Multicultural Cherry Fiesta has done it again taking home another major award! 🎉

And if you’ve never experienced it, this is your sign to come and see what all the fuss is about. 🌏🍒

Expect incredible food, music, culture, colour, entertainment and plenty of cherry-filled fun, all wrapped up in one BIG celebration of our wonderfully multicultural community.

✨ Come for the cherries. Stay for the fiesta!

👉 Check out our website at www.nationalcherryfestival.com.au and start planning your visit to the SWSbank National Cherry Festival!

There are so many people to thank for making this festival possible, with a special thank you to Young and District Multicultural Association Inc. for their invaluable contribution to the success of the night.

🏆 Double award success for the Multicultural Cherry Fiesta! 🍒

We're proud to announce that the National Cherry Festival's Multicultural Cherry Fiesta has been awarded the 2026 RH Dougherty Events and Communications Award in the Innovation in Special Events category at the Local Government Week Awards Dinner in Sydney last night.

Adding to this fantastic achievement, the Multicultural Cherry Fiesta was also recognised at the 2026 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards, winning the Festivals and Community Events (Population Under 50,000) category.

These prestigious awards recognise excellence, innovation and community engagement, and are a wonderful reflection of the hard work, creativity and collaboration that goes into delivering the National Cherry Festival each year.

A huge congratulations and thank you to our Events Team, volunteers, community groups, sponsors and performers whose dedication and passion have helped showcase the Hilltops region on the state stage.

Pictured is Gerard Dunn, Acting Director Corporate & Community, and Dave Munnerley, Tourism & Events Coordinator, who proudly accepted the RH Dougherty Award on behalf of Council 🍒🎉

20/07/2026

🍒 The 'Cherry on Top' of the National Cherry Festival? SWSbank! We're proud to have your support as our naming partner as we prepare for another fantastic celebration in the Cherry Capital of Australia.

The Cherry on Top: National Cherry Festival - Young Secures SWSbank Naming Rights Sponsorship to 2028 🍒

Hilltops Council is delighted to announce that SWSbank has renewed its naming rights partnership with the National Cherry Festival, committing to the beloved regional event through 2026, 2027, and 2028.

The renewal cements one of the Hilltops region's most valued community partnerships and ensures that the SWSbank National Cherry Festival continues to be delivered at the standard that visitors and locals have come to love.

A Festival Built on Heritage 🍒

First held in 1949, the National Cherry Festival has grown from a local celebration of the Hilltops cherry harvest into one of regional Australia's most celebrated and enduring events, drawing visitors from across Australia and beyond. Young remains the cherry capital of Australia, and the festival stands as a living expression of the region's agricultural heritage, community spirit, and the generations of families, many with multicultural roots, who have helped shape the Hilltops identity.

This year's milestone was further distinguished by national recognition, with the festival’s opening night, Multicultural Cherry Fiesta, taking out the 2026 NSW Local Government Association Excellence Award for Festivals and Community Events, a testament to the event's growing reputation and cultural significance.

A Partnership Embedded in Community 🍒

With SWSbank marking its own 54th birthday this year, the renewed partnership reflects a shared history between two institutions that have grown alongside the Hilltops community. As a customer-owned bank, SWSbank's commitment to the festival goes beyond naming rights; it is a genuine expression of the bank's investment in the people and places that make the Hilltops region special.

SWSbank Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer, Jayson Smith, said the partnership was one the bank was proud to continue.

"We're incredibly proud to support the SWSbank National Cherry Festival because it brings people together and celebrates the spirit of this region. As a customer-owned bank, we see our role as backing the people, places and events that make the Hilltops such a special place to live, work and visit."

SWSbank staff will once again be part of the celebrations across the festival weekend, joining locals and visitors in the parade and community activities. The SWSbank Superhero Mascots, Benny Banker and Penny Saver, will be out and about at Friday's Multicultural Cherry Fiesta and in Saturday's parade, adding to the festivities for families and visitors alike.

Driving Economic Growth and Regional Recognition 🍒

The National Cherry Festival delivers significant economic benefits to the Hilltops region, attracting thousands of visitors across the event weekend and generating activity across local accommodation, hospitality, retail, and tourism operators. The festival’s growing national profile — bolstered by its award recognition and strong attendance — continues to raise the Hilltops region's identity as a premier destination for regional events and agritourism.

Hilltops Council Mayor, Brian Ingram, welcomed the renewed partnership.

"The National Cherry Festival is a flagship event for the Hilltops region, celebrating our rich agricultural heritage and bringing our community together each year. SWSbank has been a valued partner of the Festival, and we are pleased to see that partnership continue through to 2028. As a customer-owned organisation with strong local connections, SWSbank shares our commitment to supporting regional communities, and we look forward to building on the Festival's success together over the coming years."

The 76th SWSbank National Cherry Festival will be held from Friday, 4 December to Sunday, 6 December 2026 in Young, NSW.

15/06/2026

STALLHOLDER APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN! 🍒

Put your business in the heart of the festival action and join thousands of festivalgoers for the 2026 SWSbank National Cherry Festival in Young!

Be part of one of regional NSW's most iconic celebrations and showcase your products to a large and diverse audience from Canberra, Sydney as well as many visitors who attend from across the country. We're looking for makers, growers, artisans, food vendors and local businesses ready to be part of a weekend bursting with entertainment, family fun, community spirit and of course, plenty of cherries!

Apply online today and secure your spot by Monday 28 September 👉 www.nationalcherryfestival.com.au/get-involved

📅 Application is for Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 December
📍Anderson Park - Lovell St, Young, Hilltops Region NSW

12/06/2026

PARTNERSHIP PROPOSALS NOW OPEN 🍒

Looking to increase brand awareness, engage with new customers or give back to the community? The SWSbank National Cherry Festival is one of regional Australia's most iconic fruit festivals, celebrating Young's rich cherry-growing heritage, vibrant community and the arrival of a sweet summer.

Attracting thousands of attendees each year, the festival is a major drawcard for visitors from Canberra and Sydney, with many others travelling from interstate and overseas to experience the Cherry Capital of Australia. Visitors celebrate the best of cherry season through orchard experiences, delicious local produce, bustling markets, live entertainment, amusement rides, competitions, the popular street parade and a variety of fringe events.

The festival is also home to the award-winning Multicultural Cherry Fiesta, recently recognised with the 2026 NSW Local Government Excellence Award for Festivals and Community Events (population under 50,000), further cementing the festival's reputation as a premier regional event. 🌟

Partnering with the Festival is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your business to a large and diverse audience. We'd love to have you on board!

🍒 Apply online today and secure your partnership by Tuesday 30 June 2026 👉 www.nationalcherryfestival.com.au/get-involved

📅 Friday 4 – Sunday 6 December 2026
📍 Young, Hilltops Region NSW

05/06/2026

🏆🍒 AWARD-WINNING AND BACK FOR 2026! 🍒🏆

We're so excited to share that the Multicultural Cherry Fiesta, held as part of the National Cherry Festival, has won the Festivals and Community Events category at the 2026 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards!

This prestigious award recognises the incredible experience enjoyed by thousands of visitors who joined us in the Hilltops Region last year to celebrate cherries, culture, community and country hospitality.

To everyone who travelled to Young and the Hilltops Region for the 2025 Festival...thank you. Your support helped make the event the success it was, and we're so grateful you chose to celebrate with us. ❤️

And if you missed out last year, now is the perfect time to start planning your visit!

From the iconic National Cherry Festival Street Parade and Cherry Pie Eating Competition to the award-winning Multicultural Cherry Fiesta, live entertainment, markets, local food and wine, orchard experiences and plenty of family fun, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

🍒 Mark your calendar and experience one of regional Australia's most loved festivals.
🍒 Explore the beautiful Hilltops Region in full cherry season.
🍒 Create memories with family and friends at an award-winning event.

The National Cherry Festival returns from Friday 4- Sunday 6 December 2026, and we can't wait to welcome visitors from across Australia and beyond for another unforgettable weekend.

Who's planning their trip already? In the meantime we are celebrating with a little cherry wine and a cheers for this exciting win 🙌🍒

🏆🍒 Fantastic news for our community!

At the recent 2026 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards in Sydney, Hilltops Council won the Festivals and Community Events (Population Under 50,000) category for our Multicultural Cherry Fiesta! 🎉

This award was contested by a strong field of finalists from across NSW, including major events such as the Parkes Elvis Festival, Flavours of Mudgee and the Festival of Mosman, and recognises the incredible teamwork behind the event, from Council staff and volunteers to local businesses, community groups, and residents.

Held as part of the 2025 National Cherry Festival which generated an estimated $1.78 million for the local economy, the Multicultural Cherry Fiesta celebrated the cultural diversity of our region 🍒🌏💰

Even more exciting, the event has secured additional funding and will return again this year! 🙌

A huge congratulations and thank you to Council staff, volunteers, community groups, and event partners whose hard work made this award-winning event possible. This achievement belongs to our entire Hilltops community 👏🏆❤️

Pictured: Mayor Brian Ingram and Acting General Manager, Sarah Karaitiana accepting the award on behalf of Hilltops Council.

15/05/2026

🍒 SAVE THE DATE – 2026 SWSbank National Cherry Festival 🍒

There’s nothing quite like cherry season in Young. Gorgeous sunny days, country hospitality and streets bursting with colour, flavour and festive spirit. This sums up the SWSbank National Cherry Festival which returns to Young from Friday 4 – Sunday 6 December 2026. ✨

Just 2 hours from Visit Canberra and an easy 4-hour drive from Sydney.com, the Cherry Capital of Australia will once again come alive with vibrant entertainment, market stalls, orchard experiences, family fun, cherry-inspired events and celebrations across the entire weekend. 🍒

Returning for its second year, the Multicultural Cherry Fiesta will open the festival on Friday night with a vibrant celebration of culture, music, food and community beneath the beautiful summer sky. 🌏

Whether you’re visiting for the cherries, the atmosphere or a summer weekend escape in the Hilltops Region, now is the time to lock the dates into your calendar and start planning your trip.

Follow on Facebook and Instagram (.national.cherry.festival) for festival announcements, applications and exciting updates coming soon. 👋

See how to get involved 👋 www.nationalcherryfestival.com.au
Start planning your cherry getaway 🍒 www.visithilltopsregion.com.au