MIDWINTER FESTIVAL 2023 | COME INTO THE LIGHT

FRIDAY 23 JUNE | 4PM - LATE

‘Celebrating the deep chill of the Highlands through light, fire, food, music and storytelling.’

COME TO THE LIGHT

EVENT TIMES

4:00PM
MIDWINTER FESTIVAL OPENS! ENJOY THE OFFERINGS OF SAVOUR THE HIGHLANDS ALL EVENING

6:00PM
WELCOME TO COUNTRY & SMOKING CEREMONY

6:45PM
STAGE: DJ HAMISH DIVER

8:15PM
HEADLINE ACT: SHEBA WILLIAMS

10:00PM
COME TO THE LIGHT CONCLUDES

FIRST LIGHTS – BUUNGBAA-MA-NDHU BY KIRLI SAUNDERS AND FREEMANTLE BIENNALE

Award-winning Gundungurra-raised Gunai Writer and Artist, Kirli Saunders (OAM), energizes mugaru (cold winter) with her synchronous installation of language and light, Buungbaa-ma-ndhu meaning rise (as the sun), all of you. 

Remnant of a bedtime story told around the campfire, Saunders’ poetic bi-lingual digital work rouses audiences to collaborate and create a powerful future together, ‘to rise, like light from the fire, mountain top…whirlwind, diamond python, black cockatoo.’ 

Conjured with welcome dance from local First Nations families and community, Ngununggula and Fremantle Biennale presents FIRST LIGHTS, a choreographed and responsive drone show. 

HEADLINE MUSIC ACT: SHEBA WILLIAMS

Disco is the music that makes everyone dance, even if they can’t.

Sheba Williams has worked with the NRL, Red Bull, Versace, Optus, Google, Air New Zealand, The Sydney Opera House, SBS, Mumm and Bentley. Now she is here in the Highlands!

She is a one a kind performer and emcee who can really ‘bring the party” to any style of event in a number of incredibly fun, stylish and charismatic ways.

SAVOUR THE HIGHLANDS

Throughout the festival, we present SAVOUR THE HIGHLANDS in partnership with GROW Southern Highlands, a bespoke food and wine market featuring some of the best local restaurants, makers and producers. 

FEATURING: Berrima Vault House, Birch Restaurant, Chelsea Gardens, Black Hen Kitchen, SoHi Spirits, Dawning Day, Tractorless Vineyard, Southern Highlands Brewing & MORE!

EVENT PARKING

We have limited spots onsite at Ngununggula and encourage you to carpool and book your spot when purchasing your ticket.

Parking is $10 per session. Please book on-site parking along with your tickets through the links above.
Image Ilona McGuire, First Lights — Moombaki (2021). Courtesy of the artist and Fremantle Biennale. Photo: Duncan Wright. 

FIRST LIGHTS – BUUNGBAA-MA-NDHU
drone sponsors

Lynette Ainsworth
Mossy Store
Elph Ceramics
Rachael Oakes-Ask
Trisha Jarvis
Small Impact Studio
Tziallas Architects
Marie Leahy
Nicole Smith
Hearth by Moonacres
Ole, Carol & Ted Wrigg
Custom Printing
Sandy Purves
Elizabeth Charles
Ian Jones
Lodge Environmental
The Stress & Trauma Clinic
Statewide Mechanical
Signature Law
The Scottish Arms
Laurie & Cheryl Stewart
Boyce Family Law DR
McGrath Southern Highlands
Wilkinson Throsby & Edwards Solicitors