Riverlights returns to Maitland in October celebrating more than 50 cultures
Maitland City Council(Maitland City Council)
Newy 87.8 FM – Riverlights will return to Maitland this October, with five days of cultural celebration running from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 October across the city.
The festival will showcase food, music, performance, art and traditions from around the world, culminating in the free Riverlights main event at The Levee in Central Maitland on Saturday 10 October from 2pm to 9pm.
More than 50 nations and cultures will be represented at The Levee, with visitors able to explore over 20 cultural villages, sample traditional food, and enjoy live performances and fashion from around the world. A free 'Cultural Passport' will help guide visitors, who can collect stamps from the villages they visit.
As the sun sets, celebrations will continue along the Hunter River with the Riverlights parade and lantern flotilla, before concluding with a light show.
Across the five-day program, visitors can take part in cultural workshops, learn new languages and stories, and explore creative traditions at venues including Maitland libraries and Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Maitland Mayor Philip Penfold said Riverlights was one of the city's most anticipated community events and a chance to celebrate the city's diversity.
The event is presented by Maitland City Council and The Mutual Bank, with funding support from the NSW Government through Multicultural NSW. The full 2026 program will be announced closer to the event.
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