PRESS RELEASE: Cocky Guides Named Charity Partner for Illawarra Folk Club Charity Night – A Preview to the Illawarra Folk Festival 2026

Cocky Guides is proud to announce its partnership as one of two official charity beneficiaries for the Illawarra Folk Club Charity Night, a special preview event for the Illawarra Folk Festival 2026, taking place on Thursday, 15 February 2026 at Bulli Showground.

Hosted by the Illawarra Folk Club, the much-loved Charity Night offers audiences a sneak peek of the 2026 festival, delivering an evening of outstanding live music in a relaxed and welcoming setting. It’s the perfect taste of what the full Illawarra Folk Festival has in store.

The evening kicks off at 6.00 pm in the Tivoli Dance Hall with Penelope Church, before expanding across two stages—the Tivoli Dance Hall and the Grandstand Bar. Audiences will enjoy a stellar lineup of seven acts, including Cigány Weaver, Emmy Ryan and the Hard Times, Whiskey Dram, Shalani, The Other Noonans, and Marco and Rusty.

Tickets start from just $15 per person and are on sale now via the Illawarra Folk Club website: https://www.illawarrafolkclub.org.au/events

For Sydney-based music lovers, return bus transfers from Sydney are available through Cocky Guides, making the event easy and accessible to attend: https://www.cockyguides.com.au/tours/

As a charity partner, Cocky Guides is delighted to be part of an event that celebrates music, community, and connection.

“The Illawarra Folk Festival has a long history of bringing people together through music, and we’re incredibly proud to be part of that spirit,” said James (Buck) McFarlane, Founder and Director of Cocky Guides.

“This partnership helps us continue creating inclusive tourism and cultural experiences, ensuring people who are blind or have low vision can fully participate in events like this and feel genuinely welcome.”

Cocky Guides also acknowledges the generous support of its tourism partners, who have donated prizes to help raise funds on the night. Taronga Zoo Sydney, Reflections Holidays, Autopia Tours, and Veriu Green Square have each contributed to the fundraising effort, demonstrating strong industry support for inclusive and accessible tourism.

Funds raised during the Charity Night will help Cocky Guides continue delivering inclusive tourism programs, creating meaningful travel and cultural opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision.
By attending the Illawarra Folk Club Charity Night, patrons are not only enjoying a fantastic night of live music—they’re also supporting a more inclusive future for tourism and cultural events.

Event Details

– Bulli Showground
– Thursday 15 January 2026
– From 6.00 pm
– Tickets from $15

For more information about Cocky Guides and its inclusive tourism programs, visit www.cockyguides.com.au