PRESS RELEASE: Wollombi Celebrates a New Chapter with “The Heart of Wollombi: Street Party” – 2nd and 3rd May 2026
Wollombi Village will mark a significant moment of renewal this May 2nd & 3rd with The Heart of Wollombi: Street Party – a village-wide event celebrating heritage, community and new energy in one of the Hunter Valley’s most historic towns.
The event brings together several key milestones: the completion of Cessnock City Council’s heritage-inspired streetscape and pedestrian safety improvements, 175 years of the Wollombi General Store, and the launch of three new local businesses – The Artisans Collective, SIP Wollombi Village and Bee Mindful within the Grays Inn building.
Set within a Heritage Conservation Area dating back to the early 1800s, Wollombi has long been a place where history and everyday village life coexist. The recent streetscape works have improved safety, accessibility and amenity, while carefully maintaining the character of the village and supporting its role as a destination for visitors.
The Street Party also reflects a broader shift in the region’s tourism and economic landscape. As outlined in the Hunter Regional Economic Development Strategy, there is growing demand for experience-driven travel, activation of heritage assets and support for small, local producers – all areas where Wollombi is naturally evolving.
At the same time, the event signals a new chapter for the village, with fresh investment and creative energy emerging through new businesses and collaborations.
Brett McMullen, from the Wollombi Chamber of Commerce, said the event is about bringing the community and visitors together.
“This is about celebrating what makes Wollombi Valley unique – its history, its people and its creativity – while welcoming new ideas and new businesses into the village. It’s a chance to bring people back, or introduce them for the first time, and encourage them to stay, explore and connect.”
Importantly, this renewal is grounded in community. Wollombi remains a true working village, shaped by its residents and surrounded by bushland, where collaboration and local support have always been key to its resilience.
Across the event, the village itself becomes the stage. Visitors are invited to wander Wollombi Street, moving between galleries, cafés, wine experiences and retail spaces, with local performers, market stalls and special activations throughout the day and into the evening.
With its blend of heritage, creativity and community, Wollombi is not standing still – it is evolving in its own way. This May, visitors are invited to experience the heart of the village as it enters its next chapter.
Outline Agenda for the weekend
New Business Openings in Wollombi
The Heart of Wollombi: Street Party also marks the launch of several new businesses, reflecting fresh energy and investment in the village. These include SIP Wollombi Village at Grays Inn, offering a new HUnter Valley tasting experiences; The Artisans Collective at the Wollombi General Store, showcasing local makers and creatives; and Bee Mindful Candles & Kopila the Label, a new lifestyle offering within the Grays Inn building.
Together, these additions highlight Wollombi’s evolving mix of food, wine, art and lifestyle, while remaining grounded in the character and community that define the village.
About the Wollombi Streetscape Project
Wollombi Town Centre is a Heritage Conservation Area with a historic village streetscape shaped by both locals and visitors. The recent upgrades address long-standing needs around pedestrian safety, drainage, parking and overall amenity, particularly at the main intersection.
Designed with community input, the project balances improved functionality with the preservation of Wollombi’s heritage character, creating a safer and more accessible village environment.
Delivered as part of the NSW Government’s Towards Zero Safer Roads Program, the works aim to reduce road risk while enhancing the village experience.
Improvements include a shared zone with reduced speeds, widened footpaths, regraded parking, improved drainage, new seating, informal crossings and traffic-calming threshold treatments
