Kiama will once again turn up the heat and close down the street for the town’s annual winter wonderland, with this year’s celebration bigger than ever before.

The Kiama Winter Street Festival, hosted by Destination Kiama, will be held on July 12 from midday until 8pm and includes free events for all ages, while also showcasing the talents of local businesses, food and beverage producers and spotlighting the creativity of local artists.

Kiama Council’s Tourism and Events Manager Sally Bursell says the program has something for everyone with a silent disco in Hindmarsh Park hosted by DJ Clay, an inflatable maze for the kids and saunas for the adults.

“We have lots of activities for children but we've also incorporated a few things for the older kids like the silent disco, inflatable snowboarding and a rock climbing wall,” she said.

“A large proportion of Terralong St will be closed off so we can accommodate on-street dining, it's always a little bit fun to be dining on the road, and we get to showcase all the beautiful local produce from the area under twinkling lights.”

The event will also feature a mobile sauna so the adults can pop in and relax for 10 minutes while the kids are busy.

Stoic Brewing has developed a Winter Pale Ale especially for the festival and there will be mulled wine to warm up when the sun goes down.

A three-year funding grant will also allow the festival to incorporate a sculpture trail and live art exhibition, where a mural artist will paint a cube with different scenes on all four sides.

“In the past we’ve had some live murals going up on walls, but we’re running out of walls in the precinct and the cube will be something we can keep,” Bursell added.

“The three-year funding investments will allow us to introduce a sculpture trail, which is one of the first in Kiama, and we hope this will become a semi-permanent feature around Kiama Harbour and Hindmarsh Park. It’s something that we've always wanted to do.”

Bursell said the festival was all about bringing together the community and supporting local businesses.

“We wouldn’t have such a big program if it wasn’t for all the businesses getting behind the festival and working together with us to bring magic to the community.”

Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald can't wait to see the festival come to life.

“Events like the Winter Street Festival, backed by state funding, are a great example of how we can deliver vibrant, high-impact experiences that align with our Tourism and Events Strategy,” Cr McDonald said.

“By focusing on our off-peak period, we’re supporting year-round visitation, boosting local business, and doing it all in a way that is sustainable and financially responsible.

“I am thankful to the NSW Government for supporting the Kiama Winter Street Festival, via the Transport for NSW Open Streets Program 2025-28, which transforms public spaces into vibrant, pedestrian-friendly hubs, fostering community connections and economic vitality.

"This funding will ensure the Winter Street Festival can be enjoyed by visitors and our community at minimal expense to the ratepayers."

Destination Kiama chair Matt Brown said by partnering with local businesses and holding the festival during the off-peak tourism period, "we’re not only bringing energy and life to the town centre but also supporting our economy when it’s needed most".

"It’s a great example of what can be achieved when we collaborate with purpose.”

Terralong St (between Collins and Shoalhaven St) will be closed from 10am-10pm for the festival.

Kiama Council advises using public transport to get to and from the festival due to road closures and limited parking.

There will be a free shuttle bus from Kiama Leisure Centre which is offering parking in exchange for a $5 donation to the Jamberoo Rural Fire Service.