Bellingen Shire Council is once again celebrating NSW Seniors Festival – the largest seniors festival in the southern hemisphere – to present a range of free activities for older community members.
Running from 2-15 March 2026, and themed “Live Life in Colour!”, This two-week festival will include film screenings and light lunch, free aqua aerobics classes and pool entry for seniors, a tour of the Dorrigo water treatment plant, seedling workshops at the Bellingen Shire libraries, and an educational talk on the My Aged Care system with Services Australia.
Bellingen Shire Council Mayor Cr. Steve Allan says the Seniors Festival is always a highlight of Council’s annual calendar as it gives council the chance to recognise and celebrate the incredible contributions of our older community members.
“This year’s program is designed to encourage seniors to take part in a variety of activities and events, connect with others who share their interests, share their knowledge and experiences, and perhaps even discover new skills along the way,” said Mayor Allan.
“Council extends a warm invitation to all seniors in our community to participate in the free activities on offer – your presence will contribute to the success of our festival, and we look forward to celebrating with you.”
The Seniors Festival program of activities include:
• AQUA AEROBICS CLASSES AND FREE POOL ENTRY: Come and try one of the several aqua aerobics classes at Bellingen and Dorrigo Pools as well as receive free entry from 2-15 March. Please bring your seniors card to present to pool staff.
• SEEDLING WORKSHOPS @ Bellingen Shire Libraries: Pot your own seedlings to take home, enjoy morning tea and learn about the gardening resources your library has to offer.
o Urunga Library: Wednesday 4 March at 10:30am
o Dorrigo Library: Thursday 5 March in conjunction with Mid Waste compost workshop 10:00am
o Bellingen Library: Friday 6 March at 10:30am
• DORRIGO WATER TOUR: Learn about where your water comes from at the Dorrigo treatment plant. Wednesday 4 March at 10am.
• “THE COMING BACK OUT BALL” FILM SCREENING AND LUNCH @ BELLINGEN MEMORIAL HALL: On Thursday 5 March from 11am, experience a heartfelt documentary celebrating older LGBTIQ+ people, sharing their stories of resilience, humour, and overcoming isolation while honouring their pride, visibility, and the path they paved for future generations.
• FRIDAY FILM CLUB: The Dorrigo Library will be screening “Hope Gap” at 2pm on Friday 6 March.
• MY AGED CARE PRESENTATION: An educational talk from Services Australia about navigating the My Aged Care System. Seniors, families, friends, and carers are all welcome to attend at 10 am on Thursday 12 March held at the Urunga School of Arts Hall with morning tea provided.
• FRIDAY FILM CLUB: The Bellingen Library will be screening the film “Hudson” at 2pm on Friday 13 March.
The festival welcomes people over 60, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 50, and people over 50 with a lifelong disability. Carers of seniors are also encouraged to attend and take part in the celebrations. All festival events are free and some require booking in advance.
For more information and to view the full calendar of events, visit Council’s website www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/Events-directory/Seniors-Festival-2026 or contact Council’s Community Partnerships Team on 6655 7300 or community@bellingen.nsw.gov.au.
These events are supported by the NSW Government through the NSW Seniors Festival Grant Program 2026.