The past takes centre stage in Lake Macquarie this month, as the History Illuminated Festival returns with a week-long program of food, film, fashion and fascinating stories.
The annual event celebrates the histories of people, place and environment through performances, talks, exhibitions and community experiences.
This year’s program offers something for everyone, from Beethoven to banquets, all designed to connect audiences with the past in new and creative ways.
Music lovers are in for a treat with the Australian Haydn Ensemble performing Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony at Rathmines Theatre on 8 November.
The same weekend, architecture and design enthusiasts can catch Tim Ross’s The Australian Dream?, a show exploring how Australian homes have helped shape our cultural identity.
Fashion and food also take a starring role in this year’s lineup, with the Australian Museum of Clothing and Textiles presenting a vintage fashion parade on 9 November, celebrating the style of decades gone by.
Earlier in the week, acclaimed chef Kylie Kwong will bring her signature mix of modern Chinese cuisine and Australian ingredients to Warners Bay Theatre for an evening of stories, flavours and inspiration.
Dobell House will also extend its open hours, while the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang, hosts a curated display of Sir William Dobell’s works from the city’s cultural collection.
The History Illuminated Festival runs until 9 November 2025 across venues in Lake Macquarie. For the full program, including event times and ticket details, visit library.lakemac.com.au.
