CULTURAL VILLAGES
Maitland Riverlights will have representations from over 50 cultures, including 25 Cultural Villages that you can visit!
At each village you will learn about cultural traditions, language, art, cuisine, games and more importantly, each other.
CULTURAL COMMUNITY GROUPS 2026
- Afghanistan Community
- Australian Iranian Community of Newcastle
- Common Ground Multicultural Dance Group
- Filipino Language Class
- Hunter Sinhala School
- Indonesian Australian Community Newcastle and Hunter Region
- Kenya Wananchi Newcastle
- Newcastle Papua New Guinean Cultural Community
- Newcastle Polish Community
- Newcastle Tamil Sangam
- Nigerian Community of Newcastle and Hunter Region
- North Sudanese Community
- Persian Speaking Culture of Afghanistan
- Roots & Rhythms of Bangladesh
- Samoan Community
- South African Community
- South Sudanese Community
- Sri Lankan Women’s Network Newcastle and Hunter
- Studies of Language Association (SoLA)
- Syrian House
- The Russian Speaking Community of Newcastle and Hunter
- Tibetan Community of Newcastle
- Tonga Petani Community Services
- University of Newcastle French Society
- University of Newcastle Nepalese Club
The Cultural Passport is your guide to Maitland Riverlights. Use it to explore the performances, workshops, demonstrations and Cultural Villages throughout the event. Sample traditional food offerings, play board games, listen to music from around the world and explore a variety of henna art. Don’t forget to get your Cultural Passport stamped along the way as a souvenir for your visit.
Passports are free and will be handed out from various locations during the event.
STAMP YOUR PASSPORT
Learn about cultural traditions, language, art, cuisine, games and more importantly, each other at the Cultural Villages. Visit each one and collect a stamp in your official Riverlights Cultural Passport.
EXPLORE MORE
RIVERLIGHTS STAGE
See a range of local and national bands captivating audiences with a range of performances influenced from across the globe.
SOUND GARDEN INSTALLATION
Walkthrough an interactive cultural ‘garden’ experience, connecting to the sounds, patterns, colours and aromas of our local multicultural communities.