Events around The Hills for you and the family to enjoy.

Ring in the Year of the Horse at Nurragingy Reserve

Celebrate Lunar New Year 2026 on Friday, 20 February 2026 at Chang Lai Yuan Chinese Gardens, Nurragingy Reserve. From 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, the gardens will come alive with vibrant decorations, cultural performances, and family-friendly activities.

Experience the Lion Dance, Dragon Dance, official opening with firecrackers at 7:00 pm, and cap the evening with a spectacular fireworks display at 9:00 pm. Kids can join in free activities like oriental hat making, drum taking, fan painting, and Year of the Horse origami, making it a fun-filled evening for the whole family.

Hills Lunar Street Fesival

If the above celebration weren’t enough join the community on Saturday 28 February 2026 as Castle Hill Main Street transforms into a vibrant pedestrian-only festival space for The Hills Shire’s biggest Lunar New Year celebration yet.

Enjoy an authentic Asian street festival experience with live stage entertainment, traditional Lion Dance performances, roving acts, free family activities, and a huge range of Asian food trucks and market stalls serving everything from dumplings and ramen to bubble tea and sweet treats. The evening will finish with a spectacular fireworks finale, making it a must-visit event for all ages.

Celebrating cultural diversity and community connection, the Hills Lunar Street Festival is a colourful, high-energy event not to be missed.

The festival runs from 2 pm – 9 pm

Other Local Events

Lions Club Richmond’s Markets  |  14th March, Free Entry

My Kids Market  | 15th March, Entry: $5 Adults, kids free

Sydney Truck Fest. | 21st & 22nd March, Entry: Adults from $20, concession & children 5-17yrs $10, weekend pass available

Hawksbury Show |  24th – 26th March, Entry: TBC

We sat down with Julia Johnson, Interior Designer Manager at Rawson Group, to discuss all the latest trends for autumn 2026.

How do interior design palettes shift as we move into Autumn 2026?
As we move into Autumn 2026, interior design palettes shift away from cooler tones and begin to embrace warmth and depth. This season explores rich espresso browns, warm creams layered with clay and caramel tones, creating spaces that feel grounded and inviting. For a subtle colour pop, introduce deep forest greens or dusty rose accents to add interest without overpowering the space.

Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Cloud Dancer, is a beautiful neutral base to build from. Its soft warmth works effortlessly across walls, furniture, and soft furnishings, allowing seasonal colours to be layered in with ease.

What finishes and textures are trending this season?
Instead of opting for a flat paint finish, consider adding Marmorino plaster or textured wallpaper. These finishes add warmth and energy to your walls and create a sophisticated, natural look that can stand alone as a feature—often eliminating the need for additional artwork.

How can outdoor spaces be adapted for the cooler months?
As the weather cools, outdoor fire pits become a welcoming place to socialise and unwind. They help maintain a connection to the outdoors while creating a cosy atmosphere as the evenings draw in.

Does seasonal styling require a complete home makeover?
Seasonal change doesn’t require a complete restyle of your living spaces. Seasonal restyling is far more cost-effective and simpler when you keep your main furniture pieces neutral. From there, you can easily swap cushions, vases, and floral arrangements to suit the season.

What are some simple autumn styling swaps you recommend?
In autumn, I love replacing summer hydrangeas with a textured vase filled with maple leaves or willow sticks. On the sofa, lightweight summer fabrics are swapped out for richer tones in velvet. Adding an open-weave waffle throw to an armchair or sofa instantly increases warmth and comfort. When introducing new décor, try to incorporate a mix of imperfect or antique pieces to create a more lived-in, layered look.

How should lighting change in autumn?
Move away from relying solely on overhead lighting at night. Instead, layer your lighting with warm white wall sconces, table lamps, and floor lamps to create a cosy evening glow. Switching your light globes from cool to warm tones will instantly soften the space and enhance the overall warmth of your interiors.

The Easter Bunny is due to arrive at The Hills of Carmel in just a few weeks, and we’re sharing what the whole family can do to crack into some egg-cellent Easter fun.

Crack into Easter with these decor ideas
Get your home looking festive this Easter with pops of pastel colour, playful bunnies, decorative eggs and greenery to bring that springtime magic to life. Think Easter wreaths or garlands at your entrance, botanical touches paired with soft hues, and charming table décor that families will love, from patterned Easter plates to scattered chocolate eggs for a whimsical feast.

Whether you’re going for cute and playful or elegant and inviting, a few well-chosen pieces can set the mood for joyful gatherings.

Egg-citing Craft Activities to Keep Little Bunnies Busy

Get outside and giggle:

• Classic Easter egg hunt
• Bunny hop relay race
• Egg and spoon race
• Easter egg toss & carrot scavenger hunt

Perfect for cosy celebrations:

• Pin the tail on the bunny
• Jellybean guessing game
• DIY Easter bowling
• Indoor egg hunt or puzzle challenge