National Cherry Festival

The National Cherry Festival in Young celebrates the town’s proud heritage as the Cherry Capital of Australia, right here in the Hilltops Region.
Held every first weekend of December from Friday to Sunday, the 2026 festivities begin with the award-winning Multicultural Cherry Fiesta on Friday evening. This vibrant celebration transforms Young’s main street into a lively international food fair, with cultural performances, live cooking demonstrations, local businesses trading into the evening and a spectacular fireworks display to officially launch the festival weekend.
Across the weekend, savour cherry pies and local produce, browse bustling market stalls, enjoy live entertainment and experience the thrill of amusement rides. Local orchards come to life with the season in full swing, offering opportunities to taste fresh cherries straight from the source, while a variety of fringe events throughout Young add even more reasons to explore.
The National Cherry Festival honours more than 150 years of cherry-growing history, celebrating the community, traditions and produce that have made Young famous. From the excitement of the opening night through to a weekend filled with family-friendly entertainment, it’s a celebration of the region’s rich heritage and the freshest cherries in Australia.
Visit the National Cherry Festival website for further information.