Horizontal Festival Bowral, three days of food, wine and conversation among the Southern Highlands vines
Horizontal Festival returns to Centennial Vineyards in Bowral from 2nd to 4th October 2026, with chefs, winemakers, producers, musicians and makers celebrating the best of New South Wales food and wine culture. More than 80 producers, Francis Mallmann’s first east coast visit in 15 years and a new Culinary Stage make this the festival’s most ambitious program yet.
The Festival Hub brings together over 80 wineries, distilleries, breweries and artisan producers, including Bimbadgen, Lerida Estate, Dawning Day, Bilpin Cider, Brokenwood and Ester Spirits, alongside food from the Oyster Experience, Sacred Sydney Honey and The Pines Gelato.
New for 2026, the Maldon Salt Culinary Stage is included with every ticket, featuring 30 to 45-minute conversations with Matt Moran, Mark Best, Francis Mallmann, Lyndey Milan OAM and more. The Our Food Stories workshop series adds intimate ticketed experiences: Mallmann’s live-fire Godfather of Fire masterclass, Bundjalung chef Mindy Woods on Indigenous ingredients, Mark Best on creative process and Simon Evans hosting a relaxed shared table experience.
Friday night headline act Furnace and the Fundamentals kicks off the music program, with Sultans of Spin soundtracking every session across the weekend. Sunday’s Family Day brings reduced-price kids’ tickets, lawn games and food trucks. Satellite events extend the long weekend across the Southern Highlands from 1st to 5th October, including Battle of the Banger in Berrima and the Osborn House Fiesta del Fuego with Francis Mallmann.
What to know:
- WHEN: 2nd to 4th October 2026, satellite events 1st to 5th October
- WHERE: Centennial Vineyards, Bowral
- TICKETS: From $59 for Saturday General Admission (final release). Includes four-hour festival access, take-home glass and festival map. Food and drink available to purchase separately.
- BOOK TICKETS
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