A Fresh $1.5M Is Set To Supercharge Regional NSW’s Event Scene

Regional NSW’s events calendar is about to get a serious boost.

The NSW Government has announced a $1.5 million funding injection for regional events through the Regional Event Fund, with grants now open for events taking place across the 2026/27 financial year.

From food and wine festivals to community celebrations and large-scale tourism drawcards, the funding is designed to help regional towns attract visitors, drive overnight stays and support local businesses.

Here’s what it means.

$1.5 Million Boost Announced For Regional NSW Events And Tourism

The $1.5 million investment, delivered via Destination NSW, is part of the state’s broader push to grow the visitor economy—particularly across regional areas.

Event organisers can now apply for funding to help deliver experiences that showcase local culture while attracting visitors from across NSW and beyond.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said events remain a key driver of both community connection and economic activity.

Grants To Support New And Existing Events Across Regional NSW

The fund is structured to support events at every stage—from brand-new ideas to long-running favourites.

Three funding streams are available:

• Incubator Event Stream: Up to $20,000 for events in their first or second year
• Flagship Event Stream: $20,000 for emerging events, with extended funding of up to $30,000 over three years
• Event Development Stream: Up to $50,000 for established events ready to grow

The Regional Event Fund has already supported around 600 events with more than $15 million in funding, helping turn local initiatives into major drawcards across the state.

Funding Aims To Drive Visitation And Strengthen Local Economies

The latest data from Tourism Research Australia shows regional NSW welcomed more than 15 million visitors in a single quarter, generating over $6 billion in spending.

With the NSW Government targeting $91 billion in annual visitor expenditure by 2035—and nearly half expected to come from regional areas—investment in events is seen as critical to sustaining that growth.

By backing festivals, cultural events and community-led experiences, the funding aims to bring more visitors into regional towns while supporting local businesses, jobs and tourism operators.

When Applications Close

Applications for the 2026/27 Regional Event Fund are now open, with submissions closing at midnight on Sunday, 12 April 2026.

Event organisers can apply via Destination NSW, with funding aimed at creating experiences that not only reflect local communities, but also put regional NSW firmly on the map for visitors.

Image credit: Orange Food Week | Instagram