Head to the Upper Hunter for the long weekend and experience country life and the running of sheep. Merriwa’s Festival of the Fleeces runs annually on the June long weekend and in 2026, it runs from Friday 5 June to Sunday 7 June with lots of activities on Saturday.
For more than 30 years, the festival has proudly celebrated the rich history of agriculture and sheep farming in Merriwa. This year’s theme is “Nothing Equals Wool”!
Originally held at the historical Brindley Park wool shed, the Festival is now held in and around the Main Street of Merriwa and features the Grand Parade, led by the famous Running of the Sheep in their red socks, held on Saturday 6 June at noon.
The festival is a fun family-friendly event with markets stalls, street entertainers, amusement rides, a sheep yard dog competition, vintage car displays, and more.
The event starts on Friday night with an opening night event at the Merriwa RSL and continues until Sunday morning’s Wool Shed Tour.
Saturday Events (Main Street – Merriwa)
- TBA for 2026
For more information, visit the Festival of the Fleeces website.
While you’re in the Merriwa area, check out what else can you see in our article about the Merriwa and Denman area. It’s a great opportunity to show the kids country vistas, talk about mining and agriculture, and stop in some unique places along the way.
