One of Australia’s most delightfully spooky festivals is back, and this year it’s bigger and better than ever. In case you need a quick refresher, Fred Fisher was a convict who went missing in Campbelltown in 1826, only to appear as a ghostly apparition to guide police to his remains and murderer. The first iteration of the Festival of Fisher's Ghost took place in 1956, when 1,500 people gathered in the town in the dead of the night, hoping to catch a glimpse of Fisher’s famous ghost.
Today, the event is a major fixture on the Campbelltown calendar and is steeped in community history and tradition. This year’s festivities will kick off on November 2, with a reimagined ten-day program featuring everything from sunset concerts and twilight markets to an augmented reality art after-dark trail and a retro roller rink.
To ensure you don’t miss a minute of the action, there are a few key dates to note. On Saturday, November 4, the Twilight Fair is happening at Mawson Park and will include community market stalls, roving entertainment, kids activities and food trucks. Arrive early on the Saturday to enjoy a free, pop-up retro roller skating rink and explore the family-friendly Yomise (celebration of Japanese culture with workshops, performances and stalls) in the Japanese Garden at Campbelltown Arts Centre. Your four-legged friends can join the fun on Sunday, November 5 with a dogs' day out featuring pet-related market stalls and cuteness competitions.
Sunset Sounds returns the following Saturday (November 11) with a fresh line-up of Aussie acts including hard rock band, Baby Animals and country rock band, the Wolfe Brothers. Bring your picnic blanket and relax on the lawn with a beverage or craft beer from the pop-up bar.
Throughout the festival, you can also work up a sweat by doing the 5km or 10km fun run on November 12, and explore the annual Fisher’s Ghost Art Award exhibition at Campbelltown Art Gallery. Plus, the Fisher’s Ghost carnival returns with thrilling rides, showbags and food stalls at the Leumeah Commuter Car Park for the entirety of the festival, including firework shows at 9pm on both Saturdays.
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Fisher at all times – who knows, you may just be lucky enough to spot him.
Click here for more information and to view the full line-up.