Seniors Festival, March 2027: 'Discover. Connect. Celebrate!'
Seniors Festival celebrates the role and contributions of older adults to our local communities. It's the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere, with over 500,000 people attending each year.
Last year, Council ran a special Expression of Interest process to support local organisations delivering activities for seniors who often miss out. That includes First Nations Elders, culturally diverse communities, socially isolated older people, and older adults who face barriers to getting involved.
The EOI program will continue in 2027, with a dedicated focus on supporting First Nations organisations to deliver culturally appropriate and community-led activities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and older people during Seniors Festival.
This approach supports greater inclusion, self-determination and opportunities for First Nations communities to celebrate culture, strengthen connections and share knowledge across generations.
The EOI is set to go live at the beginning of September.
- Full program coming 2027
For transport please contact:
For Seniors Festival programs outside of the Inner West Council area you can visit the NSW Seniors Festival website.
Visit the activities to seniors page to browse other activities run by Council throughout the year.
Visit our What's On page for other events of interest.
For questions and more information please contact the Healthy Ageing team via email seniors@innerwest.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 9392 5863.
Seniors Festival 2027 EOI
Seniors Festival celebrates the role and contributions of older adults to our local communities. It's the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere, with over 500,000 people attending each year.
Last year, Council ran a special Expression of Interest process to support local organisations delivering activities for seniors who often miss out. That includes First Nations Elders, culturally diverse communities, socially isolated older people, and older adults who face barriers to getting involved.
The EOI program will continue in 2027, with a dedicated focus on supporting First Nations organisations to deliver culturally appropriate and community-led activities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and older people during Seniors Festival, with opportunities to lead educational or cultural learning experiences for non-First Nations people.
This approach supports greater inclusion, self-determination and opportunities for First Nations communities to celebrate culture, strengthen connections and share knowledge across generations.
Funding may be used to run a one-off festival event and/or help kick-start a program that can continue after the festival has concluded. We're interested in understanding how the project could build momentum, attract ongoing participants, and become sustainable over time.
Key Dates
This round will open at 9:00am 1 September2026 (AEST) for submissions and close 1 November 2026 (AEST) at midnight.
Funding Available
There is $10,000 in total funding available, with successful applicants eligible to receive up to $5,000 (inclusive of GST).
Guidelines
Download the Inner West Council grant program guidelines here.
Projects should:
- Engage First Nations peoples, in particular isolated, vulnerable, and home-based older people
- Reduce isolation and foster genuine social connection
- Encourage lifelong learning and intergenerational knowledge-sharing
- Create opportunities for creative expression and participation
- Be affordable, inclusive, and accessible
- Support Council’s strategies and plans (Healthy Ageing Strategy, Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023–2026, Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan and the Community Strategic Plan 2041)
Applicants must:
- Be a First Nation organisation, business or community group, or an organisation with a dedicated First Nations identified role who will be undertaking or leading the project
- Be a sole trader, incorporated not-for-profit, or a community group auspiced by one
- Deliver activities within the Inner West LGA (Djarrawunang, Baludarri, Gulgadya, Midjuburi, Damun wards)
- Submit one application per individual or organisation
- Provide Public Liability Insurance and relevant licences
- Provide WWCC if working with children
Applications will not be considered if they:
- Do not align with Seniors Festival 2027 objectives
- Deliver activities outside the Inner West LGA
- Cover ongoing admin, staffing or operational costs
- Are submitted by Council staff, Councillors, political parties, or government agencies
- Do not demonstrate a clear benefit to First Nations older residents
- One-off events with little or no community impact or legacy
Programs that are already established and ongoing, rather than new initiatives developed for the Festival Council’s Community Wellbeing team will be available to support delivery by providing templates and guidance on event planning, accessibility, risk and safety documentation, and local community engagement.
Council staff cannot assist in the writing of EOI applications, but are available to discuss any questions or concerns or requirements of eligibility.
- Creative workshops (art, music, photography, writing)
- Intergenerational storytelling or arts programs
- Community events fostering connection among older people
- At-home activity packs or virtual workshops for home-based seniors
- Public exhibitions or performances showcasing older people’s creativity
- Digital projects (podcasts, livestreamed concerts, memory maps)
Successful applicants will:
• Receive up to $5,000 (incl. GST)
• Enter into a funding agreement with Council
• Provide a simple project plan, budget and delivery timeline
• Report on participation, outcomes and key learnings
• Acknowledge Council’s support in promotional materials
Council may also provide in-kind support, including:
• Access to Council venues (subject to availability and agreed conditions)
• Promotion through Council communication channels
• Guidance on accessibility, risk management and community engagement
Council uses SmartyGrants administration software to manage EOI programs. Applications must be submitted via the Inner West Council SmartyGrants webpage. Applications must meet the eligibility requirements, and no late applications will be accepted. Hard copy applications are not accepted.
Applicants are encouraged to speak to Mark Jones, Community Wellbeing Coordinator on (02) 9392 5863 before applying. One-on-one support is available to provide grant applicants with advice on your project ideas.
2026 Seniors Festival 'Bringing life to age'
For the first time in many years, Council has run a special Expression of Interest process to support local organisations delivering activities for seniors who often miss out. That includes First Nations Elders, culturally diverse communities, socially isolated older people, and older adults who face barriers to getting involved.
The 2026 NSW Seniors Festival ran from 1 to 14 March 2026 under the theme, Bringing life to age!
- 2 to 15 March: Free pool, gym and group exercise class entry and workshops
- 2 to 13 March: Free pickleball sessions
- 2 March: Falls Prevention Workshop
- 2 March: Silver Connections – Create and Connect
- 2 March: Yoga for Bone Health Strength and Balance Workshop
- 3 March: Stage and Story
- 3 March: Silver Connections – Move and Connect
- 3 March: Brains, Brawn and Balance Workshop
- 4, 9 and 11 March: together2 Seniors Strength and Balance
- 4 March: Silver Connections – Learn and Connect
- 5 March: Older Women's Network: Colour Your Power
- 5 March: Silver Connections – Groove and Connect
- 9 March: Mobility Workshop
- 9 March: Seated Strength, Balance and Mobility Workshop
- 9 March: Devonshire Tea Scrabble Extravaganza
- 10 March: Walking Soccer Come and Try
- 11 March: together2 Intergenerational Program
- 11 March: Free Morning Teas
- 12 March: Come and Try Croquet
- 13 March: Silver Connections – Play and Connect
- 16 March: Yannadah Gilly (Moon Light) with Aunty Joanne Selfe
- 25 March: My Aged Care Info Session
- 28 March: Beatles and ABBA Community Sing Along
For transport please contact:
For Seniors Festival programs outside of the Inner West Council area you can visit the NSW Seniors Festival website.
Visit the activities to seniors page to browse other activities run by Council throughout the year.
Visit our What's On page for other events of interest.
Planning an event for Seniors Festival?
You can promote via our 'What's On - Calendar of Events' any activities, events and programs running during the year. To do so, click here and complete the online form. Note: You will need an event image (JPG file cropped to 540px by 540px). Ensure you tick the 'Seniors' box under Event category.
For questions and more information please contact the Healthy Ageing team via email seniors@innerwest.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 9392 5863.
2025 Seniors Festival 'Time to shine!'
Each year, Seniors Festival shines a spotlight on the important role older adults play in community life. With over 500,000 attendees, it is the largest celebration of older people in the Southern Hemisphere.
The 2025 NSW Seniors Festival ran from 3 to 16 March 2025 under the theme, Time to shine!
- Eyes First art exhibition opening event
- Scrabble and Devonshire Tea at Hannaford
- Workshop: Fall Prevention
- Free pool, gym and group exercise class entry and workshops
- In Charge of My Money workshop
- Morning tea at AKAC
- Free Seniors Festival Sports Day
- Morning tea at LPAC
- Workshop: The Importance of Weight Training at Every Age
- Workshop: Mobility
- The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston
- Bec Wilson: 12 Secrets for an Epic Retirement (afternoon)
- Bec Wilson: How to Prepare for an Epic Retirement (evening)
- Beatles Singalong at Hannaford
- Morning tea at AAC
- Workshop: Introduction to Move Well
- Wellness on Wheels
- Free Seniors Festival Sports Day
- Eyes First artist talk and exhibition