FAQ

The festival runs across 10 days, from Friday 28 February to Sunday 8 March 2020.

The major weekend is the 6 - 8 March, with the Friday public grape crushing event, the Heritage Bank Food, Wine & Cultural Fiesta from Friday night to Sunday and the street parade and fireworks on the Saturday.

Check out the full program, because there's lots of fun happening right from the first weekend.

Accommodation in Stanthorpe and surrounds books out over the main festival weekend 6-8 March 2020, so book early if you can.

A few tips:

• Search for Stanthorpe accommodation on this booking site: Granite Belt Wine Country and also try your favourite booking sites such as www.booking.com

• In the last few weeks leading up to the festival it's worth giving the Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre a ring, because often accommodation will let them know when they receive cancellations. Phone the friendly volunteers at the Visitor Information Centre (phone 07 4681 2057 or 1800 SO COOL).

• Ballandean is just 20 minutes down the road from Stanthorpe and offers lots of cottage or bed & breakfast style accommodation, so find Ballandean accommodation here: Granite Belt Accommodation

• Warwick is just 35 minutes drive from Stanthorpe.  Contact Warwick Information Centre for accommodation options, ph: 07 4661 9073.  Tenterfield is 40 minutes drive from Stanthorpe: Tenterfield Information Centre ph: 02 6736 1082.

• Have you looked at the awesome events happening on the first weekend of the festival and through the mid-week?  There is a lot happening and accommodation is available in Stanthorpe over these times, so check out the full program and think about coming earlier to avoid the crowds.

The Grand Parade is on Saturday 7th March 2020. It starts at 2:00pm and lasts for at least one hour.

The parade runs through the very centre of Stanthorpe, along the main street.

The Massed Bands also do a separate parade earlier in the day, at 10.45 am.

There are two grape crushing events during the festival.

The Saturday 7 March grape crush is the Stanthorpe Border Post Celebrity Grape Crushing Championships and this event is by invitation only.

However on Friday 6 March, there is a public grape crushing event in the Piazza and while there will be a limited number who can participate, it's here you can turn-up and raise your hand to have turn! Make sure you wear clothes that you are ok about getting messy in.

Limited seating for the elderly and disabled will be provided near St Joseph’s School.  You may wish to arrange to bring your own chair.

The Saturday 7 March fireworks commence at 7.30pm at Carnarvon Bridge at the Southern end of Maryland Street. The best location for viewing the fireworks is on the bottom end of Maryland street, facing towards the bridge (in the vicinity of O'Maras Hotel).

Wherever you can!  There is no allocated parking and no vehicles are permitted to access the centre of the town.  Finding a suitable parking space should not be a problem, however you may have a short distance to walk to the Festival.

Parking for Disabled persons will be reserved in the Rogers Street carpark, which will be convenient parking for attending the events located in the main street.

You will need to display a Disability Parking label in your car.

We are always looking for people to help out – both prior to and during the Festival. Information for prospective Volunteers is available on our Volunteers page.

Yes! Please refer to the Stallholders page on this site.

Yes you can and there is no charge.  Please refer to the Grand Parade page.