Dance Debuts and Artistic Discoveries: What’s On in Wollongong Today

Get Moving with Decide to Dance at IPAC

Today, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, marks the beginning of an exciting and interactive residency at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC) titled Decide to Dance. This program, which kicks off its month-long run this morning, is designed to engage the local community with movement and rhythm in a highly accessible format. Unlike traditional stage plays, this initiative encourages participants to explore the physical language of dance, regardless of their prior experience. It represents a key pillar of the Merrigong 2026 season, focusing on the shared imagination between performers and the public. If you are looking to break up your work week with something active and creative, heading to the Bruce Gordon Theatre or the IPAC foyer is a fantastic way to start.

Artistic Reflections at the Wollongong Art Gallery

For those seeking cultural enrichment in a more contemplative setting, the Wollongong Art Gallery has a full schedule of exhibitions open to the public today. The gallery remains a vital hub for regional storytelling, and several major shows are currently running simultaneously:

• Winter Has Gone: Located in the Community Gallery, this exhibition by the Illawarra Association for the Visual Arts (IAVA) explores the evocative transition from the cold months into the warmth of new growth. It features a diverse range of contemporary works from premier local artists.
• Tell Them Their Dreaming: Artist Troy-Anthony Baylis presents this powerful project that utilizes exterior panels to explore identity, dreaming, and the layered history of the land.
• This is Not a Solo Show: This exhibition celebrates a ten-year collaboration between Michelle Cawthorn and Peter Sharp, mapping the intersections of their unique artistic practices.

Garden Tours and Community Connections

The Wollongong Botanic Garden is a hive of activity this Wednesday, offering multiple ways to reconnect with nature. At 10:00 am, the Garden Discovery Buggy Tour departs from the Duck Pond, providing a guided, accessible tour of the site’s botanical diversity and history. Later in the afternoon, the garden hosts a Nature Immersion program starting at 3:30 pm, which is specifically designed for residents to unwind and recharge through environmental connection.

Community spirit is also thriving at our local libraries today. Darcy Wentworth Park will host Stories in the Park at 10:30 am, where library staff lead families in outdoor storytelling and rhymes. To cap off the evening, the Helensburgh Library is hosting a free live music session with Pete Thomas at 5:30 pm. Attendees can enjoy an hour of acoustic groove, blues, and roots music, providing a perfect soundtrack to the mid-week sunset. From the CBD to the northern suburbs, there is no shortage of ways to experience the best of Wollongong today.