Demand builds early for Lightning Ridge Festival

Junko with her beautiful Native American handmade jewellery was one of many stall holders at last year’s Lightning Ridge Opal Festival. Photo Lightning Ridge Opal Festival Facebook

Lightning Ridge Opal and Gem Festival

Story: Kristin Murdockkmurdock@outbackradio.com.au

Planning is already in full swing for the 2026 Lightning Ridge Opal and Gem Festival, and if early interest is anything to go by, it’s shaping up to be bigger and brighter than ever.

The festival will run from Wednesday 29 July to Saturday 1 August at the corner of Agate and Kaolin Streets and the Racecourse carpark at Lightning Ridge, from 9am to 5pm Wednesday to Friday and 9am to 3pm on Saturday, with free entry for visitors.

Event coordinator Louise Kelly said she has only just started reaching out to stallholders and the response has been strong.

“I’m sending out information to existing stallholders, because we’ve got a huge waiting list,” Ms Kelly said.

“I need to see who’s coming back, and then I’m going to send it to the people on the waiting list.”

She said while there’s plenty of interest, space is limited.

“There’s a big demand for stallholder spots, but I can still add people on to the waiting list as well.” […]

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