Riverfest
19–27 September 2026
Riverfest is the Parramatta River Catchment Group’s annual, premier community event – celebrating the Parramatta River and surrounding creeks and environment!
This year’s festival is being held from Saturday 19 September (World Clean Up Day) to Sunday 27 September (World Rivers Day).
Expressions of interest for this year’s Riverfest open on 4 May 2026.
We invite you to share your creative ideas that inspire the community to connect with and care for the Parramatta River. Previous Riverfest events have included bush care and clean-ups, webinars, panel discussions, sustainability workshops, art, trivia, walks, talks, swims, paddles, and more.
This year’s Riverfest program offers a wide range of events and activities for you to connect with the Parramatta River and its surrounding creeks and environment and help make a difference. More events will be added in coming weeks, so check back regularly to see what’s on!
DURING RIVERFEST
National Biodiversity Month
Biodiversity is often described as ‘the web of life’, encompassing all living things and their ecosystems. This event is held each year to help promote the importance of protecting, conserving and improving biodiversity. Unfortunately, there are many threats to Australia’s biodiversity, including habitat destruction, introduced species, poor fire management and climate change.
You can help protect Australia’s biodiversity in lots of ways, such as by taking part in National Wattle Day and National Threatened Species Day. Find out more.
SATURDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2026
World Clean Up Day
The World Clean Up Day annual event unites volunteers, governments and organisations in 191 countries to tackle the global waste problem and help create a more sustainable world.
Check this page for clean-up events being organised across the catchment. There will be groups in every part of the catchment, volunteering to help protect habitat. Find out more.
SUNDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2026
World Rivers Day
World Rivers Day celebrates the world’s waterways, highlighting the many values of our rivers and encouraging greater public awareness and improved management and protection. It started in Canada, where community action has restored rivers to help the salmon run free. Find out more.
A key aim of Riverfest is to create opportunities for the community to connect with local waterways, the environment, and each other – and volunteers play an essential role in making this happen.
Volunteering is a great way to meet like-minded people, have fun, support a cause you care about, and learn more about your local area.
There are many ways to get involved, from citizen science and litter clean-ups to helping at community events. Every contribution, big or small, helps make Riverfest a success and encourages more people to discover and connect with the Parramatta River and its surrounds.
If you’d like to learn more about volunteering for Riverfest, please contact the PRCG Riverkeeper Marion Huxley at: marion.huxley@innerwest.nsw.gov.au.