If you're keen to head away for the weekend, Sydney will come out of hibernation for an action-packed festival celebrating food and drink, art, entertainment and culture in the lead up to the longest night of the year.

Events to check out:

Darling Harbour and surrounds

CBD and surrounds

Newtown and surrounds

For more information, visit www.sydneysolstice.com/

Ice Skating

The Oak Flats roller rink on Industrial Road reopen this Friday night as a temporary ice rink, after site owners suddenly terminated the lease of their previous tenant.

Skaters can get on the ice for the grand opening from 7pm to 830pm.

The Fanning family who own the complex have rebranded the centre as Go Skating, and aim to have roller skating in the summer.

SurfLife Music Festival Gerringong 2021

Held in the beautiful coastal town of Gerringong, surrounded by world class surf breaks and green rolling hills, SurfLife is a weekend celebration of music, surfing, food, fun and good times, just 90 minutes south of Sydney.

There are two great nights of music headlined by THE TERRYS and THE BLUES PREACHERS. There is also loads of fee live music around the streets of Gerringong and a Surfboard swap meet during the day on Saturday.

SurfLife happens June 11-12 at the Gerringong Town Hall, Gerringong NSW.

www.gerringongfestival.com.au/

Rock Photography Exhibition

Photographer Wendy McDougall releases 'It's only rock'n'roll but I like it ...' a book of her music photography over a 40-year period from 1979 to 2019.

A free exhibition with a selection of images can be seen at Wollongong Library until June 24).

www.wendymcdougall.com.au

Sussex Inlet Viking Festival

The family-friendly event will run on Saturday June 12 around Sussex Inlet and includes a traditional viking village with swords, magic, (faux) dragons and fortune tellers.

A viking beer garden, fire breathers and wooden boat display will be part of the event, along with live music and a Kids Zone. Indigenous group Galamban will be hosting basket weaving, storytelling and selling Indigenous food.

Other activities include medieval market stalls, Scandiavian food, canal tours, circus shows, FABBA tribute band, fishing workshops, build a viking boat competition from Lego, best dressed competitions.

Tickets for the Viking Festival are on sale now for Saturday June 12. For more details visit: www.vikingfestival.com.au

Gates open 9.30am and festival finishes 7.30pm; Ellmoos Reserve in front of RSL.

Albion Park Winter Bonanza

The Albion Park Show Society are warming our hearts with fireworks, demoition derby, Kings Freestyle Motorcross, Tough Trucks, trail rider showcase, food vans and novelty events.

Despite numerous set backs due to bushfires and COVID-19 over the last 18 months, the committee is proud to present the Illawarra with over 4 hours of family fun from 3pm.

Tickets available through the following link or at the gate: https://nswtickets.com.au/event/13377

Over 40's Singles Night

In case you missed it, Poppy from MAFS is still single and ready to mingle, and is the special guest at this Over 40's singles night called Retro 40s.

It's upstairs at the Illawarra Leagues Club on Church Street from 7pm until late.

For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/Retro40s or www.eventbrite.com.au

Comedian Tommy Little

Tommy Little is Australia's premier d*ckhead. Which is lucky for everyone else as d*ckhead decisions make for big laughs!

Nothing is off limits at a Tommy Little live show - his real-life antics and setbacks are foolish, funny as hell and definitely his own fault. He brings his tales to life with effortless charisma, high energy and a cheeky yet intimate connection with his audiences.

Catch him at the Wollongong Town Hall from 7:30pm.

For more details visit: www.merrigong.com.au

Illawarra Light Rail Museum

It's full steam ahead into winter at this much loved attraction, the Illawarra Light Rail Museum on Tongarra Road at Albion Park Rail.

Catch the Steam "Train Burra" & "Kiama" from platform one and then ride the Miniature Train for great day out into the Railways of Yesteryear.

Food Sales..BBQ..Picnic Tables..Kids Plays Grounds.. Tour the Museum. Entry fees and conditions apply.

Train Rides and Museum open from 10am to 2pm

Shellharbour City Art Society

The art society is exhibiting current members work at the Imaginarium in Shellharbour daily from 10am to 4pm - from Sunday June 13 until June 20.

They will have artists onsite, that would be happy to talk about their techniques, share tips and discuss membership.

A mini workshop will be available on the June 18 after 10.30am to try your hand at creating your own watercolour card.

The Imaginariumis at the corner of Wentworth St & Addison St, Shellharbour.

We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.