Festival of Fisher❜s Ghost 2026: Campbelltown❜s Spookiest Family Festival

Something spooky is stirring in Campbelltown as the Festival of Fisher's Ghost returns from 29 October to 8 November 2026, and this year there are two rather impressive milestones to celebrate.

The much-loved community festival is turning 70, while 2026 also marks 200 years since the legendary sighting of Fred Fisher's ghost.

What's On at This Year's Festival of Fisher's Ghost

Inspired by one of Australia's most famous ghost stories, the Festival of Fisher's Ghost has been bringing Campbelltown together since 1956. The 2026 program spreads across the city with the return of the colourful street parade, two huge nights of Fisher's Twilight Streets, live music from young local performers, sporting challenges and the popular Fisher's Ghost Fun Run. Campbelltown City Council is still adding to the official program, so expect even more events to materialise as October approaches.

Fisher's Ghost Parade

Saturday, 31 October 2026, 2-4 pm | Queen Street, Campbelltown | Free

One of the festival's most-loved traditions is making a comeback for the 70th anniversary celebrations. The Fisher's Ghost Parade will send Queen Street into party mode with colourful floats, performers, community organisations and local groups making their way through the heart of Campbelltown.

Fisher's Twilight Streets

Saturday, 31 October, 4-10 pm and Sunday, 1 November, 3-9 pm | Mawson Park and Queen Street | Free

The centrepiece of the 2026 celebrations is Fisher's Twilight Streets, a two-day street festival filling Mawson Park and Queen Street with music, food and after-dark atmosphere.

Saturday has a youth and teen focus, while Sunday switches gears for a family-friendly afternoon and evening. Across the weekend there will be live stage entertainment, activities, food vendors and a spectacular lighting installation transforming Mawson Park with colour and illuminated art.

On Sunday, Queen Street will also fill with market and artisan stalls selling handmade goods, tasty treats and other locally produced finds. 

Mawson Park Lighting Installation

Saturday, 31 October and Sunday, 1 November 2026 | Mawson Park | Free

Once the sun disappears, Mawson Park will get its own glow-up. Following the popularity of the previous lighting display, the 2026 festival will feature another immersive installation using light, art and storytelling to transform the park after dark.

Visitors will be able to wander through the illuminated displays across both nights of Twilight Streets, with plenty of colourful backdrops primed for a festival family photo.

Marsdens Law Group Fisher's Ghost Fun Run

Sunday, 8 November 2026 | Western Sydney University Campbelltown and TAFE NSW Campbelltown

Lace up the runners for one final festival tradition. The Fisher's Ghost Fun Run returns on Sunday 8 November with 5-kilometre and 10-kilometre courses for all levels.

The route takes runners and walkers through the combined Western Sydney University and TAFE NSW Campbelltown campuses. Children aged seven and over can enter the 5-kilometre event, while runners need to be at least 12 for the 10-kilometre course. Prams and strollers are also welcome in the designated starting area, making the shorter event an option for active families.

Registration information for 2026 will be released by Council.

Fisher's Ghost Art Award

26 September to 4 December 2026 | Campbelltown Arts Centre | Free

The spooky celebrations also have a creative side. Now in its 64th year, the Fisher's Ghost Art Award brings an impressive exhibition of finalist works to Campbelltown Arts Centre, with more than $60,000 in prize money across the 2026 awards.

The prestigious Open Award is worth $50,000, while categories also recognise contemporary and traditional art, Aboriginal artists, artists living with disability and primary and secondary school students. The exhibition is free to visit from 26 September to 4 December, with the winners announced on Friday 30 October to coincide with the festival.

Fisher's Ghost Writing Prize

Campbelltown's famous ghost story has been inspiring storytellers for two centuries, so budding writers are getting their chance to add to the tradition too. The Fisher's Ghost Writing Prize 2026 invites local writers from Year 4 upwards to submit short stories, narrative nonfiction, memoir or poetry inspired by this year's theme, Years in the Making.

The competition forms part of the wider festival celebrations and shines a spotlight on emerging writers who live, work or study in the Campbelltown area.

For more information and the full program, check out the Festival of Fisher's Ghost.

Where:  Various venues including Campbelltown Showground, Campbelltown City Centre and Campbelltown RSL Rooftop Carpark
When:   31 October and 7-8 November 2026
Cost:     General admission is FREE for all events; rides, sideshows and dining are at a cost; Fisher's Ghost Fun Run registration fees apply

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