Toodyay Fibre Festival
Toodyay Fibre Festival celebrates the art of working with natural fibres, bringing together craftspeople, artists and visitors for a day of handmade creations, traditional skills and creative inspiration.
Held in Toodyay, the festival features an artisan market, craft demonstrations, workshops, a fibre fashion showcase, children's activities and sheep-shearing demonstrations. Visitors can browse unique handmade goods, discover how natural materials are transformed into clothing and artwork, and meet the people keeping traditional crafts alive.
The event was reported to attract around 5,000 people annually in previous years, making it a significant celebration of craft and creativity in the Avon Valley.
Toodyay Fibre Festival at a Glance
Here are the key details for planning your visit.
When: Traditionally held on the first Sunday in June
Time: 10am to 3pm
Where: Stirling Terrace, Toodyay, with activities and displays also held in the Memorial Hall and other nearby locations
Cost: Free entry
What to Expect: Artisan markets, workshops, exhibitions, fibre crafts, fashion showcases, sheep shearing and family activities
What to Expect: Artisan markets, workshops, exhibitions, fibre crafts, fashion showcases, sheep shearing and family activities
Dogs: This is a dog-free event
Getting there: About an hour from Perth by car. A special event AvonLink train from Midland has run in past years, so check the official website for current transport details.
Organiser: Toodyay Fibre Festival Inc.
Official website: https://toodyayfibrefestival.com
What Happens on the Day
The festival runs from 10am to 3pm along Stirling Terrace, with most of it within easy walking distance of the main street. These highlights are based on previous years. The line-up changes each year, so check the official program closer to the date.
The Artisan Market
The artisan market is a highlight of the festival, showcasing handmade creations produced by talented Western Australian craftspeople. Browse knitted garments, woven textiles, felted pieces, fibre artwork and other unique creations made using natural materials.
It's an opportunity to meet the makers, learn about their techniques and take home something you won't find in an ordinary shop.
Spinning, Weaving and Traditional Crafts
See traditional fibre crafts in action, from spinning raw wool into yarn to weaving and creating textiles by hand. Demonstrations offer a closer look at the patience, skill and creativity behind handmade clothing and other fibre products.
Past festivals have included spinning demonstrations and displays, giving visitors the chance to watch experienced craftspeople at work.
The Fibre Fashion Showcase
The festival's fashion showcase celebrates what can be made from natural fibres and textile techniques. Previous parades have featured garments created through knitting, crochet, felting, sewing, patchwork, embroidery and upcycling.
Expect original designs, colourful textures and plenty of inspiration for anyone interested in handmade fashion.
Sheep Shearing and Wool Production
Sheep shearing demonstrations connect the finished craftwork on display with its agricultural origins. Watch how a fleece is removed and learn more about the wool that can eventually be spun, dyed, knitted or woven into useful and beautiful products.
The festival's early history also includes the International Back to Back Wool Challenge, which challenged teams to transform fleece from a sheep into a finished knitted garment.
Children's Activities and Creative Displays
The festival has also included activities designed to keep younger visitors entertained while families explore the stalls. In 2021, children could take part in an Eye Spy Echidna activity, searching for knitted echidnas hidden around the artisan displays.
Previous editions have also featured yarn bombing, a Mad Hatters Tea Party, Alice in Wonderland street theatre and creative installations, adding a playful touch to the town's historic streets.
Workshops, Exhibitions and New Skills
For visitors who want to do more than browse, workshops and demonstrations provide an introduction to the techniques behind fibre art. Exhibitions showcase different approaches to working with natural materials, from traditional handcrafts to contemporary textile design.
The festival's focus on preserving craft techniques while encouraging new ideas makes it appealing to experienced makers and complete beginners alike.
The History of the Toodyay Fibre Festival
The Toodyay Fibre Festival began in 2014, growing from an idea inspired by the International Back to Back Wool Challenge. The inaugural event was held at the Toodyay Racecourse and organised by Toodyay Festival Inc. in partnership with Avalon Homestead.
The original concept centred on turning wool from a sheep into a finished jumper as quickly as possible. The challenge brought together a blade shearer, spinners and knitters, demonstrating the remarkable amount of work involved in transforming raw fleece into a wearable garment.
The festival subsequently developed into a broader celebration of fibre arts, attracting spinners, weavers, textile artists, designers and visitors interested in traditional and contemporary crafts. It later became a regular event along Stirling Terrace, with markets, fashion parades, workshops and family activities.
By 2023, organisers were attracting an estimated 5,000 visitors each year. The event is run by Toodyay Fibre Festival Inc., a not-for-profit organisation supported by volunteers.
Why the Toodyay Fibre Festival Matters
The Fibre Festival is about more than wool and handmade products. It celebrates the skills, knowledge and creativity involved in turning natural materials into useful objects and works of art.
Keeping Traditional Skills Alive
Spinning, weaving, knitting and felting have long histories, but they require practical knowledge that is often passed from one generation to another. By bringing experienced craftspeople together with curious visitors, the festival helps keep these skills visible and accessible.
Celebrating Western Australian Artisans
The artisan market gives local and regional makers an opportunity to display their work, meet customers and sell handmade products. It also allows visitors to learn about the people and processes behind the things they buy.
Connecting Agriculture with Creativity
Western Australia has a long association with wool production and sheep farming. The festival connects that agricultural heritage with the creative process, showing how raw fleece can become yarn, clothing, artwork and other finished products.
Bringing the Community Together
Organised by volunteers, the festival creates a meeting place for craftspeople, families, hobbyists and visitors. It adds another distinctive event to Toodyay's calendar and gives people a reason to explore the town.
Plan Your Visit
The festival has traditionally been held along Stirling Terrace, Toodyay's historic main street, making it a good opportunity to combine the event with a day exploring the town.
Getting There
Toodyay is approximately 87 kilometres north-east of Perth. Driving is a convenient option, with the journey generally taking around an hour.
Allow extra time for parking during the festival, particularly if the main street or nearby areas are being used for stalls and activities. Check local event information for road closures and parking arrangements.
What to Bring
Bring comfortable walking shoes for browsing the stalls, along with a hat and sunscreen if the weather is sunny. A reusable shopping bag is handy for carrying handmade purchases, and it's worth bringing both cash and a payment card, as payment options can vary between stallholders. Don't forget your camera to capture the colourful crafts, displays and historic streetscape.
Eat, Drink and Stay
Make time to visit Toodyay's cafes, bakeries and pubs while you're in town. Food outlets and cafes have provided refreshments for festival visitors in previous years, although the exact food arrangements depend on the event program.
See Where to Eat and Drink in Toodyay for more options.
Make a Weekend of the Festival
If you're travelling from Perth, consider staying overnight and exploring more of the Avon Valley. Visit Connor's Mill, explore the Newcastle Gaol Museum, take a walk along the Bilya Walk Track or browse the town's independent shops.
See the Toodyay Getaway Guide for more ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Toodyay Fibre Festival held?
The festival has traditionally taken place in June. A confirmed date for the next edition needs to be checked with the organisers.
The festival has traditionally taken place in June. A confirmed date for the next edition needs to be checked with the organisers.
Is the Toodyay Fibre Festival free?
Yes, entry to the street festival is free, though individual workshops or specific activities may have separate ticketing or material fees.
Yes, entry to the street festival is free, though individual workshops or specific activities may have separate ticketing or material fees.
What can you see at the festival?
Past programs have included artisan markets, spinning and weaving demonstrations, fashion showcases, sheep shearing, workshops, exhibitions and children's activities.
Past programs have included artisan markets, spinning and weaving demonstrations, fashion showcases, sheep shearing, workshops, exhibitions and children's activities.
Is the festival suitable for children?
Yes. The festival has been promoted as family-friendly, with children's activities and creative displays included in previous programs.
Yes. The festival has been promoted as family-friendly, with children's activities and creative displays included in previous programs.
Do I need to be interested in knitting or sewing to enjoy it?
No. The event also appeals to people interested in handmade products, traditional crafts, agriculture, fashion and local markets.
No. The event also appeals to people interested in handmade products, traditional crafts, agriculture, fashion and local markets.
Can I buy handmade products?
Yes. The artisan market is a major feature, with craftspeople selling unique creations made from natural fibres and other materials.
Yes. The artisan market is a major feature, with craftspeople selling unique creations made from natural fibres and other materials.
Who organises the festival?
Toodyay Fibre Festival Inc., a community-based organisation supported by volunteers.
Toodyay Fibre Festival Inc., a community-based organisation supported by volunteers.
Travel Tip - Make a weekend of it! Explore Toodyay on a historic walking tour, discover Connor's Mill and the Newcastle Gaol Museum, or enjoy a stroll along the Bilya Walk Track beside the Avon River. Visit the Toodyay Getaway Guide for more ideas to plan your stay.
Looking for your next outing? Browse more local events in the Toodyay Events guide.