One of Australia’s most delightfully spooky festivals is back, and this year it’s bigger and better than ever. In case you need a quick refresher, Fred Fisher was a convict who went missing in Campbelltown in 1826, only to appear as a ghostly apparition to guide police to his remains and murderer. The first iteration of the Festival of Fisher's Ghost took place in 1956, when 1,500 people gathered in the town in the dead of the night, hoping to catch a glimpse of Fisher’s famous ghost.
Today, the event is a major fixture on the Campbelltown calendar, and is steeped in community history and tradition. This year’s festivities will kick off on November 3, and the reimagined program features everything from live music and carnival rides to an outdoor cinema and art exhibition.
To ensure you don’t miss a minute of the action, there are a few key dates to note. On November 4 the Twilight Fair is happening on Queen Street and the Lithgow Street Mall (and will include market stalls, entertainment and food), followed by Sunset Sounds the next night at the Campbelltown Commuter Carpark (bring a picnic rug so you can lay back, relax and enjoy the jazz, country and rock tunes).
Join local motor enthusiasts for a car show at Hurley Street Carpark on November 6, and view the annual Fisher’s Ghost Art Award exhibition at Campbelltown Art Gallery. There will also be an all-ages Japanese cultural event happening on the same day over at the Campbelltown Arts Centre.
You can catch a free flick under the stars on November 12 at the Arts Centre, or work up a sweat on November 13 by doing the fun run, which starts and finishes at the Western Sydney University campus. Plus, there will be rides, showbags and food stalls at the Campbelltown Commuter Carpark for the entirety of the festival, or you can go roller skating daily on the rooftop carpark of Campbelltown Mall.
And be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Fisher at all times – who knows, you may just be lucky enough to spot him.
The Festival of Fisher's Ghost is a free, family-friendly event taking place from November 3-13. For more information and to view the full line-up, head to the website.