All One Under the Sun Festival
Celebrating Community & Culture - In Harmony on the Coffs Coast
A vibrant festival uniting our community in celebration of cultural diversity in Coffs Harbour.
The All One Under the Sun Festival has grown from Coffs Harbour's long-standing tradition of celebrating cultural diversity, building on the success of Harmony Festival held since 2006. Born from this legacy, the AOUTS Festival was first held in 2022, where the Youth Action Collective launched the festival anthem, ‘All One Under the Sun.’
The event brought thousands together to celebrate multiculturalism through music, performances, cultural activities, and international cuisine. AOUTS proudly focuses on social cohesion and bringing together people to celebrate their journeys in calling Coffs Harbour home—from the proud first residents of the land being the Gumbaynggirr community to those arriving from waves of migration and refugee settlement.
In 2024, the festival returned, bigger and brighter, offering the opportunity for cultural immersion experiences through performances, workshops and activities with expanded community involvement and record participation.
2024 AOUTS Festival:
The festival received outstanding support from cultural communities, including strong participation from local First Nations groups. High levels of engagement were seen across the working groups, which included Community Services, Cultural Groups, and Youth Representatives.The event featured a wide range of activities, performances, and workshops for all ages, showcasing a highly engaged community committed to celebrating diversity and connection.
With over 5,000 attendees and more than 200 performers, the day was a vibrant celebration of culture and inclusion.AOUTS played a central role, with 9 short films and film clips screened and live performances of 5 original songs by young people who have been part of the program since 2021. First Nations community members were actively involved as performers, facilitators, and audience members, reflecting their ongoing and growing engagement with the project. This participation has strengthened connections among diverse groups in the community, with many young participants highlighting the festival as a significant personal milestone.
A key highlight was the launch of the new AOUTS song and film clip, “Same Moon as I.” Leading up to the festival, engagement on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram was exceptionally strong.
The event also gained significant media coverage, including radio interviews with ABC Local, ABC Mid North Coast, One Mob Radio, Triple B (Bellingen), and Triple M, as well as articles in News of the Area.
What Our Community Says:
A post-event questionnaire was conducted, with 181 attendees sharing their feedback on the festival. The results were overwhelmingly positive, with 98.9% of respondents rating their overall experience as excellent, highlighting the festival’s role in promoting inclusion, cultural exchange, and community harmony. Participants praised the wide variety of activities for all ages, vibrant performances, and the opportunity to connect with others in a safe and welcoming environment.
Many attendees described the day as “fun, inclusive, and heartwarming”, emphasising how the festival brought together diverse cultural groups to celebrate unity. Suggestions for future events included adding more kids' activities, additional shade and seating, and expanding food and drink options to cater to all needs.
The feedback overwhelmingly called for the festival to become an annual event, showcasing its value as a cornerstone of cultural connection in Coffs Harbour.
“An amazing day showcasing Coffs’ cultural diversity.” – Mission Australia
“A safe and welcoming space for all cultures to come together.” – North Coast Settlement Service
"The best of Coffs Harbour’s multicultural spirit!”
Let's Keep the Festival Going!
The All One Under The Sun Festival aims to grow as an annual celebration of cultural diversity, inclusion, and community connection in Coffs Harbour. Building on the success of previous years, the vision for future festivals is to expand participation, ensuring even more opportunities for cultural groups, performers, and the broader community to engage and connect.
By fostering a safe, inclusive, and vibrant space, the festival will continue to bring people together, strengthen community harmony, and showcase the rich cultural diversity that makes Coffs Harbour such a unique and welcoming place.
