Planning a visit to Kaniva or looking for something to do while you’re here? Check out what’s happening in Kaniva and across the district, from community events and workshops to exhibitions, markets and local activities. 

All information supplied in good faith and subject to change. Please help out organisers and small businesses, and book early for any tickets, accommodation, meals. 

If you'd like your event added to our list, please email us. Or create a facebook event through your organisation/ business page and add Kaniva as a co host. This way it will automatically be added to the Kaniva facebook page. Contact us to be featured in our Living Local promotional stories. There is no charge for listings, however we welcome everyone to support us by way of a $30 annual KDPA membership. 
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For community notices, join the Love your Kaniva Community Facebook Group and post direct. You can also find community noticeboards at LINK Neighbourhood House, Kaniva Post Office and Kaniva Community Roadhouse. Promote your event via the weekly Kaniva Times and Nhill Free Press. Deadline for stories is Mon 10am. NB. For Kaniva Facebook publicity, we welcome news worthy photos and story outline.

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Calendar of events: 

October

Wed 7th Oct, 10:00am–1:00pm 
Historical Society Open Days.
Historical societies across the Hindmarsh Shire are opening their doors as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival. Visit local museums and archives, explore the district’s history and enjoy light refreshments. Nhill & District Historical Society & Museum: 104–106 Macpherson Street, Nhill. 
Rainbow Archive & Historical Society & Museum: 31 King Street, Rainbow. Entry: Free.

Wed 7th Oct, 4:00pm
Kaniva Community Tennis Centre Working Bee.
Volunteers are needed to help get the tennis centre ready for another great spring/summer season. Tasks include putting out the nets, cleaning the clubrooms and mowing the lawns. All help is greatly appreciated. Venue: Kaniva Community Tennis Centre. 

Thurs 8th Oct, 11am
Frankly Sinatra - A tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes
Hosted by Hindmarsh Shire Council for their 2026 Seniors Concert as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival 2026. Call Council’s Customer Service Centre on (03) 5391 4444 to reserve a seat. Nhill Memorial Community Centre, 77-79 Nelson Street

Sat 10th Oct 2026
140th Kaniva Show
This year’s Kaniva Show celebrates 140 years of bringing the community together for a fun-filled day of animals, agriculture, entertainment, competitions and family fun. Enjoy free Fizzics science shows, an animal nursery, helicopter rides, free Laser Tag, Car & Bike Show, market stalls, craft demonstrations and plenty of food and entertainment. Animal lovers can enjoy the Dog Parade and the very popular Dog High Jump, featuring Kim Dodson and Banjo from Muster Dogs. Test your skills in the Young Farmers Challenge and enjoy the excitement of the Sheep Races. Stay into the evening for dinner, drinks and live music from “Doin Time”, followed by a spectacular fireworks display. More info

Wed 14th Oct, 10:00am
Community Lunch: Seafood Surprise.
Join Christy for a fun and social morning as she teaches you how to prepare a mystery seafood dish, which you can then enjoy together. Come along for food, fun and friendship. Cost: Donation to LINK. Venue: LINK Neighbourhood House, Kaniva. Bookings: Essential – 03 5392 2865

Thurs 15th Oct 
140th Annual Nhill Show
Head to the Nhill Showgrounds for a traditional country show packed with activities for all ages, including animals, sideshow alley, pony rides, wildlife displays, trade sites, food and plenty of pavilion competitions. Stay into the evening for more entertainment and the fireworks finale

Fri 16 Oct, 11:00am
Coffee & Chat 
KDPA’s monthly Coffee & Chat invites the public to enjoy an informal cuppa and conversation about upcoming Council agendas. Cr Richard Hicks and Cr Helen Hobbs are normally in attendance. No bookings required. Windmill Cafe 

Sat 17th–Sun 18th Oct, from 10:00am
Windmill Stitchers 12th Biennial Quilt Show
An amazing display of local quilts in the stunning Kaniva Shire Hall. Enjoy visiting quilting and craft traders, a raffle and refreshments from the Supper Room. Make a weekend of it and explore Kaniva’s other attractions, including the Billyho Bushwalk, Sheep Art Trail, Silo Art, Wiregrass Heritage Trail and Kaniva Puppet Shop, as well as local cafes and pubs. Venue: Kaniva Shire Hall, Baker Street, Kaniva. No bookings required. Enquiries: LINK Neighbourhood House on 03 5392 2865. More info

Sat 17th Oct - Sun 18th, from 9:30am
Quilting retreat
Join Alaine at Little Desert Quilts for a two-day quilting workshop featuring four patterns to create four different quilts from the Blockstar fabric pack. The $300 fee includes over 11 hours of instruction and tutor assistance with the quilt designer, four hours to visit the Kaniva Windmill Stitchers Quilt Show and Little Desert Quilts shop, bottomless tea and coffee, and use of shared irons and ironing boards. Sewing can continue until 6:30pm on Saturday. Day 2 runs Sunday 18th October, 9:30am–3:00pm. A $100 deposit is required on booking, with the balance due by 1st October. Blockstar Starter Packs and background fabric are additional and available from Little Desert Quilts. Venue: 69 Commercial St, Kaniva. Full details

Tues 20th Oct, 10:00am–1:00pm 
Historical Society Open Day. 
Historical societies across the Hindmarsh Shire are opening their doors as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival. Visit local museums and archives, explore the district’s history and enjoy light refreshments. Jeparit & District Historical Society: Former Municipal Offices, Roy Street, Jeparit – Thursday 22nd October, 10:00am–1:00pm. Entry: Free.

Wed 21 Oct, 2:00pm
West Wimmera Shire Council Meeting & Community Forum
Connewirricoo. Council meeting including Community Forum opportunity.

Fri 23rd Oct, 10:00am–1:00pm 
Historical Society Open Day. 
Historical societies across the Hindmarsh Shire are opening their doors as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival. Visit local museums and archives, explore the district’s history and enjoy light refreshments. Dimboola & District Historical Society: 67 Lloyd Street, Dimboola. Entry: Free.

Sun 25th Oct, 9:00am–4:00pm
Nhill Garden Walk.
Explore Nhill gardens while helping raise funds for the Lions Children’s Cancer Research Foundation. Tickets are $15 and include a Devonshire tea, with tickets available on the day from the Nhill Lions Den in Pine Street, behind the Uniting Church. There will also be plants for sale from Blossom Blend plant nursery in Jeparit, including varieties suited to the local area and suitable for homes with dogs, along with a garden art stall featuring unique wares. Venue: Nhill. Tickets: $15, available on the day.


Thu 29th Oct, 1:30pm
West Wimmera Seniors Concert 2026.
Celebrate local seniors with an afternoon of music, community and recognition as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival. Enjoy Diamonds in the Rough, a tribute to the music of Neil Diamond, followed by the presentation of the 2026 West Wimmera Senior Citizen of the Year Award and a free afternoon tea. A bus will run from Kaniva and Goroke to Edenhope, with bookings essential. Venue: Edenhope and District Community Centre. Bookings: West Wimmera Shire Council on 13 99 72 or via Eventbrite.

November

Tues 3rd Nov
Melbourne Cup
Enjoy a day of Melbourne Cup celebrations with lunch and a glass of bubbles on arrival, plus activities for the kids, Fashions on the Field, silent auction, wine wall, sweeps and more. Tickets are $35, with proceeds helping support Cottages 4 Country Care, an organisation providing accommodation and support for country families during medical stays in Adelaide. Venue: Kaniva Golf Club. Try booking  

Wed 4 Nov, 2:00pm
West Wimmera Shire Council Annual Statutory Meeting 
Edenhope Council Chamber. Annual Statutory Meeting including Election of Mayor.

Fri 13 Nov, 11:00am
Coffee & Chat 
KDPA’s monthly Coffee & Chat invites the public to enjoy an informal cuppa and conversation about upcoming Council agendas. Cr Richard Hicks and Cr Helen Hobbs are normally in attendance. No bookings required. Kaniva Community Roadhouse

Sat 14th Nov, 
Bordertown Spring Festival.
Medieval highlander themed show,

Wed 18 Nov, 2:00pm
West Wimmera Shire Council Meeting 
Kaniva Council Chamber. Monthly formal Council meeting.

Sat 28 Nov
2026 Victorian State Election

December

Wed 16 Dec, 2:00pm
West Wimmera Shire Council Meeting
Edenhope Council Chamber. Final Council meeting for 2026. Community members welcome to attend.

Fri 18 Dec, 
School holidays start

2027

Thu 25th–Tue 30th Mar (TBC)
Big Rigs Clan Easter 2027
Tentative date for Big Rigs Clan, a mobile home club, for its Easter 2027 social gathering at the Kaniva Recreation Reserve. The event will bring travelling members to Kaniva and will provide an opportunity for members to enjoy Kaniva and the surrounding area while supporting local businesses and attractions.


Thu 8th–Sun 11th Apr 2027
AFL Gather Round – Make Kaniva Part of Your Footy Trip
Heading to South Australia for Gather Round? Make Kaniva part of your journey! With the 2027 AFL Gather Round, thousands of football fans will be travelling through Western Victoria and into South Australia. Kaniva is the perfect place to stop, stay the night, stretch your legs, grab a coffee or meal, recharge your vehicle, explore our attractions and discover some of the great things our town has to offer. Take time to experience the Sheep Art Trail, Wiregrass Heritage Trail, Kaniva Wetlands, local shops, cafes and pubs before continuing your journey or on the way home from the Gather Round.


Sat 17th–Sun 18th Apr 2027
Wimmera Steampunk Festival & Serviceton Railway Weekend
The Wimmera Steampunk Festival returns to Dimboola, with the Starfarers’ Jubilee, celebrating the fantastical idea of 19th-century space travel. Step into a reimagined world of Victoriana, imagination and all things weird and wonderful. Expect street performers, stilt walkers, mechanical creations, music, exhibitions, food and drink, entertainment and plenty of spectacular costumes. The celebrations continue on Sunday with a special railway experience at historic Serviceton Railway Station, with the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre offering a day trip from Horsham and Dimboola to this once-important railway location. The program includes an afternoon tea and entertainment at the station. Make a weekend of it and explore the Wimmera Mallee, with Kaniva perfectly positioned to be part of your journey. Visit the Wiregrass Heritage Trail, Sheep Art Trail, Overland Museum, local cafes, pubs and shops while you're in the area.

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