The CREATE festival will kick off on March 13 for 16 days and night of paintings, sculptures theatre, film and workshops. The festival has been developed by a group of Narrabri artists with backing from council. This year the festival will include exhibitions and workshops, as well as a stage show, documentary and two short films. It will end with a closing night party on March 27 at The Crossing Theatre with local band 3LPDS (Three Legged Pigdogs) and Tralala Blip. Bookings and information at www.crossingtheatre.com.au/CREATE. Various. Narrabri.

There will be entertainment, food and goodies to grab at the Harmony Week markets on March 20 at Wolseley Park. The fun will kick off at 7am and finish at 2pm, with between 35 and 40 stalls expected to set up for the day. You'll also be able to catch some Brazilian and Cuban dancers. Potential stallholders should contact 0439 609 502.

When the Under Western Skies Festival kicks off next month it will be reintroducing the 2000s pop-punk music scene (think Green Day, Blink 182) with Catnip Kaiser in the mix. They join Andy Nelson, The Safety of Life at Sea, Thirsty Merc, Clinton Hoy and a raft of other great acts over three days. You can ease into the weekend at the Devil's Hollow Brewery. After a year without festivals, it's great to see them back. Under Western Skies, March 18-21, various venues Dubbo. For the full gig list and bookings visit uwsfest.com.

Flickerfest is coming to town, so here's your chance to see some unique short works from the world of film. This weekend it's comedy, including Pawsea, A La Mode, Smashed. The Birth of Valerie Venus, Toto, Straight Out of COVID, The Affected and Bench Tickets are $15 session from www.thecivic.com.au, Gunnedah. Starts at 3pm.

Diana Lampard and Veronica Filby have put their heads together to create the first "Your Creative Escape" in Currabubula on March 13. The Little Flower School from Tamworth will run a flower crown workshop and artist Jodie Herden will help you create your own version of Van Gogh's "Starry Night". Tickets at eventbrite.com.au

If you like a bit of Irish music and dancing then this is the gig for you. 'A Taste of Ireland' is headed to Gunnedah with its world-class dancing and folk music mash-ups. You'll be able to travel through Ireland's tumultuous history without leaving our fair shores. Gunnedah Town Hall, April 18 and Capitol Theatre Tamworth April 20. Book tickets at evtam.sales.ticketsearch.com.

It's scheduled to go ahead from April 16-18, if COVID-19 restrictions allow this year. What will you find when you stream in through the gates. Competitions, events, sideshow alley, animal nursery and rodeos. New this year are a pet show and bush poetry, Aussie FMX motor bike display and a community stage. Don't forget the fairy-floss. Oxley Highway, Gunnedah.

A patch of land out the back of the Imperial Hotel at Quirindi is about to be turned into a market. The aim is boost tourism to the area after a lull due to restrictions. It will bring in goodies from around the region. The first one, on March 6, will have food, drink, gardening, health and beauty items and kids activities such as jumping castles and face painting. After that it will be held on the first Saturday of each month from 8am to 3pm. Stallholders: Tracy McFarlane via Facebook or 0408265333.

The sound of pipes will be swirling and the drums will be pounding at Qurindi's Longfield Oval for the Liverpool Plains Military Tattoo on March 6. There will be market stalls and a variety of entertainment, other than the Scottish variety during the day and in the evening all of the colour of the tattoo. The day will finish with fireworks.

IF you're feeling the need for speed then Gunnedah Airport is the place to be with popular drag racing meetings set to return. The first of four Weeks of Speed events hosted by Tamworth Drag Racing Association (TDRA) at Gunnedah will kick off on the weekend of March 6 and 7. The organisers are hoping for spectators, so put this on in the diary. 41 Wean Rd.

After a year off, the Gunnedah Country Music Muster will be back with some foot stomping fun in March. The line-up for the three-day event includes Grant Luhrs, Bob Easter, former Gunnedah local John Lynch and Max Maher. Gunnedah, various, March 24-26. Tickets are $20 a person a day. Bookings: or Rex Baldwin on 0428 486 134.

Camping is on the rise as people look to save money and have COVID-19 friendly holidays. As a result more people have been flocking to our beautiful countryside to pitch a tent and have a few adventures. On our doorstep is the Warrabah National park, with the Namoi River providing spots to cool your heels (and the rest of you). There's fishing, swimming, kayaking/canoeing and picnics all to be had. The beautiful landscape around Nundle and Hanging is rich with history - there's gold in them hills. Further afield you can visit the Warrumbungle National Park (a dark sky area, so great for star gazing from your campsite) and the Pilliga National Park (check out the Sculptures in the Scrub). Various

Checking out the new Maize Mill mura? Add the laneway art in the walkway from Conadilly Street to Coles to your itinerary. The work references community groups and Aboriginal culture, as well as the region's art and culture. Spot the green plains, local fishing spots and, of course, Gunnedah's famous koalas in the work.