On the day of arguably Lismore's most iconic event, the Lismore Lantern Parade, comes the announcement that Lismore City Council's Eat The Street food festival has received a grant of $292,280 from the NSW Government.

Lismore Council, along with Tweed and Kyogle Councils, were successful in the $14.65 million Open Streets 2025-28 Program. This secures the popular event for the next three years.

Lismore Council last held Eat The Street in 2020 to a scaled-back, cautious crowd as we started to learn more about COVID-19. The 2022 floods put a stop to any future Eat The Street events for a few years, as Council put on concerts and street festivals, such as One From The Heart and Music From The Heart.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin congratulated the three councils, saying the Open Streets Program supports councils to temporarily close streets to deliver free events for locals and visitors over the next three years.

“The program is part of our Government’s agenda of supporting events, boosting local economies, creating safe and vibrant spaces, and stimulating nightlife activity,” Ms Saffin said.

Following a competitive grants process, successful local projects include:

• $350,000 to Tweed Shire Council for Local Streets Alive, providing an innovative and exciting event series for regional residents and visitors, located in Murwillumbah. It is comprised of three major events (annual Street Party 2025-27) delivered by Tweed Regional Museum in partnership with community, Business Murwillumbah and local vendors.
• $292,280 to Lismore City Council for Eat the Street, delivering economic growth, increased visitation and overnight stays, to help build and strengthen Lismore’s identity, through showcasing it as an alternative lifestyle hub.
• $79,500 to Kyogle Council for Kyogle Civic Heart Precinct Activation, expanding and improving a monthly farmers market through a temporary closure of Stratheden Street to expand the number of stallholders, encourage outdoor dining at two cafes, and presenting a program of regular live music, to increase visitation and dwell time.

For more information on the Open Streets Program and to see the full list of projects, visit: Open Streets Program | Transport for NSW.