Free Hub Day Out returns to Springwood with chai and folk music

Joshua Lee McLean will bring 1970s folk and his own songs to Springwood’s Blue Mountains Theatre on 8 July — and the performance, along with a sausage sizzle, hot chai, and craft activities, won’t cost a cent.

It’s all part of Hub Day Out, a free all-ages event running from 11am to 2pm during the school holidays. Organisers have stacked the day with things to do, eat and hear, all under one roof at 106 Macquarie Road, and no one needs to book.

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said the mix of live music, food and hands-on fun was designed to give families a pressure-free outing. “These kinds of free, all-ages events are so important for bringing our community together and creating opportunities for people to play and connect,” he said. “Hub Day Out is a wonderful way for our community to slow down, enjoy each other’s company, and make the most of the school holidays in a relaxed and creative environment.”

Beyond McLean’s set — he plays a mix of 70s folk, modern classics and original material — the day includes craft stations and imagination-led games run by Blue Mountains Library, Springwood Neighbourhood Centre and Mountains Outreach Community Service. Headspace will be on hand, too, and there is a dedicated chillout space where families can step away when things get too busy.

Rotary volunteers will fire up the barbecue for a free sausage sizzle, while Gateways pours hot chai. Tea and coffee are also free, so the only thing you need to pack is an appetite and a couple of hours.

The event runs rain or shine. The indoor venue means the program rolls on whatever the weather, and families can drop in any time between 11am and 2pm.

McLean’s final song finishes at 2pm. After that, the craft tables pack down and the chai urns are emptied — but the quiet truth is that for three hours, Springwood will have pulled off something rare: a free family day where the only plan you need is to show up.