Warwick may be best known as the Roses and Rodeos Capital of Queensland, but this historic town is not just home to this and some of the state’s finest original sandstone buildings, but also Queensland’s quirkiest festival!
For 10 days from July 17 to July 27, Warwick and surrounding communities play hosts to the cosiest, coolest festival around: Jumpers and Jazz in July (JJJ). Wrap yourself up in the unforgettable live music and a chunky jumper, and marvel at the 90 or so trees adorned with stunning textile art creations crafted by talented artists from across Australia and beyond!
History
Starting in 2004 and initially created as a positive community response to a major CBD streetscaping project of Warwick by the local council, the festival has dedicated the past 20 years to creating community through shared creativity, boosting the local economy and increasing participation in the arts.
Since 2016, Jumpers and Jazz has belonged to the community of Warwick and surrounding areas, and has been run by a volunteer organisation, with each event attracting more visitors than the year before, thanks to their steadfast commitment to their original vision of being Queensland’s quirkiest and most vibrant hallmark winter festival.
In recent years, the number of local businesses contributing to the festival has risen from 31 in 2017 to 53 last year, bringing more and more members of the community into the fold through fun and creativity. Thanks to this stellar participation, the festival has been able to offer over 160 experiences to festival attendees, and showcasing the region’s vibrant community spirit and pride in their home.
Visitor numbers have grown hand in hand with the festival, especially among regional attendees, but also including people from all over Australia, reaching a total of 60,000 attendees, which would be significant in almost any context, but is made even more so by the fact that it’s over four times the population of Warwick (approximately 13,500 people).
Yarn bombing
Commissioned over a decade ago by Warwick Art Gallery to yarn bomb the large tree in the Gallery garden and Warwick Town Hall, the Yarntopians — JJJ’s talented yarn bombing team — have been surprising visitors with their large-scale knitted and crocheted wonders.
In 2014, they took their skills indoors for the first time with “Knitchen”, a life-sized vintage kitchen installed at Warwick Art Gallery, entirely crafted from knitted, crocheted, felted and yarn-wrapped elements. From the black and white chequered floor tiles to the flying ducks adorning the wall, every detail was meticulously crafted, captivating audiences and sparking a viral sensation on social media.
Since then, their every yarnstallation has enraptured everyone who’s seen them. From an off-the-grid cottage to a magical 1920s French café, these incredible artists have been transporting their audience through space and time, all through the simple beauty of yarn. In 2023, the “Curiouser & Curiouser” installation at Kings Theatre drew inspiration from the appropriately whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland.
Crafting these large-scale marvels involves between 50 and 100 contributors and takes up to ten months to complete! Knitters and crocheters from across Australia send in their pieces, while a dedicated local team of 12 to 15 members assembles and installs the artwork. As you can imagine, putting together a yarnstallation of this scale, made up of several separate pieces, requires meticulous planning, but knitters and crocheters of all skill levels are welcome. Learn more about this amazing team, and even apply to join them here!
The year’s yarnstallation, “Enchanted Forest” can be viewed at the St Marks’ church precinct. Prepare to be awed by the fuzzy knitted wonderland filled with magical creatures, mystical fungi, and handcrafted forest scenes!
What to expect
The festival is looking to be the biggest and most whimsical yet this July, with everyday events like the tree jumper exhibition and the Yarntopian Installation adorning the streets and town for the duration of the event (from July 17 to 27), so you can take them in at your leisure and snap as many IG-worthy pics as your heart yarns— er, yearns for.
Throughout the 10 days there will also be a mix of ticketed and free events, such as an opening Jumpin’ Jazz Laneway Party on Friday, July 18 and a jazz showcase and the one-of-a-kind artisan markets on Saturday, and a jaw-dropping automobile display on Sunday, July 20.
The second and final weekend of Jumpers and Jazz in July will feature a suitcase rummage, a jazz dance party and, of course a grand finale event! Check out the full program here and get your tickets to their signature events here.