Winter Warmer Cabaret Brings Comedy, Art and Community Together for Homelessness Relief

As winter bites across the Northern Rivers, a night of laughter, connection and creativity is set to raise vital funds for people doing it tough.

Dharma Care’s annual Winter Warmer campaign returns on Thursday 2 July with the Winter Warmer Fundraising Cabaret at Salt Bar, Kingscliff - an evening of comedy, cabaret, art, dance and heartfelt conversation supporting people experiencing homelessness across Byron and Tweed Shires.

Headlined by celebrated comedian Mandy Nolan, world-renowned performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, the event promises a mix of entertainment and impact, opening with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.

A powerful night of comedy, cabaret, art and community is coming to Kingscliff this July, with all proceeds supporting frontline homelessness services across the Northern Rivers.

Guests can expect winter-warming canapés, live performances, a raffle and art auction, alongside candid conversations with the campaign’s four charity partners, offering insight into the growing reality of homelessness in the region.

“What began as a simple idea in 2023 has now become an annual campaign and we are very glad to bring Winter Warmer together again in 2026 where the need is just as strong — if not more so than when we first started,” said Dharma Care’s Darren Sutton. “We can’t solve the lack of social housing investment or magically make emergency accommodation appear, but we can help alleviate suffering and bring warmth and comfort to people managing their lives in truly awful situations.”

Since launching in 2023, Winter Warmer has raised more than $170,000 and supported over 8,000 people, with this year’s fundraising target set at $50,000.

Funds raised will be shared between four frontline services including Fletcher Street Cottage in Byron Bay, St Vincent de Paul Society’s Fred’s Place in Tweed Heads, The Shift Project and Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre.

With rough sleeping across Byron and Tweed among the highest in New South Wales, the campaign continues to provide practical relief, dignity and connection for some of the region’s most vulnerable.

If you can’t make the cabaret, donations to the Winter Warmer campaign remain open throughout winter.