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Sydney Festivals 2013

What festivals are on in Sydney? Where are the best festivals in Sydney?

Sydney Festivals Large and Small

What are the best and most entertaining festivals in Sydney? Sydney hosts a number of major festivals (including the biggest, the Sydney Festival) each year attracting international performers and artists from around the globe. That's not to say that some of the smaller, community based festivals can't draw the crowds and the smiles. For other top events in Sydney please visit What's on in Sydney.

Head On Photo Festival - Sydney - Friday, 17th May - Sunday, 23rd June

Australia's largest photography festival, the Head On Photo Festival, has over 200 different events to tempt you with, all showcasing the work of world's top photographers. The festival covers everything from photojournalism to fine art, to Hollywood stars to gorgeous landscapes and in-your-face portraits.

For more information: Head On Photo Festival


Sydney Winter Festival?

This is a first; our first non-event posting! Sadly, there is no official Winter Festival this year - that's the one with the outdoor ice rink and alpine hot drinks. We thought we ought to let you know as it still being reported elsewhere that it is happening, but unfortunately, it isn't (those good old budget cuts again).

The Winter Festival has gone the same way as the Great Train Race, Blues and Jazz Festival and soon to be dismantled Monorail. So what's next? The Sydney Opera House? We will endeavour to find out what, if anything fills 'the void' so to speak. Follow the link for more sad details.

Sydney Winter Festival



Winter Magic Festival, Katoomba - Saturday, 22nd June

Every day in Katoomba is of course 'magic' but Saturday, 22nd June will be especially so with a Grand Parade, music, stalls, art and displays and lots of people playing dress-up. This is a community event so the locals really get into this and so will you if you go along. It is a lot of fun and I just hope the weather behaves itself.

Winter Magic Festival, Katoomba

Sydney Weather


Winterlight Festival in Parramatta - Thursday, 27th June to Sunday, 14th July

Parramatta is embracing winter with a huge outdoor ice rink, alpine food, an outdoor bar, cool entertainment and things for the kids to do. Rug up warm and join in the fun.

Winterlight Festival


More things to do, places to go and things to see in Sydney

If you haven't done so already, we recommend that you have a look at What's on in Sydney, and the list of the top 100 plus things to do in Sydney. The further down the list you go the more likely it is you will find things to do in Sydney that you hadn't thought of, or things to do you have forgotten about or overlooked. In addition to all that, we have the things to do in Sydney when it rains among a few other bits and pieces - just have look at the "news" column on the right-hand side of this page.


Past Sydney Festivals - Many of the Festivals in Sydney are annual events


Sydney Film Festival from 5th June

Have you bought your tickets yet to the Sydney Film Festival? We have listed some of the more interesting movies and provided a link to the trailers so you can judge for yourself. The Vivid Festival will still be on for the early part of the film festival, so leave yourself some time to wander around town to admire the amazing lights.

Sydney Film Festival and Sydney Vivid Festival


What's on at the Sydney Film Festival? - Martin Place Amphitheatre - ends Sunday, 16th June

What's on at the Sydney Film Festival? Well you could check out the big screen at Martin Place Amphitheatre and watch "an ever-changing mix of trailers, red-carpet coverage, short films and more".

What's on at the Sydney Film Festival


Sydney June Long Weekend - Saturday, 8th June to Monday, 10th June

Just a reminder that the June public holiday is on Monday 10th June for the Queen's Birthday. There is nothing worse than realising you have the day off work for the Queen's Birthday and you forgot to send her a card. :)

Things to do on the Queen's Birthday

Sydney Public Holidays


Sydney's Major Festivals

Vivid Sydney and the Sydney Film Festival

Click The more on the wonderful light show brought to us by the Vivid Festival and the ever engaging award awarding Sydney Film Festival that are getting closer!!

Sydney Opera House Vivid Sydney festivalVivid Sydney - 24th May – 10th June 2013.

5 years old Vivid Sydney is a light, music and "ideas" festival which aims to have something for everyone. Most of us just like to see the Opera House looking even more awesome than usual, however, there is more to Vivid Sydney than that. The older the Vivid Sydney gets the more it moves, delights and entertains us. If you are in Sydney during the Vivid Festival you are in for one, big treat!

Last Years Vivid Sydney

Last year the artist geniuses of Vivid have come with a light hearted yarn to tell. A three-storey-high animation will tell the story of a day in life of "Workerman". This poor chap goes to work, causes a traffic jam by hitting a bus, endures a rather dramatic day when he finally arrives, retreats into dreamland, and finally escapes back home. This year it promises to be even better

Vivid Live

Whilst Vivid Sydney doesn't start till May, the best tickets start disapppearing now. The Light Walk, including the lighting of the Sydney Opera House Sails is a must see but that's for free. Vivid Live provides us with the option of going to a concert as well as the seeing the Vivid lights.

Empire of the Sun, Bobby Womack and Kraftwerk

This year the line-up includes Empire of the Sun and music legend Bobby Womack. Tickets to Kraftwerk, Vivid's initial headline act, went faster than a German sports car on an autobahn. If you are interested you will find more details by following the link below.

Vivid Sydney


Wine Tasting without going to the Hunter Valley at the Sydney Wine Trail & Harvest Festival - Saturday, 6th to Sunday, 21st April

Not that there is anything wrong with going to the Hunter Valley, lots right with it, it's more that the Sydney Wine Trail & Harvest Festival allows you to taste some excellent wines in a region less visited. Explore the Hawkesbury and enjoy its wine. The link below has a map and details on the wineries taking part along with some of the wines to be tasted and event discount coupons in case you want to buy some.
So you should be all set to enjoy what promises to be a fabulous festival. Cheers!

For more on the Hawkesbury River

Taste of Manly - The Food, Wine and Sustainability Festival - Saturday, 1st June to Sunday, 2nd June

I'm starting to feel bad about the number of times we mention the Northern Beaches. In my defence, it is a little hard to ignore the Taste of Manly - The Food Wine and Sustainability Festival as it is such great event! Great food and wine combined with live music and an awesome scenic backdrop. Having said that, there is so much to do on the Northern Beaches that you really could just go for an hour or two then jump back in the car and keep driving up the coast. We are so spoilt in this city; make the most of it.

Pyrmont Festival - Pirrama Park - Friday, 17th May to Sunday, 26th May

From start to finish, from top to bottoms-up, the Pyrmont Festival commands attention with the best Pyrmont has to offer and a taste of Regional NSW, specifically the Mudgee Region, thrown in for good measure. Mudgee Wine was once cruelly labelled ‘Mudgee Mud’ but not anymore, in fact one of the best reds I've ever tasted was from Mudgee, albeit with some help from grapes from South Australia, but so what. As well as wine there will be food and art but back to the wine; there will be a 'Meet the Winemaker', breakfast, lunch, dinners you could just stay in Pyrmont forever which is why the festival has to close on the 26th May.

Sydney Writers’ Festival - Walsh Bay - Monday, 20th May to Sunday, 26th May

Sydney Writers’ Festival is Australia's largest festival of literature and ideas. With Australia's top writers crammed into 150 free events, and over 150 not free events, we can literally say it is a good idea to go along. This year's focus is on the 'Art of Storytelling', very apt given we are in an election year.

Sydney's Northern Beaches Music Festival - Berry Reserve and the Tramshed Community Arts Centre in Narrabeen, Sydney - Friday, 17th May - Sunday, 19th May

(For more reasons to visit the Northern Beaches have a flick through the top 20 or so of the top things to do in Sydney)

Night of Horror International Film Festival and Fantastic Planet Film Festival - Dendy Newtown - Thursday, 11th April to Sunday, 21 April 2013

Prepare your 'excitement modulator to overload!' if you crave 'cinematic gore', if you like your trip to the cinema to be 'spine-chilling' then you must journey to the inner west of Sydney and the fabulous Dendy Cinema in Newtown. Some of this year’s festival will be serious, some of it will not, some of the movies will be short; some of them will be hot. If you have tired of life on this planet, as we know it, go to Newtown, it will be like visiting another world.

Hoopla Circus Festival in Darling Harbour - Friday, 29th March - Monday 1st April

Hoopla Festival in Darling Harbour

The Sydney Festival

Rian Sydney Festival

The Sydney Festival doesn't start until January but tickets to the main events may well sell out as the festival attracts a lot of people from interstate and overseas. In other words, book early or risk disappointment.

Sydney Festival

Blue Mountains Music Festival, Katoomba - Friday, 15th March to Sunday, 17th March

Katoomba, the unofficial capital of the Blue Mountains, is playing host to a highly anticipated Folk and Blues Festival. Some wonderful musicians are expected to take part, including Luka Bloom, Arlo Guthrie, Gurrumul, Joseph Tawadros, The Barons of Tang, Zoe Keating and many more. This folkie blues extravaganza will have 8 undercover performance venues covering an expected 100 plus performances. A single ticket will buy you the right to see as many performances as you like.

Top things to do in the Blue Mountains

Bondi Open Air Festival, Bondi - ends Sunday, 3rd March 2013

It may not have felt like it at times, but summer is not over yet, there is still life in summer and autumn can wait. For top things to do in Summer, including Open Air cinemas like the Bondi Open Air Festival, visit top things to do this summer before it's too late.

Top things to do in Summer in Sydney

Top Gear Festival Sydney - Sydney Motorsport Park - Saturday, 9th March - Sunday, 10th March

If you are a big Top Gear fan then the first thing you will want to know is will Jeremy Clarkson, James May and The Stig be there? Well they said they were coming, along a scattering of legendary racing drivers and celebrities. This is a genuine Top Gear production combined with amazing stunts and challenges, live action zones, exhibitions and more top gear. The Top Gear Festival is scheduled as a one-off event, only to take place in Sydney, so it is bound to be popular.

Festival for the Kimberley – Friday, 8th March

When a beautiful place like the Kimberley travels over 4,000 kilometres to visit a beautiful place like Sydney, it only seems polite to drop by and say hi.

The Kimberley Whale

If you do, you might enjoy some of the live Kimberley music, dancers, speakers, camels, the whale-sized Kimberley whale puppet, market stalls, a sneak film preview, organic food, mango smoothies and WA beer and wine.

The beautiful people of the Kimberley

There is a political aspect to this, mining is bad etc but nobody will expect you to chain yourself to anything or march on Parliament - just relax and have a whale of a time with the beautiful people from the Kimberley.

Thailand Grand Festival - Darling Harbour - Saturday, 9th March - Sunday, 10th March

Experience a small part of Thailand through this art, craft and cultural festival, including traditional Thai leaf ornaments, shadow puppets and a mixture of western and eastern family entertainment. Thai warriors will demonstrate the art of Muay Thai and Krabi Krabong, there will be cooking demonstrations and a Thai version of Masterchef. Thai Airways will be there attempting to entice you away from Sydney with special festival discounts and offers.

Thirlmere Festival of Steam - Sunday, 3rd March

You might think, 'steam trains - big deal', but there's more than hot air coming out of this year's Thirlmere Festival of Steam. There will be amusement rides, face painting, airbrush tattoos, music, entertainment and even helicopter rides. The Gala Parade is not be missed with its bands, performers, classic vehicles, hot rods and many colourful and fun floats. The parade starts at 1pm. You catch a train, steam naturally, from Sydney to get there. Also nearby are the Thirlmere lakes and Royal National Park to enjoy as well as some steamy events on the day before, so why not make a weekend of it?

Sydney Cellar Door (NSW Wine Festival) - Hyde Park - Friday, 22nd February - Monday, 24th February

It's always nice to have a stroll through Hyde Park even if it's just to get to work. How about hanging around for a while with a glass of wine in your hand? Claiming to be Sydney's biggest outdoor wine bash, the Sydney Cellar Door will allow you to try the best from almost 100 wineries and to meet some of the wonderful winemakers who created these masterpieces. Masterpieces? Art in bottle? Too good to drink? How do we know unless we drink it? If this is your dilemma, the Sydney Cellar Door has the solution. As well as great vino there will be a stack of food, so stay a while, relax and enjoy.

Sydney Shakespeare Festival - Bicentennial Park to Sunday, 24th February

Shakespeare in the Park is a popular international event held in many large cities around the globe. Sydney's version, the Sydney Shakespeare Festival, is held at Bicentennial Park with the ANZAC Bridge as a backdrop. Be entranced by 'Much Ado About Nothing' and 'As You Like It' as you picnic under the stars sharing a timeless cultural classic.

Paddington Pub Fest - Paddington - Thursday, 14th February - Sunday, 17th February

If you are ever on the lookout for a good pub (that's pub not bar), Paddington possess some of Sydney's finest. The Imperial, the Royal Hotel, the Paddo Inn to name but a few. The Paddington Pub Fest has a lot of good material to work with and if you get comfortable where you are there's no rush, the pubs will be open again tomorrow.

Tropfest - Domain - Sunday, 17th February

Tropfest is big on small movies, a feast of great small films in fact, and it won’t cost you anything to see them. Tropfest will get you out into the great outdoors of the Domain and into a laid back atmosphere of relaxed picnic film watching pleasure. Even well behaved pets are invited. There will be live music, entertainment, food, bars, red carpet arrivals and the awards ceremony. The gates open at 11am followed by a rush of people armed with picnic blankets aiming for the best spots.

Sydney Latin Festival - Sydney Olympic Park - Thursday, 31st January - Sunday, 3rd February

The world's best Latin dancers are coming to Sydney; the World Latin Champions no less, are moving gracefully towards Olympic Park to show us how to Salsa, Zouk, Bachata and Samba. There will be Latin DJs, teachers and dancers all proving that the art of dance is alive and thrusting. This is what hips were made for, among one or two other things perhaps, so get yours ready for action.

The Big Issue Street Football Festival to Monday, 28th January

I tell you, these players are so good they could play on water, and indeed, they will. The soccer pitch that will host this fine tournament will be afloat in Darling Harbour. Over one thousand proponents of the world’s most beautiful game will take part in 300 matches played over 11 days of footballing splendour.

Night Owls Kids Film Fest - Monday to Tuesday, 22nd January

Just why we should be encouraging our kids to stay up with the owls aside (most kids don't seem to need much encouragement!) this has to be the greatest film festival for small, and not so small, people since last year. Although there are films for bigger people to.

Darling Quarter

It is all happening around the new bit of Darling Harbour, or old bit renamed, called the Village Green precinct in Darling Quarter. The films are free (now we have your attention) and the entertainment starts at 5:30pm, with screenings commencing at 6:30pm. BYO rug and food, although this is Darling Harbour so there are plenty places happy to ensure you won't starve. You will find Darling Quarter just south of the IMAX Theatre. The official address of this new, marketable part of Sydney is 1-25 Harbour Street.

Little Big Shots

As part of the proceedings there will be a series of short films from the Little Big Shots international film festival aimed at kids up to the age of 15. The highlight of which promises to be a 90-minute screening of Little Big Shots' best of on Sunday, 20th January, including 'The Gruffalo's Child'. So there you go, two festivals for the price of free.

Santa Fest - Darling Harbour - Saturday, 24th November to Christmas Eve

It is strongly rumoured that the real Santa will be dropping in on Santa Fest just to see what all the fuss is about - Ho, Ho, Ho

Bondi Short Film Festival - Bondi Beach - Saturday, 24th November

Does creativity have its limits? At the Bondi Short Film Festival it is 15 minutes and no more. Get your tickets to see 100% pure Aussie talent aiming for their 15 minutes of fame.

Woollahra Festival - Woollahra - Thursday, 15th November - Sunday, 18th November

Malcolm Turnbull with an ideaMalcolm Turnbull, man of ideas and a zebra

The Woollahra Festival is a mixture of art and ideas. The idea being that if you attract a whole bunch of people with the promise of great music, performance art and comedy, more good ideas will follow.

Malcolm Turnbull

As you might expect, the weekend is the busiest with diverse performances in jazz, magic, circus and dance. On the ideas front, "If we have got it so good, why do we feel so bad" with Malcolm Turnbull, is on at 7pm for an hour on Friday, but it could well go on for a lot longer than that. It might be a good idea to book in advance.

Parramasala - Festival of South Asian Arts - Church Street - Thursday, 8th November to Sunday, 11th November

Parramasala-Block-PartyBollywood Block Party

We live in a world of contrasts full of wonderful, creative people. Some of the most talented come to Parramatta every year. It's called Parramasala. Highlights include the Bollywood Block Party, The Trouble with Asian Men, Susheela Raman & Band, Krishnan’s Dairy, the Masala Markets and lets not forget the Festival Bar, a great venue from which to enjoy the free program of music, dance and film on the Parramasala Outdoor Stage.

Sculpture by the Sea - Bondi Beach - Thursday, 18th October - Sunday, 4th November

I always seem to write the same things about Sculpture by the Sea. Stuff like, go, you must go, don't miss this etc. It is just one of those events that just works so well year after year. If there is one criticism, it is that they could do more for families, maybe a kids sculpture section might go down well (note that one down, you heard it here first).

Cockatoo Island Film Festival - Wednesday, 24th October - Sunday, 28th October

One of Sydney's great strengths is it does the outside fun stuff extremely well. After all, if you live or visit this gorgeous place, why would you want to spend your time inside. So if you want people to come to your new festival that is mostly about being inside, how do you do it? You host it in the middle of Sydney Harbour in some amazing venues - welcome to the very first Cockatoo Island Film Festival. "This exceptional combination of setting (and) content" looks like a being a winner.

Surry Hills Festival - Saturday, 27th October

Surry Hills Festival Sydney

Let there be music, there will be three stages of music, let there be art, there will be a "full Arts program" and let there be things for the kids to do, there will be a Children’s Festival area to play in. So what else would we like, how about some markets? Tick to that one. Food? Oh yes, from all corners of the globe. So, will you come? It'll be even better with you there.

Strathfield Food Festival - Strathfield - Sunday, 28th October

Turn your Sunday lunch into something a little special with a trip to the Strathfield Food Festival. The festival boasts its own exclusive food stalls and live cooking demonstrations.

Marrickville Festival - Marrickville - Sunday, 21st October

Marrickville Festival is a local affair of art, craft, great food and entertainment. Around 30,000 showed up last year, and subject to the weather, more are expected this year.

Sydney Children's Festival - Monday, 24th September - Friday, 5th October

The Children's Festival comprises of a range children's theatre and workshops dotted around Sydney. It includes a few old favourites like the Gruffalo's Child at the Sydney Opera House and an interesting idea with the Spot on Family Fun Days which combines shows with "free indoor playground and activities" allowing the kids to burn up some energy. The workshops are designed to encourage creativity allowing the kids to make, draw, perform and have a lot of fun.

Sydney Fringe Festival - Everywhere - Friday, 7th September - Sunday, 30th September

The Sydney Fringe Festival used to be based in Newtown but this year the Fringe is everywhere (how can a fringe be everywhere?) At this rate of expansion there will be a Fringe War on the NSW/Victorian border. Expect the new, the insightful, the not quite funny, the pretentious, the irreverent and amongst it all, the occasional flash of brilliance.

Cabramatta Moon Festival - Cabramatta - Sunday, 23rd September

loandancingsydney<empty>

A common reason people say they like to travel is to experience something a little different. One of Sydney's largest cultural festivals, the Cabramatta Moon Festival, can do that for you without the airfare, in fact, apart from the funfair, there's no fare at all.

The Moon Festival Performances and Attractions

Top billing is Australia's Got Talent Grand Finalists, dance crew Kookies n' Kream, but that's not say that Chinese entertainer Master Peng Cheng Mu won't get an equally strong response with his face changing act. For cuteness, who can beat a children's lantern parade whilst for spectacle, movement and colour you can't go past a spot of Lion dancing.

Festival Fireworks

Among the many other reasons to attend are that the food will be awesome, the Vietface Fashion Pageant will be beautiful and it will all end with a bang at 8pm with a 'spectacular' fireworks display.

Auburn Festival - Wyatt Park, Church St, Lidcombe - Saturday, 15th September, 10am - 4pm

One of the nice things about living a wonderful city like Sydney is the world likes to come and visit. So how does the sound of the Arabian Nights sound? Would some African drumming and dancing move you, or perhaps some ancient Kurdish music or the spectacle of a bit of Mongolian throat singing? You could also see some Turkish Oil Wrestling (not something you see everyday), as well as Martial Arts demonstrations and 'Flyball' dog racing.

Blackmores Running Festival - Sunday, 16th September

Sadly time is up for anyone looking to register a group onto Blackmore's Sydney Marathon, Half Marathon, Bridge Run and Family Fun Run. However, it is worth getting in touch with the organisers as they may be able to help you run as part of an existing group.

Cronulla Spring Festival - Bondi (just kidding) - Saturday, 8th September to Sunday, 9th September

Dirt Girl at the Spring Festival SydneyThe Cronulla Spring Festival may not be as big as the Strathfield Spring Festival, but hey, they have a beach and it lasts for two whole days. There will be free entertainment including popular kid’s shows Dirtgirl, Ice Age 4, LazyTown Zumba and the Jitterbugs.

Festival of the Winds - Bondi Pavilion Bondi Beach - Sunday, 9th September, from 11am

The Festival of the Winds is one of my personal favourites because it's so down to earth.. "Australia’s largest and most exciting kite flying festival" will fill the skies with kites of all shapes and sizes. You don't have to be an expert kite flyer, anyone can get the wind up. You can BYO, buy one or make your own. If you wish you could fly like a kite, try a ride on the Pacific Fly Motion Bungy trampoline.

Spring Dance Festival - Sydney Opera House - Monday, 20th August - Sunday, 2nd September

With the end of winter in sight it is time to get some spring into the step with the best in the business. If you are into dance, the Spring Dance Festival will move you.

Strathfield's Big Spring Festival - Strathfield - Sunday, 2nd September

The Strathfield Spring Festival will be the biggest big thing since last year's festival, and that was super big. Top billing on the entertainment side of things is X-Factor winner Reece Mastinon, and he might even bring his dad (it being Father's Day 'n' all). If that's not enough, or doesn't even register, there will be a ‘Sports Quarter’ with AFL, Cricket, Soccer, Basket Ball and the Martial Arts all represented. If you are still unconvinced how about carnival rides, market stalls, community displays, showbags, food, games, a fishing clinic, model car racing and a "Kidz World of fun for the children". This is going to be big.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival - Sydney Town Hall - Tuesday, 21st August - Saturday, 25th August

The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival is another thing to help bring in Spring. The weather is warming, so is your wardrobe up to it? Now is the time for a fashionable experience with "style workshops, pop up bars, live performances, beauty trend consultations and secure exclusive retail offers"..

Ultimo Science Festival - Thursday, 16th August - Sunday, 26th August

You are never too young to be into science. Well almost, anybody older than six months according the Ultimo Science Festival. Nursery rhymes, story telling, science shows and craft. There's more to a good science festival than I certainly realised.

Science for the Oldies

For the adults there is pub science, science-art and film. You can attend lectures on amazing topics by extraordinary speakers, comedy (might be a bit geeky though) and laboratory tours.

Mars "Seven Minutes of Terror" Curiosity Rover

If there is one criticism we have of the Ultimo Science Festival is that they do not appear to cover the recent Mars landing despite the huge amount of publicity it has, and continues, to receive. Clearly there is a lot of curiosity out there, just not in Ultimo.

Moocooboola Festival - Hunters Hill - Sunday, 5th August

A throng of thousands are expected to attend the Moocooboola Festival in Hunters Hill. There will be over 100 stalls to browse, and 2 stages of entertainment to enjoy, a dog show to watch along with the Grande Parade. Staff from the Hunters Hill Hotel will be there to ensure nobody gets too thirsty. Entertainers include the Lounge Bar Lotharios and Judy Bailey's Jazz Connection.

Boronia Park Oval


View Larger Map

Moocooboola Festival is taking place at Boronia Park Oval with its city views, bushland surrounds and parking.

The Rocks Aroma Festival, Sunday 29th July - 10am - 5pm

The Aroma Festival is all about freshly ground coffee, delicious baklava, chocolate strawberries, cupcakes, rich hot chocolate and spiced chai. This year, Aroma has four global regions where you can experience the different tastes and, of course, aromas from the Orient, "The Continent" (Europe), "The Latin Quarter" and "The Oasis". So grab yourself a cup of coffee and take your nose on a trip around the globe.

There will be caffeine fueled entertainment including belly dancing, salsa, samba and, of course, camels(?)

Bondi Feast Festival to Saturday, 28th July

The Bondi Feast Festival is all about little bits of music, comedy, theatre, food and they even serve winter warming wine. The comedy includes Erotic Fan Fiction (Eddie Sharp), Story Club and Cut and Paste, music is supplied by local bands, a Beach Dance Party is planned along with a performance of the Adelaide Fringe Festival award winning play 'Rocket Town' by Emily Steel.

Winter Magic Festival - Katoomba - Saturday, 23rd June

There is one thing to know about Katoomba in June, it isn't warm, rug up. Katoomba's Winter Festival magically banishes traffic from its main drag and replaces it with an army of artists, musicians, dancers, drummers and choirs. The Winter Magic Grand Parade is worth seeing and there will be plenty of market stalls and people to look at, as everybody is encouraged to dress in costume. Make it a warm one.

Head On Photo Festival - Across Sydney - Friday, 4th May - Sunday, 3rd June

The 3 year old Head On Photo Festival features a wide range of photography across all genres with over 200 events at 100 venues. Most events are free including both indoors and outdoors exhibitions, workshops, artists’ talks and much more. The festival's focus is the Head On Portrait Prize, Australia's major innovative showcase for portrait photography.

Tiny Stadiums Festival - Erskineville - ends Saturday, 9th June

The Tiny Stadiums Festival is emerging as a Sydney Festival of some merit. Among the many different art forms and intriguing performances is Sweet Child of Mine, a "theatrical investigation", which theatrically investigates the joys of not communicating with ones family. The Festival is widely (thinly?) spread around Erskineville so it might be best to print out the "quick guide program and map" off of the PACT (Centre for Emerging Artists) website. Just click below:

Pyrmont Festival of Wine, Food and Art - Friday, 18th May - Sunday, 27th May

There are is an art to producing fine wine and a good feed. You can appreciate all three at the Pyrmont Festival of Wine, Food and Art. Pyrmont’s top chefs team up with Mudgee’s finest wine producers with a series of "Meet the Winemaker" wine and food matched lunches & dinners, Cooking Classes, Wine Appreciation, Cheese Master Class...and much more.

Sydney Writers Festival - Monday, 14th May - Sunday, 20th May [School Days Monday, 21st May - Friday, 25th May]

The Sydney Writers' Festival presents some of the world's finest poets, novelists and authors. Whilst most of the Sydney Writers’ Festival action takes place at Walsh Bay, events are also held at venues throughout Sydney and regional NSW.

SmARTarts Arts & Cultural Festival - Friday, 13th April - Friday, 27th April

SmARTarts Arts & Cultural Festival is all about visual art, design, performance arts and music. Art installations and experimental electronic music will engage the mind and senses and, as part of the festival launch party, a unique clay animation project will be created and filmed before your very eyes

"The smart ARTS Festival is a great opportunity for young people to learn from one another and others in the industry. We encourage young people to participate and learn new skills." Sydney Lord Mayor

Short and Sweet - Newtown - Every Wednesday to Saturday 8pm and Sunday 5.15pm till 31st March

There are short film festivals - so why not short play festivals? Short and Sweet claims to be "the biggest little play festival in the world" so big is good after all? Every night of the festival,10 plays will compete for under 10 minutes each. Both judges and the audience can vote on each performance. More than 180 acts will be challenging each other to reach the gala final.

Sydney Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Film Festival - Dendy Newtown - Thursday, 22nd March - Sunday, 1st April

If you like a little horror in your life, would love to blast off to some distant planet or maybe just fantasise about it, then you should find something of interest at the Sydney Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Film Festival. The festival includes short films, feature films and screenplays.

Sydney Festival 2012

If you are looking for the Sydney Festival it's so big. bad and beautiful it's got a page all of it's own plus some shameless self promotion but lets not go there ..I think . But then again, don't bother as it has finished.

Sydney Festival

Australian Film Festival - Randwick (HQ), Eastern Suburbs, City and City Fringe - Wednesday, 7th March - Saturday, 17th March

The Australian Film Festival includes Swerve, Hail, More 4 Me, Burning Man and Murder Mouth (as part of the Australian Short Film festival). You can expect a few unreleased features, outdoor screenings and the Australian Film Walk of Fame, famous for it's low profile.

Taste of Sydney Festival - Centennial Park - 8th - 11th March

The Taste of Sydney allows you to tuck into 40 odd mouth-watering dishes accompanied by some award-winning wines. There will be a whole lot of eating and drinking going on. There will also be "Do It Yourself" sessions aka cooking schools and tasting masterclasses. Alternatively, just relax and watch the cooking elite do their thing.

Future Music Festival - Randwick Racecourse - Saturday, 10th March

It's back to the Future Music Festival - also in Randwick. Headline acts include Superstar DJs Swedish House Mafia, Fatboy Slim and Paul van Dyk. Future Music Festivals past have sold out.

Targets Kids Day Out Festival 2012 - Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney Olympic Park - Saturday, 3rd March

What do children's entertainers do when they aren't on TV or stage - they get ready and perform for the Kids Day Out Festival. The biggest names in Kids Showbiz will be here including none other than Postman Pat, Bananas in Pyjamas and Shaun the Sheep. If that's not enough, there will be Indoor Rides Arena, XBox 360 Gaming Arena and an ABC 4 Kids Stage.

Australian Open of Surfing - Manly Beach to 19th February

Australian Open of Surfing is not just about the best surfers in world, you'll also get to see some awesome skaters and some interesting beach art. The Australian Open of Surfing is an international event affiliated to the world’s largest action sports festival, the US Open of Surfing.

Tropfest - Sydney's Domain - 19th February, 11am – 2pm: Trop Jr 3pm -11pm: Movie Extra Tropfest Australia

Tropfest is Australia’s most well known short film festival and the largest festival of its kind in the world and its free to get in. Tropfest boasts live music and entertainment, public catering and bars, red carpet arrivals and keenly awaited film screenings and an awards ceremony.

Ocean Pacifika Festival - Bondi Pavilion - Sunday, 27th November 2011, 11.00am - 4.00pm

The annual Ocean Pacifika Festival is a free festival full of Pacific Island dance and music, children’s craft workshops, arts and crafts stalls and a host of information and environment stalls to help us learn about our beautiful oceans and how to make sure they stay that way! Come and meet Venus the inflatable whale, get up close and personal with sea creatures at the Marine Discovery Centre’s touch tanks, go for a rock pool ramble, get involved in a beach clean up, watch documentary films in the Seagull screening room or browse the many information and craft stalls on the day.

Bondi Short Film Festival, Saturday, 26th November

The Bondi Short Film Festival is an ‘amateur’ competition but don't let that put you off. The quality of the films in last year’s festival was highly impressive and this is a great opportunity to see some very interesting and thought provoking work. The growth in popularity of this 11 year old event is reflected in the fact that most tickets have already been sold. If you are lucky, you might still be able to get tickets for the evening session.

Glebe Music Festival - St Scholastica’s Chapel - Saturday, 26th November, 3pm

Join Josie and the Emeralds for the Glebe Festival “I Call and Cry” featuring sacred and secular love songs and consorts from the 16th century by William Byrd, John Dowland, Thomas Tallis, Jacques Arcadelt and Antonio de Cabeçon. There will also be an arrangement by Brooke Green of Andrea Pandolfo’s Albanese depicting the plight of Albanian asylum seekers and dedicated to boat people everywhere.

Harvest Festival - Parramatta - Sunday, 13th November

There is a first time for everything, and this Sunday marks Harvest Festival's first outing. With The National, Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev and Bright Eyes it sounds like it won't be the last. Portishead, unheard of in Australia for 13 years, will also be there to ensure everybody reaps the benefit of a great Harvest.

Newtown Festival - Sunday, 13th November

The Newtown Festival has a great alternative vibe to fill it full of interesting things, sounds and people. This year promises:

  • 3 music stages
  • Huge kids and family zone
  • Vocal Local Village
  • Writers Stage
  • Eco area
  • MC Cyclery Games Arena
  • Interactive workshops
  • Street Theatre and Art Spaces
  • Newtown Festival Dog Show
  • 280 market stalls
  • Food stalls offering a taste of the globe
  • Licensed bars

Novemberfest - Saturday, 5th November - 10am until 4pm

Quiz for you. What is Novemberfest? Is it like Octoberfest in November? Here are some clues:

"This will be a great family day out with:

- Many fun rides,
- Sporting challenges & games,
- Traditional food & drinks,
- Homemade cakes,
- Ice cream,
- Reptile zoo with shows on our big stage,
- Face painting,
- Art and craft,
- Second hand boutique: clothes & books,
- Stage entertainment,
- Silent auction,
- Christmas stalls and workshop,
- NSW Audi Club"

So it's one of those..

The Australian Beer Festival - Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th October

Let me tell you story. There is a pub in Cumberland Street in the Rocks called The Australian Hotel. They make good pizza (for a pub) and they host a beer festival every year. You could forgiven for thinking, pub, beer, festival - yeah right, they are going to sell some boutique beers and call it the Australian Beer Festival meaning just them, its their name after all. You might have been right the first year, seven years on and it has grown a little bit:

"This year, Gloucester Street will be completely shut down, lined up with drinking stalls and inundated with beer connoisseurs, the beer curious and beer lovers from across the country. ..over 120 different beers...live entertainment....BBQ stalls ..Gourmet Pizzas.

The public will also be able to taste and judge beers from over 20 brewers nation wide helping the festival crown the People’s Choice Awards. More than 12,000 people are expected to attend the festival and 20,000 litres of beer to be consumed over the two-day event."

The Greenway Festival, Cooks River - ends Saturday 29th October

The Greenway festival walks and talks and rides and eats and goes arty and bush on its way along the Cooks River until the 29th October.

The Battle of the Festivals - Marrickville vs Strathfield - Sunday, 23rd October

There are two festivals on today battling to be best in the west. Marrickville Festival is three times as big as Strathfield having curried favour last year with the international Crave Festival organisers. Not to be out done, Strathfield has bitten back with 'Asian Fusion',

"the Strathfield Food Festival will bring the best tastes from the best restaurants, with live cooking demonstrations, competitions and the launch of the Strathfield Good Food Guide."

So which is best? both of course - do both! Just have a light breakfast before you go out!

The Sydney Rides Festival Launch, Taylor Square, Darlinghurst - Saturday, 8th October. Festival ends on 16th October

The Sydney Rides Festival hits the streets with music, song, food, bike stalls and Clover Moore - the Lord Mayor of Sydney. The festival will also include a "Bike Games Arena Spectacular", "Ride to Work Day Breakfast", an art exhibition, a film festival, various bike rides and a "City of Sydney chill-out zone".

Newtown Theatre Sydney Fringe Festival - Friday 9th September - Sunday 2nd October

Here we go again, fasten your seat belts, buckles and shoe laces - The Fringe is back. Does The Fringe prove that people don't just remember the worst? This festival can be a hit and miss affair. Or maybe the opposite is true. Either way, if you are prepared to get it, then you probably will. The most you should have to pay is $32.50 and you can leave if it's really bad. The hoped for highlights include:

• The Moving Picture Show: Silent Movies with a not so silent 12-piece orchestra.
• Complicated Creatures: A multimedia cabaret.
• Bite Size: A series of 10-minute plays covering the theme "Things are not what they seem" (possibly to be followed by "I think I've been here before")
• The Day The Sky turned Black: The stories of everyday people who fought Australia's Black Saturday Bushfires.
• The Dysfunctional Project: The trials and limp humour of male sexual dysfunction.

Whilst the subject matter may not be be totally unique or even inviting, the story is often in the telling. Now I've lowered your expectations, go on, be brave and give it go.

Blackmores Sydney Running Festival - Sunday 18th September

Blackmores get points if only for variety with a Sydney Marathon a Sydney Half Marathon plus a 9k run and even a 4k family run. So whatever your level of fitness, or non fitness you can easily take part. Another plus is the course, taking you over a car less Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishing at the Opera House. There are still places available, but not many.

Last year Blackmores Sydney Running Festival raised a massive $2.3 million for charity. At the time of writing, they are just under a million for this year - so they need your help - but you'd better be quick..

Spring Food & Wine Festival, Entertainment Quarter - 24th September - 25th September, 11am - 5pm

This is a nice way to warm up for the following long weekend. Indulge without going over the top with a little "gourmet fare and fabulous wines whilst being entertained by the smooth sounds of jazz, funk and soul."

Cronulla Spring Festival - Cronulla Plaza - Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th September

The Cronulla Spring Festival is one of Sydney's biggest beachside festivals with over 100 market stalls, carnival rides, kids corner, outdoor adventures expo and well being fair plus free entertainment.

The link below provides a full program of event and happenings in PDF, so you should be able to print it out pretty easily.

Festival of the Winds, Bondi Pavilion Bondi Beach - Sunday 11th September, 11am - 4pm, .

The Festival of the Winds is one of my personal favourites because it's so down to earth.. "Australia’s largest and most exciting kite flying festival" will fill the skies with kites of all shapes and sizes. You don't have to be an expert kite flyer, anyone can get the wind up. You can BYO, buy one or make your own.

Manly Arts Festival- Friday 2nd September - Sunday 4th September

The Manly Arts Fest consists of a wide range of stuff including visual art, music, workshops, youth and kids events, theatre, performance and literary events. So you are bound to find something of interest.

A new feature this year isn't even in Manly. "On the Beach" is a new exhibition from Scotland Island and Pittwater’s western foreshores. It focuses on the "gems of the beach culture and swimwear collection"

(p.s. The Manly Arts Program is a PDF file, so it might take a while to load up)

Festival of Wildflowers - St Ives - 28th August

I wasn't even sure you could actually have a festival of wildflowers but there you go, life is an adventure. The good thing about this wildflower extravaganza (you can never say that word too much) is that there will be no aliens or dinosaurs lurking in the bushes (see Muogamarra Nature Reserve). So what can you expect from the festival of wildflowers in St Ives?

  • Aboriginal Art
  • Aboriginal Dance and Didgeridoo
  • Guided bushwalks with experts on plants, insects and Aboriginal culture
  • Native plant sales
  • Talks on native birds, frogs, backyard ponds and bush foods
  • Kids Bush Craft Corner
  • Master Mueller's Minibeast Walk
  • Dipnetting for tadpoles with the Frog and Tadpole Society
  • Native animal presentations by Taronga Zoo

and, hopefully, some flowers going wild. Food will be available along with real (as in plastic cup with maybe froth on top) coffee. The Festival will be there waiting for you come rain or shine. Grab your hat or brolly, friends and enjoy.

Gusto - Italian Food Festival - 21st August

gusto intalian food festival

If you like Italian, and who doesn't, you should enjoy this. The whole family can enjoy the tasting room with its numerous creations and traditional dishes from Australia's best Italian restaurants. You can pre-book your hungry little ones into the "kids in the kitchen". They should have fun learning how to make pasta and pizza.

Sydney Fashion Festival Sydney - 23rd - 27th August - Sydney Town Hall

It's getting warmer, well that's what I keep telling myself anyway. Spring is, if not in the air, on the horizon so throw open your closet and throw out last years gear. Now is the time for a new frock or maybe that sexy pair of socks you've been after (socks rule!). If you go to this fashion show you can experience the "Experience". You will be welcomed then ushered into the "spectacular collection showroom". Once seated, you should 'experience' a whole thirty minutes of fashion showing then it's party time. "Hang out", spot a celeb and get photographed. There will be hair and make-up consultations, styling presentations and, of course, the Festival Bar. The Festival experience will leave you "buzzing".

ARC - Magic Winter Festival - Marrickville - Saturday July 30th - 12pm to 7pm

Costume parades, music, drummers, fire-twirlers, face paining, a jumping castle, puppets, exhibitions and yummy food.

Darling Harbour 21st Jazz & Blues Festival 10th - 13th June

darling harbour jazz blues festival

Darling Harbour Jazz & Blues Festival is celebrating it's 21st Birthday by inviting you to a very special Jazz party. Australian jazz virtuoso James Morrison, the 17-piece all girl Sirens Big Band and US legends Topsy Chapman and the Ron Carter Trio, Katie Noonan, Tina Harrod, Misinterprotato, Jeff Duff & the Prophets, the Catholics, Ten Part Invention, the Buddy Knox Blues Band and many more.

You don't want to miss this FREE event.

Sydney Film Festival - 8th to 19th June

Happy Happy' at the Sydney Film Festival'Happy Happy' at the Sydney Film Festival

The Sydney Film Festival (SFF) is one of the longest running film festivals in the world. The SFF focuses on the best new films from around the world including short films, Australian films, documentaries and archive titles, many of which have been recently restored.

Sydney Writers Festival - 16th to 22nd May 2011

The 2011 Sydney Writers' Festival presents some of the world's finest poets, novelists and authors.

Sydney Writers Festival Highlights

Politics

Festival highlights include "why a good leader is so hard to find", a critical look at Australian politics and the challenge to government and media power from WikiLeaks.

The shift in global power from West to East is the focus of a number of events including“G’day, China!” at Sydney Town Hall.

September 11

James Gleick joins other writers from New York to reflect on September 11 terrorist attacks and, no doubt, the recent demise of Osama bin Laden. Scottish journalist James Fergusson, author of a controversial book on the Taliban, points us to a possible new direction in Afghanistan.

Climate Change

Since the 2010 emergency Town Hall meeting seeking leadership on climate change, things have only got worse. Naomi Oreskes, who unmasks the dark forces that manufacture climate-change scepticism, is joined by paleoclimatologist Curt Stager and environmental strategist Paul Gilding in “You’ve Been Warned” at Sydney Town Hall.

The Good Book

Britain's most widely read philosopher AC Grayling takes on the power of religion with his opus, The Good Book, an alternative to the Bible that sets out a secular path towards the good life.

A A Gill

There is perhaps no more delightfully vicious power than that wielded by the critic. We present legendary restaurant critic and travel writer AA Gill and the man who single-handedly created the celebrity chef, Anthony Bourdain.

The Chaser

And in recognition of the last great refuge of the powerless – satire – the Festival Club returns nightly with a new variety format, spearheaded by The Chaser.

Walsh Bay

Whilst most of the Sydney Writers’ Festival action takes place at Walsh Bay, events are also held at venues throughout Sydney and regional NSW.

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