The Sydney International Art Series showcases ground-breaking past and present artworks from all over the world each summer. The event, an initiative of the...
Sydney Events
The stunning harbour city of Sydney sparkles with exciting events held all year round. From the world-famous New Year’s Eve celebrations to iconic theatre acts, Vivid Sydney’s festival of light, exciting sports tournaments, and everything else in between, Sydney’s event calendar has something to offer everyone.
When you combine all these events and factor in Sydney’s incredible weather and beautiful beaches, with a dash of cosmopolitan culture for good measure, you’ve got the perfect recipe for a magical experience.
Upcoming 2020/2021 Sydney Music Festivals & Sporting Events Calendar
It’s no secret that Sydneysiders love the outdoors especially when there is wine and food in the picture. The Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival is a well-loved annual event that only continues to grow each year; showcasing the diverse food and wine culture of this part of Australia. Indulge in the best regional produce, downed with premium local wines at the Taste of Sydney festival, while the Bastille Festival adds a deliciously rich culinary experience that only the French can provide. So make sure to bring along an appetite and come thirsty.
Sydney is a hot spot for creatives from all around the world, and this is something celebrated in the numerous art and film events held throughout the year. Scare yourself silly at A Night of Horror International Film Festival, be amazed at fascinating flicks at the Sydney Film Festival, or watch a classic film at one of the open-air cinemas. In fact, Sydney is known for being home to some of the best film experiences in the world.
Just like the rest of Australia, Sydney has its fair share of diverse festivals, too. Each of them unique and special in its own way, these festivals are worth travelling for. Thousands of people fly across the globe to attend the legendary Mardi Gras festivities, but don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes for the St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival.
Adrenaline, you say? There’s lots of that here, too: The Australian Open of Surfing is undoubtedly the ultimate sports festival. Surfing is the main star, while BMX comps and skating act as the supporting cast. The Sydney Harbour Regatta is a breathtaking display of over 200 keelboats competing in the sparkling seas of the Sydney Harbour.
Check out what’s happening this weekend, or better yet, spontaneously join in a festival or event! Be sure to check out the calendar as Sydney’s events are always changing.
The Sydney International Art Series showcases ground-breaking past and present artworks from all over the world each summer. The event, an initiative of the New South Wales Government, takes place over several months at...
The Sydney Festival is a huge event which started in 1977 and is now held over 19 days in January each year. With over 100 events in cutting-edge theatre, music, cabaret, dance and visual art, come down to this family...
Mov’in Bed is Australia’s first and only cinema where you can watch your favourite movie outdoors and in the comfort of a cosy bed! Have you ever been to the cinema and wished you were watching the movie in comfort of...
The Tamworth Country Music Festival is the largest country music festival held in Australia and takes place in January each year. Held since 1973, the Tamworth Country Music Festival runs over 2 weeks and is a...
As there is a large community of Chinese-Australians living in New South Wales, Sydneysiders love celebrating Chinese New Year each year. 2020 is the year of the Rat. Although this festival is celebrated all across the...
One of the largest celebrations held throughout the country year after year is Australia Day. Celebrated on January 26th, Australia day is a public holiday that honours the arrival of the first British Fleet on...
The Yabun Festival is an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture; held every year on Australia Day (January 26th) on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people at Victoria Park in Camperdown...
Come to Mount Panorama and to witness one of the biggest car races on Australia’s racing calendar. Considered to be the launching point for the Australian motorsport season, the Bathurst 12 Hour is held in the height of...
Each year, Taronga Zoo hosts the Twilight at Taronga festival, which is a summer concert series with an array of fantastic musical acts over 17 days. Taronga Zoo is a world-class zoo located in the city of Sydney, right...
The Sydney 7s is an annual rugby tournament that makes up part of the Australian Sevens. For two days, spectators are treated to non-stop action, incredible running, and long passes plus entertainment and live music...
The Sydney Morning Herald Sun Run was first started in 1983, with just 101 participants and today raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity. The event takes place at the Manly Life Saving Club and there are a...
The Cole Classic is an annual sporting event held in Sydney’s most famous northern beaches, with the events take place over a weekend in February to benefit charity. The kick-off happens on Saturday, with a 7km and 10km...
Head down to Bondi Beach for a night amongst the stars as you enjoy the warm summer evenings at the Openair Cinemas. Each year in January to March, Sydneysiders are treated to an amazing program of cinema, live music...
Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival
Multiple Locations, Katoomba, NSW07 February 2020 to 09 February 2020
The Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival is the largest ukulele event in the Southern Hemisphere. Organized by the Blue Mountains Ukulele Group, the award-winning festival takes place around February each year at the...
The Roaring 20s Festival in Sydney is a celebration of all things 1920’s through luxurious high teas, extravagant balls, music, vintage vehicles, and much more. It takes place in conjunction with the All That Jazz...
Tropfest is a short film festival which started in 1993 and is held each year in venues all around Sydney. Each year, Tropfest creates a “Tropfest Signature Item” of which informs the subject matter of the short films...
The Queer Screen film festival is one of the biggest LGBT film events in Australia, with the 5-day-long celebration aiming to raise awareness of sexual diversities and gender identities through queer film. Taking place...
Australian Surf Rowers League Open
Mollymook Beach, Mollymook, NSW14 February 2020 to 16 February 2020
The Australian Surf Rowers League Open is a major surf boat racing event in Australia. The first open was held in 1997 in Terrigal, and today there are several divisions for both men and women of all ages to compete at...
Australian Boardriders Battle finals are held at Newcastle Beach by Surfing Australia and are officially sanctioned by the World Surf League. This allows Australian WSL Championship Tour male and female surfers the...
No, it’s not a ten-pin bowling activity or venue. BOWL-A-RAMA Bondi is Australia’s biggest skateboarding competition that’s held annually over a weekend each February in Bondi Park near Bondi Beach. BOWL-A-RAMA Bondi is...
Australian Bowl-riding Championships
Empire Park, Bar Beach, NSW22 February 2020 to 23 February 2020
The annual Australian Bowl-riding Championships was the first national skateboard competition in the country. It’s an all-inclusive competition that welcomes Australian skateboarders from all ages and skill levels to...
Volleyfest is an annual Australian volleyball event that takes place over 10 days in March at Manly Beach. It is the premier event of Australian beach volleyball and has been recognised for creating a platform that...
The Greek Festival of Sydney is an annual event that is held in February/March each year in Darling Harbour. It’s a massive celebration of all aspects of the Greek culture and it’s organised by the Greek Orthodox...
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is an annual pride parade celebrating the LGBT community. Attended by hundreds of thousands of people annually, the Mardi Gras is one of the biggest events of the year. Sydney Gay...
The Sydney Harbour Challenge is a man Outrigger Canoe Race and is one of Australia’s most prestigious events in this sport. Each year, the event attracts over 800 competitors and is quickly becoming one of the most...
Surfest is the largest surfing festival in the southern hemisphere. The event sees over 700 competitors from more than two-dozen countries who attend the event. This year, Surfest will commence at The Lake Mac Festival...
The Sydney Harbour Regatta is hosted in the Autumn months of March each year by the Middle Harbour Yacht Club. Over 200 keelboats compete through Sydney Harbour and along the NSW coast with 26 divisions running over 10...
In 2020, the Sydney Opera House will host its 8th All About Women event. This event celebrates ideas and themes around feminism and empowerment for women both in Australia and internationally. The All About Women...
MindBodySpirit Festival
International Convention Centre Sydney, Sydney, NSW12 March 2020 to 15 March 2020
The MindBodySpirit Festival is Sydney’s biggest gathering for health, wellbeing, and holistic treatments; taking place over several days at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney. The event is open to everyone...
The Parramasala Festival celebrates the many cultures and traditions of those living in Australia and, in particular, Sydney. The festival runs over three days in March each year and attracts over 35,000 visitors during...
The Biennale of Sydney is a visual arts festival which provides a platform for commissioned pieces of art to be displayed to the public. Aimed at presenting thought-provoking pieces of art, the Biennale of Sydney first...
St. Patricks Day is a cultural festival held on the 17th of March each year which celebrates Saint Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland. In Sydney, St Patricks Day is often celebrated by getting together with friends in...
International Festival of Speed
Sydney Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek, NSW20 March 2020 to 22 March 2020
The International Festival of Speed is a historic motorcycle race held each year at the Sydney Motorsport Park. This is a great opportunity for visitors to get the chance to see these riders and machines together in...
The Rosehill Gardens Racecourse is a premium horse racing venue located in the Western suburbs of Sydney; best known for hosting the Golden Slipper thoroughbred horse race and making it one of the most popular...
The Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival is a fabulous racing event on the NSW racing calendar and includes both the ‘Golden Slipper Carnival’ and ‘The Championships’. With over $33 million in prize money each year, the Sydney...
The Newcrest Orange Challenge is an annual one-day cycling event that takes place on the car-free country roads in the regional city of Orange each year. But because the event takes place in a serene location doesn’t...
Sydney International Rowing Regatta
Sydney International Regatta Centre, Castlereagh, NSW23 March 2020 to 29 March 2020
The Sydney International Rowing Regatta is a popular sporting event held in March every year where participants come from all over Australia to compete. Held at the renowned Sydney International Regatta Centre in...
Orange F.O.O.D Week, also known as Food of Orange District, is a food festival held in the beautiful township of Orange each year. As one of Australia’s top food festivals, Orange F.O.O.D Week has been running since...
First held in 2013, the annual Newcastle Writers Festival has grown bigger each year. It now draws writers of all ages from far and wide to participate in a range of writing-themed activities and events. The Festival...
Taking place over the Easter school holidays, the Sydney Royal Easter Show is celebrated over 12 wonderful days and includes everything from exciting rides and family entertainment to arts, crafts and barnyard animals...
Every year, Australians come together to celebrate The Championships, a popular horse racing event held at Royal Randwick racecourse. Held on the first and second Saturday of April each year, 12 races are held with over...
Colorfest Sydney is a vibrant community event that takes place for a one day every April. The main highlight is the throwing of bright, organic coloured powder every thirty minutes to symbolize friendship, love, and...
Sculpture at Scenic World is an event spread across five weekends in Katoomba in April/May each year. Local, national and international artists exhibit their work over a 2.4-kilometre rainforest walkway at Scenic World...
Taking place over the Easter school holidays, the Sydney Family show is celebrated over 18 wonderful days and includes everything from exciting rides and family entertainment to arts, crafts and barnyard animals. The...
Good Friday kicks off the Australian Easter celebrations and will next be observed on Friday the 10th of April 2020. Good Friday is a public holiday which is observed with almost all shops and stores closing and people...
Easter Saturday is part of the Easter celebrations and will next be observed on Saturday the 11th of April 2020. Easter Saturday follows Good Friday and occurs as part of a Christian festival which, according to...
Easter Sunday is part of the Easter celebrations and will next be observed on Sunday the 12th of April 2020. Easter Sunday is the biggest day of this four-holiday weekend as it is a public holiday and the day when...
Easter Monday is a public holiday in Australia and will next be observed on Monday the 13th of April 2020. Easter Monday follows Easter Sunday which is a Christian festival which, according to tradition, celebrates the...
The Australian Heritage Festival is the biggest, longest-running event honouring the indigenous, natural, multicultural, and historic heritage of Australia. The first event was held in 1980, and today it’s Australia’s...
Canowindra International Balloon Challenge
Canowindra Showground, Canowindra, NSW18 April 2020 to 16 April 2020
The Canowindra International Balloon Challenge is a spectacular event that turns the sky into a fiesta of colour with vibrant hot air balloons reaching up into the sky. Each year, the sky bursts to life when all of the...
The Crab Festival is a unique gastronomic event in Sydney, where everyone is invited to get messy as you dine on your favourite crustaceans. Held each year for around a month, the festival is organized by The Morrison...
The Wollongong Triathlon Festival is a celebration of health, fitness, and family which takes place in April 2020. Races are available for all abilities and ages, and individuals, as well as groups, are welcome to join...
If you love stand-up comedy or just like to laugh, come to the Sydney Comedy Festival to witness one of the largest comedy festivals in Australia. Sydney has hosted the event since 2005 and it runs for 3 weeks each year...
The Spanish Film Festival is a yearly event that runs between April and May each year at various cinemas in Sydney; including Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona and Palace Central Sydney. Each year, dozens of films are...
Annual Sydney International Bachata Festival
Roundhouse, Kensington, NSW23 April 2020 to 26 April 2020
The Annual Sydney International Bachata Festival is the largest Bachata dance festival and concert in Australia, and the first-ever festival dedicated to this dance. Local and international dancers perform world-class...
The Sydney Fair
The Kensington Room at Royal Randwick Racecourse, Randwick, NSW23 April 2020 to 26 April 2020
The Sydney Fair is Australia’s only art deco, vintage, and 20th century-themed fair. Enthusiasts, collectors, investors, and the general public are all welcome to this annual event, which showcases an interesting array...
The St Albans Folk Festival is a three-day event that takes place in late April each year. Here you’ll hear all types of traditional and contemporary folk and Australian bush music, and there’s also music workshops...
The Gum Ball is an annual music festival held in secluded bushland at Bedford in the middle of the Hunter Valley each year. It’s is a family-friendly weekend event filled with music, arts, food, beers, markets...
Anzac Day is an important special community event celebrated all over Australia on April 25. On this date, millions of Australians commemorate the anniversary of the first significant military pairing of Australian and...
Sail Port Stephens is a popular sporting event held in April each year where participants from all over Australia compete to win. Held at the renowned d’Albora Marinas, this event is one of the most esteemed and...
The Sydney Writers Festival is a cultural event catering for writers and readers, which includes a diverse schedule of educational programs, workshops, interactive sessions and entertainment for all participants...
The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is an annual international film competition showcasing documentaries and short films about mountain culture, the environment, and sports. The event was launched back in 1976...
Classic and Wooden Boat Festival
Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney, NSW01 May 2020 to 03 May 2020
The Classic and Wooden Boat Festival is a biennial event that pays tribute to Australia’s maritime heritage. Showcasing vessels from Sydney and around the country, the free event takes place at the Australian National...
Meat lovers around the world will gather at the Sydney Showgrounds for the Meatstock Festival two-day festival held in May every year. This beloved meat-filled event will feature bands, beer, barbecues, and so much more...
Wings Over Illawarra is the biggest airshow in New South Wales and attracts visitors from all over the world. The event brings together aircraft from the different defence forces in a spectacular display of tactics and...
The Hunters Hill Food and Wine Festival has been a famous culinary event since 2000; known for serving world-class food and wine for a crowd who enjoys the finer things in life. The family-friendly event is open to all...
Vanfest is an annual regional music and arts festival, established to promote community tourism and youth culture. Up and coming artists and international acts alike perform during the event, located in the heart of New...
The Mother’s Day Classic is a walk/run fun run which is held in Sydney in May each year, and an important fundraising initiative which raises millions of dollars each year for breast cancer research. There are 4...
The Archibald Prize is an art competition which awards the best portrait of a person who is distinguished in art, science or politics. The prize was first awarded in 1921, and today is a coveted art competition that has...
Hunters Hill Art Exhibition is a famous art event in Sydney, attracting thousands of visitors every year and showcases some of the best work from both established and emerging Australian artists. Over 350 artworks from...
