What’s on in Sydney

Mardi Gras

2 March 2024

What began in 1979 as a protest march has become a huge colourful annual event to display Sydney's tolerant spirit. The city's gay and lesbian community, joined by thousands of visitors from around the world, holds a three-week festival each February culminating in a massive parade of sumptuous floats, reputedly the biggest outdoor night time parade in the world. The traditional parade route runs from Hyde Park, through Liverpool Street, Oxford Street, across Anzac Parade and on to Moore Park where it ends in an all night party at Fox Studios. Other events in the weeks leading up to the parade include a film festival, concerts, picnics, art exhibitions and sports events. There is plenty of delicious food on offer for the parade, although the focus is much more on taking in the sights and soaking in the party atmosphere of the evening.

Website www.mardigras.org.au

Sydney Festival

2 — 26 January 2024

Sydney CBD

This huge extravaganza is one of the largest and most prestigious cultural events in Australia, presenting the finest international artists and most acclaimed local talent in the performing and visual arts. Every summer the city's concert venues, theatres, galleries, streets and various outdoor venues are taken over by the creative arts, featuring a wide range of music, dance and drama, exhibitions, circuses and free outdoor entertainment in a celebration of artistic innovation unmatched anywhere else in the country. A free outdoor programme, including the enormously popular symphony and jazz concerts in the Domain, complements the ticketed events, and takes place in venues such as the Rocks, Darling Harbour and in front of the Sydney Opera House.

Website www.sydneyfestival.org.au

New Year's Eve Fireworks Spectacular

31 December annually

Sydney Harbour

The splendid setting of Sydney Harbour becomes the stage for one of the most fabulous and largest annual fireworks displays in the world, watched by millions of people around the globe. The 9pm display offers an opportunity for families with young children to enjoy the celebrations. The midnight spectacular covers a four-mile (7km) stretch of the harbour and the fireworks fire from barges on either side of the Harbour Bridge and from the bridge itself. Other activities take place throughout the evening. These include the traditional Tall Ships Parade decorated with lighting effects and various carnival attractions. There are often musical concerts and shows included in the evening's entertainment, as well as sound effects to accompany the fireworks display.

Website www.sydneynewyearseve.com.au

Carols in the Domain

December annually

The Domain, Sydney Botanical Gardens

Carols in the Domain is Australia's largest and most loved Christmas celebration. Every year, family and friends come together at this spectacular event to celebrate the magic and joy of Christmas. The Domain, in the heart of Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens, becomes a hive of activity as people from all over Australia join in and sing along to their favourite Christmas Carols. As the sun sets, the Domain transforms into a sea of flickering candlelight. Australia's best talent takes to the stage in this Christmas spectacular, showcasing the very best of the Australian entertainment industry, from theatre, opera, and recording artists, to the most beloved television personalities.

Website www.carolsinthedomain.com

Australia Day Celebrations

26 January 2024

Various

Australia's National Day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet and is a celebration of all that is Australian. While many families celebrate the day at home with traditional barbies (barbecues), Sydney makes sure to celebrate the holiday in grand style all over the city. It is the biggest day celebration in the country and includes a wide variety of water and land based activities and shows. Favourite annual events include the Ferrython, Tall Ships Race, Australia Day Parade and the traditional Regatta. Various venues throughout the city stage formal ceremonies, food and wine fairs, Australian musical performances and street entertainment, and the day culminates at Darling Harbour with a dazzling fireworks display set to music. For visitors wanting to see and experience Sydney at its best, it's a good diea to plan a visit around the Austrialia Day celebrations.

Website www.australiaday.com.au

Sydney Film Festival

5 June — 16 June 2024

Screenings at various venues in Sydney's CBD

The Sydney Film Festival was first held in 1954, making it one of the longest-running events of its kind in the world. It is also one of the most prestigious, showcasing top-quality Australian and international, commercial and independent films - all of which premier at the festival. The Sydney Film Festival is regularly attended by celebrities, and is an absolute must for film buffs, who rave about the post-screening talks and discussion panels, designed to aid the audience in really getting to grips with the film they've just seen. Of special interest is the short films program, as these movies - by virtue of being screened at the festival - become eligible for Academy Award nominations. Australia boasts a fast-growing and prestigious movie industry and this is one of the most popular events of its kind in the world.

Website www.sff.org.au

Sydney