Sydney Festival

Sydney Festival Sydney Festival is a celebration of art, performance and big ideas; transforming Sydney every January.

Every January, Sydney Festival starts the new year with a bang, transforming the city with a bold cultural celebration based on critical ideas and cutting-edge art and performance.

After 25 years at the very heart of Sydney Festival's productions, our much-loved Head of Production, John Bayley, takes...
08/06/2026

After 25 years at the very heart of Sydney Festival's productions, our much-loved Head of Production, John Bayley, takes his final bow with Sydney Festival.

After a quarter of a century John, or "JB" to most of us, has been a guiding force behind countless Festival moments, shaping, solving, building and quietly making the seemingly impossible happen.

His contribution has touched stages, streets, venues and teams across Sydney, and his impact will be felt long after the final standing ovation.

Here's to you JB! Congratulations on this extraordinary chapter in your career.

05/06/2026

At a time when connection and shared experience matter more than ever, we’re asking for your support to bring Sydney Festival to life.

Your donation helps showcase bold Australian and international artists, amplify underrepresented voices, and create space for new ideas and unforgettable moments

Hear from our Festival Director Kris Nelson the unique role of the Festival and help us make Festival magic in 2027. You belong here.

Make a tax-deductible donation today at www.sydneyfestival.org.au/donate

Some sun-soaked pics from the launch picnic for our Reconciliation Action Plan last month, on Gadigal Land in the Botani...
27/05/2026

Some sun-soaked pics from the launch picnic for our Reconciliation Action Plan last month, on Gadigal Land in the Botanic Gardens of Sydney.

A beautiful day of heartfelt speeches, chats on the grass, tucker by Kallico Catering and a fascinating First Nations Cultural tour.

You can read more about our Reconciliation Action Plan here: https://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/stories/weve-launched-our-reconciliation-action-plan

In one week, National Reconciliation Week kicks off across Australia. This year's theme? "ALL IN"ALL IN is a call to ste...
20/05/2026

In one week, National Reconciliation Week kicks off across Australia. This year's theme? "ALL IN"

ALL IN is a call to step forward wholeheartedly – to listen, learn and be part of the ongoing work of reconciliation.

Across Sydney, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists are opening up space for story, sound and movement.

Find out what's on and plot your movements through this significant week for Australia: bit.ly/3PrikVF

📸 by Stephen Wilson Barker of A Night of Rock and Roll with Bogan Villea by Benny Graetz

Have you seen our digital archives lately? They're growing. The digital archives are an evolving treasure-trove of pictu...
20/04/2026

Have you seen our digital archives lately? They're growing.

The digital archives are an evolving treasure-trove of pictures, footage and stories from across 50 years of Sydney Festival.

Not just a history of the Festival, they're a snapshot of Sydney arts, culture and crowds from decades past up until the present.

There are mega-scale productions and mega-80s perms, 90s news readers, iconic actors, fond memories and forgotten gems.

Take a dive here: archives.sydneyfestival.org.au/

A postcard from January.Women splash in salty water at golden hour, while the siren-plucking of a harp tickles their ear...
20/03/2026

A postcard from January.

Women splash in salty water at golden hour, while the siren-plucking of a harp tickles their ears. The crabs and periwinkles in B-Reserve are also tickled.

This was a moment from Wansolmoana: Lunar Assembly by Latai Taumoepeau, a special summer evening at McIver’s Ladies Baths.

📸 by Jacquie Manning

12/03/2026

Cymbals up, monkeys. 🐒🐒🐒

It’s only Hot Chip's most iconic song blowing the roof off Australia’s most iconic live venue during Sydney Festival 2026.

Watch electro anthem 'Over and Over' in full, live in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall: bit.ly/46VwWCc

Dance ‘til you droop. Over-eat modern art. Sink into cerebral theatre. Swing your kids around by their wrists and let go...
04/03/2026

Dance ‘til you droop. Over-eat modern art. Sink into cerebral theatre. Swing your kids around by their wrists and let go in time with the bass-drop.

However it is you engage, our cultural calendar is here to serve.

FInd out what's on in March: bit.ly/4cMpRHZ

📸 by Wendell Teodoro

24/02/2026

Oh you think it's hot today do you? IT COULD BE WORSE.

Throwback to the 43-degree swelter of a Saturday when a street full of Sydney-siders not only showed up, but ran full pelt alongside the action. Art conquers heatwave, huzzah.

We doff our caps to the creative mayhem and up-for-it crowd that made Live on Hickson Road: Efectos Especiales.

The street became a movie set as we danced under rain and rainbows, legged it through coloured smoke and collapsed in the snow, while an incredible crew filmed it all – in one take.

14/02/2026

Watch Paris Paloma and a few thousand screaming fans bring the roof down with the song that started it all, Labour. That's a whole lotta love in the house.

See this beautiful moment play out in full: bit.ly/40cIjBG

An epic moment to close out an epic evening at Sydney Festival 2026.

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