There are many Sydney Festivals worthy of a visit. No Sydney tour is complete without taking part in some of the major events that happen in the city.
Australia Day
Sydney celebrates Australia Day on January 26 every year with a packed harbour and ferry races. Beaches around Sydney are full of swimmers, surfers and sunbathers. Parks fill with people barbecuing and picnicking. It is the day that celebrates when Australia for all Australians.
Chinese New Year
Due to Sydney’s large Chinese population, Chinese New Year is now one of the most popular outside of China. Sydney has about 6 suburbs where one can visit and just speak Chinese. Thus, dragon boat races, dragon dances, statues of the Chinese zodiac all come alive during this event.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Festival
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Festival closes down the city of Sydney for a day every February. Gender confusion abounds in this very colourful festival. Moreover, people come from around the world to experience it.
Royal Easter Show
The Royal Easter show started out as an agricultural show. Whilst it is still an agricultural show, it is much much more. The show has rides to thrill any age group, shows that include motorcycle and car trick driving and of course fireworks. It is indeed a centrepiece show of Sydney.
Anzac Day
In April, Sydney celebrates Anzac Day to commemorate the contribution that the ANZACs made to the country. It is celebrated with street parades and by playing “Two Up”. Two up is a gambling game whereby people bet on heads or tails, once played on the fields of battle. Moreover, it is legal for this one day of the year and can be seen in certain pubs and clubs around the country.
Australian Fashion Week
Australian Fashion Week is a week where retail buyers come to buy forthcoming spring/summer collections directly from designers and manufacturers. It is a big event and draws in people from all around the world.
Vivid Sydney
Vivid Sydney is an annual celebration of light and music that takes place in May. It includes large sometimes interactive outdoor light installations and projections, musical performances.
Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival
In August every year, Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival brings to life the Auburn Botanical Gardens. The gardens, apart from the Cherry Blossom trees, the Japanese food and Japanese shows, have a small section of Australian animals.
Manly Jazz Festival
The Manly Jazz Festival takes over Manly for the October long weekend each year. Jazz performers perform at various temporary stages and on the street.
Sculptures by the Sea
Sculptures by the Sea is an event to showcase sculptures that are displayed outdoors between Coogee and Bondi Beach every October.
Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
Every December, Sydney Harbour comes alive as the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race takes place. In rough weather, boats and lives are lost. However, this is what also makes for race celebrations. It is a difficult race and under bad weather, a number of boats and lives are often lost.
NYE Fireworks
With fireworks that rival those in every major city in the world, the Sydney show is a world class event. People fill every conceivable part of the shoreline and boats fill the harbour to experience this once a year event. Space around the shoreline is at a premium and people come to claim their small area of turf sometimes a day or more in advance.
Other Australian Festivals and Events not in Sydney
- Australian Tennis Open
- Elvis Festival
- Summernats
- Tamworth Country Music Festival
- Adelaide Fringe Festival
- Australian Grand Prix
- Byron Bay Bluesfest
- Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
- Moomba Festival March
- Melbourne Comedy Festival
- Rip Curl Pro Surfing
- Lions International Camel Cup
- Darwin Beer Can Regatta
- Henly-On-Todd Regatta
- Birdsville Races
- Melbourne Cup
- Floriade
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