Head On Photo FestivalFor the month of May, Sydney's Head On Photo Festival celebrates a wide range of photography across all genres, ranging from photo-journalism and documentary reportage through commercial and fine-art. With over 200 events held at 100 venues — from galleries and museums through to pubs and cafes — Head On takes the photographic art to the the people of Sydney and is now recognised as Australia's largest photo festival. Most events are free of charge and include indoor and outdoor exhibitions, workshops, artists talks and open studios. At the heart of the festival is the Head On Portrait Prize, the nation's major innovative showcase for Australian portrait photography and the most critically acclaimed photographic portrait competition in Australia. More Head On Photo Festival info... Pacific Australia Sydney Photography Festivals Art Festivals May |
Newtown FestivalVibrant Newtown has long been considered one of Sydneys most creative, conscientious, and inclusive communities. On a Sunday each November that sense of community is celebrated in style at the Newtown Festival. Take in some tunes (the live stage has previously played host to The Whitlams, Sarah Blasko and Blue King Brown) before heading over to the Writer's Tent to meet authors from near and far. There's a kids' zone for the little ones and an eco village where you can brush up on your sustainable living techniques. Take to the market stalls where you'll find everything from t-shirts to tarot cards, cupcakes to chardonnay, with an emphasis on the sustainable, local, creative and downright delicious. Pacific Australia Sydney Community Festivals November |
St. Jerome's Laneway Festival (Sydney)St. Jerome's Laneway Festival began life as a Sunday session at the now defunct St. Jerome's bar in Melbourne's Caledonian Lane. Over time, the sessions evolved to the point where the adjacent laneway was cleared, crowds spilled onto the street and a festival institution was born. Today, St. Jerome's Laneway Festivals take place in cities across Australia, across the Tasman and as far afield as Singapore and Detroit. They all follow the same formula, and I quote: St. Jerome's Laneway Festival is about leading new and revered seminal music. The festival has always been interested in finding what's fresh and bringing it to unique settings and surrounds to be appreciated by music lovers. Sydney's Laneway offering takes place on the grounds of Sydney College of the Arts at Rozelle. As the sun sets on a Sydney summer's day expect some great tunes and an incredible vibe in a historic setting. Laneway is Sydney at its very best. More St. Jerome's Laneway Festival (Sydney) info... Pacific Australia Sydney Indie Rock Festivals February |
Sydney Comedy FestivalThe Sydney Comedy Festival is the harbour city's biggest annual comedy event. For four weeks, every April and May, hundreds of the world's finest comedians take to stages at venues across Sydney to entertain an audience of more than 1000,000. The festival kicks off in grand style with two lavish gala events — the Sydney Comedy Festival Gala at the Sydney Opera House and Cracker Night, Sydney's biggest night of comedy held simultaneously at venues across Sydney. The festival program features performances from the finest Australian acts, the biggest international stars and the most promising emerging talent and offers up everything from stand up to sketch, satire, improv, musical, absurdist, theatre, magic and kids comedy. More Sydney Comedy Festival info... Pacific Australia Sydney Comedy Festivals April |
Sydney FestivalEach and every January, Sydney Festival transforms the city with an audacious cultural celebration. The program is far-reaching in its diversity, from burlesque circus to Chicago rap to Dutch theatre; from contemporary dance to family programs to traditional Indigenous arts practice. Each year, the Festival is comprised of around 400 performances of 140 events performed by more than 1000 artists in more than 30 venues. Inclusive programming, a broad range of free events and accessible pricing policies for the ticketed shows means that Sydney Festival is open to all, welcoming Sydney-siders and visitors from wherever they live. Pacific Australia Sydney Art Festivals Cultural Festivals January |
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi GrasEach summer sensational Sydney hosts one of the world's largest and most anticipated LGBTQI celebrations, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. For three and a half weeks the harbour city plays host to an explosion of a colourful events celebrating the universal message of diversity, equality, and infinite love. The festival culminates in the world-renowned Sydney Mardi Gras Parade with its lavish floats, satirical statements, spectacular costumes and show-stopping moments. The parade kicks off with Dykes on Bikes and is followed up by a 10,000 strong contingent of proud paraders hell bent on partying and sharing their message with the hundreds of thousands who line the route. In the weeks leading up to parade day there's a packed programme of events including Fair Day, the Bondi Beach Drag Races, the Harbour Party, the academic discussion panel Queer Thinking and the Mardi Gras Film Festival. More Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras info... Pacific Australia Sydney Pride Festivals Street Parades Carnival and Mardi Gras February |
Sydney Science FestivalConnect with the science geek within at this year's Science Science Festival. For 13 fact-filled days each August enjoy a programme brimming with talks by researchers, hands-on workshops, opportunities to chat with scientists, science-comedy shows, children's activities and panel discussions where you can get to have your say alongside celebrity scientists. More Sydney Science Festival info... Pacific Australia Sydney Science and Technology Festivals Family Festivals August |
Vivid SydneyAt Vivid Sydney, a spectacular combination of light, music and ideas share the spotlight. Vivid's light program transforms the city into a wonderland of light-art sculptures. There are innovative installations and grand-scale projections including the illumination of some of her most iconic architecture, such as the sails of the Sydney Opera House. Vivid's Music programme features a diverse range of cutting edge music from a multitude of genres performed at many of the city's top venues. While the ideas programme offers up industry conferences, keynote talks, networking sessions and hands-on workshops, to Asia Pacific's leaders across a number of creative industries. Pacific Australia Sydney Light Festivals Family Festivals May |
