Category: 012. Festivals

Well, that’s Summer 2019/20 completed and filed away, what awaits us in autumn?! Here are my top things to see and do for the month of March 2020 in Ol’ Sydney Town!

Five Dock- My Kids Market NSW– Sun 1 Mar

Five Dock Leisure Centre, Queens Rd and William St, Five Dock NSW

Are you looking for, or looking to cash-in from, gently used and pre-loved baby and kids goods? Then head on down to the Five Dock ‘My Kids Market’! There will be individual sellers and baby/kids brands selling direct to the public- all under one roof! Check it out! You will probably bag a bargain or two! **Note: There will be kid’s activities to keep the little ones entertained- if they’re not into shopping just yet.

For more info and to become a stall holder, click HERE!    

Sydney 2020 Madman Anime Festival– Sat 7 – Sun 8 Mar

International Convention Centre Sydney, 14 Darling Drive, Sydney NSW   

No doubt Sydney Anime fans already have this date circled in their calendars! But for those who are just Anime-curious, for 2 days only, Sydney-siders will have a chance to dress-up, strap on their weapons and meet international Voice actors, Animators and Cosplay stars at the Sydney 2020 Madman Anime Festival!!!! Aside from the international guest appearances, expect autograph sessions, surprise bags, puppet displays, quizzes, activities, premiere screenings and video games to geek out on! 2 day General entry pass is only $50 pp, but if you want it all!- a VIP weekend pass will set you back $290 pp. And secure your Guest Tokens online- for your chance to meet and obtain your autograph with the I-Stars!

For more information and for tickets, click HERE!

Pontos- Food of the regions- 38th Greek Festival– Sat 14 Mar

Greek Community Club, 206-210 Lakemba st, Lakemba NSW

All this talk of George Calombaris is making me hungry! Hungry for Greek food that is- and conveniently March through to May is the 38^th Greek Festival, with events spread throughout the next 3 months! On Saturday 14 March at the Greek Community Club, Chef Aris Chatzigeorgiou will be cooking up a dinner that will transport you to Pontos, Crete and Thrace! With live music performances by Miltos Kyrillides (direct from Athens). $60 pp for Adults, $25 pp for kids aged between 9-15, under 9s eat FREE! Opa!

For more information and to book, click HERE!

Sydney Swans V Essendon Bombers– Fri 27 Mar

Sydney Cricket Ground, Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW

Cheer on the Swannies as the Red&White kick-off their first Sydney home match for season 2020! Watch the two winged sides swoop and score! Centre bounce at 7.50pm! Be there!

For more info and for tickets, click HERE!

French Croissant Baking Class– Anytime

Patisserie le marais , Shop 6 / 1094 Anzac Parade, Maroubra NSW

Does the thought of light and fluffy, flaky croissants make your mouth water? How would you like to learn how to make them for yourself? The French croissant baking class will teach you exactly how to make the traditional French butter croissant.  By class conclusion, you’ll know how to prepare the dough, incorporating the butter, give the right number of turns to allow for a flaky pastry, roll and cut the croissant dough, roll croissants, proofing, and baking! At the end of the 5.5 hour class you’ll get to take home your own creations- a basket full of chocolate croissants, Danish pastries and almond croissants! Ooooh Yeah! No prior skill is needed, just come alone or with friends- $170 pp.

For more information and to secure an apron, click HERE!  

After a smoky and hot start to the year, let’s see what February has installed for us? Here are my top things to see and do for the month of Feb 2020 in Ol’ Sydney Town!

The Big Bounce Australia– Sat 1 Feb – Mon 10 Feb

St. Ives Showground, 450 Mona Vale Rd, St. Ives NSW  

Catch the final 10 days of the Big Bounce in Sydney! You have to see it to believe it! It’s the world’s largest jumping castle ever- more like a jumping resort! Within this inflatable playground expect ball pits, slides, climbing towers, DJs, confetti blasts, snow machines, crazy dancing, and competitions! It’s all you want as a kid, all in one neat 1200sqm package! And parents, if you’re tempted to jump as well? Check out the times and dates for the adult only sessions! Come on, come on down! But leave everything sharp at home plz.

For more info and for tickets, click HERE!

ICC T20 Women’s World Cup Australia V India– Fri 21 Feb

Sydney Showground, Grand Parade Sydney Olympic Park, NSW   

To kick-start two weeks of T20 Women’s World Cup cricket action, the Aussies will be striding out to the pitch to do battle with the Indians! Check out the defending T20 World Cup champions defend their world title on home soil! Be ready to watch the little white ball fly!   

For more info and to purchase tickets, click HERE!

Mosman Melted Cheese Festival– Sat 1 Feb – Sat 29 Feb

719 Military Rd, Mosman NSW (above the Mosman Club)

In the month of Feb, Mosman will be where you want to be at if you’re a cheese lover! Marketed as the ‘festival of melted cheese’, let the cheese melt while you savour their stretchy gooie goodness in summer! At the Furnery Rooftop, they will be serving up a menu featuring cheese as starters, cheese as mains, and you guessed it…… cheese for dessert! Lactose intolerant sufferers beware.  

Check out the menu and for more details, click HERE!

Raging Waters Sydney– anytime during summer

427 Reservoir Rd, Prospect NSW

With the drought and water restrictions it’s hard to maintain a backyard pool- so why not allow Raging Waters Sydney look after the water side of things, while you and your family just worry about the fun side! With over 30 rides, slides and attractions- including the H2Go Racers, the 360 Rush, a chance to chill out at the beach (while being in the Western suburbs), or lose yourself (or your bikini) in the brand new Whirlwind slide! Like they say, something for everyone!

For more info and for summer sale offers, click HERE!

Kokedama Workshop AT Bondi Beach– anytime

Merchant & Green, 96 Glenayr Ave, Bondi Beach NSW

Have you pretty much tried it all? Pottery, photography, massage, cocktail making classes? Why not try something new!? Kokedama anyone? Kokedama is an age old Japanese art form, a cousin of Bonsai- consisting of petite plants living off a ball of special soil and moss, bound by string. In the 1.5 hour class you’ll learn how to make your own Kokedama balls (x3), decorated with a variety of succulents or seasonal indoor plants. After the class you can hang them, keep them in bowls, or feature them ‘naked’. Max of 8 in the public classes- $110 pp.

For more information and to book into a class, click HERE!

Here we go, here we go all over again! Another year, and another year to experience all the awesome things our city of Sydney has to offer! Here are my top things to see and do for the month of January 2020 in Ol’ Sydney Town!

ATP Cup- Fri 3 – Sun 12 January

Ken Rosewall Arena, 2 Rod Laver Drive, Sydney Olympic Park 2127

Be apart of the inaugural ATP Cup, to be held in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane! The Cup will kick-start the 2020 tennis season in style! Sydney goers will watch teams from group C (Belgium, Great Britain, Bulgaria, and Moldova) and Group E (Austria, Croatia, Argentina, and Poland) compete in the round robin stages. And the final 8 countries will compete in the knock-out stages in Sydney at the newly renovated Ken Rosewall Arena between 9 and 12 January!  

For more information and to purchase your ATP Cup tickets, click HERE!

Sydney Festival- Wed 8 – Sun 26 January

Sydney and surrounds

Sydney in January is the place to be! Not only if you’re already in Australia, but the place to be in the WORLD! Due in part to Sydney Festival 2020, invigorating the start of the year with theatre, dance, music, circus, visual arts and big ideas! There are countless free and ticketed events across the city, across the 3 weeks of SF2020! Check-out the event schedule for the location of free events, or purchase multipacks to save up to 20% on ticketed events (must purchase tickets for 3 or more events to qualify for a multipack).

For more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE!

So Frenchy So Chic- Sat 18 January

Bicentennial Park, Chapman Road, Glebe 2037  

For one day only, all that France has to offer is brought to you and presented on your doorstep at So Frenchy So Chic 2020! Expect French Euro-pop, French wine, French food, and French culture in a laid back Aussie park setting! Conviviality starts at 1pm till late (11pm). Ticket prices range up to $96 pp depending on the type of food hamper you order with your ticks, children under 12 go FREE!

For more information and to purchase SFSC tickets, click HERE!

Sydney Street Party- Sun 26 January

The Rocks, Sydney 2000

Who doesn’t like a neighbourhood street party!? Well, The Rocks is opening its streets and inviting you to participate in an Australia Day street party- expect a day-long carnival including street stalls, live music, giant games, and roving street performers! The festivities will kick-start at 9am and continue on to 6pm! Entry is FREE!

For more information on Australia’s favourite street party, click HERE!

On The Move Exhibition- throughout January

Museum of Sydney, Cnr Phillip and Bridge Streets, Sydney 2000

The future of transportation is a hot topic ATM, so what better than to get our next generation’s young minds thinking now – about how we’d be getting around in the future, while minimising our impact on our environment! Have your kids come check-out this interactive exhibition on transport, it promises to be both educational and hands-on! The exhibition is designed for children between 3-8 years, child entry $12.00/ Adult $15.00.

For more information on the ‘On the Move’ exhibition, click HERE!    

Make Your Own Glasses Frame Workshop- Anytime

Monster Mouse Studios, 9 Gerald Street, Marrickville 2204

In 4.5 hours’ time, learn how to make your own one-of-a-kind spectacles or sunglass frames! Designer Chris Savage will walk you through the process of how to construct your frames from a slab of Asatate (coloured plastic block) with stainless steel sides. You’ll learn how to use a Jeweller’s saw, files, a dremel, and sand-paper- but it’s up to you to bring your own creativity! You’ll choose from 10 different colours and 8 different styles for the front of your frames, and choose from 3 different coloured metals for the sides! Plus choose from 3 different tinted colours for your tinted lenses (or upgrade to prescription sunglass lenses or prescription clear lenses). Everyone goes home groovier after 4.5 hours, with your own pair of custom made glasses crafted by your own hands no less! Pretty cool hey!? Cost $300 pp.

For more information and to book in to a session, click HERE!        

Can you believe it? The 12 months of 2019 is almost over! Christmas, summer at the beach, and New Year’s Eve awaits us! Here are my top things to see and do for the month of December in Ol’ Sydney Town!

Rosé Bay Wine and Food Festival– Sat 7 Dec

Woollahra Sailing Club, 2 Vickery Avenue, Rose Bay NSW

Summer wines, gourmet food, music, sun and sea! What more can you possibly ask for? Come try some award winning wines, and if the Rosés appeal to your refined pallet, then order a case for your cellar! $42 entry fee pp, wine je te (will be) flowing from 12noon – 6pm.

For more details and to purchase tickets, click HERE!

Carols by the Sea– Wed 11 Dec

Bondi Park, Bondi Beach NSW

Usher in the festive season with carols by the sea! Bondi beach at twilight will be the ideal event for kids and carol lovers alike. This event is FREE! Lay down your rugs from 3.30pm for a 4pm start.

For more information, please click HERE

Woolworths Carols in the Domain– Sat 21 Dec

The Domain, Art Gallery Road, Sydney NSW

Christmas isn’t Christmas without traditions like the Carols in the Domain! You can easily watch it on TV, but you can also easily experience it live as well! 2019’s performers include Vanessa Amorosi, Shannon Noll, Adam Brand, and Lucy Durac! Reserve your patch of grass from 3am, or rock-up fashionably late at 7.15pm cause you’ve got paid reserve seating (starts at $40 pp).

For more information and reserve ticket details, click HERE! 

Illawarra Hawks V New Zealand Breakers– Sun 22 Dec

Win Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, NSW

A drive down to Wollongong is far, but it’s not as far as a flight to the US to see Lamelo Ball play in the NBA in 2020! Check-out the 18 year old phenom for yourself while he’s still on Aussie soil before he becomes the next Labron James! Don’t you want to be ‘that guy’ who is able to say, “I’ve seen Lamelo Ball ball, before he became an NBA Superstar!”? Tip-off at 3pm!

For more info and tickets, click HERE!

I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas– Mon 23 Dec

Lion Gate Lodge Garden, The Royal Botanic Garden, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney NSW

Looking for fun activities for the kiddies during the Summer school holidays? Why not outdoor theatre at the Botanic gardens? Be entertained by Elfis and Elvin the cheeky elves as they make preparations for Santa Claus’ visit to Sydney! Ideal for kids between 3 – 8 years, $14 pp (all children must be accompanied by a ticketed adult) – hedges part for ticket holders at 10.30am.

For more details and for tickets, click HERE!  

Roaring 20s NYE Party– Tues 31 Dec

The Doss House, 79 George Street, the Rocks NSW

Welcome in the New Year 2020 with a 1920s themed New Year Eve party at the historic Doss House underground bar! Not to mention this will be the most affordable NYE party ticket going in the Rocks! Your entry fee will provide you a drink on arrival, 6 hour grazing table and canapés, champers at midnight, access to George Street and Playfair streets for views of the fireworks, and live music! Tickets start from $130 pp. The red velvet rope will be lifted for you from 5.30pm – 2am.

For more details and for tickets, click HERE!  

The end is in sight! The end is in sight! It’s November and it’s all downhill from here for 2019! Here are my top things to see and do for the month of November in Ol’ Sydney Town!

Sculpture by the Sea- Thurs 24 Oct – Sun 10 Nov

Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk, Sydney

Returning for its 23^rd year, the annual Sculpture by the Sea is back! Check-out over 100 sculptures, lined up over a 2km stretch of the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk! And for those who have a disability, you can book in for a FREE tactile tour! Pretty cool and inclusive hey?

For more details and info, click HERE!

Food and Wine by the River- Sun 3 Nov

Tambourine Bay Reserve, Riverview  

For one day only, Lane Cove’s Tambourine Bay Reserve will have its riverside lined with 12 wine/beer/liqueur stalls and 11 food stalls! On a nice November afternoon, all you really want is a plastic glass of wine in one hand, and a one-handed no-fuss food in the other! PERFECT! Savour the gourmet foods and the cool climate wines from Orange NSW! 11am – 5pm, bring the family! Leave the car at home! A Free shuttle bus will ferry goers from the Lane Cove Library down to the reserve! Sweet!

For more info and event details, click HERE!

Celebrate Melbourne Cup Day with Merivale group- Tues 5 Nov

Various Merivale locations

If you haven’t already planned where you’re going to be on Melbourne Cup Day with only 10 days to go? Don’t stress! As each Merivale group venue will have a Melbourne cup package just right for you! It’s just a matter of choosing your style, your location, your budget, and making that call……. I’m not going to work on 5 November! Packages range from a drinks package and canapes, to 10-course sit-down lunches at a hatted restaurant – the recurring feature in all venues and packages being, that Melbourne cup day festivities will be beamed live on to the big screens! All packages give you access to the venue from 11.30am till late.

Now it’s only a task of picking your poison! Click HERE for the full list of venues and packages!

Philippine Christmas Festival- Sat 9 – Sun 10 Nov

Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour

You know how everyone wants to get their events in early, beat the Christmas rush when it feels like you have a Christmas event on every weekend in December! But this is a bit extreme……Join the Sydney Filipino community, and get a taste of how Christmas is celebrated in the Philippines in the second week of November?…November?? Celebrate with all day entertainment, i.e. traditional song and dance, food stalls featuring festive Filipino dishes, Christmas lanterns, carols and more! FREE entry! Hey babe! Have you seen my golden mic!?

For more event details, click HERE!?

Beginners Kintsugi Workshop- Anytime

Suite 402, 235 Clarence Street, Sydney

Oh damn! You drop that plate? It broke? Damn boy! But don’t fret! If you’re skilled in the ways of Kintsugi, you can mend that broken pottery with lacquer, gold, platinum or silver! The philosophy of the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi is that an object is sometimes broken, but instead of throwing it out, understand that it’s a part of its life and anything broke can be repaired – and the cracks remain to show it’s history and becomes a piece of art! Workshops are 2 hours in length, $120 pp, and you’ll take away with you – knowledge about Kintsugi, a textbook, a repaired Kintsugi plate with mini easel to display it and substitute gold powder! Thank you Sensei. *Deep bow*.

For more info, and to book in to a Kintsugi class, click HERE!

Oh my gosh, it’s already October! It’s all gas, no brakes to the end of the year! Here are my top things to see and do for the month of October in Ol’ Sydney Town!

Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley Fiesta- 4 Oct – 7 Oct

2457 Broke Rd, Pokolbin

Do you need to get out of Sydney for some much deserved R&R? On the Labour Day long-weekend, sees approx. 30 hot air balloons take to the skies, gliding across the Hunter Valley at sunrise! Check them out as either a passenger or a land-dwelling spectator!

For more info, click HERE

Sydney Night Noodle Markets- 11 Oct – 18 Oct

Hyde Park  

For one week only, the Night Noodle Markets is back for the Good Food Month! Enjoy a Cheese Burger Spring Roll from Chur Burger; a Peking Cluck Bao from Bao Brothers; a helping of Paella Bali from Fusion Flavourbombs; and for dessert you have a choice of a Vietnamese Condensed Milk and Crushed Oreos fried ice cream from Fry’d Ice Cream, or you might opt for a Leche Flan Donut Burger from Donut Papi, or you might choose both of them! Your call, at Sydney Night Noodle Markets 19!

For more info and menus, click HERE!

Oktoberfest Sydney- 1 Oct – 27 Oct   

The Bavarian World Square, 680 George Street, Sydney

Steins of beer? Haus (baked pretzel)? Crackling pork belly? Smoked sausages? Roast pork knuckle? Crunchy schnitzel? Sauerkraut? Apple strudel? If you answered yes, yes, yes to the proceeding list of German classics? Oktoberfest at one of many German restaurants in Sydney is where you wanna be in the month of October! I know where I’ll be! Prost!        

For more info and to book a table, click HERE!

Rites of Passage Tattoo Festival- 25 Oct – 27 Oct

International Convention Centre, 14 Darling Drive, Sydney

Have you ever considered getting ink done? Or you’re already a well-known repeat customer? Or you just want to admire art and talent? Check out Australia’s largest celebration of tattooing, with over 250 Australian and International Tattoo Artists tattooing live at the ICC! Check it out! “What’s that noise? A swarm of bees!?” “No silly, that’s 250 tattoo guns firing at the same time!”

For more info and for tickets, click HERE!

Soy Candle Making Class- Anytime

Annandale

Learn how to make 100% Vegan and environmentally friendly Soy candles! Join a 3 hour public or private class, go through the basics of making your own candles, choose from 30 different fragrances and you get to take home all of your creations! One large candle with wooden wick (check), one medium candle with cotton wick (check), and one smaller tin travel candle (double check)! Pretty cool hey?

For more info and to book, click HERE!