Information on Sydney Australia - Annual Events in Sydney

Enjoying Sydney year round

Remember that Australian seasons are opposite to North America. June is the dead of winter (at least by Australian standards) and December delivers scorching heat.

January

• Flickerfest - This internationally acclaimed film festival features the finest shorts from Australia and around the world.
• Sydney Festival - Performed in venues throughout Sydney, this celebration of performance and theater arts draws more than a million people each year.

February

• Chinese New Year Festival - With parades, concerts, dance and dragon boat races, this festival celebrates not only the new year, but China's rich culture.

March

• Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade - Listed as one of Conde Nast's top 10 costume events, this parade features outrageous get-ups and personalities to match.
• Greek Festival of Sydney - This month-long festival celebrates Greek culture and history with food, song, dance and more food.

April

• The Royal Easter Show - For more than 80 years, the Royal Easter Show has brought the great outdoors to Sydney. With rodeos, horse jumping, petting zoos, dog shows, gardening and more, this is a must-do family event.

May

• Sydney Whale Festival - Darling Harbour pays homage to the humpback whales that migrate along Australian shores.
• Sydney Italian Festival - This city-wide festival celebrates Italy's diverse culture through Italian food, wine, fashion, sport, film and art.

June

• Sydney Film Festival - More than 16 days long, this internationally recognized festival shows hundreds of films including full-length features, shorts, documentaries and animation.
• Darling Harbour Jazz and Blues Festival - This three-day music fest showcases Australia's greatest jazz and blues talent. Singers, musician and bands keep the harbor hopping all weekend.
• Good Food and Wine Show - Celebrity chefs, renowned sommeliers, cocktail experts and more than 300 exhibitors feed Sydney's appetite for culinary excellence.

July

• Sydney Winterfest Medieval Fair - Come in costume to this fun fusion of Celtic and medieval traditions. Watch a jousting match, try your hand at the archery range, or just eat, drink and be merry.
• McDonald's Performing Arts Challenge - Running through to September, this is the world's largest competitive festival of its kind. Performers of all ages put their talents to the test as they sing, dance, act and write for top prizes.

August

• International Whiskey Experience - In the opulent Queen Victoria Building Tearoom, sample something a little stronger. Learn first-hand how to appreciate whiskey - for free.
• Sun Herald City 2 Surf Run - This internationally recognized fun-run draws up to 60,000 runners and countless spectators to cheer them on. Entrants don body paint, elaborate costumes and/or outrageous headgear.

September

• Manly Jazz Festival - The largest and longest-running community-based jazz festival in Australia, this event features more than 70 free outdoor performances showcasing mainstream, swing and classical jazz.
• Festival of the Winds - Australia's largest kite flying event, held annually on Bondi Beach, features colorful and crazy kites.

October

• 15/15 Film Festival - Filmmakers, challenged to make a 15-minute film in 15 hours, showcase the results at this unique film festival.

November

• Sculpture by the Sea - For the past decade, this one-of-a-kind event has drawn crowds and rave reviews. For nearly three weeks, fascinating outdoor sculptures made of every material imaginable decorate the coastal walk between Bondi and Tamarama.

December

• Sydney to Hobart Race - Held annually on Boxing Day (December 26), this premier yachting event draws international attention as sailors race for top honors and Tasmania's shores.