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Lonely Planet Travel GuidesRydges and Lonely Planet guides for travellers |
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Events in Sydney
Information brought to you by Lonely Planet
Sydneysiders have both a penchant and a talent for throwing a little glam on the glitter, saluting the moi and testing the bounds of legally-sanctioned partying. From brightly-clad jogging enthusiasts to naked Mardi Gras lovers, this city knows how to kindle up the fireworks and put a bang into celebrations.
It all kicks off with the huge Sydney Festival, which takes up most of January. It's the umbrella for a number of events from open-air concerts in The Domain to street theatre and fireworks. The Great Ferry Boat Race celebrates Australia Day in January. Indie film festival Tropfest happens in February, as does the spectacular Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. The more traditional 12-day Royal Easter Show brings the country to the city in March/April. The Sydney Writers Festival brings international scribes to the city in May, and hot on its heels is the Sydney Film Festival, reeling in the crowds in June.
Around 20,000 compete in the annual 14km (8.5mi) City to Surf Run in August. And sports fans are in for a treat with the Rugby League Grand Final in September. The Manly International Jazz Festival tunes up in October and in the same month you can laugh along with the Sydney Comedy Festival. The city's Christmas orphans traditionally gather on Bondi Beach on Christmas Day, drinking up a storm and keeping the life-savers and police busier than they would like to be on a public holiday. After a short nap, they do it all over again on New Years Eve. Those scared of the water usually do their end-of-the-year hellraising in The Rocks or Kings Cross. The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race starts in late December and continues through to January.
New Year's Day official holiday 1 Jan
Australia Day official holiday 26 Jan
Easter official holiday Mar-Apr
Anzac Day official holiday 25 Apr
Queen's Birthday official holiday Second Monday in Jun
Bank Holiday official holiday First Monday in Aug
Labour Day official holiday First Monday in Oct
Christmas Day official holiday 25 Dec
Boxing Day official holiday 26 Dec
Sydney Festival festival/event Jan Held throughout January for the last 25 or so years, this big bonanza hosts a wide range of events from inline skating and street theatre to huge, free concerts in The Domain. Any performance happening around the Opera House forecourt is also worth looking into.
The Great Ferry Boat Race festival/event 26 Jan Held on Australia Day (26 January) as part of the Sydney Festival, the city's ferries are decorated with balloons and streamers for the race from the Harbour Bridge to Manly and back. God knows, we're still getting over the excitement of the 1983 Great Ferry Boat Race Sinking! We've been assured it won't happen again though.
Tropfest festival/event Feb The world's largest short-film festival is held on the last Sunday in February each year in Sydney's Domain and selected cafés on Victoria Street, Darlinghurst. Grab a picnic basket and a few beers and join the rollicking, easy-going crowd for this fun event.
Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras festival/event Feb This world-famous festival, held from February to early March, attracts more visitors and generates more tourist dollars than any other event in Australia. This month-long festival includes a sports carnival, the Blessing of the Mardi Gras, theatre performances, a film festival and lots of parties culminating in an amazing parade (first Saturday in March) and the Mardi Gras Party. Despite financial difficulties in recent times, it appears to be keeping its head above water. Tickets for the famous/infamous party normally sell out by mid-January and are usually only available to Mardi Gras members, though interstate and overseas visitors can get temporary membership.
Royal Easter Show festival/event Mar/Apr This wonderful Sydney tradition takes place at the Sydney Showground at Homebush Bay. It's a 12-day event beginning with a massive parade of farm animals and has a distinctly agricultural flavour throughout - although there are plenty of events to entertain even the most dyed-in-the-wool city slickers.
Sydney Writers Festival festival/event May This festival in May gathers together the leading lights of Australian writing and publishing who hob-nob with visiting literary luminaries.
Sydney Film Festival festival/event Jun Held at the magnificent State Theatre or at Dendy Opera Quays, this excellent, highly regarded film festival screens new release gems from Australia and around the world. Subscribe to the whole season or buy tickets to special screenings. It starts in early June and runs for two weeks.
City to Surf Run festival/event Aug On the second Sunday in August more than 50,000 runners pound the 14km from Park St in the city to Bondi Beach; some are deadly serious, some are in costume and in it for fun, and everyone gets their name and finishing position published in the paper. Entry forms appear in the Sun Herald months before the race, but you can enter on the day, for a fee.
Rugby League Grand Final festival/event Sep Once a year, two of the national rugby league tribes meet face to face to battle out the title of 'team of the year', in what's probably the toughest rugby league comp in the world. Tickets sell fast, so book ahead. Games are generally played at Aussie Stadium or Sydney Stadium.
Manly International Jazz Festival festival/event Oct This nice local event takes place on the Labour Day long weekend (early October). Styles range from traditional and big band to fusion, bop and contemporary.
Sculpture by the Sea festival/event Oct This outdoor sculpture exhibition utilises one of Sydney's greatest natural settings, the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk, to display stunning artworks from local and international artists. Free, open 24 hours and great for starting debates!
Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race festival/event Dec-Jan On 26 December Sydney Harbour is crowded with boats farewelling yachts competing in the race. It's the sort of event that melds the city's psyche, despite the disastrous events (thanks to grim weather conditions) of recent years.
Golden Slipper festival/event Mar/Apr This major Sydney horse race, which is held at Rosehill, takes place over 1200m with two-year olds. Prize money on the day hits about 3000000.00 - putting it firmly in the big time. It takes place in late March or early April.
© 2007 Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.
We and our content providers ('we') have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety, customs, and transportations) with the relevant authorities before you travel.
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