Free 3-Day Festival To Take Over Oxford Street This October

This Spring, Oxford Street will transform into a free, open-air festival celebrating the neighbourhood’s rich culture and vibrant LGBTQ+ community. From Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October, Oxford and surrounding streets will play host to 40 hours of creative programming, including music and dance, markets, art shows, and light installations. 

The event is part of the City of Sydney’s year-round Art & About program and aims to further the council’s  broader goal to revitalise Oxford Street as a dynamic cultural and creative precinct. 

“Oxford Street has long been a place where culture, creativity and community come together,”  said Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore. “The Art & About weekend brings that spirit to life while creating new reasons for people to visit and experience the precinct.

“This is an opportunity for people to see the area like never before, with free performances, art, markets and creative experiences to explore.”

Art & About Oxford Street Festival Highlights

The weekend will begin with Bourke Street closing to traffic from 5pm to 10pm on Friday, creating an inspiring space for dance performances, DJs, drag, and roving entertainment.

Highlights across the weekend include a 24-hour light installation in Taylor Square, themed banner galleries honouring the area’s history, arts and creative workshops, cabaret and comedy shows, a one-woman play, and several interactive artworks and pop-up performances along Oxford Street.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy Taylor Square’s usual Saturday morning staple: The Oxford Street Farmers Market, offering fresh produce, artisan goods, coffee, flowers, gifts, art, and gourmet street food.

As for businesses who wish to participate in the festival, locals are encouraged to upload their unique event, promotion, or offer to the City of Sydney’s event website, What’s On to take advantage of the surge of visitors to the area. 

The event is part of the City of Sydney’s broader renewal program for Oxford Street, which includes streetscape upgrades, funding for cultural initiatives such as Qtopia, and commemoration of the street’s distinctive heritage character.