The Hottest Events of Summer 2016
Sydney Burlesque Gala: Get your summer started with a bang and burlesque. This event is a great way for you to explore burlesque, even if you’re shy but intrigued, as it is all inclusive and welcomes everyone with open arms and twirling tassels.
Dec 1-4. Various venues. VIP Weekend Passes available for $100. Tickets & info: www.sydneyburlesquegala.com
Moonlight Cinema: See this summer’s best films in a truly unique outdoor environment. Some of the new films on the slate include Star Wars: Rogue One, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, Assassins Creed, Office Christmas Party, and La La Land along with timeless classics such as Grease and Back To The Future.
Dec 1-Apr 2. Belvedere Amphitheatre Lawns in Centennial Park. $14.50-$35. Tickets & info: www.moonlight.com.au
Royal Croquet Club: A brand new festival has joined the scene in Sydney, and with three more days to go, some of the most exciting acts are still to come. Royal Croquet Club brings Sydney not only music from the likes of Hayden James, Bag Raiders and Kilter but also pop-up bars, fashion stalls, markets and health and wellness events.
Dec 2-4. Bondi Park, Fri & Sat $20, Sun FREE. Tickets & info: www.royalcroquetclub.com.au
SIMA’s End Of Year Celebration: Come and celebrate what has been a excellent year for SIMA with the success of the Berry Jazz Festival, the Winter Jazz Series and the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival plus numerous other initiatives. Performing for this celebration will be The Catholics along with a special solo spot from Chris Cody on piano.
Dec 3. Foundry 616, Harris St, Ultimo. $15-$72. Tickets & info: www.foundry616.com.au
Christmas Celebrations: Right across the city there will be an abundance of events for adults and children alike to indulge in the Christmas spirit and celebrate the joy of giving gifts and spending time with loved ones. Whether it’s the fun filled extravaganza of rides and the North Pole Experience at Rosehill Gardens or the simple joy of taking in the light and sound show of St Mary’s Cathedral in the inner city.
Dec 8-27. Various venues & prices. Tickets & info: www.sydneysantaspectacular.com or www.lightsofchristmas.com.au
Woodford Folk Festival: Rather than simply offering a music festival setting, artists from across the globe will conduct art, craft, design, theatre, dance, comedy and cabaret seminars, installations and performances in a complete cultural experience.
Dec 27-Jan 1. Woodfordia, 87 Woodrow Rd, Woodford, QLD. Single Day: $25-$177 or Season Tickets: $571-$713. Tickets & info: www.woodfordfolkfestival.com
Night Owls Kids Film Festival: Every evening Darling Harbour will have all eyes focused on a specially installed big screen for a family friendly film festival which will show 26 of the hottest feature films, including The Jungle Book (2016) and Zootopia, along with 17 short films which kids and their adult friends alike will all enjoy.
Jan 6-25. Darling Quarter, 1-25 Harbour Street, Sydney. FREE. Info: www.darlingquarter.com/nightowls
Sydney Festival: An annual cultural celebration that transforms Sydney every January, delivering the highest quality art and big ideas, comprised of 150 events, a staggering 73 of which are free. 454 performances will take place across 46 venues, featuring 1021 artists from 15 countries. With 16 world premieres, nine Australian premieres and 14 Australian exclusives, summer in Sydney is not to be missed.
Jan 7-29. Various venues & prices. Tickets & info: www.sydneyfestival.org.au
FOMO: A boutique, all-inclusive festival experience bringing together a carefully curated line-up of international and local artists. This year’s “all killer no filler” lineup features Flosstradamus, Empire Of The Sun, Pekin Duk, Slumberjack and Desiigner.
Jan 8. The Crescent, Bynes Avenue, Parramatta Park. $109-$119+b.f. Tickets & info: www.fomofestival.com.au
Parkes Elvis Festival: What started as a small get together between likeminded Elvis fans back in 1993 has today grown into an internationally renowned event endorsed by the estate of Elvis Presley. Over the course of five days, this year’s program is jam-packed with more than 120 events.
Jan 11-15. Various venues & prices in Parkes, NSW. Tickets & info: www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au
SIMA Summer Jazz: SIMA is proud to present the inaugural Summer Jazz series, a program of 10 outstanding concerts than span a whole variety or musical styles and influences within the broad church of jazz. Some of the highlights throughout the series include Peter Dasent, Finnland and the Divergence Jazz Orchestra.
Jan 14-Feb 25. The Sound Lounge, cnr City Rd & Cleveland St. Various prices (average $30). Tickets & info: www.seymourcentre.com
So Frenchy So Chic In The Park: Friends, music, food and wine. This special event brings together all of life’s simple pleasures for one glorious summer’s day picnic in the park. This is a family friendly event which welcomes children 12 and under for free, which makes this the next best thing to getting off to the south of France for a day.
Jan 21. Bicentennial Park, Glebe. $83. Tickets & info: www.sofrenchysochic.com.au
Thrash, Blast & Grind: Debuting at a time when there is a distinct lack of Australian heavy music festivals – Thrash, Blast & Grind gives something back to fans and devotees of the more extreme side of music – starting from a grassroots level. Founded and curated by the bands who will be appearing, the touring fest is DIY taken to the masses.
Feb 11. Manning Bar, Lvl 2 Manning House, Manning Rd, University of Sydney. $39.30-$71.95. Tickets & info: www.manningbar.com
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras: Bust out the glitter, glue down those fake lashes and oil up the leather chaps – because Australia’s biggest celebration of love and diversity is set to electrify our city once again. With a wide range of events ranging from celebratory dance parties, to a comedy festival to the Queer Screen Film Festival and of course the world renowned parade.
Feb 15-Mar 5. Various venues & prices. Tickets & info: www.mardigras.org.au
Byron Bay Bluesfest: Australia’s premier contemporary blues & roots music festival showcases music from around the world annually on the Easter long weekend on 120 hectares at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, just north of Byron Bay. This year’s lineup is highlighted by Barry Gibb, Billy Bragg, Beth Hart, The Doobie Brothers, Mary J Blige, Santana and Neil Young.
Apr 13-17. Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm. $179-$620. Tickets & Info: www.bluesfest.com.au
