Sydney Events

While the European capitals of London, Milan and Paris still rule the fashion roost, Sydney is making serious headway for Australian designers. RAFW showcases leading Australian designers and international guests. The five day official schedule features designers in on-site and off-site Collection Shows, Emerge, The MCA and the Westin Sydney Suites.

Held over 14 days, the Sydney Film Festival is one of the longest running events of its kind in the world. Each year the festival brings together the best new films from around the world, in addition to short Australian films. The festival also hosts a number of awards to recognise excellence in filmmaking, including the Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films, (which are Academy Award eligible).

Australia's largest and most exciting contemporary visual arts event. Held every two years, the Biennale stages a three-month exhibition, plus a program of artist talks, performances, forums, film screenings, family events, guided tours and other special events, all free to the public.

The world's largest run and Sydney's favourite sporting event, City2Surf is a sporting calendar highlight. The event sees 75,000 people pounding the pavements of the city. The nine mile routes takes participants through the suburbs of Kings Cross, Rushcutters Bay, Double Bay, Rose Bay, Vaucluse, Dover Heights and Bondi Beach. Entry is limited to a certain number of competitors and, except for the invitation-only groups, allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

The Crave Sydney International Food Festival is all about food. Whether it's a masterclass with one of the world's premiere chefs, dining in one of the many pop-up restaurants or exploring a night food market, Crave celebrates the city’s culinary delights. One of the definite highlights is the annual Breakfast on the Bridge, which sees Australia’s most famous icon turn green as grass is rolled out along the road deck to create a dazzling picnic spot.

The world’s largest annual free-to-the-public, outdoor sculpture exhibition takes place along the beautiful New South Wales coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama beach. The exhibition regularly draws over 400,000 people to view sculptures from more than 100 artists around the world.

As big a fixture on the Australian Christmas calendar as barbecues on the beach, the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race was inaugurated as far back as 1945. It usually takes between three and four days to reach completion, although has in the past been won within two days. Around 100 yachts compete.

The globally recognised extravagant and colourful fireworks display over Sydney Harbour attracts more than 1.5 million visitors each year. They are split into two show, the first at 2100 (Family Fireworks) and the second at midnight (the Midnight Fireworks). The fireworks show has become the most-watched New Years Eve fireworks display in the world. The best vantage points around the harbour are listed on the NSW government website.

Australia's largest and most attended annual cultural event comprises around 300 performances and 80 events performed by over 1,000 artists in at least 20 venues each year. The program is kaleidoscopic in its diversity, from burlesque circus to New York rap to Russian theatre; from contemporary dance to family programs to traditional Indigenous arts practice.The festival attracts an estimated 1 million people to its ticketed shows and large-scale free outdoor events.

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival is the world’s premier gay and lesbian cultural festival. Spanning two weeks, the celebrations start with fair day and culminate in the behemoth costume parade through the city’s main gay thoroughfare, Oxford Street.

Though it started small, today Tropfest is known as the largest short film festival in the world. Hosted in The Domain, where crowds of thousands coat the mass of grass with picnic blankets, Tropfest offers a free showing of premium short films, second to none. Often singlehandedly launching the careers of local filmmakers. Tropfest has the support of industry stalwarts, including the likes of Salma Hayek, Nicole Kidman and Baz Luhrmann.

This epicurean extravaganza held in Centennial Park see the city's top restaurants serve sample-sized plates of their signature dishes, which visitors gobble up with gusto and wash down with fine regional wines. At the Chef's Table, look out for renowned culinary masters who are there to chat and share their kitchen tips. Learn more about beer and wine in masterclasses, or simply enjoy a tipple or two while listening to the festival's live music.