Exciting Festivals You Don’t Want To Miss In Sydney 2023

Sydney is known as a vibrant city, and it has all the right reasons for being called so. It is constantly alive with cultural celebrations, events and sporting activities. Come what may, there is always something new to explore and experience right here. Once again in 2023, the Emerald City is all set to excite you. Let’s open the calendar of festivals that you can gear up from this month onwards.

A sneak peak into the highlights of the festivals–Mardi Gras Parade, Vivid Cruises and Sydney Film Festival Hub.

Sydney WorldPride (Feb-March) : Emerald City Transforms to Rainbow City

This year, Sydney will turn host to the WorldPride event that has been staged across the world since 2000. Held for the first time in the Southern hemisphere, the Human Rights Conference plays an important role here as well. Event highlights being WorldPride Arts, WorldPride Sports and Pride Amplified, including parties, concerts, visual arts, theatre, dance, music and First Nations programming.

Look out for your favourite celebs like Kylie Minogue, Charli XCX, Kelly Rowland, UK popgroup Sugarbabes and more. Don’t miss the colourful Mardi Gras street parade celebrating the rainbow LGBTQIA+ community.

Vivid Sydney (May-June) : Sydney Dazzles with the Festival of Lights, Music and Ideas

The world’s brightest, innovative artists, music makers, thought leaders and culinary creatives all come under one roof at the Vivid Sydney Festival. Experience highlights like the Vivid Sydney Light Walk that will run uninterrupted from the Opera House to Central Station. A musical treat with diverse artists performing live shows in magnificent spaces will certainly fascinate you. Global storytellers will even share their fascinating ideas. There’s a new addition to the festival this season–Vivid Food. Visit renowned chefs, experience multi-sensory dégustations and culinary pop-ups that too across the Light Walk.

With the help of First Nation Artists, the sails of the iconic Opera House will light up with a striking signature work of art. What’s more? The illuminated harbour and the breathtaking projections on the Harbour Bridge will be a feast to the eye. If you are looking for that ideal vantage point, Vivid Sydney cruises are a must try.

Sydney Film Festival (June) : 12 days and nights of movie premieres, talks and parties

Over 50 countries, represented at the festival through feature films, documentaries, short films and retrospectives. 12 films are selected for awards, including one that celebrates “courageous, audacious and cutting-edge” cinema with a $60,000 cash prize. It also presents eight other cash awards during the course of the event. The festival takes place at the State Theatre as well as cinemas in the CBD, Newtown, Cremorne, Randwick and more. Films that are screened are not ones you will find in the multiplex.

The Sydney Film Festival Hub at Sydney Town Hall is a highlight of the festival. Grab a bite to eat or purchase a drink from the bar at movie intervals. Be a part of filmmaker talks, Q&A sessions, themed parties and more.

Australian International Music Festival (June-July) : A musical extravaganza

This week-long festival attracts a global cast of performers with 1000+ participants every year who appear at distinguished venues like the Opera House, Sydney Town Hall, Recital Hall, Darling Harbour and more. This is a once-in-a lifetime musical, educational and cultural experience that focuses on providing the young generation with spectacular performances opportunities, that too at the iconic venues of Sydney. And educational workshops with world-class clinicians at the Conservatorium of Music.

Other than the performances and workshops, a highlight of the festival is where adjudicated performances will be given constructive feedback along with Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. Massed choir, rehearsal exchanges, sightseeing and festival after party are other highlights of this festival.

Sydney is without doubt an experience in itself. Do you intend to miss any of these exciting festivals for anything in this world?