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Plan your day
Make the most of your visit to the North Sydney Festival with an exciting lineup of activities and performances! Here’s what you need to know:
Main stage schedule:
Join us for a fantastic day of live music and entertainment on the main stage:
- 11am – Event begins, Welcome to Country
The festival kicks off with a Welcome to Country ceremony. - 11.30am – Sarah McLeod
Presented by Small Fry Rock (@smallfryrock), Sarah McLeod will bring her energetic performance to the stage. - 12.30pm – Ben Lee
Enjoy a set by Ben Lee, also presented by Small Fry Rock, featuring his signature sound and family-friendly hits. - 1.15pm to 2pm – Pop-Up Performances
Experience performances by Shaun Parker & Co. - 2pm to 5pm
Continue enjoying a diverse range of performances presented by Mary’s.
Art installation by Studio A artist Thom Roberts
Experience the vibrant art installation by Studio A artist Thom Roberts, covering the steps of Brett Whiteley Place. Inspired by his rides on the new Sydney Metro, Thom’s artwork reflects his unique vision of trains as people and people as trains. This installation offers an imaginative and immersive art experience for all ages.
Upcycled fabric and paper flowers with Sydney Textiles and Primrose Paper Arts
Join Textiles Sydney and Primrose Paper Arts to transform fabric and paper off-cuts into wearable flowers. This hands-on workshop is a great way to create beautiful, eco-friendly art pieces from recycled materials. Textiles Sydney and Primrose Paper Arts are part of the vibrant arts community at Primrose Park Arts & Crafts Centre in Cremorne.
Brush turkey sculptures with Olivia Arnold
Discover the world of brush turkeys with artist Olivia Arnold and local high school students. Learn about these fascinating birds and create personalized paper feathers to add to a flock of brush turkeys displayed across North Sydney. Olivia Arnold is a current Artist in Residence at Primrose Park Artists’ Studios in Cremorne.
Bush food tour
Explore local bush food through an interactive display with Koori Kinnections where you can smell, touch, and taste native ingredients. Facilitators will discuss traditional bush foods and provide samples to taste.
Koori Kinnections will also be giving away native Warrigal Greens seeds – known as Australia's version of spinach, popularised by MasterChef – for your home garden.
Join a Yarn session titled "Keep the Fire Burning," featuring an "Ask Me Anything" Q&A session facilitated by Jessica Sinnott. Jess is a Yuin and Wailwan woman, Founder/Managing Director of Koori Kinnections, and a knowledgeable Aboriginal Cultural Educator.
Market stalls
Discover a vibrant marketplace at the North Sydney Festival, featuring talented artisans who blend creativity with sustainability. Support these passionate makers and find something truly special.
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Robyn Morris Atelier (@robynmorris_atelier) - a celebration of the earthy and handmade wild-foraged flower posies, whimsical fairy doors, raw hemp crochet bags and baskets, and unique wild-foraged basketry items.
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Clay Nerd (@neridapatton) - small-batch functional ceramics inspired by the Australian landscape. Each piece is lovingly handcrafted by Nerida in her home studio on Cammeraygal Country.
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Upcycled Glassware (@upcycled.glassware) - the motivation behind Upcycled Glassware is to reduce landfill waste by transforming discarded bottles into functional art pieces like vases, sprouters, and tumblers. Each piece is crafted in our Botany studio using small-batch methods, aligning with our mission to promote sustainable living and mindful consumption.
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Land & by Sea Studio (@landandbyseastudio) - founded by Trish Garcia, is a multidisciplinary art studio inspired by the landscapes of Sydney and the Philippines. Trish’s vibrant, playful work captures the essence of nature, travel, and summer adventures. All original art, including hand-crafted frames and illustrations, is created by hand and printed in small, on-demand runs.
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Productive by You (@productivebyyou) - designs and packs modern DIY Embroidery Kits and handcraft crochet plushies, keyrings, and hats. Their kits feature patterns that appeal to the younger generation, helping to revive a fading skill.
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Hilda (@hildaonline) - luxurious batik fashion, accessories, and homewares made from batik prints and materials sourced from Ghana. The collection includes handmade bags, baskets, and a vegan skincare range featuring shea butter and soap.
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Designed by Kate (@designedbykatesydney) - Kate's background in theatre design taught her to craft whimsical creations from found materials, each with its own story. Kate repurposes rescued materials like upcycled leather, vintage prints, train moquette, and old paintings into unique, wearable bags that are both functional and artistic.
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Banish (@banish.au) - recycled plastic range, including pens, carabiners, mini pots etc. and will have information about their experiences and a BRAD corporate recycle box.
Festival exclusive offers
The North Sydney Festival isn’t just about music and art - it's also your chance to dive into the vibrant local food scene! Our hospitality partners are ready to make your festival day unforgettable, with exclusive offers, extended hours, and unique in-store events.
Featured local venues and special offers:
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Marlies Eatery (@marlieseatery)
Trading 11am to 5pm (normally closed)
Serving a full menu, including event specials like signature brisket and pulled pork sandwiches. Enjoy a special selection of craft beers, wines from the US, and signature Margaritas from Marlies Depot and Smokehouse. -
Glorietta (@glorietta_xx)
Extended hours: 12pm to 10pm
Grab lunch on the go with takeaway porchetta ciabattas and pizzetas on the patio. Regular dinner service starts from 5pm. -
Greenhouse Asian Salads (@greenhouseasiansalads)
Trading 11am to 5pm (normally closed)
Full menu available, plus a meat skewer and noodle special for the Festival. -
Antica Dining (@anticadining)
Bar open from 3pm till late (after party vibes!)
Enjoy $2 oysters from 3pm until sold out.
Aperitivo Afternoon from 3pm to 6pm: $6 beers, $10 Spritz, $12 cocktails and wines, and complimentary bar snacks. -
Charlie and Franks Cafe (@charlieandfranks)
Extended hours: 6am to 5pm
Festival specials include $10 Margaritas (the drink!) and $15 tacos (box of three). Dining rooms open from 5pm. -
Green Moustache (@greenmustacherooftop)
Regular hours: 11.30am to 10pm
Festival deals: $10 pints of Coopers Pale Ale and Sydney Beer Co. Lager, $15 Roku gin spritz, $20 with salt and pepper squid canapés, and $3 oysters all day.
Live music kicks off at 5.30pm. -
The Treehouse Hotel (@thetreehousenorthsydney)
Special opening time: 4pm (normally opens at 5pm)
Enjoy $7 flatbreads, $7 schooners of select beer, and $7 glasses of wine and bubbles.
Live music throughout the day.
Community Partners:
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Northside Produce Market
Kick off your day at the Northside Produce Market from 8am to 12pm at Ted Mack Civic Park before heading to the festival. Stock up on fresh local produce and enjoy the market's lively atmosphere. -
Mary MacKillop Museum
Free entry from 9am to 3pm. Explore fascinating exhibits, and stop by the cafe to recharge before or after the festival fun.
For kids and families
Get ready for a day of creativity and excitement at the North Sydney Festival!
The festival has something special for every member of the family, whether it is checking out the music on the main stage or at the Aqualand Kids' Creative Zone, this is the perfect place for kids and teens to unleash their imaginations.
Aqualand Kids' Creative Zone
Hosted by the talented Siobhan Coombs, owner of Cockatoo Comics and co-organizer of the Brazen comic convention, the Aqualand Kids' Creative Zone will feature four engaging drop-in workshops throughout the day. Each session lasts one hour, allowing your little creators to come and go as they please.
- 11am - Weird and Wonderful Animals: Let your child's imagination run wild as they craft unique animals using cut-out paper parts. They’ll then create a fun fact file comic, detailing their creature’s habitat, diet, and special abilities.
- 12pm - Good Chef/Bad Chef: Is your child a dreamer or a daredevil in the kitchen? In this workshop, they’ll design their dream (or nightmare!) dessert and star in a comic where they teach readers how to make their fantastical creation.
- 1.15pm - Special guest workshop with best selling author Kristin Darell: Join Kristin Darell as she guides you through the exciting world of zoos in this storytelling workshop. Curious? Come monkey around and create your own story!
- 3pm - Scrolling Action/Adventure: Young adventurers can turn a three-panel comic into an ancient scroll, complete with a mini-adventure story. They'll assemble their scroll using tape, a skewer, and ribbon.
- 4pm - Zine Making: Aimed at teens and older kids, this workshop introduces the art of zine creation. Participants will learn to fold zines in two unique ways and receive story prompts to create a fanzine, autobiographical comic, or even a spooky horror story.
A cosy corner run by Stanton Library will be available all day.
Small Fry Rock on the main Stage
Small Fry Rock (@samllfryrock) presents a morning of live music that both kids and parents can enjoy!
These family-friendly acts will get kids excited and parents grooving to music they know and love. Catch Sarah McLeod at 11.30am, followed by Ben Lee at 12.30pm, for an unforgettable musical experience.
Art Installation by Studio A artist Thom Roberts
Expose your kids to the world of art through the unique perspective of Studio A artist Thom Roberts. Thom, who identifies as both an artist and a Countrylink Express train, creates work inspired by his love for trains. His captivating art has been showcased in prestigious exhibitions like The National at Carriageworks and the Science Museum in Melbourne. This installation is a great way for kids to connect with art in a fun and imaginative way.
Street Performers
The streets of North Sydney will come alive with a variety of talented street performers, ready to captivate audiences of all ages. Watch out as Beeswax and Bottlecaps (@beeswax_and_bottlecaps) and Shaun Parker & Co (@shaunparkerco) pop up in unexpected places, adding a sprinkle of magic to your festival experience.
Whether your family is getting creative at the Aqualand Kids' Creative Zone, eating the scrumptious offerings of North Sydney eateries or enjoying the lively street performances, the North Sydney Festival is packed with fun-filled activities that everyone will love. Don’t miss out on making unforgettable memories with your kids!
How to get here
We highly recommend using public transport to make your journey to the North Sydney Festival as easy and sustainable as possible. With the arrival of the new Sydney Metro Victoria Cross Station, getting to the heart of the action has never been more convenient!
By Metro:
Hop on the Sydney Metro and alight at Victoria Cross Station for just a short walk from the festival’s main areas. The new metro service offers fast and frequent connections, making it the perfect way to arrive at the festival stress-free.
By Train:
North Sydney Station is also serviced by regular train lines, providing easy access from across Sydney. Once you arrive, follow the signs and join in the festivities just minutes from the station.
By Bus:
Numerous bus routes stop near the festival area, including along Pacific Highway and Miller Street. Plan your trip ahead of time using the Transport NSW trip planner.
Make the most of your day by leaving the car at home and taking advantage of the convenient public transport options available. We can't wait to see you at North Sydney Festival!