Spring in Sydney 2024: Events, Flowers, Festivals & Family Fun

Spring in Sydney is blossoming, heralding the arrival of vibrant flower festivals and lively events in and around the city. As the days grow warmer and the city bursts into colour, families can immerse themselves in the beauty of the season, from the fragrant blooms of daffodils and tulips to the joyous celebrations of community events. 

We've rounded up the best spring events, flowers, and festivals for families in Sydney. 

Spring in Sydney 2024: Events, Flowers, Festivals & Family Fun

1. Sydney Fringe Festival

Kicking off the spring festival calendar, the Sydney Fringe Festival has a banner lineup, especially for families. If you're looking for kid-friendly laughter, activities, and entertainment, add Sydney Fringe Kids to your September itinerary.

Discover the magic of Restricted Access, chaotic STEM activities in KABOOM!, THE GIANT BALLOON SHOW, plus more mindboggling mayhem!

Where:       Darling Quarter, Sydney + other locations throughout the city
When:        1 September - 6 October 2024
Cost:          Various depending on the event

2. Emerge Festival

Making a triumphant return this spring with an exciting program of events, the much-loved Emerge Festival on Sydney's North Shore will be jam-packed with a collection of colourful community events. Celebrating diversity and creativity, the festival program includes art, entertainment, stage shows, workshops, food and drink, outdoor activities and plenty for the kids and families. Showcasing the artistic and diverse culture of this lively part of Sydney, this is a spring festival you do not want to miss!

Where:   Chatswood CBD
When:    7 September 2024 from 10 am to 6 pm
Cost:      FREE and ticketed events

3. St Marys Spring Festival

Mark your calendar for Saturday 7 September, and the St Marys Spring Festival, a beloved community tradition for over 49 years!

Come down to St Marys for a day filled with market stalls, delicious food, carnival rides, lively entertainment, and of course, the grand parade. 

Where:     Queen Street, St Marys
When:      Saturday 7 September 2024 | 10 am - 3 pm
Cost:        FREE entry

4. Bondi Festival of the Winds

Grab your kites, Sydney's famous Festival of the Winds returns!

Every year, Bondi Beach transforms into a kaleidoscope of colours as hundreds of kites take to the skies for the Festival of the Winds. It's like nature's own art gallery—only better, because you can join in the fun! Whether you're a seasoned kite flyer with a tricked-out kite or a newbie with a simple diamond, everyone's welcome to let their creativity soar.

Where:   Bondi Beach
When:    8 September 2024 from 11 am to 4 pm
Cost:      FREE

5. Cabramatta Moon Festival

Celebrate the traditional Harvest Festival at the annual Cabramatta Moon Festival.

Live music, lion dancing, entertainment across two stages, rides and activities for the kids, spectacular fireworks, and an overall energetic atmosphere is on the agenda. You also won't want to miss the famous Lantern Parade!

Where:   Cabramatta Town Centre
When:    8 September 2024 from 11 am to 8 pm
Cost:      FREE entry

6. Tulip Time Festival

Tulip Time is one of Australia's oldest and best-loved floral festivals, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

In just under a two-hour drive from Sydney, you'll find yourself in the middle of the colour-coordinated city garden of Bowral, the largest town in the Southern Highlands. Corbett Gardens are the centrepiece of the Festival, with more than 75,000 tulip bulbs and 15,000 flowering annuals planted each year, but there are many more to be seen and admired in the city’s abundance of private gardens, which are open for viewing.

The horticultural festivities span two weeks, with fun activities and daily entertainment including bands, dancers, choirs and the Tulip Time Market Place. This year, visitors can also experience Tulips After Dark every Friday and Saturday night throughout the Festival.

Where:   Bowral, Southern Highlands, NSW
When:    12-30 September 2024 | 9:30 am - 5 pm
Cost:      Adults: $14; Children/Concession: $8. Under 12s FREE

7. Night at The Barracks

One of our favourite spring music festivals in Sydney is back with Night at the Barracks.

Catch incredible live music under the stars at Sydney's North Head with the family or make it a romantic night for two! This year's impressive lineup includes Xavier Rudd, Birds of Tokyo, Jessica Mauboy, The Presets, and Matt Corby!

Where:   The Barracks Precinct, North Head Sanctuary, 33 N Head Scenic Dr, Manly
When:    Friday 13 September to Sunday 6 October 2024
Cost:      Tickets start from $79. Check out all the ticket options.
               Under 3s FREE with an adult ticketholder (no seat). Family tickets are available.

8. Floriade in Canberra

Fancy a three-hour trip down the highway? A fiesta of beautiful blooms and springtime magic awaits you in Canberra! Australia's biggest celebration of spring is back with a bang at Floriade.

Celebrating its 37th year, Canberra will be transformed in a whole new way with the theme Art in Bloom. Visitors to the nation's capital will be captivated by the vibrant display of over a million blooms set to a soundtrack of diverse musical performances.

This stunning family-friendly event will be bursting with a diverse program of music, cultural celebrations, artistic displays, entertainment and recreational activities. Over 30 days, an exciting program offers a range of activities, workshops, talks, market stalls, tours, and more. Plus, don't miss a unique invitation to explore Floriade's dark side at NightFest when the park will be illuminated after dark with colour and filled with roving entertainers and fantastic food. 

Where:    Commonwealth Park, Canberra
When:     14 September to 13 October 2024 | 9 am to 5:30 pm daily
Cost:       FREE

9. Real Festival

Another highlight of the spring festivals in Sydney calendar is Penrith's Real Festival and it's back in 2024!

Set in the picturesque Tench Reserve by the Nepean River, this free festival is the perfect way to welcome spring with your family. Ideal for all ages, the festival offers a plethora of activities that promise a good time without breaking the bank. Expect to see Dragon Boat rides, live music from local and visiting musicians, roller rink rides, kids' workshops, an open-air arcade, food trucks, and loads more.

Where:    Nepean River, Tench Reserve, Penrith
When:     Friday 20 September from 4-10 pm
                Saturday 21 September from 12-10 pm
Cost:       FREE

10. Spot On Children's Festival

Hit the spot this spring at the fabulous Spot On Children's Festival. Celebrating the festival's 11th birthday, Riverside Theatres is getting ready to party!

Over 23 jam-packed days, the event will showcase a fun-filled line-up of theatre, musical performances, physical comedy and circus acts that enthral young audiences.

Where:     Riverside Theatres, Corner Church and Market Streets, Parramatta
When:      28 September to 20 October 2024
Cost:        Various | See individual events for ticket prices

11. Blacktown City Pet Festival

Animal lovers are in for a PAWsome day out this spring at the annual Blacktown City Pet Festival. All creatures great and small are invited to come together for an action-packed event celebrating the wonderful world of pets.

Gather the whole family and celebrate 'pet pride' with a fun day of stalls and displays, food trucks, and a full program of free activities and entertainment including special guest Steve Austin and the detection dogs, plus face painting, pony rides, reptile display, Pet caricatures, vet checks and more.

Where:    Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre (BARC), 20 Owen Street, Glendenning
When:     Sunday 29 September 2024 | 10 am - 2 pm
Cost:       FREE

12. Leura Gardens Festival

Another road-trip-worthy flower festival is the Leura Gardens Festival coming to the picturesque Blue Mountains in October.

This more intimate take on a flower show extravaganza opens up a selection of local cool-climate gardens, each showcasing their beautiful and colourful swathes of tulip beds, daffodil lawns, azaleas, rhododendrons and bluebells. Some of the gardens are nearly 100 years old, so you’ll be in for a real visual treat!

Where:      Eight gardens throughout Leura
When:       4-7 October 2024
Cost:         $45pp for all Festival gardens

13. Play! Kids Festival at The Pavillion Sutherland

School holidays are all about letting kids' imaginations run wild, and what better place to do that than at the Play! Kids Festival. The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre in Sutherland is set to transform into a magical playground for little ones. 

The festival will welcome some of Sydney's most beloved children's performers ready to take the stage, promising a lineup that includes everything from dinosaurs and circus skills to art classes, Shakespeare, music workshops, and even lively discos. For more information and to book your tickets visit the Play! Kids Festival.

Where:  The Pavilion, 30 Eton Street Sutherland
When:   9-12 October 2024
Cost:     FREE and ticketed events

14. Norton Street Italian Festa

Held annually on the last Sunday in October, Norton Street Italian Festa is a celebration of community spirit - with a delicious Italian slant! In the heart of Sydney’s ‘Little Italy’ this fun, family day out features carnival rides, jumping castles, animal farms, face painting, street performers and pony rides for the kids, plus entertainment, concerts, dancing, free cooking demonstrations and, of course, a decadent array of delicious cuisine.

A wonderful meeting of the culturally rich heritage of the area with hundreds of stallholders showcasing the best products, food, coffee and gelato, makes Festa an unmissable celebration of what makes Leichhardt special - including the best local Italian Nonnas! 

Where:   Norton Street, Leichhardt
When:    Sunday 27 October 2024 | 10 am to 5 pm
Cost:      FREE

15. Festival of Fisher's Ghost

The legendary Festival Of Fisher's Ghost is back this year for its annual celebration of one of Australia's most famous ghosts, Frederick Fisher. Steeped in history and dating back to 1956, the iconic spring festival in Sydney will be bigger than ever as the city comes back to life with a spectacular line-up of events that will show the whole community a hauntingly good time.

Where:    Events throughout Campbelltown
When:      2-10 November 2024
Cost:       FREE and ticketed events

16. Visit NSW's Famous Canola Fields

NSW's famous canola fields are the perfect weekend adventure for adventurous families who don't shy away from a spur-of-the-moment road trip!

Every year from around mid-August to October, NSW's famous canola fields burst into golden, yellowy flowers that look almost too good to be true. While driving out to the canola fields is around a 4-hour drive, the contrast of the blue sky against the yellow fields is a sight to behold, plus, there's loads to see and do in the towns dotted along the trail.

Please note that most canola fields are private farms, so please don't enter without permission. 

Where:    NSW towns of Coolamon, Junee, and Temora
When:     Usually from around mid-August to October

Other Things to Do in Spring

Things to do in Sydney This October Long Weekend
Spring Fruit Picking in Sydney
Sydney's Best Cafes by the Water

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