Spring in Sydney 2023: Blooms, Festivals, and 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 color, 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.
Spring Festivals and Flower Celebrations in Sydney and Beyond
1. 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 15 October 2023 | 10 am - 2 pm
Cost: FREE
2. WOW Festival at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre
Dive into an immersive 3-day celebration of creativity and culture at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre this spring. WOW Festival is a multisensory extravaganza of artistic activities, workshops, performances and outdoor play, tailored for children and young people during the school holidays. It is a fully engaging experience that celebrates the power of the imagination. Enjoy a bumper program of FREE and ticketed events, with nothing over $20.
Where: Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, 1 Powerhouse Road, Casula
When: Thursday 5 - Saturday 7 October 2023 | 10 am - 5 pm
Cost: FREE and ticketed events | Nothing over $20
3. South Eveleigh Street Party
The inaugural South Eveleigh Street Party is coming to town for a huge two-day festival that celebrates the colourful spirit of the community. The historic precinct will be transformed into a vibrant hub of music, food, art, design, dance, and play, with a dynamic program of cultural experiences for the whole family including Sydney’s best chefs, musicians, and restaurants, plus Village Square will be the festival haven for families with little ones, with a dedicated children program of creative activities and entertainment including a kids rave!
Where: Locomotive Street, The Eveleigh and Village Square, South Eveleigh
When: Thursday 5 & Friday 6 October 2023 | 2 pm - 11 pm
Cost: Free entry | Some events are ticketed
4. 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 Campbelltown festival 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 - 12 November 2023
Cost: FREE and ticketed events
5. Spot On Children's Festival
Hit the spot this spring at the fabulous Spot On Children's Festival. Celebrating the festival's 10th Birthday, Riverside Theatres is getting ready to party! Over five jam-packed days, the event will showcase a fun-filled line-up of theatre, musical performances, physical comedy and circus acts that enthrall young audiences.
Where: Riverside Theatre, Corner Church and Market Streets, Parramatta
When: 23 September - 4 October 2023
Cost: Varies per show and workshop
6. Amaze & Play At Hunter Valley Gardens
Always in bloom with an abundant array of exotic flora, creative installations and award-winning displays, Hunter Valley Gardens will embrace spring fever with vibrant colours and family entertainment. For two action-packed weeks, their all-new Amaze and Play In The Garden festival will see the Gardens really come alive with adventurous activities. From a Jungle Adventure Maze to a fairy and gnome wonderland, there's something for everyone.
Where: Hunter Valley Gardens, Broke Road, Pokolbin
When: 23 September - 8 October 2023
Cost: Adults: $32; Child: $25; Family Pass from $79. Under 3s FREE.
7. 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: Wednesday 4 – Saturday 7 October 2023
Cost: FREE and ticketed events
8. Emerge Festival
Making a triumphant return this spring with an exciting program of 70+ 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 including Puppeteria Theatre, Multicultural Spring Fair and so much more!
Discover the hidden gems across the City of Willoughby and embrace the return of the annual Chatswood StreetFair and the Matsuri Japan Festival. Showcasing the artistic and diverse culture of this lively part of Sydney, this is a Spring Festival you do not want to miss!
Where: Events across Willoughby City
When: 1 September - 7 October 2023
Cost: FREE and ticketed events
9. 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 36th year, Canberra will be transformed in a whole new way with the theme Sounds of Spring. 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 a Dogs’ Day Out plus a unique invitation to explore Floriade’s Dark Side when the park will be illuminated after dark with colour and filled with roving entertainers and fantastic food. Head to floriadeaustralia.com for the full program.
Where: Commonwealth Park, Canberra
When: 16 September – 15 October 2023 | 9 am – 5:30 pm daily
Cost: FREE
10. Camden Festival
Camden Festival is back for 2023 with loads of fun events throughout October including Picnic in the Park, Kids Fun Day and Taste Camden. The festival ignites the town with a diverse range of events and activities, celebrating the unique region and its exciting attractions like outdoor cinemas, workshops, live entertainment, picnics, and highly-anticipated food and wine festivals in various hotspots throughout Camden.
Where: Various events throughout Camden
When: Throughout October 2023
Cost: FREE and ticketed events
11. Southern Highlands Food & Wine Festival
With more restaurants, food trucks, live music, cooking sessions and tastings to whet your appetite, the Southern Highlands Food & Wine Festival will be back bigger and better than ever this October. Moss Vale Showground will be a culinary melting pot of award-winning winemakers, artisan food producers and creative chefs, showcasing the region’s abundance and diversity of food and wine to delight your senses.
Where: Moss Vale Showgrounds, 16 Illawarra Hwy, Moss Vale
When: TBA
Cost: General Admission 1-Day Pass $30; Kids 6 years and under are FREE.
12. 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 29 October 2023 | 10 am to 5 pm
Cost: FREE
13. 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 color-coordinated city garden of Bowral, the largest town in the Southern Highlands. Corbett Gardens are the centerpiece 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: 19 September - 2 October 2023 | 9:30 am - 5 pm
Cost: Adults: $14; Children/Concession: $8. Under 12s FREE
14. 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: 29 September - 4 October 2023
Cost: $45pp for all Festival gardens
15. Daffodils at Rydal
Celebrate the arrival of spring with "Daffodils at Rydal." It's not just an event; it's a family delightful experience. As you wander through Rydal, you'll be greeted by thousands of these radiant blooms, each one playfully nodding in the gentle breeze. This annual celebration is a testament to the village's community spirit and love for nature. So, gather your friends, pack a picnic, and head to Rydal. It's time to make some cherished memories amidst the daffodils.
After all, who can resist the charm of a village draped in gold?
Where: Rydal, NSW
When: 2nd and 3rd weekends of September 2023 | 10 am - 4 pm
Cost: $10pp
16. Blue Mountains Botanic Garden - Daffodil Festival
Welcome spring with thousands of blooming daffodils at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah. As the chill of winter fades, the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah bursts into a vibrant spectacle of yellow. Welcoming spring, the garden becomes a canvas painted with thousands of daffodils, each bloom signaling the rebirth of the season. It's a sight to behold and a perfect escape for families and nature enthusiasts alike. So, why not plan a day trip? Revel in the beauty, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and let the sea of daffodils at Mount Tomah uplift your spirits.
Where: Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah
When: NOW to early September 2023
Cost: FREE
Other Things To Do In Spring
The Best Kids' Shows in Sydney
Where To Pick Your Own Fruit This Spring
Sydney's Best Cafes by the Water
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