There are so many fun events planned throughout the spring and summer. As the weather becomes warmer and the days become longer, night markets, special events and festivals are hosted throughout the nation. So what are you waiting for? Get out your diary and book in some family fun time with these summer events coming to a city near you!
From the 7th to the 29th January, Sydney puts the spotlight on the arts with the Sydney Festival. From free, live music events to ticketed shows, theatre, dance, cinema and visual arts, there is an incredible line up each year of exciting things for families to enjoy. Some of the venues include the Capitol Theatre, Sydney Theatre, Theatre Royal, Riverside Theatres and of course, the iconic Sydney Opera House. Head to the Sydney Festival official website to find out what events are on during the festival so you can reserve dates accordingly.
Tropfest is a big deal in Sydney and it’s actually one of the world’s biggest short film festivals. What’s loved by many about Tropfest is the fact that it encourages everyone to enjoy some DIY filmmaking. The films are short and have to adhere to a specific theme every year. The premiere evening is a free event in February and is a fantastic night out for families. There’s plenty of room to lay down your picnic rug at Centennial Park and once the little ones get tired, it’s easy to head off without making too much of a fuss due to the laid back, family friendly atmosphere.
Situated at The Calyx, a horticultural attraction within the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney’s CBD, Sweet Addiction is an exhibition dedicated to the botanic history and story of chocolate. Go on a journey through a tropical rainforest and then to a chocolate plantation, learn more about the ancient history of chocolate and see a Lindt mill. The exhibition also plays host to the southern hemisphere’s largest contiguous green wall which is composed of over 18,000 plants arranged into living artworks to represent the Mayan God of Chocolate and more. For sweet tooths of all ages, this is a fantastic and fun event for those in Sydney from now until April 2017.
The iconic Tamworth Country Music Festival is held over 10 days and has a dedicated precinct just for family fun. From live entertainment, music, rides, playgrounds and so much more, the festival runs from the 20th to the 29th of January and appears to get bigger and better with each passing year. With every street corner and pub transformed into a country music destination, Tamworth really comes alive during the month of January, making it the perfect time to take a holiday and explore this captivating region.
Held at Melbourne Park with centre court events at the Rod Laver Arena during the month of January, the Australian Open is the first of the Grand Slam tennis tournaments for the year, followed by the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. For those who love tennis or simply enjoy sport in general, getting tickets to an event during the Australian Open is a must. It promises a great family day out and loads of fun for adults and kids alike. For more information on tickets, visit the official Australian Open website.
For those who live in Melbourne, one of the best things to do is visit the Queen Victoria Summer Night Market. Hosted every Wednesday night from 5pm, you can enjoy live music, roaming performers, international food stalls, food trucks, sangria, flavoured tea and clothing. It is a great night out for a family on a budget.
Melbourne Music Week is held during the month of November and is a nine day program of events hosted across the city. There are 110 events with over 240 artists participating and 40 different locations to attend gigs at. Victoria’s State Library is the hub for the festival this year and the original reading room, Queen’s Hall, is being used to host some of the festival’s marquee performances. During the day, the library’s forecourt will host free, all age performances with lots for families to enjoy. Apart from the music there is also a host of fashion, food and workshop events.
From December to January Hobart hosts Taste of Tasmania, a fun festival for food and wine lovers, giving visitors and locals the opportunity to taste and enjoy all of the delicious produce the region has to offer. Situated on the historic waterfront, there’s plenty of seafood, small goods, and even food tours and tasting tables, plus live entertainment and a New Year’s Eve party. Entry is free too.
There are so many wonderful outdoor events happening right across the country this summer. With many requiring little or no budget, there’s absolutely no reason not to get out and enjoy all that’s on offer. So get out that calendar and start planning your event schedule to ensure your family has an exciting summer filled with great times and new places to explore.
