Manly Jazz fest has passed for another year which seems to mark the start of summer. Summer in Sydney means a cavalcade of free festivals to keep you entertained between now to November. Travel Bunny has your weekends covered!
Night Noodle Market kicked off last Thursday in Hyde Park.
- Night Noodle Market – Hyde Park, 6 – 23 October
While the food is always overpriced, this is a great free festival to go to after work for the ambience and to see reknown restaurants offer their food stall style. Gelato Messina’s pistachio encrusted deep fried banana gelato is one to check out this year.
Hours are from 5pm weeknights and 4pm weekends.
Mon-Tue 5pm-9pm, Wed-Thur 5pm-10pm, Fri 5pm-11pm,
Sat 4pm-10pm, Sun 4pm-9pm
Pan fried Pork buns from New Shanghai
- Granny Smith Festival – Ryde, 15 October
At this annual event, Ryde celebrates their famed resident Maria Ann Smith who pioneered the Granny Smith Apple (as the festival name denotes). This is a family friendly free fun event if you want to explore another part of Sydney and a great community event. Hop along and you might see Travel Bunny there!
3. Sculptures by the Sea – Bondi, 20 October – 6 November
Sculptures has returned to Bondi – Tamarama and set to bring the crowds in. This one is always best observed late in the evening or early morning with less crowds around. The Grounds of Alexandria will be set up at the Bondi headlands again this year as Grounds by the Sea. It will sure to be worth checking out, as well as the art, of course.
This brings us to November which wouldn’t be right without a bit of Newtown and Glebe…
4. Newtown Festival – Newtown, 13 November
Newtown Festival returns this year and won’t disappoint those seeking great live music, stalls (food, art and paraphernalia), live acts and general oddities from the fringes of society. Donations are encouraged but it is a free festival. Bring your picnic blanket (and food if you want to save some money).
5. Glebe St Fair, Glebe, 20 November
Once you have recovered from Newtown, hop along to the Glebe St Fair which is relatively more tame and civilised. Glebe Point Road is closed down for two aisles of stalls that include art, creative work, clothes and food. Live music is staged at certain points and there is usually other great music or dance acts along the street. Family friendly and generally feels less crowded than the Newtown Festival. Great place to pick up Christmas presents.
Enjoy Sydney!