Bondi Festival is back for its “biggest year yet”, transforming the famous beach’s foreshore into a thriving cultural playground.
We all love a swim at Bondi in summer, whether you’re straight into the surf or clocking laps at Icebergs. But when winter arrives, the beachside suburb takes on a quieter pace. The ocean is far less inviting, and a stroll along the promenade calls for a jumper rather than swimmers.
But Bondi is determined to prove the beach is just as worth visiting in winter. That’s why each year it hosts its much-loved winter festival, transforming the iconic coastline with a packed program of live music, theatre, comedy, immersive art and food.
At the heart of the festival are its signature attractions: the popular ice rink and the 25-metre Vista Ferris Wheel, which offers sweeping views across Bondi Beach and the coastline.
Tanya Goldberg, Waverley Council’s Executive Manager of Arts, Culture and Events, said, “Bondi at wintertime has its own special magic. We love celebrating that each year through Bondi Festival,” while Waverley Council Mayor Will Nemesh added, “Expect world-class performances, stunning local art, and exciting cultural celebrations sure to delight everyone.”
We’ve combed through the 2026 program to bring you the events we think are well worth the trip to Bondi this winter.
Ongoing festival events and attractions
Bondi Festival Ice Rink
Skate by the sea on Bondi Festival’s iconic ice rink. The rink will be open every day of the festival, rain or shine, from 10am-8:45pm. Prices start at $15 and go up to $28, with penguin hire for the less confident skaters costing $10.
Where: On the beachfront at Bondi Park, right beside the Bondi Pavilion on Queen Elizabeth Drive.
When: July 3-19 from 10am-8:45pm.
Price: Tickets from $15-$28.
Bondi Vista Ferris Wheel
Take in sweeping views of Bondi Beach from 25 metres above the sand on the Bondi Vista Ferris Wheel. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for children and $11 for seniors, and can be purchased online or on site before you ride.
Where: On the beachfront at Bondi Park, right beside the Bondi Pavilion on Queen Elizabeth Drive.
When: July 3-19 from 10am-9pm.
Price: Tickets from $10.
Waverley Art Prize
Bondi Festival is once again bringing art to the Eastern Suburbs with the free Waverley Art Prize, which celebrates its 40th year of championing local artists. The exhibition opens at Bondi Pavilion Gallery on July 3 from 6pm-8pm, when this year’s winners will also be announced at a special opening-night event, which is free to attend but requires registration.
After that, the exhibition is open daily from 10am to 5pm for the remainder of the festival, with free entry and no booking required.
Where: Bondi Pavilion Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Dr, Bondi Beach NSW 2026.
When: July 3-19, 10am-5pm daily.
Price: Free.
Bondi Festival Food Markets
The team behind some of Sydney’s best-loved markets (including Paddington Markets, Rozelle Collectors Market and Glebe Markets) is bringing its expertise to Bondi Festival. Curated by Blue Sky Markets, the festival food markets will line the foreshore with everything from hot meals and ready-to-eat bites to artisan drinks.
Where: Bondi Park, Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach NSW 2026.
When: Every Saturday & Sunday of the festival, 10am-9pm.
Price: Free entry.
Accordion
Anyone missing Vivid Sydney 2026 should check out Accordion by Amigo & Amigo, a playful sensory public art experience bringing light, sound and colour to the Bondi Pavilion Courtyard. This interactive artwork is made for photo opportunities and will remain on display beyond the festival, so even if you miss Bondi Festival, you’ll still have a chance to see it.
Where: Garu Courtyard at Bondi Pavilion.
When: June 21-July 26, 6am to 10pm daily.
Price: Free.
Music in the Park
A host of talented locals are teaming up to bring three incredible weekends of live music to Bondi Park, with a curated selection of musicians and DJs set to accompany your weekend visit to the food markets and other festival activations around Bondi. Pick up something to eat, settle in on the grass and enjoy a series of free live performances.
Where: Bondi Park, Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach, NSW 2026.
When: Every Saturday and Sunday of the festival.
Price: Free.
Gladdy Drawing Club
The much-loved Gladdy Drawing Club returns to Bondi Festival, combining life drawing and performance in a relaxed, body-positive environment. Set among the finalist works of the 2026 Waverley Art Prize, the inclusive event offers a safe space for women and the LGBTQIA+ community to get creative, have a yarn and try out life drawing.
Where: Bondi Pavilion Art Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Dr, Bondi Beach NSW 2026.
When: July 4, 9, 11, 17, 18 from 6pm-7pm.
Price: Tickets from $20-$28 plus booking fee.
Opening weekend events
Bondi Festival Comedy Gala
The Bondi Festival Comedy Gala sold out at its debut last year, and now it’s returning for two big nights of laughter, with brand new hosts Thalia-Joan and Imaan Hadchiti. Each evening will feature sets from four different comedians, including the hilarious Dave Woodhead, Michael Hing and Elouise Eftos.
Where: Bondi Pavilion Theatre, Queen Elizabeth Dr, Bondi Beach NSW 2026.
When: July 3 and 4, 7:30pm-9pm.
Price: $22-$30 plus booking fee.
NAIDOC Week Live: Awesome Black
Bondi Festival is celebrating the beginning of NAIDOC Week on July 4 with a three-hour showcase of established and emerging First Nations artists curated by Awesome Black.
Performers include Gadigal-based quartet Lemonise, electro-soul trio Bow and Arrow and Australia’s longest-running all-Indigenous female group, Stiff Gins. This event is completely free and will take place at the Garu Courtyard in Bondi Pavilion.
Where: Garu Courtyard, Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Dr, Bondi Beach NSW 2026.
When: July 4, 12pm-3pm.
Price: Free.
Second week highlights
Pavilion Paw Parade
One of the highlights of the Bondi Festival is the Pavilion Paw Parade, which sees furry friends take over the Bondi Pavilion Courtyard for a pooch procession, dog-themed art and family-friendly fun. Enter your pup into one of the competitions, including “Best Personality”, “Best Dressed”, and “Party Tricks” and be ready to feel like a proud parent.
Where: Garu Courtyard, Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Dr, Bondi Beach NSW 2026.
When: July 11, 11am-2pm.
Price: Free entry.
Bingo, Burlesque and Bondi Vybes
Hosted by Drag Race Down Under star Vybe, this riotous night of bingo meets burlesque promises plenty of laughs, sharp wit and dazzling performances. Grab a cocktail, settle in and enjoy a DJ set from drag king Sexy Galexy as you soak up all the camp, glittering fun.
Where: Seagull Cabaret Hall at Bondi Pavilion.
When: July 11, 7pm-9pm.
Price: Tickets from $20-$25, plus a booking fee.
Back of the Bus (Java Dance)
New Zealand-based Java Dance, which has had 21 sell-out seasons across the world, is bringing its show to Bondi, transforming a moving bus into a stage of physical comedy, kinetic energy and outrageous scenarios. I’ve been on a Back of the Bus journey at the Edinburgh Festival, and can confirm that it’s weird, wacky and completely hilarious.
Where: Meet at Bondi Pavilion, where the roving bus will depart and return.
When: July 9 and 10, 3pm and 7pm, July 11 and 12, 3pm, 5pm and 7pm.
Price: Tickets range from $22-$30.
Final weekend events
For The Best
For the Best is a moving new theatre work exploring the often-overlooked heartbreak of friendship breakups. Built from real stories shared by Waverley locals and accompanied by live music, the performance blends humour and honesty to examine loss, resilience and the connections that shape our lives.
Where: High Tide Room in Bondi Pavilion.
When: July 16-18.
Price: Tickets range from $20-$25.
Little Squirt
If you missed the Bondi Festival Comedy Gala but still want to get a laugh in, book tickets to Darby James’ multi-award-winning cabaret about the process of sperm donation (so, obviously not a family-friendly event!) Grab your mates and lock in for an evening of laughs as Darby considers his own potential future as a potential gay parent.
Where: Seagull Cabaret Hall at Bondi Pavilion.
When: July 16-18, 7pm-8pm.
Price: Tickets range from $20-$28, plus booking fee.
Underwater Creatures by Curious Legends
Bondi Festival will conclude with a stunning display of large-scale illuminated lanterns by Curious Legends, presented throughout Bondi Park and along the beach. There will also be a bonfire to warm your hands by on the beach as you bid farewell to the festival.
Where: Bondi Park, Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach, NSW 2026.
When: July 19, 4pm-7pm.
Price: Free.
Spark and Workshop
A magical outdoor performance will take place on the final Saturday of Bondi Festival, as a giant illuminated Fire Spirit puppet, called Nova, brings light, movement and dance to the beachfront, before she ignites a bonfire to mark a farewell to the festival.
Before the performance, families can take part in a free Spark Workshop, where they’ll create glowing lantern puppets and help awaken Nova by sharing hopes for the future. The interactive experience is recommended for primary school-aged children (so the perfect school holiday activity), but adults are encouraged to join in too.
Where: Bondi Pavilion Courtyard and Bondi Beach.
When: July 18 at various times.
Price: Free.
Register for the free workshop here
M’ap Boulé and Nancy Denis Workshop
Blending storytelling, music and poetry, M’ap Boulé is a powerful one-woman performance by Nancy Denis exploring identity, culture and belonging. Drawing on Haiti’s revolutionary history, Denis reflects on her own intersectional identity through personal stories, original songs and spoken word.
Nancy Denis will also lead her Spirit, Body and Soul Workshop on July 16 at Bondi Pavilion’s Yalagang Room. Through practical exercises and insights into the making of M’ap Boulé, participants will develop new creative skills, build confidence in performance and connect with fellow artists.
Where: Bondi Pavilion Theatre, Queen Elizabeth Dr, Bondi Beach NSW 2026.
When: July 18, 7:30pm-9pm.
Price: Tickets range from $22-$30, plus a booking fee.
