7 must-see winter festivals to warm up your weekends

Vivid was just the warm-up – Sydney’s winter festivals will turn up the heat through July, with events popping up across the city to take us through to spring.

From ice skating, festive magic and outdoor movie nights with your family to snow cannons and thumping music, winter’s never looked so good. Get out of hibernation mode and wrap up warm to explore the wintry fun at these winter festivals in Sydney.

READ MORE: 17 Things to Do in Sydney in Winter for an Unforgettable Season

1. Bondi Festival

Bondi Festival is back, serving up comedy, theatre, music and even a beachside ice rink. You might normally associate Bondi with summer, surfing and sun, however, the Bondi Festival is here to keep the famous suburb relevant through the winter months. The ice rink will be available to experience throughout the festival, with tickets starting from $15 for a 45-minute session.

There’s also the Pavilion Paw Parade, on July 5, where you can bring your pup along and enter them in categories including Best Dressed, Party Tricks and Best Personality. Other events include Bondi Festival Food Markets on Saturdays, the Waverley Art Prize and a live performance from ARIA Award-winner Meg Washington.

Where: Bondi Pavilion and surrounding areas.
When: Friday, July 4–Sunday, July 20.
Price: Price varies depending on event.

bondifestival.com.au

READ MORE: You can see award-winning Broadway shows in Sydney for a fraction of the price

2. Greenwood Hotel’s Snow Festival

Welcome winter with a visit to the Greenwood Hotel’s 10th annual Snow Festival in North Sydney. They’ve created a jam-packed itinerary, including a winter markets set-up (June 30-July 4), line dancing lessons with a Shania Twain tribute band (July 1) and even a Mario Kart racing event (July 2). Located just a short stroll from Victoria Cross metro station and North Sydney train station, this winter wonderland has never been easier to get to.

The full list of events in July are as follows:

• Toboggan slide: Friday, June 27–Sunday, July 6.
• Winter Night Markets: Monday, June 30–Friday, July 4, from 4pm.
• Shania Twain Line Dancing: July 1, 6:30pm.
• Mario Cart Snowdown: Battle of the Businesses: July 2, 5–9pm.
• Winter Wonderland returns to Greenwood Thursdays: July 3.
• Closing Party: Spirit of House: July 6.

Where: The Greenwood Plaza Rooftop, 36 Blue St, North Sydney NSW 2060.
When: From Friday, June 27, to Sunday, July 6.
Price: Prices vary from free entry to tickets from $50.

greenwoodhotel.com

3. Chill Fest, Campbelltown

Koshigaya Park in Campbelltown will become a winter wonderland throughout July, complete with dazzling light displays, thrilling amusement rides, roaming performers and a mouth-watering lineup of food stalls. What winter festival would be complete without an open-air ice rink? This one even features a resident DJ. There will also be s’mores ready to roast over an open fire, as well as a snow zone and opportunities to meet your favourite costumed characters (think Olaf, Elsa and Bluey).

Where: Koshigaya Park, Hurley St and Camden Rd, Campbelltown NSW 2560.
When: Friday, July 4–Sunday, July 20; 12pm ’til late.
Price: Adult tickets: $27; ages 5–14: $20; ages 4 and under: $15.

4. Alpine Activity Zone & Winter School Holidays, Darling Harbour

Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour will be buzzing with winter activities these school holidays. From July 10 to July 13, the precinct will be hosting free kids’ activities, including winter craft workshops, kids karaoke, and even an ‘Amazing Arctic Race’, which consists of team-building challenges and fun puzzles.

The Darling Harbour open-air ice skating rink will also be open daily from June 28–July 20, so get your skates on, grab your friends (and a trusty penguin skating aid) and glide around this harbourside rink for 45 minutes.

Where: Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Alpine Activity Zone, July 10 to July 13. The ice rink is open from June 28 until July 20.
Price: The Alpine Activity Zone is free; Ice Rink sessions: $28 for adults, $20 for kids, $15 for toddlers, $75 for families of four.

READ MORE: A dozen of my best winter school holiday life-saving activities

5. Bastille Festival

The Bastille Festival returns to Sydney from Thursday, July 17 to Sunday, July 20, bringing a touch of France to The Rocks and Circular Quay, with a celebration of French cuisine, art and culture. There’ll be winter comfort food, including hot crêpes, plenty of cheese and even garlicky escargot. Toast to the French with authentic Champagne and beer, or spice up your life with a warming glass of mulled wine.

The full programme of live performances is yet to be released, so watch this space for more info.

Where: Circular Quay and The Rocks.
When: July 17–July 20, 10am–11pm.

bastillefestival.com.au

6. Christmas in July, The Rocks

While the Northern Hemisphere enjoys Christmas carols, markets and ice skating during December, Christmas looks a little different Down Under. But Sydneysiders never miss out. Christmas in July is the clever solution that brightens up the colder winter months in the Harbour City, bringing Christmas markets, mulled wine and falling snow.

This year, Australia’s first ever Fire Pit Cinema will also pop up, with private fire pits available for two to six people. Snuggle up under blankets, sip hot chocolate, toast marshmallows and enjoy classic Christmas movies, including Home Alone, Elf and The Holiday. Foodies can find melted raclette, bratwursts, schnitzels and sugar-dusted crêpes, among other comfort dishes at the pop-up restaurants too.

Where: The Rocks, Sydney 2000.
When: July 11- July 20, 10am-11pm.
Price: Free entry.

7. RISE Manly

Presented by Northern Beaches Council, Rise Manly is a new “winter event series”, bringing music, light, culture and community to the Northern Beaches suburb. Nine days of large-scale light installations, roving performances, family-friendly activities, night markets and late-night trading will begin this Friday, June 20. The Corso and Manly’s laneways will be buzzing with live performances, artworks and more, as the incredible shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, fitness and wellness businesses team up to present this 10-day party.

READ MORE: A brand-new winter festival is coming to Manly this week – here’s what to know about Rise Manly

Where: Various Manly venues.
When: Friday, June 20 until Sunday, June 29.
How to get there: Ferries are available from Watsons Bay or Circular Quay. Check timetables at transportnsw.info