The Sydney Festival officially opens today, marking its 50th anniversary milestone with a host of citywide events designed to showcase a variety of bold theatre, culture, dance, music, visual art and more.
We attended the official opening and got a first look at two exciting acts, along with insight from Director Kris Nelson, who highlighted one 2026 Sydney Festival event you absolutely can’t miss.
“I’m telling you, don’t miss this one”, says Director Kris Nelson
We’ve scoured the Sydney Festival program for the buzziest shows, but one event in particular always seems to be on everyone’s lips. This was reinforced at the opening today, when Sydney Festival Director Kris Nelson said, “I’m telling you, don’t miss this one.”
He was talking about Live on Hickson Road: Efectos Especiales, created by Argentinian filmmaker Alejo Moguillansky and choreographer Luciana Acuña. They’ll be transforming the Hickson Road into a live film set, where cinema and dance unfold in real time. The best part? You get to be in the making of this film. Nelson said, “Have you ever wanted to be part of an action movie? This is your chance.”
Opening with a DJ set, the audience will join the party, sometimes as a witness, sometimes as an extra. The event is immersive and energetic, designed to be experienced as you walk along the road and interact with others and the film set. The event is also characterised by the fact its completely free, meaning anyone could stumble onto the film set and experience “No tickets. No fourth wall. Just you, the city, and a camera capturing it all.”
Nelson isn’t the only one shouting out Efectos Especiales. Minister for the Arts, Music and Night-time Economy. The Hon. John Graham said, “I’m particularly excited about the big opening night event on Hickson Road. Part movie set, part Argentinian street celebration – I honestly don’t know how it will unfold, but I’ll definitely be there to find out!”
Live on Hickson Road: Efectos Especiales takes place on January 10, from 4pm to 8pm on Hickson Road in Walsh Bay.
First look: Garabari and Natalie Abbott’s Bad Hand
Sydney Festival 2026 has a jam-packed program, and we were lucky enough to have a first look at two of the most anticipated acts: acclaimed choreographer Joel Bray’s Garabari and Natalie Abbott’s cabaret debut, Bad Hand.
Garabari is the reimagining of a corroboree, an Aboriginal dance ceremony featuring music, dance, storytelling, body painting and the passing down of cultural knowledge and traditions. Bray invites people from all cultures and backgrounds to head down to the Sydney Opera House Northern Broadwalk and move together in this inclusive, upbeat corroboree.
A joyous fusion of music and dancers in ethereal attire makes for an unforgettable spectacle on Sydney’s most iconic landmark. Garabari plays two nights: Friday 9th is sold out, but you can still grab tickets for Saturday 10th. The show starts at 8:15pm, meaning that you’ll be taking in this beautiful performance as the sun sets over Sydney Harbour, creating a very picturesque backdrop for the talented dancers.
Next was theatre and screen star Natalie Abbott (Muriels Wedding the Musical, Aftertaste ABC), who gave us a sneak peek at her Sydney Festival show Bad Hand, which also marks her dive into cabaret. She performed a cover of Help! by The Beatles, giving us a taste of her stunning vocals as well as the kind of iconic songs that will be in her show’s repertoire.
Bad Hands is described as “funny, raw and a little bit existential” with a soundtrack featuring everything from Rodgers & Hammerstein to Tina Arena, from country, pop and classical to modern musical theatre. She’ll be performing at 6pm on January 15 and 17 at Sydney Theatre Company’s Wharf 1 Theatre.
The show described as “Gilmore Girls on skates”
Another show generating plenty of buzz is Clare Watson’s Mama Does Derby, described by Watson to The Australian as a kind of “Gilmore Girls on skates”.
Featuring 10 real derby skaters alongside a cast of professional actors, Mama Does Derby explores the story of a mother-daughter duo, Maxine and Billy, who begin a new life in a regional town, where neither quite fits in. Overly relaxed Mother Maxine joins a roller derby team and quickly finds her people, constantly chasing fun and adrenaline and leaving daughter Billy to be the real parent. Co-creator and Logie-nominated stage and screen star Virginia Gay described the concept of the show to The Australian, stating,
“Essentially, it’s about that moment in life where your parents stop being your heroes and start being your triggers, and how you come back from that moment.”
Taking place in Sydney Town Hall, which will be transformed to accommodate a roller derby track, the action-packed show will also feature live music, making it the perfect convergence of sport, theatre and sound. Running from January 15 to January 22, this is another show you don’t want to miss.
