World Class Events in NSW

Vivid

The events calendar developed by Destination NSW, delivers an outstanding selection of world-class experiences guaranteed to keep Sydney and NSW top of mind for travellers.

Events including Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour and Vivid Sydney give visitors yet another reason to experience Sydney, Australia’s global city.

The lights of Vivid Sydney have only recently gone off for 2015, breaking visitation records for the third year in a row with more than 1.7 million people attending the Vivid Sydney festival this year, an increase of 19 per cent on the record 1.43 million who attended last year.

The world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas is now firmly established as one of the world’s most renowned festivals, with more than 36,500 domestic and international travel packages sold in 2015 throughout key markets.

A selection of some of the other highlights on Sydney and NSW’s events calendar includes:

New: Matilda The Musical, July 2015

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s stage musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book, Matilda The Musical, will make its Australian premiere at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre from 28 July 2015. Having already wowed audiences in New York and London, the show features music and lyrics by Australian comedian, musician and composer, Tim Minchin.

New: Netball World Cup, August 2015

Held every four years since 1963, Netball World Cup is the pinnacle event for international netball. While the Australian Diamonds go into the event as reigning champions, they’ll face fierce competition from arch rivals, the Silver Ferns, as well as rising powers England, Jamaica, South Africa and Malawi.

New: Sydney Sevens

Sydney Sevens will take place at Allianz Stadium in Sydney for the next four years with dates to be confirmed soon by World Rugby. Currently in its 16th season, the Sevens World Series consists of nine tournaments held around the world, in which national Sevens teams compete for World Series points at each round. Fast-paced and thrilling, the inaugural Sydney Sevens will take place just a matter of months before Rugby Sevens makes its debut at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Bledisloe Cup Festival, August 2015

The 2015 Bledisloe Cup Festival offers fans the opportunity to celebrate one of the greatest rivalries in world sport, the Qantas Wallabies versus the New Zealand All Blacks. A variety of football-themed events builds up to the much anticipated clash between the two teams, culminating with the Bledisloe Cup test match at ANZ Stadium.

Dungog Festival, October 2015

A celebration of Australian film making, the Dungog Festival showcases emerging and student filmmakers while including screenings of the most interesting Australian and international films attracting cinema-goers, film professionals and students. Other events include a long table dinner under the stars, evening markets and other family events.

Sydney International Art Series, October 2015 – May 2016

Created by Destination NSW, now in its sixth year, the Sydney International Art Series is a signature event on the NSW Events Calendar, attracting close to 1.3 million visitors to the Art Gallery and the MCA over the years. The 2015-16 series will see The Greats, Masterpieces of Western art from the National Galleries of Scotland presented at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (24 October 2015 to 8 February 2016) and a major exhibition of works by acclaimed British contemporary artist, Grayson Perry, staged at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Australia (10 December 2015 to 1 May 2016).

Sydney Festival, January 2016

This summer festival presents the best of world talent in the performing arts and is staged in diverse venues from the CBD to Parramatta.

Parkes Elvis Festival, January 2016

The central NSW town of Parkes welcomes thousands of hip-swivelling Elvis impersonators, tribute artists and fans for a dazzling array of events to celebrate the birthday of “the King”. The 2016 festival will include more than 150 Elvis events over five days.

Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth, January 2016

Australia’s biggest celebration of country music features 800 performers and 4,000 shows across 120 venues in Tamworth. The event culminates with the Country Music Awards of Australia during which the coveted Golden Guitars are awarded.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, February – March 2016

This month-long celebration culminates with the famous Mardi Gras Parade, the biggest event of its kind in the world, bursting with creativity and fun.

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, March – April 2016

Set on Sydney Harbour, awash with the light of the city and the Sydney Opera House in the background, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour has become a huge part of the cultural landscape, combining all of the things Sydney does best: world-class opera, champagne and fine dining, sunsets and spectacle all on the harbour's edge.