Sydney is set to come alive this September as the Sydney Fringe Festival kicks off with its most dynamic program yet. With over 460 events spread across 10 festival hubs, this year’s festival promises a vibrant mix of theatre, music, comedy, dance, visual art, circus and cabaret.
If you’re in London, the Lambeth Fringe is coming up soon with a hilarious show about Hysteria!
Running from 1 to 29 September, the festival is a celebration of creativity, diversity, and community, offering something for everyone.
The festival opens with a free street party at The Rocks on Thursday, 4 September, featuring roving performers, a silent disco, tarot readings, and more. This marks the start of SIDESHOW at The Rocks, a series of immersive and experiential shows running every Tuesday to Sunday throughout the festival. Don’t miss the storytelling duo Wright & Grainger, who will present their acclaimed shows Helios, Orpheus, and Grandpa Poseidon.
Other must-see events include:
- When Night Comes by Broad Encounters at the Union Bond Store, a multi-sensory performance blending cocktails and theatre in an interactive, room-to-room experience. Running until 17 October, this is a bespoke adventure not to be missed.
- The brand-new Lane Cove Festival @ Sydney Fringe, transforming Lane Cove into a creative hub. Highlights include the free launch night on 5 September at The Canopy and the Taylor Swift Eras Tribute Show, a sing-along spectacle for Swifties.
- Limitless at Bondi Pavilion (16–20 September), celebrating d/Deaf and neurodivergent artists and those living with disabilities. The program includes a comedy gala and a one-night-only performance by singer-songwriter Elly-May Barnes.
- The Off Broadway Hub at Darlinghurst’s Eternity Playhouse, showcasing bold performances like Triptych by Lewis Major and Kate Bush Unmoored by vocal ensemble Eklektika.
- Made in Sydney at PACT Centre for Emerging Artists (3–13 September), featuring powerful works like I Watched Someone Die on TikTok by Charlotte Otton and Takat?pui by Daley Rangi.
For a full list of events and details, visit the Sydney Fringe Festival website.
The festival also includes the Queer Hub at Qtopia Sydney, the Cabaret Hub at Marrickville Town Hall, and the Dance Hub at Sydney Dance Company’s Neilson Studio. Literature lovers can explore the inaugural Parramatta’s Lit!, a month-long open-access literature festival featuring panel discussions, live readings, and the Parramatta Zine Fair.
For those seeking experimental performances, TheLab@UNSW offers cutting-edge works like Jesus of Wollongong and STILL FALL. Meanwhile, The Old Fitz Theatre presents bold new theatre, including She Threaded Dangerously and Selkie.
With so much to see and do, the Sydney Fringe Festival is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the city’s creative energy. Whether you’re a fan of theatre, music, comedy, or visual art, there’s something for everyone.