Spring in Sydney is a blossoming time, heralding vibrant flower festivals and lively events in and around the city. As the days grow warmer and the city bursts into colour, families can immerse themselves in the beauty of the season, from the fragrant blooms of daffodils and tulips to the joyous celebrations of community events. 

We've rounded up the best spring events, flowers, and festivals for families in Sydney and beyond. 

Top Spring Events, Festivals & Family Fun on the Calendar

September Events & Festivals

Strathfield Spring Festival
Frequency Carnival & Circus Maitland
Lane Cove Festival
Fringe Kids at Sydney Fringe Festival
FAM Fest
REAL Festival Penrith
Night at The Barracks
The Hills Orange Blossom Festival
Doonside Festival
Bondi Festival of the Winds
Tulip Time
Floriade in Canberra
Cabramatta Moon Festival
TASTE Camden
Blacktown City Pet Festival

October Events & Festivals

Fringe Kids at Sydney Fringe Festival
Night at The Barracks
The Hills Orange Blossom Festival
Tulip Time
Floriade in Canberra
Hills Food & Wine Festival
Sculpture By the Sea
Granny Smith Festival
Spring Twilight Concert in the Park
Crows Nest Fest
Kings Langley Festival
Wahroonga Food + Wine Festival
Festival of Fisher's Ghost
Grafton Jacaranda Festival
Blacktown Pasifika Unity Festival
NSW's Famous Canola Fields

November Events & Festivals

Festival of Fisher's Ghost
Grafton Jacaranda Festival
 

1. Strathfield Spring Festival

First up on the spring calendar, Strathfield Spring Festival is blooming back to life at Strathfield Park on Saturday 5 September 2026, with a free day full of rides, entertainment and outdoor fun.

Bluey and Bingo will headline the festivities with an interactive live experience and limited meet-and-greet sessions, while kids can tackle inflatable obstacle courses, ride ponies, enjoy face painting and get hands-on at planting workshops. Add market stalls, multicultural food, sports activations, live performances and roving entertainers, and you have one very lively way to welcome spring.

Where: Strathfield Park, Corner Chalmers Rd and Homebush Rd, Strathfield South
When:  Saturday, 5 September 2026 | 10 am to 5 pm
Cost:    FREE entry

2. Frequency Carnival & Circus

Frequency Carnival & Circus brings three days of colourful carnival action to Maitland Showground this September. Families can dive into a mix of thrill rides and family-friendly attractions, try their luck in sideshow alley, and challenge each other at giant free games including Jenga, Connect 4, Twister and chess.

There will also be carnival favourites like fairy floss, popcorn and snow cones, plus showbags, face painters and roving performers. Best of all, every entry ticket includes a Circus Aurelia big-top show, adding a dash of traditional circus magic.

Where:    Maitland Showground, Blomfield St, South Maitland
When:     Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September 2026
Cost:       Adults $10, Kids $5, Under 5 FREE. Circus show and giant games included in entry. Rides and sideshow games are priced individually on the day, with ride passes available on-site. 

3. Lane Cove Festival

Lane Cove Festival is filling the Lower North Shore with a whole month of arts, entertainment and family fun from 1 to 30 September 2026.

This year's theme, 'Made in Lane Cove', puts local creativity front and centre, with live music, theatre, comedy, circus, dance, markets, art exhibitions and plenty of free community events popping up across Lane Cove. Families should circle the free Big Day Out at The Canopy on 12 September, which brings together live performances, workshops, activities and the Made in Lane Cove Markets, while the festival's partnership with Sydney Fringe adds even more shows to the program. There are also bug hunts, bushwalks, library activities and outdoor events to dip into throughout the month, making it an easy spring outing for families of all ages.

Where: The Canopy, Lane Cove
When:  1-30 September 2026
Cost:    FREE entry

4. Fringe Kids at Sydney Fringe Festival

Fringe Kids is bringing a brilliant burst of circus, magic, science and wonderfully silly theatre to the Sydney Fringe Festival from 5 September to 11 October 2026.

Most performances take over two pop-up theatres at Fool's Paradise in the Entertainment Quarter, with a packed program featuring daring acrobatics, giant bubbles, balloon chaos, dinosaur adventures, interactive experiments and plenty of chances for young audience members to join the action. Highlights include All Star Circus, The Greatest Magic Show, BLAST LAB Science, Jurassic Down Under, Trash Test Dummies Circus and jungle disco Party Animals, with shows running throughout the spring school holidays and tickets starting from $24.

Where:  The Entertainment Quarter + Pottery Lane Performance Space, Lane Cove
When:    5 September to 11 October 2026
Cost:      Various, depending on the event

5. FAM Fest

Blacktown is set to come alive on Saturday, 26 September as FAM Fest takes over the CBD with a full day of food, art and music. Running from 4-10 pm, this free family festival celebrates the heart and soul of the community with live performances, cultural experiences and incredible eats.

Expect two buzzing stages featuring live music and DJs, delicious global flavours served up by local restaurants, and art and cultural showcases that highlight Blacktown’s rich diversity. With a fun, welcoming vibe and plenty to see, taste and hear, FAM Fest is the perfect way to spend a spring day with the whole family.

Where:  Warrick Lane, Blacktown CBD
When:   Saturday, 26 September 2026 | 4-10 pm
Cost:     FREE entry

6. REAL Festival Penrith

Western Sydney's biggest family event is back this spring as REAL Festival lights up Tench Reserve by the Nepean River. The theme for this year is 'Flight', encouraging families to let their imaginations soar!

Running over one huge weekend, the free festival is packed with entertainment, art, markets, workshops and outdoor adventures, making it the perfect family day (or night) out.

Highlights include spectacular riverside performances, roving entertainers, glowing art installations, a silent disco, food trucks and market stalls. Families can jump into creative workshops and explore the dedicated kids' zone. 

Where:  Nepean River, Tench Reserve, Penrith
When:   11-13 September 2026 | 4-10 pm
Cost:     FREE entry

7. Night at The Barracks

North Head Sanctuary sets the scene for its fifth year of Night at the Barracks, an open-air concert series running from 11 September to 4 October at the Barracks Precinct in Manly.

As the sun drops behind the harbour, families can spread a picnic rug among the historic sandstone buildings and take in a lineup of Aussie artists against that unmistakable salty sea breeze of spring. The Temper Trap have already been confirmed for Friday, 18 September as part of their Sungazer National Tour, with more names set to join the bill soon. Add in food trucks and a relaxed, kid-friendly atmosphere, and you've got one of Sydney's most atmospheric ways to spend a spring evening, equal parts picnic and big-stage energy.

Where:  The Barracks Precinct, North Head Sanctuary, 33 N Head Scenic Dr, Manly
When:    Friday 11 September to Sunday 4 October 2026
Cost:      Various, depending on the concert

8. The Hills Orange Blossom Festival

 

The Hills Orange Blossom Festival is bursting back into bloom from 12 September to 11 October, filling the region with lights, local flavour and family fun.

Headline events include Echoes: Moon Garden, an enchanting after-dark trail of glowing installations and interactive displays at Bella Vista Farm, the colourful Orange Blossom Festival Parade at Rouse Hill Town Centre, and A Taste of Wisemans, where food trucks, wineries and live entertainment take over Wisemans Ferry Park.

Families can also look forward to PAW Patrol appearances, pony rides, a petting zoo, creative workshops and community events popping up across The Hills throughout the festival. Don't miss out!

Where:  Multiple locations in the Hills Shire
When:   12 September to 11 October 2026
Cost:     FREE and ticketed events

9. Doonside Festival

Western Sydney families, check out this vibrant community event celebrating the local culture. The Doonside Festival will deliver a jam-packed program of entertainment, including performances by local groups, market stalls, food trucks and plenty of kids' activities.

Grab your crew for a full day of free fun in the heart of Doonside.

Where: Cross St Commuter Carpark, Cross Street, Doonside
When:  Saturday, 12 September 2026 | 9 am - 3 pm
Cost:    FREE 

10. Bondi Festival of the Winds

Sydney's skies will once again burst into colour as the much-loved Festival of the Winds returns to Bondi Beach.

This free spring event transforms the iconic shoreline into a vibrant canvas, with hundreds of kites of every shape and size soaring above the sand. Alongside the spectacular kite displays, festivalgoers can enjoy live music, dance performances, roaming entertainers, art workshops and colourful exhibitions.

Where: Bondi Beach
When:  Sunday, 13 September 2026 | 11 am - 4 pm
Cost:    FREE entry

11. Tulip Time

Now in its 66th year, the Tulip Time Festival is set to paint Bowral in a sea of colour. More than 80,000 tulips and spring blooms will transform Corbett Gardens into a floral wonderland, complete with live entertainment, artisan market stalls, and the always-popular CWA scones.

Alongside the spectacular garden displays, visitors can enjoy market stalls, food vendors, live entertainment and creative Bloomin' Weekends, while special events include Dogs Day Out, the family-friendly Bloom & Play program and sunset tours at Retford Park. The wider Tulip Time Trail will spread the colour across Bowral, Mittagong and Moss Vale, making it easy to turn a visit into a full spring day trip or weekend away.

Where:  Corbett Gardens, Bendooley Street, Bowral
When:   11 September to 5 October 2026 | 9.30 am to 4.30 pm; extended until 5.30 pm from 2 to 4 October
Online Cost: Adults $18.50; concession $12.50; youth aged 13-17 $13; under 12s go FREE
Gate cost: Adults $20; concession and youth $13.50; under 12s go FREE

12. Floriade in Canberra

Fancy a three-hour trip down the highway? A fiesta of beautiful blooms and springtime magic awaits you in Canberra! Australia's biggest celebration of spring is back with a bang at Floriade.

Floriade returns to Canberra's Commonwealth Park from 12 September to 11 October 2026, filling the gardens with more than one million blooms inspired by this year's Feast of Flowers theme. Alongside the spectacular tulip displays, families can enjoy children's gardening and craft activities at Floriade Sprouts, carnival rides, live entertainment, workshops and guided garden tours. NightFest will light up the flowers after dark from 1 to 4 October, while the wider program includes special events at Lanyon Homestead, Dogs' Day Out and the Great Big Bulb Dig, where visitors can take home bulbs from the festival beds.

Where: Commonwealth Park, Regatta Place, Parkes, Canberra
When:  Saturday 12 September to Sunday 11 October 2026 | 9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Cost:    FREE entry; charges apply for NightFest, selected workshops, rides and special events

13. Cabramatta Moon Festival

Cabramatta Town Centre closes its streets to traffic and opens its arms to the whole of Sydney on 20 September, as the Moon Festival rolls out lion dancers, fireworks and over 100 stalls of street food that'll have your kids begging for one more skewer.

Two stages of live entertainment, carnival rides and the electric buzz of Australia's largest Southeast Asian community make this one of the biggest, brightest days on the western Sydney spring calendar, and with more than 90,000 people expected to show up, you'll want to arrive early and bring an empty stomach.

Where:  Cabramatta Town Centre
When:   20 September 2026 | 11 am to 8 pm
Cost:     FREE entry

14. TASTE Camden

Camden Town Farm hosts a family-friendly paddock party as TASTE Camden brings food, drink and local produce together for an afternoon in the sun.

Six acts keep the main stage humming throughout the day, from The Honey Sippers opening at noon through to Fiona Treloar closing things out at 4.20 pm, while a licensed bar and guest chef demonstrations give the grown-ups plenty to linger over. Kids are just as well catered for, with a full free activity program including edible bracelet making, face painting, giant yard games and roving entertainers running the whole time. It's a proper family day out on the farm, with something to keep every age group busy from the first stall to the last song.

Where:  Camden Town Farm
When:   Sunday, 20 September 2026 | 12-5 pm
Cost:     FREE entry

15. Blacktown City Pet Festival

Calling all animal-loving families! The Blacktown City Pet Festival celebrates people and their pets, with plenty of family fun. Presented by Blacktown City Council and the Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre, this event welcomes all four-legged, feathered and scaly companions to join the festivities.

Spend the day exploring interactive pet displays, browsing market stalls and pet products, grabbing a bite from food trucks and enjoying live entertainment. Kids can get stuck into free activities including face painting, pony rides and pet caricatures, while the whole family can join the Pet Festival Selfie Competition. Blacktown residents can also score free vet checks and microchipping for their pets.

Where: Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre (BARC), 20 Owen Street, Glendenning
When:   Sunday 27 September 2026 | 10 am - 2 pm
Cost:     FREE 

16. Hills Food & Wine Festival

Save the date for the Hills Food & Wine Festival at the beautiful Bella Vista Farm for a spring day packed with good food, local producers and plenty to keep younger festival-goers entertained.

Families can settle in for live music and cooking demonstrations while exploring food stalls, wineries, distilleries and boutique makers, with a dedicated FitKidz Kids Zone, face painting, amusement rides and the farm's playground giving the kids plenty of reasons to come along. Entry is free for under-18s, and there's even a free shuttle from Bella Vista Metro, making this much more than a festival for the grown-ups. 

Where:  Bella Vista Farm
When:   Sunday, 11 October | 10 am to 6 pm
Cost:     FREE entry for under 18s

17. Sculpture By The Sea

The ultimate outdoor spring festival in Sydney, Sculpture By The Sea is a must-visit for all local and visiting families.

Dust off your walking shoes and mark your calendars for Sculpture By The Sea 2026. The iconic coastal walk between Bondi and Tamarama will once again transform into a mesmerising outdoor art gallery for the 27th year as artists from all over the world showcase their skills. 

Where: Bondi Beach to Tamarama Beach coastal walk
When:  16 October to 2 November 2026
Cost:    FREE

18. Granny Smith Festival

You're all invited to one enormous free street party celebrating the suburb's famous green apple at the Granny Smith Festival.

Families can catch the colourful street parade, watch hundreds of performers across the festival stages and explore more than 200 stalls, food trucks and community displays. There'll also be amusement rides, a dedicated youth zone and plenty of children's activities throughout the day, before the festival wraps up with a high-energy finale performance and dazzling fireworks display.

Where: Eastwood Town Centre
When:  Saturday, 17 October 2026 | 9 am to 8.30 pm
Cost:    FREE entry

19. Spring Twilight Concert in the Park

Keep the party going and head to not one but two spring festivals on the 17th! Wahroonga Park lights up for a free night of live music with Ku-ring-gai's Spring Twilight Concert kicking off at 5 pm with a support act before headliner Don't Change – Ultimate INXS takes the stage to run through the band's greatest hits.

Pack a picnic or grab dinner from the small lineup of food stalls, spread a rug or low-back chair towards the front, and settle in for a proper singalong under the stars until 8 pm. Parking is limited, so it's worth taking the train, with Wahroonga Station just a two-minute walk from the park.

Where: Wahroonga Park, corner of Illoura Avenue and Millewa Avenue
When:  Saturday, 17 October 2026 | 5-8 pm
Cost:    FREE entry

20. Crows Nest Fest

The whole of Willoughby Road shuts down to traffic on 18 October as Crows Nest Fest takes over the Lower North Shore for its 35th year, packing in an estimated 50,000 visitors across a single free day!

Gourmet Food Alley leans into the suburb's foodie reputation with street eats from local operators alongside food trucks and pop-up vendors, while the licensed area gives adults a spot to slow down with tastings from approved producers. Kids get their own turf too, with the Kids Entertainment Alley serving up pony rides, a petting zoo and circus workshops, plus two or three stages running live music and dance throughout the day. Get there early to beat the crowds, then save some energy for the kids' corner before the festival wraps up at 5 pm.

Where: Willoughby Road, Crows Nest
When:  Sunday, 18 October 2026  from 10 am to 5 pm
Cost:    FREE entry

21. Kings Langley Festival

 

Also on the 18th, Pearce Reserve plays host to the annual Kings Langley Festival, a Blacktown Council event run in collaboration with the Kings Langley Lions Club.

The free family day out spreads across market and craft stalls, live stage performances from local talent, carnival rides and kids' games, plus displays from local emergency services that always draw a crowd. With food stalls keeping everyone fuelled and easy access via bus routes into the reserve, it's a solid, low-key way to spend a spring Sunday with the family in Sydney's north-west.

Where: Pearce Reserve, Whitby Road, Kings Langley
When:  Sunday, 18 October 2026 | 9 am to 3 pm
Cost:    FREE entry

22. Wahroonga Food + Wine Festival

Here's one for the teens and adults! Wahroonga Park turns into a proper feast for the senses when the Wahroonga Food + Wine Festival brings together more than 30 local NSW wineries and producers for a day of tasting under the trees.

Beyond the wine, expect a dedicated oyster bar, a spread of gourmet stalls and desserts worth saving room for, all set against the leafy backdrop that's made this one of the North Shore's favourite spring outings. Running from 11 am to 5 pm, it's a laid-back way to spend a Sunday, with pre-sale tasting ticket packages available for those keen to work their way through the wine list.

Where: Wahroonga Park, corner of Illoura Avenue and Millewa Avenue
When:  Sunday, 25 October 2026 | 11 am to 5 pm
Cost:    Presale tickets from $39.50

23. Festival of Fisher's Ghost

Campbelltown gets spooky with substance this spring, as the Festival of Fisher's Ghost kicks off on Halloween night, 31 October, with a carnival at Campbelltown Showground packed with amusement rides, sideshow alley and enough carnival treats to fuel a very late bedtime.

The legend of Fred Fisher's ghost has anchored this event since 1956, and the 2026 program keeps the tradition alive with fireworks lighting up the sky on 2 and 9 November, the Fisher's Twilight Fair bringing market stalls and roaming entertainers to the CBD, and Sunset Sounds closing things out with a stacked live music lineup at Campbelltown Athletics Stadium. With up to 250,000 people turning out across past years, it's one of the biggest spring festivals in Sydney, so plan your parking and pack the kids' energy for a big one.

Where:  Various venues including Campbelltown Showground, Campbelltown City Centre and Campbelltown RSL Rooftop Carpark
When:   31 October and 7-8 November 2026
Cost:     General admission is FREE for all events; rides, sideshows and dining are at a cost; Fisher's Ghost Fun Run registration fees apply

24. Grafton Jacaranda Festival

Grafton Jacaranda Festival turns the city purple from 30 October to 8 November 2026, with a packed family program celebrating the famous blooms.

Family-friendly highlights include the free Jaca Children's Party, youth parade, River Dreaming cultural celebrations, Jacaranda Thursday with more than 220 stalls, the colourful Float Procession, Venetian Carnival and fireworks, Party in the Park and the Jacaranda Running Festival. Kids can also join the Spot-It scavenger hunt around the CBD, while Illuminate lights up See Park's jacarandas after dark in the lead-up to the festival.

Where: Throughout Grafton
When:  30 October to 8 November 2026
Cost:    FREE and ticketed events

25. Blacktown Pasifika Unity Festival

A vibrant weekend of culture, sport and family entertainment is coming to Sydney's west with Blacktown’s first-ever Pasifika Unity Festival. Bringing together the rich traditions of Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia, this new celebration is all about community and connection, with plenty of activities to get the family immersed in the atmosphere.

Settle in for live music, explore market stalls and sample delicious food while kids enjoy activities designed especially for younger festival-goers. Rugby league fans can also catch live Rugby League World Cup action during the celebrations. It’s a wonderful chance to discover the diverse cultures of Blacktown’s Pasifika community while enjoying a lively day out in the sunshine at Blacktown Football Park.

Where:     Blacktown Football Park, Gate B, Eastern Road, Rooty Hill
When:      Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November 2026 | 3 pm to 10 pm
Cost:        FREE 

26. Visit NSW's Famous Canola Fields

NSW's famous canola fields are the perfect weekend adventure for adventurous families who don't shy away from a spur-of-the-moment road trip!

Every year from around mid-August to October, NSW's famous canola fields burst into golden, yellowy flowers that look almost too good to be true. While driving out to the canola fields is around a 4-hour drive, the contrast of the blue sky against the yellow fields is a sight to behold, plus there are loads to see and do in the towns dotted along the trail.

Please note that most canola fields are private farms, so please don't enter without permission. 

Where: NSW towns of Coolamon, Junee, and Temora
When:  Usually from around mid-August to October

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About ellaslist

ellaslist is a trusted local guide for families across Sydney and NSW, written by parents and family lifestyle editors who understand what makes an outing with kids genuinely work. Our team researches and curates the best family-friendly events, attractions, playgrounds, restaurants and school holiday activities, with practical details on age suitability, accessibility, parking, public transport, facilities and family-friendly tips.

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