Families searching for summer holiday activities in Blacktown will find plenty happening close to home, with a packed calendar of free and low-cost events and activities designed to keep kids entertained and parents smiling.

From creative library programs and school holiday sport to festivals, live music, swimming activities and Australia Day celebrations, Blacktown City Council has pulled together a summer lineup that proves you do not need to travel far for a great family day out.

Beat the Heat: Top Things To Do In Blacktown This Summer

Bustling, dynamic and diverse thanks to its fabulously multicultural mix, there’s plenty to see and do in Blacktown this summer, including school holiday programs, festivals and sports, plus an enormous zoo, a thrilling water park and old-school drive-in theatre. Even better, there are budget-friendly options like fantastic parks and playgrounds, libraries (hello, air-conditioned calm!) and free art centres to help keep the kids cool and content on those long summer days.

1. Kidz Blitz School Holiday Program

For parents juggling work, heat and high-energy kids, the Kidz Blitz School Holiday Program is a welcome summer solution. Designed for children aged 6 to 12, the program delivers a mix of arts and crafts, sport and science-based activities that keep young minds curious and bodies moving.

Running throughout January, Kidz Blitz is available at Blacktown Aquatic Centre, Blacktown Leisure Centre, Stanhope and Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre, Emerton, with each venue offering its own tailored program.

Locations:

Blacktown Aquatic Centre: 4 Boyd St, Blacktown 
Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope Gardens: corner of Sentry Drive and Stanhope Parkway, Stanhope Gardens
Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton: 35 Jersey Road, Emerton

2. Blacktown Garage Festival

As part of the Sydney Festival, the free Blacktown Garage Festival takes over the Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre on 15 and 16 January. The space will come alive with music, karaoke and creative workshops led by artists, alongside Pasifika musical performances.

Families are encouraged to dress in their White Sunday best, step into the photo booth and have their portrait taken by photographer Edith Amituanai, making it a meaningful and memorable summer experience.

Location: Blacktown Arts Centre: 78 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown

3. Tennis Time at Blacktown Tennis Centre Stanhope

January is the perfect time to hit the courts, and Blacktown Tennis Centre Stanhope is serving up opportunities for kids of all skill levels. The Junior Holiday Tennis Clinic kicks off on 5 January, helping children learn the fundamentals while burning off school holiday energy.

Later in the month, the Tennis and Pickleball Open Day on 17 January invites people of all ages and abilities to try their hand at both sports, meet coaches and enjoy free coaching sessions.

Location: Blacktown Tennis Centre Stanhope: Sentry Drive, Stanhope Gardens

4. Swim Programs for All Abilities

Those who want to enjoy the water this summer can take advantage of swim programs across Blacktown Aquatic Centre, Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope and Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton make the most of summer conditions.

Adults living in the Blacktown City Council area can join the free four-day Swim Sense program, covering pool safety, beach safety and swimming skills. Children can fine-tune their technique through the Acceler8 program with daily expert-led lessons, while confident swimmers can step up with the Carnival Readiness program.

Locations:

Blacktown Aquatic Centre: 4 Boyd St, Blacktown 
Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope Gardens: corner of Sentry Drive and Stanhope Parkway, Stanhope Gardens
Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton: 35 Jersey Road, Emerton

5. Australia Day Concert and Fireworks

Australia Day remains a summer highlight in Blacktown City, with the Australia Day Concert and Fireworks delivering a full afternoon and evening of entertainment on Monday 26 January.

Held at The Rooty Hill, the event features live music, games and rides, with ARIA Award-winning musician Diesel headlining the performances. He will be joined by Taxiride, Eric Grothe and The Gurus, and The Kamis, before the night wraps up with fireworks lighting up the Western Sydney sky.

Location: The Rooty Hill, Eastern Road, Rooty Hill

6. Wake Up With The Wildlife

Blacktown City residents can start Australia Day with a unique local experience at Wake Up With The Wildlife.

Presented by Council in partnership with Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, this special event gives families the chance to get up close with feathered and furry residents at Doonside. It’s an exclusive way to kick off the national day before heading on to afternoon celebrations elsewhere in the city.

Location: Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park: 217 Kildare Rd, Doonside

7. Get Lost in Nature at Nurragingy Reserve

Combining all the best Mother Nature has to offer alongside multiple playgrounds (including Wawai Ngurra, Blacktown Council’s first fully inclusive adventure playspace) and fun activities, the 63-hectare Nurragingy Reserve bushland park in Doonside is a must-visit when the sun is shining. Wander the Aboriginal Heritage Garden with its Indigenous artworks and native plantings, grab a delicious snack at The Colebee Café and then cool off with a refreshing splash at the water play park. Time your visit for the third Sunday of the month and you’ll also get to enjoy the Nurragingy Minitature Railway.

Location: Knox Road, Doonside

RELATED:
The Best Attractions in Blacktown for Families

8. Book a Visit to Blacktown City Libraries

If you need some time to relax and recuperate from the constant go, go, go summer holidays can bring, plan a trip to Blacktown City Libraries. Stepping into the quiet and cool interiors will hopefully bring a sense of calm to your brood. If not, Max Webber Library – Blacktown City Council’s largest library – has an interactive kids’ area, while Mt Druitt Library, Dennis Johnson Library, Lalor Park Library and Riverstone Library & Digital Hub all have a designated children’s section so your little ones can browse, read and play to their heart’s content. Did we also mention the fabulous toy library for tykes aged one to five? 

Blacktown City Libraries also transform into buzzing activity hubs during the January school holidays, with a full schedule designed to entertain kids and teens. Expect fast-paced Minute to Win It challenges, scavenger hunts and hands-on Cook and Talk sessions that teach teenagers how to prepare simple meals. Younger children can explore their creativity through art activities using terracotta pots and porcelain plates, while older kids can test their skills on the Ready to Drive Simulator.

Locations:

Max Webber Library: Flushcombe Road & Alpha Street, Blacktown
Mount Druitt Library: Mount Street, Mount Druitt
Dennis Johnson Library: 1 Sentry Drive, Stanhope Gardens
Lalor Park Library: 1 Freeman Street, Lalor Park
Riverstone Library & Digital Hub: Riverstone Village, Riverstone Parade & Market Street, Riverstone

9. Cuddle up to Critters at Sydney Zoo

Whether your kids are crazy about lions and zebras or prefer bull sharks and exotic fish, Sydney Zoo is your one-stop wildlife spot to watch them in their element. With over 4000 animals at the only combined zoo and aquarium in NSW, this extremely walkable zoo boasts no stairs (perfect for strollers!), making it a great option for the whole family. For dedicated animal lovers aged between eight to 12, there’s even the chance to book in and be a Mini Zookeeper for a Day.

Location: 700 Great Western Highway, Eastern Creek

10. Child’s Play at Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub (BEST)

Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub (BEST) may have been created as a world-class facility where sports, health and education collide – but did you know it has an incredible playground that’s guaranteed to be hours of fun? With obstacle courses, climbing nets, slides, trampolines, basketball hoops and a soccer field, this space has been designed in collaboration with medical experts to help improve physical, social, and cognitive skills. So, grab a coffee at the onsite Parklands Café, sit back and let your kids go wild!

Location: 25 Blacktown Olympic Avenue, Rooty Hill

11. Ride it out at Raging Waters

Want to test your heart rate and how well your swimmers can stay on? A fun-filled day at splash park Raging Waters is sure to do both thanks to attractions such as 360 Rush Water Slide and the Aqua Tube. There are over 40 slides and attractions to choose from, whether you want to cool down and chill out or dive headfirst into the epic thrills and spills. Little ones will have a ball too, thanks to more sedate splashes such as the Dinosaur Lagoon and Junior Slides.

Location: 427 Reservoir Road, Prospect

12. Catch a Flick at the Skyline Drive-In

If taking your boisterous kids to a quiet cinema is more terrifying than any horror film, Skyline Drive-In lets you catch the latest flicks in the comfort of your own car. Proudly operating for 60 years and Sydney’s last drive-in cinema, grab some snacks from the old-school diner and treat the family to a yesteryear experience.

Location: Cricketers Arms Rd, Blacktown

More To Explore In Blacktown

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Restaurants in Blacktown: 15 to Discover
Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre Gives Unwanted Pets a New Life

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