Play! Kids Festival is rolling into The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre for the spring school holidays. Over five jam-packed days, families will be immersed in live performances, creative workshops and interactive activities designed to inspire kids of all ages.

With show tickets starting at just $29, creative workshops and free daily entertainment, this is one school holiday festival you won’t want to miss.

Play! Kids Festival Returns to The Pavilion This School Holidays

The Play! Kids Festival is South Sydney’s largest performing arts festival, created just for kids. Hosted at The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre in Sutherland, the program blends the best of music, dance, theatre and hands-on experiences into an accessible, affordable family outing.

From ARIA Award-winning artists to giant puppetry, this year’s line-up promises to keep kids entertained, inspired and away from screens these holidays.

Emma Memma's Brand-New Show

Headlining the festival on Saturday, 5 October is beloved children’s entertainer and ARIA Award-winner Emma Memma. She’s bringing her new show, Dance Island Party, to the stage, following her sell-out Boop and Twirl tour. Known for her joyful mix of movement, music and creativity, Emma makes every child feel part of the performance. Her shows also incorporate AUSLAN sign language, encouraging inclusiveness and celebrating connection in a fun, interactive way.

Erth’s Shark Dive New Premiere

One of the most exciting events of the festival is the new premiere of Shark Dive by internationally acclaimed puppetry innovators, Erth. This breathtaking production takes kids beneath the waves with large-scale puppets of sharks and other ocean creatures, immersing audiences in the wonders of Australia’s marine life. It’s a thrilling adventure that combines storytelling with a vital message about marine conservation.

Adding even more excitement, NRL star and Play! Festival Ambassador Jesse Ramien will make a special appearance on Friday 4 October. Jesse will join the Shark Dive performance and host a meet-and-greet session for winning families, sharing his love for the ocean and his strong ties to the local community.

The Box Show by Junkyard Beats

The action continues with The Box Show by Junkyard Beats, a Fringe Festival award-winning performance where everyday objects are transformed into drums, instruments and dance props. It's a riot of rhythm and belly laughs that proves with lots of audience participation. This high-energy show proves that you don’t need expensive instruments to make incredible music, and you can make art (and plenty of noise) out of just about anything. 

IMAGINE LIVE

A must for little bookworms, IMAGINE LIVE will bring Alison Lester’s bestselling book, Imagine, to the stage and transform it into a musical adventure. With original music, clever digital puppetry and interactive storytelling, this interactive performance invites little ones to step inside one of Australia’s most beloved children’s books. Step inside the pages and let your imagination run wild. 

Workshops, Play! Passes and Free Fun

Beyond the big-ticket performances, the Play! Kids Festival is all about participation. Each day, kids can join creative workshops in art and dance for just $15. The foyer will be buzzing with free activities too, including colouring competitions, storytime sessions and games to keep younger siblings happy while the bigger kids hit the workshops.

Families can grab a Play! Pass for $50, which bundles together shows and workshops for a full day of entertainment. It’s the kind of all-round experience that makes for a memorable school holiday day out.

A Festival Made For Families

The Pavilion is fully accessible, has plenty of space, and is just a short walk from Sutherland Station - only 30 minutes on the train from Central. Plus, with the venue’s Creative Crew program giving local students a chance to learn backstage skills, you can feel good knowing you’re supporting the next generation of performers and producers, too.

Gather the kids, round up your friends and get ready for a week of school holiday fun at Play! Kids Festival.

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