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Tweenagehood is a wonderfully confusing no-man's-land where kids are no longer little, but also definitely not ready for complete teenage independence. They'll insist they're "old enough" while still needing help finding their shoes, reminders to wear shoes, and they may or may not even acknowledge you in public.

And then there's teenagehood. Independence is demanded (loudly), opinions are strong, and they're convinced they know how the world works — until they need a lift, money, or help locating literally anything. It's a phase fuelled by big feelings, bigger dreams, and the occasional door slam.

Both tweens and teens crave freedom and edge, but still love family time, inside jokes, and snacks on demand. Make the most of these years with experiences they'll actually enjoy at Sydney's best festivals for tweens and teens.

From Beats to Bites: Sydney's Best Festivals for Tweens & Teens

Sydney's Best Festivals For Tweens

The tween years call for festivals that feel exciting and grown-up, but not too grown-up. Sydney has you covered with loads of thrilling festivals for tweens that hit that sweet spot between kids and teenagers with colours, crowds and cool vibes. Shared memories loading...

1. Twilight at Taronga

Music, kids' characters and their favourite zoo... your tweens will be in heaven at the magical Twilight at Taronga Summer Concert Series. 

Every year, Twilight at Taronga delivers music, magic and memories for families and is a fantastic introduction to festival life for tweens. The festival is held in the early evening, giving kids a taste of live music and buzzing crowds without the late nights. Not to mention, the setting is beautiful. Roaming the zoo as the sun sets, soaking up the harbour views, and spreading out on the grass with a picnic makes the whole experience feel grown-up in the best possible way.  

Where: Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman
When:  Various dates from 6 February to 7 March 2026
Cost:    Various, depending on the event
 

2. Lunar New Year

When Lunar New Year rolls around, Sydney families can always be found soaking up loads of culture, colour and mouthwatering bites at one of Sydney's best family-friendly festivals.

With plenty of unique events spread across the city — from lantern displays and dragon dances to night markets, performances and pop-up food stalls — tweens can wander, explore and follow their curiosity. Add the bonus of cultural discovery, incredible snacks and plenty of photo-worthy moments, and Lunar New Year becomes the kind of festival that lets tweens experience the buzz of a big celebration in a way that still feels comfortable, safe and genuinely fun.

Check out what's happening this Lunar New Year in Sydney.

Where: Multiple locations across Sydney
When:  7 February to 1 March 2026
Cost:    Most Lunar New Year events are FREE
 

3. Sydney Streets

When the annual Sydney Streets Festival rolls into town, the city turns into one big, family-friendly playground that's hard not to get swept up in! 

Sydney Streets Festival is serious festival business — they even close the roads and open them up to music, food and easygoing fun, with space for kids to roam and parents to actually enjoy the vibe. Every year, families of all ages can enjoy live performers pulling crowds, DJs setting the soundtrack, pop-ups to poke your head into and plenty of snack stops to keep everyone happy. It feels cool without being intimidating, busy without being chaotic, and relaxed enough that families can wander, linger or dip out when energy levels drop. It's the kind of day out where everyone gets a little freedom, and the city does the entertaining for you.

Where & When:
14 February 2026 - Sydney Lunar Streets, Haymarket
7 March 2026 - Redfern Street, between Regent and Chalmers streets
21 March 2026 - Stanley Street, Darlinghurst, between Yurong and Crown streets
28 March 2026 - Harris Street, Pyrmont, between Pyrmont Bridge Road and Union Street, Pyrmont
Cost:  FREE
 

4. Mardi Gras

Sydney's Mardi Gras can be a surprisingly great festival experience for tweens, especially when you lean into the daytime family-friendly events.

The colour, music and joyful atmosphere instantly capture their attention, while the message of inclusion, self-expression and celebrating who you are really resonates at that in-between age. So what can families with tweens expect? This year's lineup hasn't been announced yet, but Mardi Gras usually caters to younger audiences with rainbow-filled streets, family viewing areas for the parade, community fairs, and performances, so tweens can experience something vibrant and exciting without it feeling overwhelming. 

Where:  Multiple locations throughout the CBD
When:   13 February to 1 March 2026
Cost:     FREE and ticketed events 
 

5. Holi Festival

Sydney's Holi Festival is a dream festival for tweens because it's high-energy, hands-on and impossible to feel awkward at.

This is a celebration where getting messy is the whole point, so get ready to throw clouds of colour, dance to music, and laugh with friends and family. Tweens in particular love Holi Festival because it's social, visual and totally different from their everyday routine, while parents can relax knowing it's held in open park spaces with a welcoming, family-friendly vibe. 

Where: Tumbalong Park
When:  7-8 March 2026 from 11 am to 10 pm
Cost:    FREE entry
 

6. Summer in Nashville

For tweens (and parents) who can't get enough of their country music, grab your tickets to Summer in Nashville at the Entertainment Quarter, stat!

This feel-good, tween-approved festival drops a slice of Tennessee right into Sydney, complete with live country acts, boot-stomping energy and a crowd that's fully committed to the vibe (yes, hats are encouraged). It has that fun "grown-up" energy tweens crave, but in a relaxed, daytime-friendly setting where parents can still keep things manageable. Add in the novelty of boots, cowboy hats and sing-along tunes, and you've got a festival that feels fresh, social and welcoming for the whole family.

Where:  The Entertainment Quarter
When:   14 March 2026 from 2-10 pm
Cost:     $99 per adult; $49.90 for kids (6-17); $4.90 for under 5s
 

7. Cockatoo Island Sunset Sessions

For tweens and teens chasing endless summer vibes, Cockatoo Island Sunset Sessions is a seriously cool thing to do on a Saturday night in Sydney.

For tweens and teens, the atmosphere is everything: a space to chill with friends, listen to bands or DJs, wander the island, and soak up the scene without things getting too loud or late. It's not a frantic crowd, but more of a community hang where music and the setting do most of the talking — perfect for that age where they want to feel part of something happening, but parents still want comfort and quality. Add easy ferry access, iconic city views, and a soundtrack that leans toward indie, soulful or just plain fun, and Sunset Sessions feels fresh for teens and relaxed for families alike.

Where:  Bileola Lawn (Upper Island), Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour
When:   Saturday evenings from 10 January to 4 April 2026
Cost:     $38 per adult; kids 12 and under are FREE
 

8. VIVID Sydney

If there's one festival that absolutely shows off Sydney after dark, it's VIVID, and it's back in 2026!

What makes VIVID such a win for families is how easy it is to dip in and out. Much of the Light Walk is free, outdoors and designed for wandering, with plenty of space to move, snack, stop and keep going. In 2026, expect the return of crowd-pleasing harbour projections, neighbourhood light hubs, interactive installations kids can actually engage with, and early-evening music and ideas events that don't require a midnight bedtime. Tweens in particular will be obsessed with hunting down their favourite glowing installations, snapping photos of wild projections on historic buildings, and wandering between quirky neighbourhood hubs all lit up like a futuristic playground.

Where:  Multiple locations around Sydney Harbour
When:   22 May to 13 June 2026
Cost:     FREE and ticketed events
 

9. Bondi Festival

Bondi Festival will once again be bringing winter cheer to Sydney families in July 2026.

This year's Bondi Festival is shaping up to be another winter highlight, especially for families with tweens and teens in tow. While the full program hasn't landed just yet, past festivals give a pretty clear picture of what's coming: a colourful mix of live music, theatre, comedy, art installations and playful pop-ups spread across Bondi Pavilion, the beachfront and surrounding parklands. 

Tweens love the mix of things to see and do, from immersive performances and visual art to pop-up rides, markets, and beachside spectacles made for wandering, hanging out, and snapping photos. There's usually a strong lineup of family-friendly shows alongside edgier creative acts that feel grown-up yet still accessible, making it easy to strike that balance between independence and togetherness — love!

Where:  Bondi Beach
When:   3-19 July 2026
Cost:     FREE and ticketed events
 

10. Cabramatta Moon Festival

If your family loves festivals that feel alive, colourful and fun to explore, then Cabramatta Moon Festival should be on your radar.

A popular Sydney festival for tweens who love everything food, lights and photo-worthy moments, this annual celebration around the Mid-Autumn Festival turns Cabramatta into a buzzing hub of lanterns, performances, music and street eats that feel way more interesting than your average night out. The vibe is easy to wander — glow sticks in one hand, dumplings in the other — with stages for dance and cultural shows, market stalls brimming with snacks and treats, and art installations perfect for wandering through with friends or snapping that peak weekend shot for socials. Win-win!

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

11. Sculpture By The Sea

For tweens who love bright ideas, big visuals and things worth actually stopping to look at, Sculpture By The Sea is the kind of tween festival that makes them feel like a tiny culture vulture in a vast playground.

Every year, Bondi Beach and Tamarama turn into an open-air gallery, with sculptures popping up along the coastal walk — some playful, some mind-bending, all Instagram-ready and absolutely worth the wander.

For art-loving tweens, it's a chance to see creativity on a big scale, with outdoor pieces that invite curiosity and conversation. It's all about roaming the scenic clifftops with views that rival the artworks themselves, spotting your favourites, debating what they mean, and stopping for gelato with a sea breeze in your hair. Parents get a relaxed stroll with stunning backdrops, and kids get an artsy adventure that doesn't feel like homework.

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

Sydney's Best Festivals For Teens (13+)

Trying to plan a day out with a teenager? We know, it's a challenge. They're chasing excitement, independence and something totally Insta-worthy. And you're just hoping for genuine time together and an experience that actually gets them off of their phones.

The good news? Sydney's festival scene ticks both boxes and has loads to offer teens. Here are some of our favourite Sydney festivals for teens coming up in 2026.
 

12. Flickerfest

 

If your teen lives for storytelling, visuals and big ideas, then Flickerfest is right up their alley.

This is where emerging filmmakers, animators and creative risk-takers show what can be done in under 30 minutes — and teens who love film, art or media will find it genuinely inspiring. The short-film format keeps things fast and engaging, with bold animation, experimental visuals, clever editing and stories that linger long after the credits roll.

What really clicks for creative teens is the exposure to global voices and different styles of filmmaking, from playful and surreal to thoughtful and emotional. Watching films under the stars by the beach or inside Bondi Pavilion adds to the atmosphere, making it feel more like a cultural experience than a standard movie night. For teens who sketch, write, edit videos or dream about working in creative industries, Flickerfest offers a front-row seat to what's possible.

Where:  Bondi Beach
When:   23 January to 1 February 2026
Cost:     Priced per programme
 

13. Tropfest

Another popular Sydney festival for movie-loving teens, Tropfest is the world-famous short film festival where fledgling filmmakers, actors and crews get just a few minutes to make something unforgettable.

Perfect for arty teens who don't just watch movies, but think about how they're made, Tropfest is compelling for creative young minds, with its celebration of big ideas in tiny packages. Films are snappy, inventive and often full of surprising twists, so there's always something fresh to analyse, debate or rewatch. It's a festival that feels less like passive viewing and more like discovering new voices in cinema — the kinds of films that inspire doodles, scripts and ideas for their own creative projects.

Where:  Centennial Park
When:   22 February 2026
Cost:     FREE
 

14. Laneway Festival

Laneway Festival is Sydney's indie-centric, multi-stage festival at Centennial Park that's become a serious rite of passage for music lovers, especially teens who are already curating their own playlists for a future professional gig.

The 2026 lineup is stacked with artists that sit nicely between cool and catchy. Hear from breakout favourites like PinkPantheress and Wet Leg, to rising stars like Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers and Gigi Perez, alongside established indie voices like Benee and Wolf Alice. 

For families with older teens, Laneway is the kind of Sydney festival where music tastes get validated, shared experiences are made, and the festival feels like an organic extension of their own cultural radar. Just be aware it's a 16+ event, so any younger festivalgoers will need to be there with a responsible adult.

Where:  Centennial Park
When:   8 February 2026 from 11.30 am
Cost:     From $262.80
Age:      16+
 

15. Sydney Writers' Festival

With its focus on ideas, storytelling and important conversations, the annual Sydney Writers' Festival is an open invitation for teens who are creative, curious or quietly obsessed with words.

It's a festival built around ideas — conversation, storytelling and fresh perspectives — so expect a weekend of live podcasts, prominent voices on stage and panels that spark conversation long after you've left the venue. For arty teens who devour books, love creative writing or enjoy hearing how great stories are crafted, Sydney Writers' Festival brings authors, creators and thinkers together in a way that's both engaging and accessible. Some sessions speak directly to young readers and young thinkers, as well as talks that resonate with anyone who's ever tried to write a poem, craft a short story or simply feels like the world makes no sense (a familiar vibe for teens, honestly).

Where:  Carriageworks, Sydney Town Hall, State Library of NSW, and other city locations
When:   17-24 May 2026
Cost:     FREE and ticketed events

Experience More of Sydney With Tweens & Teens

Keep the good times rolling with more Sydney adventures with tweens and teens using our ellaslist guides, including Tween-Approved Activities in Sydney For Older Kids, Cool Sydney Restaurants With Live Music, and Awesome Arcades For Kids and Kid-ults.

 

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