1. Events
  2. Midwinter Festival

Midwinter Festival


Parramatta Square is pulling out all the stops for winter this year, and it's shaping up to be a seriously cool outing for families!

Parramatta Square Transforms For Midwinter Festival

The Midwinter Festival runs from Saturday 4 to Saturday 18 July, daily from 12 pm to 9 pm, with the best of the action kicking in from Thursday to Saturday evenings when the fire artists come out, the markets fire up and the live music gets going.

Here's what's on:

360° Dome Cinema (Ticketed)

360° Dome Cinema Parramatta Midwinter Festival
360° Dome Cinema


This is the one worth booking ahead for. Step inside a giant cinematic dome where immersive films wrap around you in every direction. For families, The Great Solar System Adventure is the pick — a planetarium film designed for kids and perfect for curious minds. Sessions need to be booked in advance.

Soft Forest (Ticketed)

Soft Forest Parramatta Midwinter Festival
Soft Forest. Image via City of Sydney Jones King Photography.


A dreamlike sensory experience for younger kids, where they can meet Fauna, a giant, illuminated creature, and explore an interactive world of light and storytelling. There are also puppet-making workshops where kids get to take their creation home — always a win. Sessions need to be booked in advance.

Ignite (FREE)

Ignite Parramatta Midwinter Festival
Ignite


A towering illuminated sculpture inspired by a communal bonfire, with a seesaw built in so kids can actually interact with it. It's on all day, every day, and genuinely cool to look at after dark.

More Fun Attractions

There's loads more on the agenda at Midwinter Festival, including:

  • Amusement Rides - A vintage carousel and bungee trampolines run daily from 12 pm.
  • S'mores and Firepits - Toasting marshmallows over firepits on a cold winter night? Yes please! Running Thursday to Saturday evenings from 5 pm.
  • Roaming Fire Artists - Free roving fire performances from 5 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
  • Live Music - Free performances on the Lolo Gypsy Caravan Stage, Thursday to Saturday from 5 pm, covering musicians from all over the world.
  • Midwinter Markets - Thursday to Saturday, 12 pm–9 pm, with seasonal food and artisan offerings to browse and graze through.


Visit Midwinter Festival for more details and to book tickets.

Where:   Parramatta Square
When:    4-18 July 2026 from 12-9 pm | Markets, fire artists, live music and firepits run Thursday-Saturday from 5 pm.
Cost:     Entry is FREE; 360° Dome Cinema and Soft Forest sessions are ticketed

More Winter Magic in Sydney

Where to See Snow Near Sydney
Enter a Winter Wonderland at Chill Fest Campbelltown
Celebrate Christmas in July in Sydney


Have you signed up for our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!


 

Reviews