Motion Festival 2026

Circular Quay is getting swept up in Sydney Marathon fever when the free Motion Festival takes over the Customs House Forecourt from 27 to 30 August 2026.

Motion Festival is Bringing Dinosaurs, DJs and Marathon Fever to Circular Quay

Running across four days, the new city festival brings together live music, family entertainment, food, community runs and race-day celebrations in the heart of Sydney. Alfred and Young streets will close to traffic, transforming the precinct into a lively pedestrian hub where runners, spectators and families can soak up the excitement surrounding the TCS Sydney Marathon.

Erth's Dinosaurs are Roaming Into Circular Quay

The biggest attraction for young festivalgoers arrives on Saturday morning, when the prehistoric stars of Erth's Dinosaur Zoo roam through the Motion Festival precinct.

Families can meet baby dinosaurs and come face to face with much larger carnivores and herbivores brought to life through Erth's remarkably realistic puppetry. The dinosaurs begin wandering the precinct from 9.30 am, followed by a free live show at 10.30 am. The full dinosaur program runs until 11.30 am, leaving plenty of time to grab lunch and explore the rest of Circular Quay afterwards.

Live Music From Morning Until Night

Music runs throughout the festival, beginning with morning Coffee and Beats sessions before shifting into live bands and DJ sets as the day continues.

Saturday's program includes the danceable jazz and funk of the Sophia Rose Quintet from 1.30 pm, followed by Sydney DJ and multi-instrumentalist Jae Bones. Soul of Sydney takes over the evening with music and dancing from 5.30 pm.

Other performers appearing across the four days include Kylie Fisher, Duan & Only, Peyton Cole and Young Franco, who will close the festival with a live DJ set on Sunday evening.

Join the Smoking Ceremony and Dance Parade

On Friday afternoon, Muruwari and Yuwalarray man Matthew Doyle will lead a Smoking Ceremony and Dance Parade from Customs House to the Sydney Opera House.

The event begins at 5 pm on Friday 28 August and offers families a meaningful opportunity to experience Aboriginal culture on Gadigal land.

Fuel Up at Carb Food Fest

Anyone who considers pasta preparation an important part of marathon weekend will feel right at home at Carb Food Fest on Saturday evening.

Running from 4 to 9 pm, the outdoor food celebration will fill the festival precinct with food vendors, live entertainment and a street-party atmosphere. You do not need to be running 42 kilometres the following morning to justify joining the carb-loading celebrations.

Cheer on the Sydney Marathon

Motion Festival becomes a marathon watch party on Sunday, with a live broadcast from 7 am and a dedicated Live Hub running from 10 am to 1 pm.

Families can follow the racing action on the big screen, join games and crowd challenges, enter giveaways and celebrate as thousands of runners make their way through Sydney. Live DJs continue throughout the afternoon before Young Franco takes over the main stage from 7.30 pm.

Getting to Motion Festival

Motion Festival is taking place directly outside Customs House, moments from Circular Quay Station and the ferry wharves. With road closures in place around the precinct, families are encouraged to arrive by train, ferry, bus, bicycle or on foot.

Visit Motion Festival for more details. 

Where: Customs House Forecourt, Circular Quay
When:  Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 August 2026
Cost:    FREE entry

More Free Festivals in Sydney

Ferragosto Italian Street Festival
Crows Nest Fest
Sculpture By the Sea

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