Sydney Festival: The Best Family-Friendly Events For 2026

Are you ready for an unforgettable family experience during the summer school holidays? From captivating theatre performances to a live music extravaganza, Sydney Festival presents a lineup of enchanting family-friendly events tailored to entertain kids of all ages - and their grown-ups.

Sydney Festival: The Best Family-Friendly Events For 2026

Sydney Festival returns this January with a vibrant family program spanning theatre, art, music and big-scale fun. Packed with clever storytelling, physical theatre and hands-on creativity, it’s a brilliant way for families to spend the school holidays together.

Here are this year’s standout shows for kids and families.

Mama Does Derby

A fast-paced mix of humour, heart and rebellion, Mama Does Derby follows a single mum and her restless 16-year-old daughter as they navigate a fresh start in a regional town. Billie is trying to survive the emotional rollercoaster of adolescence while her mum accidentally stumbles into a rebellion of her own in the gritty, exhilarating world of roller derby. Expect comedy, chaos and a whole lot of spark.

When:    15 - 22 January 2026
Where:   Sydney Town Hall
Cost:      From $49 pp + booking fee

The Censor

Kids are forever being told what they’re too young for, too little for or too anything for. The Censor flips that on its head with a clever, timely production that puts the decision-making power directly into young hands. This is a show about agency, independence and choosing your own adventure when it comes to the media kids consume.

When:    22 - 25 January 2026
Where:   ATYP, The Rebel Theatre
Cost:      From $49 pp + booking fee

The Bogong’s Song: A Call to Country

A gentle, beautiful blend of shadow puppetry, dance, storytelling and song, The Bogong’s Song invites children and families to explore deep connections to Country. As young characters learn from their ancestors, audiences discover that even the tiniest creatures have a vital place in our world. It’s warm, immersive and full of wonder.

When & Where:  15 - 17 January 2026 | Riverside Live at PHIVE
                             20 January 2026 | The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre Sutherland
Cost:                    From $25 pp + booking fee

Garden of Sound

Two loyal gardeners, Dag and Dug, are locked in a whimsical standoff as they try to revive their once-thriving Garden of Sound. This inventive performance calls on young audiences to help restore the garden’s lost symphony by rediscovering the sounds hiding within it. Imaginative, playful and interactive, it’s perfect for kids who love hands-on storytelling.

When & Where:  7 - 11 January 2026 | Riverside Live at PHIVE
                             16 & 17 January 2026 | The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre Sutherland
Cost:                    From $25 pp + booking fee

Rothar

Step into a quirky bicycle repair shop where imagination reigns. In Rothar, two boys transform everyday objects into extraordinary adventures through physical comedy, inventive design and the pure joy of play. This charming piece celebrates creativity and the boundless worlds children can build from the simplest things.

When:    14 - 18 January 2026
Where:   Sydney Opera House, Playhouse
Cost:      From $39 pp + booking fee

Observer, Observed

A set of custom-made bronze binoculars are mounted in Darling Harbour, like a typical tourist viewpoint, for Observer, Observed. Anyone can step up to the binoculars and spy on their surroundings, but be warned – a camera inside the binoculars will be broadcasting live video of your peeping eyes to an adjacent screen. 

When:    8 - 25 January  2026
Where:   Pyrmont Bridge, Darling Harbour
Cost:      FREE

Sydney Symphony Under the Stars: 50 Years of Music and Pictures

The beloved outdoor concert returns, this year celebrating half a century of Sydney Festival moments. Settle in with your picnic rug for Sydney Symphony Under the Stars: 50 Years of Music and Pictures, including a First Nations orchestral work followed by a moving musical journey through five decades of Festival history. It’s an atmospheric summer highlight in the heart of the city. Full Program Explore the complete lineup of family shows, workshops and outdoor events on the Sydney Festival website.

When:    17 January 2026
Where:   Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
Cost:      FREE

For the full lineup of shows and events, visit Sydney Festival.

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