Wild Things International Kids❜ Festival at Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House is launching a brand-new international festival for kids this spring, transforming the Forecourt into an outdoor playground and filling its theatres with stories from across the globe.

Running from 26 September to 11 October 2026, Wild Things brings together circus, puppetry, dance and immersive theatre for every age, from six-month-old babies to teens. 

Wild Things Festival: A Complete Guide to Every Show at Sydney Opera House

If you're keen to bring the kids along for a theatrical adventure, here's the full lineup of shows and installations at Wild Things at Sydney Opera House:

Puzzle (all ages, FREE): 26 September to 1 October

A Taiwanese outdoor circus act in which five performers stack, flip, and build human pyramids with giant cubes!

Location: The Forecourt

SWING (all ages, FREE): 26 September to 11 October

A real, 9-metre steel swing will feature in the Forecourt, with an accessible attachment for wheelchair users. The full swinging experience is for ages nine and up, but little kids aren't left standing on the sidelines. They get pulled into the fun from the ground, cheering riders on, calling out names and soaking up the anticipation before it's their turn on the mini swing.

Location: The Forecourt

Iwagumi Air Scape (all ages, FREE): 26 September to 11 October

A giant inflatable rock formation that visitors can wander through by day and that lights up after dark, with an interactive soundscape of birds and streams.

Location: The Forecourt

ZOOOM (ages 4+, ticketed): 26-29 September

Opening the festival, this Australian show from Patch Theatre follows a child's imaginary journey through the universe using light and animated projections instead of a crayon.

Location: The Playhouse

Handa's Surprise (ages 2+, ticketed): 28 September to 2 October

A puppet safari based on the beloved picture book, following a girl through Kenya as cheeky animals try to steal her fruit!

Location: Utzon Room

Waiting! (ages 3+, ticketed): 30 September to 2 October

A Korean show performed lying down and filmed from above, following a girl swallowed by a whale on her way to find her father. 

Location: The Studio

The Longest Nights (ages 7+, ticketed): 30 September to 2 October

A bilingual Korean pansori performance that tells the story of a white rhinoceros and an orphaned penguin who become friends over one long night. 

Location: The Studio

Living Sculptures: How the Birds Got Their Colours (all ages, FREE): 2-6 October

A First Nations-led outdoor circus and dance performance from ARC Circus and the Yugambeh Aboriginal Dancers, reimagining the Dreamtime story of how birds got their colours.

Location: The Forecourt

Tinker Tales! (ages 6+, ticketed): 3-5 October

An energetic Dutch dance-theatre show set on a chaotic building site, mixing physical comedy with a live-built set. 

Location: The Playhouse

We Come From Far, Far Away (ages 10+, ticketed): 3-7 October

Performed inside a Mongolian yurt, this show shares the real story of a young Syrian refugee's journey across Europe through music, clowning and shadow theatre.

Location: The Studio

Volatile Ombré (ages 1+, ticketed): 6-9 October

A soft, sensory show from France using shadow puppetry, live cello and birdsong to bring nests, wading birds and flight to life.

Location: Utzon Room

Les moutons (all ages, FREE): 7-11 October

A roving Canadian performance following 3 sheep and a ram (played by performers in costume) through their daily farmyard routines.

Location: The Forecourt

Cookies, Ann, Cream (ages 10+, ticketed): 8-9 October

A Korean puppetry and shadow-play show following a girl searching for meteorites in Antarctica.

Location: Centre for Creativity

Be Kind (ages 6-18 months, ticketed): 8-11 October

An intimate circus experience made just for babies, following the rhythm of a day through glowing juggling props and gentle, responsive play between performers and audience. 

Location: The Studio

Grand Soft Day (ages 2-6, ticketed): 8-11 October

Three friends navigate rain, wind, sun and snow in one very changeable day, told mostly wordlessly with a live percussive soundtrack.

Location: The Playhouse

For more details and to book tickets, visit the Sydney Opera House.

Where:   Sydney Opera House venues
When:    26 September to 11 October 2026
Cost:      FREE and ticketed shows and installations

More Kids' Shows in Sydney

Monster Jam World Tour
The Nutcracker On Ice Glides Into Sydney
Cirque du Soleil's KOOZA

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