Planning for the Winter school holidays doesn’t always evoke images of trips to the beach or long days at the pool like the other holidays. That makes them the perfect time to be indoors at theatres or art museums. There are plenty of arts activities for families around Sydney these school holidays, so if you’re not dashing off to a tropical island, at least your clan can escape to somewhere interesting through the arts!
Here are some artsploring ideas for the July school holidays in and around Sydney.
See a Show!
There are so many shows on over the July break! Some of them have short runs of only a day or two, so make sure to do your planning now!
The Red Tree – Based on a book by Shaun Tan, The Red Tree at the Sydney Opera House is “the story of a young girl who doesn’t want to get out of bed. Rise with her as she conquers her fears, embraces hope and takes control of her world, acknowledging that it’s okay to feel different.” Runs July 6 – 10. Recommended for ages 8+.
Between Tiny Cities – Dancers Erak Mith from Phnom Penh, and Aaron Lim from Darwin use the rituals, movement styles and language of their shared hip hop culture to reveal the dramatically different worlds that surround them, and uncover the choreographic links that unite them. At the Sydney Opera House July 5 – 7. Recommended for ages 8+
Possum Magic – After its run at the Opera House last school holidays, and during its tour of Australia, the production based on the beloved Mem Fox book is back to its home theatre, Monkey Baa for 3 days. Get in quick for tickets! 4 – 6 July (Saturday performances sold out). Recommended age 3 – 8. Read our review of Possum Magic on stage.
360 All Stars – Another hit from the April school holidays returns to the Sydney Opera House for two performances. The supercharged urban circus returns with a stellar cast of world champions including a two time World Champion BMX Flatlander, two world renowned breakdancers, an internationally acclaimed basketball freestyler and a World Record holding cyr wheel artist. July 7. Recommended for ages 7+. Read our review of 360 All Stars.
The Toybox – As soon as their kids fall asleep, the toys come to life through the magic of Debussy’s music and storytelling! They dance, they play. They are naughty and nice. They fight a battle, but still they live happily ever after in the toybox. Runs July 9 and 10 at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta. Recommended for ages 3+.
Just Romeo & Juliet – Classic tragedy collides with side-splitting comedy in this entertaining introduction to Shakespeare for young people. This Bell Shakespeare production is “originally by William Shakespeare, messed around with by Andy Griffiths.” July 11 at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta.
Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts – Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes & Dirty Beasts bursts off the page in a spectacular live show, taking the world’s best loved fairy tales and rearranging them with surprising and hilarious twists. July 12 – 21 at the Sydney Opera House. Recommended for ages 5+.
Beep – With Windmill Theatre Company’s trademark design, gentle storytelling, music and puppetry, Beep tells the slightly sideways tale about unexpected friendship, finding where you fit and learning to mix it up a little. July 16 – 20 at the Sydney Opera House. Recommended for ages 2+.
Roald Dahl’s The Twits – A comedy of rebellion and justice, Roald Dahl’s beloved tale comes to life on stage in this high energy combination of storytelling, puppetry and physical theatre that will Dahl-ight ages 5+ and their families. July 16 and 17 at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta and July 18 – 20 at Monkey Baa Theatre.
Mimi’s Symphony – An orchestral story co-written and starring Justine Clarke. Through this engaging and lively story, kids will meet the sections of the orchestra as they come together in a joyous symphony. Saturday 20 July at City Recital Hall. Recommended for up to age 8.
Jack and the Beanstalk – Large scale musical, comedic entertainment is promised with the original panto, which includes stars like Lucy Durack, Peter Rowshthorn, and Jimmy Rees (“Jimmy Giggle”). Runs at the State Theatre from 12 – 21 July.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Speaking of large-scale musicals, if you haven’t seen Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, yet, these school holidays are your last chance to get your sugar hit, as it wraps up its run at the Capitol Theatre on July 21.
Way Out West
Listen, I know Casula might seem waaaay out west to some of us, but the Casula Powerhouse’s Way Out West Festival is seriously worth the trip. Block out a whole day (or days!) and enjoy this massive, interactive festival of music, theatre, art, and all things creativity. There are activities for ages 0 – 15 across multiple theatres, galleries and other spaces. Entry is free, but there are some paid ticketed events, so check the schedule to plan ahead. This was one of the highlights of our artsploring year in 2018 – don’t miss it! The Way Out West Festival runs Wednesday 10 July through Sunday 14 July at Casula Powerhouse.
Arty Kids
Museum of Contemporary Art – The MCA’s Contemporary Kids school holidays program is celebrating NAIDOC week. Explore work by Aboriginal artists in MCA Collection: Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday and get hands-on with fun collaborative art-making activities. Runs July 9 – 13. Recommended for ages 4+.
Art Gallery of New South Wales – The AGNSW’s free drop-in art making is on the theme of “Face Time” in honor of the Archibald Prize. Families can drop into the main foyer anytime between 11a.m. and 3:30p.m. to create their own masterpiece. Runs July 15 – 19 and Sunday 21 July.
There are also several paid workshops on, including origami and clay portraits. Full schedule here.
Love Our Libraries
The State Library of NSW is offering a stack of activities these holidays. Drop in weekdays from 10a.m. – 3p.m. 8 – 19 July for fun fashion-themed activities and join a kid’s tour from 11a.m. – 12p.m. Take an art lesson in the gallery 9 – 12 July. Author Mick Elliot will host a storytelling workshop for ages 10 – 13 on 9 July. And, Bell Shakespeare brings their Just Romeo & Juliet to the library on 11 July. Various prices and booking requirements.
Make sure to check your local library’s school holiday activities, as well!
Do a Workshop!
School holidays are the perfect time to try something different. Here are some fun workshops offered by organisations in the Artsplorers Directory of Sydney Area Arts Classes (remember to have a look in the Directory for term-time classes, as well!).
READ + CREATE (Mondays in Drummoyne and Wednesdays in Rose Bay)
If you have a creative, book-loving little one in your life, then these are the school holiday classes for them!
The theme for this year’s Book Week is “Reading is My Secret Power.”
We will explore this awesome theme and the books shortlisted in 2019 through reading, art and craft.
Choose from a superhero-themed class or a chalk and rainbow class.
Anybody from preschool through to Year 1 is invited to come and READ + CREATE.
Cost: $22
Little Ginger Studio (Randwick)
Creative Art workshops exploring big, messy kids’ creativity & an abundance of materials. Choose from 3 Clay activities, puppets, soft sculpture, recycled tinker Toys, rainbow wall hangings, party hats, LP mandalas and Scifi Future World! Full and half day care available.
Cost: $60-$110.
Happy artsploring, Sydney families!
