The summer school holidays are extra long and extra warm, so if you’re in Sydney with kids, you’re probably looking for all the ways to entertain them. Great news! The arts are out in force. Here are ideas that should suit just about any family!
ON STAGE
Meeting Mozart
“Watch with delight as world-renowned pianist, Simon Tedeschi, assumes the persona of the musical wunderkind himself, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, in this interactive introduction to the world of classical music.”
Where: Sydney Opera House
When: December 13 – 22
Tickets: $29 – 39
Recommended Age: 3+
The 78-Storey Treehouse
“A play by Richard Tulloch, adapted from the book by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton. The team behind The 13-, 26- and 52-Storey Treehouses Live on Stage return with the newest, biggest, brightest blockbuster in the series for children aged 6-12 and their adults… but watch out for those cows!”
Seymour Centre – 20 – 23 December
The Concourse (Chatswood) – 26 – 28 January
Tickets: $42
Recommended Age: 4+
Circus 1903
“Roll up! Roll up! Step back in time to the Golden Age of circus this Christmas. The acclaimed Circus 1903 makes its triumphant return to our stage, with magic and marvels bigger and better than ever before.”
Where: Sydney Opera House
When: 21 – 29 December 2023
Tickets: $79+
Recommended Age: No age restriction
Rick Thomas, Illussionist
In a treat for lovers of magic and illusion, Rick Thomas, widely known as one of the greatest illusionists in the world today, is coming to Sydney. Other than staging the most successful family show in the history of Las Vegas for 15 straight years – Rick Thomas has completed an astonishing five world tours!
Where: State Theatre
When: January 1 – 3
Tickets: $79+
Dog Man: The Musical
“Part dog, part man, ALL HERO! Dav Pilkey’s beloved characters come to life in an epic new musical adventure based on the bestselling Dog Man books. “
Where: Sydney Opera House
When: January 3 – 13
Tickets: $39 – 59
Recommended Age: 6+
Alice in Wonderland
“This glorious production features breathtaking costuming and puppetry, using ingenious stagecraft and limitless imagination, and will thrill children and adults alike. Meet the White Rabbit, the eccentric Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat and of course the boisterous Queen of Hearts as a cast of brilliant actors bring over 20 curious characters to life.”
Where: Sydney Colisuem Theatre
When: 4 – 6 January
Tickets: $44.90 – $64.90
Recommended Age: 3+
The Wind in the Willows
“Join Ratty, Mole, Badger, Otter, Portly, and, of course, Mr Toad as they bring Kenneth Grahame’s immortal story of life on the riverbank to the stage.” Bring a picnic and enjoy this show that is intended to appeal to the whole familly. Read our review here.
Where: Royal Botanic Garden
When: January 5 – 28
Tickets: $25+
Recommended age: 3+
Possum Magic
Monkey Baa Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of the Mem Fox classic returns to Sydney for a limited summer run at the Concourse in Chatswood and ARA Darling Harbour Theatre.
The Concourse – Chatswood – 9 – 11 January
ARA Darling Quarter Theatre – 13 – 18 January
Recommended age: 3+
The Smeds and the Smoos
“Soar into space with this exciting adaptation of the award-winning book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.”
Where: The Concourse (Chatswood)
When: 18 – 22 January
Tickets: $25 – 42
Recommended Age: 3+
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
“One of the most-read and famous children’s books of all time, The Very Hungry Caterpillar emerges off the page in a masterful theatrical experience for children 18 months+ and their adults.” Read our review here.
Where: The Concourse (Chatswood)
When: 24 – 28 January
Tickets: $42
Recommended Age: 18 months+
Beauty and the Beast
“We proudly invite you to ‘Be Our Guest’ as Disney’s brand-new production of Beauty and the Beast has its Australian premiere. Now Playing at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre.”
Where: Capitol Theatre
When: Closes 28 January
Tickets: Various prices – $50+
Recommended Age: 6+
Wicked
“The Broadway sensation WICKED looks at what happened in the Land of Oz… but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships… until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.””
Where: Lyric Theatre
When: Closes 4 February
Tickets: Various prices – standard ticket $79+
Recommended Age: 8+
SYDNEY FESTIVAL
Sydney Fetival brings its usual line-up of interesting, unexpected and entertaining arts activities to town again this year. A few highlights from the Family program include:
Hive Festival /Hive Festival Blacktown
“This summer, explore a world of art, music, performance and play at Hive Festival, a free, fun-filled festival for children and families. “
Where: Art Gallery of NSW
When: 13 – 14 January
Cost: Free, no bookings required
Where: Blacktown Arts Centre
When: 19 – 20 January
Cost: Free, no bookings required
The Listies: Make Some Noise
“Make Some Noise is a comedy concert for humans aged four to 400. Join the maestros of mirth, Rich and Matt, as they belt out a bunch of songs with the LOLs turned up to 11. Will they be in tune? Almost. In time? Not quite. In order? Definitely. Can Rich dance? Let’s find out.” Read our review of The Listies Make Some Noise here.
Where: Bondi Pavillion
When: 3 – 13 January
Tickets: $29 – 35
Recommended age: 4+
House of Fast Fashun
“From Melbourne’s Fast Fashun art collective comes a hands-on haute couture event for the 21st century, with a runway show every hour.”
Where: Tumbalong Park (Darling Harbour)
When: 20-21 January
Tickets: Fee event, no bookings required
Recommended age: All ages welcome
A Bucket of Beetles
“From Yogyakarta’s renowned Papermoon Puppet Theatre comes a work grounded in Indonesia’s centuries-old traditions of puppetry. “
Where: Seymour Centre
When: 9 – 13 January
Tickets: $39 – $49
Recommended Age: 6+
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
Museum of Contemporary Art
The MCA will run a free, drop in activity in cojunction with their major summer show, Tacita Dean. “Inspired by themes of nature and chance in our Sydney International Art Series 2023/2024 exhibition Tacita Dean, visitors of all ages are invited to create clay shapes together and add their creations to an ever-evolving landscape within the Family Space.”
When: Find the full schedule here. This activity is open most Wednesdays – Mondays from 10a.m. – 4p.m. during school holidays. Confirm times before visiting.
Art Gallery of NSW
In addition to the Hive Festival, mentioned above), the Art Gallery of NSW will host a number of drop-in workshops, creative sessions and guided tours over the school holidays. Find the full schedule here.
Campbelltown Arts Centre
“Sundown Squad is back over summer at C-A-C! Children aged 6 – 12 and their families are invited to explore and get creative after hours. Enjoy interactive gallery and garden tours run by our C-A-C Educators, participate in hands-on art-making workshops, explore activations in the Amphitheatre and watch incredible performances and entertainment created for young audiences.
Complimentary refreshments served each week in the foyer, as well as light dinner options provided Art Cafe & Catering.”
When: Thursdays in January (more dates to be announced)
Tickets: Free, no bookings required
Recommended age: 6 – 12
National Maritime Museum
“Create your own outstanding octopus hats, puppets, soft sculptures and brilliant badges. Experiment with our plastic recycling machine to transform marine debris into new usable creations. Make a splash with water play and boat racing in our outdoor area, dress up as your favourite aquatic creature or take a quiet time out in our coral reef reading zone. “
Where: National Maritime Museum
When: Open daily during school holidays /22 Dec- 29 January- 10.30 am–4.30 pm*
3-4 February – 10.30 am–4.30 pm /*closed 25 Dec (Christmas day) & 26 and 27 Jan (New Beginnings festival) /Reduced opening hours on other public holidays: 11am – 4pm
Tickets: Included in paid admission to the museum
CENTRE FOR CREATIVITY
Drip Drop Play
“Drip drop! Drip Drop! What kind of music can you make with water? What sort of sounds does ice make? This January, join sound collectors Drip and Drop, and their friends to discover incredible new sounds found from dripping ice and giant bowls of water.”
Where: Sydney Opera House’s Centre for Creativity
When: 3 – 13 January
Tickets: $10
Recommended Age: 3+
Library Kids
State Library of NSW
Where better to escape the heat than inside a library – and the State Library of NSW is one of the most beautiful and welcoming around. Drop into their Children’s Libray any time during their operating hours, and – on selected days during the holidays – there will be drop-in activities and tours for kids.
Where: State Library of NSW
When: Drop-in activities and tours take place on weekdays between 15 – 25 January (see schedule at link above)
Tickets: Free
Local Libraries
Be sure to check in with your local library to see what activities are on offer. Summer reading programs are perfect for keeping books in hand over the long break, and many libraries will offer a range of workshops and other activities (usually free of charge!).
We hope you have fun exploring these Sydney arts activities with kids this summer!
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