Winter is here, so embrace it! There’s lots of fun events happening around Sydney in 2025 – pop-up ice-skating rinks, inflatable igloos, toboggan runs, snow tubes, ice slides & more. Check out this amazing events guide to Winter Festivals around Sydney… and regional NSW for a weekend getaway!
Use the quicklinks below to find all the Winter Festivals in Sydney this year!
Winter Festivals in Sydney 2025
- Darling Harbour Winter Festival, Sydney: Sunday 6 – Sunday 20 July
- Bastille Festival, The Rocks: Thursday 17 July – Sunday 20 July
- Bondi Festival, Bondi: Friday 4 – Sunday 20 July
- Chill Fest, Campbelltown; Friday 4 – Sunday 20 July
- Cherry Blossom Festival, Auburn Botanic Gardens: TBA
Winter Festivals in regional NSW
- Frost and Fire 2024: A Winter Solstice Spectacular, Forbes: Saturday 21 June
- Winterfest, Hawkesbury: Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 July
- MidWinter Festival, Bowral: Saturday 26 July
- Snow Time in the Gardens, Hunter Valley: Friday 28 June – Sunday 27 July 2025
- Bathurst Winter Festival, Bathurst: Saturday 5 – Sunday 20 July
- Orange Fire Festival: Friday 1 August
Winter Festivals in Sydney
WINTERFEST at Darling Harbour
Winter Festival at Darling Harbour
Feeling creative? Unleash your inner artist at a selection of winter craft workshops. From making sparkly slime to crafting magical snow globes, there’s plenty of opportunity to get wonderfully messy and create something unique.
- Where: Darling Harbour
- When: Sunday 6 July – Sunday 20 July
- More info
Bastille Festival, The Rocks
This July, get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of France as Bastille Festival Sydney returns to Circular Quay and The Rocks from Thursday 17 July to Sunday 20 July. This year, the festival promises an unparalleled celebration of culinary, artistic and of French culture. Whether you come for the raclette, the rosé, the cinema, or the cabaret – it’s all about embracing joie de vivre!
Find your beret, grab your friends, and get ready to celebrate winter the French way!
- Where: Circular Quay
- When: Thursday 17 July – Sunday 20 July 2025
- Cost: Free entry
- More info
Bondi Festival
Your favourite beachside bash is back this winter! The Bondi Festival will be held from Friday, July 4, to Sunday, July 20, 2025.
Presented by Waverley Council, the festival transforms the iconic Bondi Pavilion and surrounding areas into a vibrant hub of creativity and entertainment.
It features a diverse lineup of performances, including theatre, comedy, cabaret, and live music, catering to audiences of all ages. Highlights of the festival include the Bondi Vista Ferris Wheel offering panoramic views of the beach, the Bondi Festival Ice Rink, and the Waverley Art Prize showcasing contemporary visual art.
- Where: Forecourt of Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach
- When: Friday 4 – Sunday 20 July 2025
- More info and tickets
Chill Fest, Campbelltown
Chill Fest Campbelltown is back for 2025, offering a dazzling array of activities and entertainment for the winter school holidays.
Roaming performers, dazzling light displays, snowfall, amazing amusement rides for the whole family, delicious winter food warmers, with market stalls, live music, DJ, and so much more.
Sit with the family and enjoy the Chill Fest magic!
- Where: Koshigaya Park, Cnr of Hurley St & Camden Rd, Campbelltown
- When: Friday 4 July – Sunday 20 July 2025
- More info and tickets
Cherry Blossom Festival
Don’t miss the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival at Auburn Botanic Gardens. This is one of Australia’s most photographed, natural and Instagrammable cultural events!
Held over nine days, the iconic family-friendly event will pay homage to Japan’s traditions, music, pop culture and food, all while capturing the hearts of thousands as the cherry blossoms burst into colour.
The show-stopping event offers the rare spectacle of pink cherry blossom trees also known as ‘Sakura’ in full bloom, located in the iconic ‘Cherry Trail’ within the traditional style Japanese Garden.
- When: TBD
- Address: Auburn Botanic Gardens
- More info
Best Winter Festivals across Regional NSW
Snow Time in the Garden, Hunter Valley
Want to enjoy a special day trip or mini break in the Hunter Valley? Snow Time in the Garden will be taking over Hunter Valley Gardens from Saturday 28 June to Sunday 27 July. All attractions are included in your entry ticket, and open 9:30am-4:30pm
Mega Snow Play Zone: Would you like to build a snowman, or even make a snow angel? The Mega Snow Play Zone uses premium ice machines to generate man-made snow, creating an icy playground that’s fun for the whole family. Don’t forget your gloves!
Giant Ice Toboggan: Race down the super-fast Giant Ice Toboggan! Grab a tube and speed down the 45-metre slide, it’s sure to get your adrenaline pumping. Once won’t be enough!
Ice Skating Rink: Made with real ice, the Ice Skating Rink is great fun for all experience levels! Children under 6 years old can enjoy a smaller skating rink with skating aids*, while older skaters can enjoy the larger rink worry-free. PLUS… amusement Rides!
- Where: Hunter Valley Gardens, Broke Road, Hunter Valley
- When: Friday 28 June – Sunday 27 July 2025
- Times: 9:30am – 4:30pm
- Cost: Child 3 and under: free, Child (4 – 15 years): $31, Adults (16+): $41, Family (2 adults, 2 children): $126, Family (2 adults, 1 child) $102 Extra Child with Family Pass $28.
- More info and tickets
Bathurst Winter Festival
Bathurst Regional Council made the difficult decision to pause the delivery of the 2025 Bathurst Winter Festival due to current financial constraints.
However, Bathurst will still celebrate winter with the ice rink, food, wine and plenty of activities during the July school holidays.
Local businesses have collaborated to create a fresh, community-driven winter experience. During the winter school holidays, a range of exciting events will take place across Bathurst, showcasing the region’s spirit and creativity.
Highlights will include:
- McDonald’s Bathurst Ice Rink – at a NEW location! (relocated to The Greens on William)
- Themed days on the ice rink
- Food and night markets
- A Winter Ball
- Live entertainment
- Show rides
- Family-friendly activities
- Country & western nights at Reckless Brewing Co, featuring local brewers, vignerons, and distillers, gourmet local food, live music and for the thrill seekers, a mechanical bull.
Visitors can look forward to a magical new take on winter in Bathurst, with unique events and activations spread across the city. A full program of events will be announced soon.
- Where: McDonald’s Bathurst Ice Rink
- When: Saturday 5 July to Sunday 20 July 2025
- Times: Daily: 9am – 9pm
- Cost: Entry free, tickets must be booked for ice rink and show rides
- More info and tickets
Midwinter Festival, Bowral
Midwinter Festival at Ngununggula is an annual winter community event featuring Burning Man, live music, art installations, building light installations and local food and wine marketing showcasing local offerings.
Now, this is a popular annual event for all the family. Rug up and come along to this eye-opening event in Bowral.
- Where: 1 Art Gallery Lane, Bowral
- When: Saturday 26 July 2025
- More info and tickets
Frost & Fire: A Winter Solstice Spectacular Forbes
Celebrate the Winter Solstice in a beautiful country town in the heart of Central West NSW with friendly people, hearty food, fire buckets, boutique brews, fire performances and pyrotechnics, nationally renowned musicians, local artists, amazing live acts and Wiradjuri cultural performances.
Come for the night – stay for a weekend! The fun doesn’t stop at the festival with plenty to see and do for everyone in this amazing place! Explore the historic and natural beauty of Forbes and surrounds. From historic buildings and museums to wildlife reserves and iconic country experiences – there’s something for everyone in Amazing Forbes.
- Where: Forbes
- When: Saturday, 21 June 2025
- More info and tickets
Winterfest
Winterfest is back in 2025, the first weekend of the winter school holidays! From warriors on the battlefield to unicorns and mermaids, there is something for everyone at Winterfest.
The Winterfest Joust: Feel the thunder of hooves and the smash of splintering lances on armour in the original ‘Sport of Kings’. Watch as world-class jousters battle for glory and honour in the Winterfest Joust.
Australian Medieval Combat (AMC) NSW: Australian Medieval Combat (AMC) is a sporting organisation that promotes a lifelong enjoyment of Historical Medieval Battle (HMB). The AMC Core values are discipline, teamwork, safety, respect and integrity. Australian Medieval Combat NSW warriors are coming together for a weekend of battle.
Medieval Kitchen Rules: Step into the cuisine of the past with Medieval Kitchen Rules. Medieval Kitchen Rules showcases banquet style meals in a fun and enjoyable way. Carefully selected from historic menus, the recipes are prepared, cooked, and completed at Winterfest. You can see how they’ve been made, and take home some recipes to try for yourself. Medieval Kitchen Rules is sponsored by Crosdales BBQ & Catering.
- Where: Hawkesbury Showground, Racecourse Road, Clarendon
- When: Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 July, 10am-5pm
- More info and tickets
Orange Fire Festival
This August, the Orange Region’s Fire Festival showcases local artists, musicians and producers through a series of collaborations spanning a ten-day program.
Food and wine venues become performance spaces and cultural venues open their doors to fire-inspired dining, wine events, artistic workshops and film screenings.
Fire, warmth and light thread through it all, set against the stunning backdrop of the Orange Region. Reconnect, feast, be creative and lean into the region’s country hospitality – the perfect antidote to winter.
- Where: Orange
- When: Friday 1 August – Sunday 10 August
- More info
Want more things to do with the kids these Winter school holidays?
- Best things to do with kids these winter school holidays!
- School Holiday Camps, Workshops & Vacation Care around Sydney
- Christmas in July Festivals and Feasts
- Fun indoor attractions to visit with kids on a rainy day in Sydney
- Things to do in Sydney this weekend
