CHALK URBAN ART FESTIVAL (September) - www.chalkurbanart.com
The largest Urban Art Festival in the Southern Hemisphere with a program including: Chalk Art (Artists compete for the title of Champion Pavement Artist and cash prizes), Wearable Art, Urban Music, Graffiti, Spoken word, Performance Art, Food stalls, Fashion market, Art workshops and Art sales. Held over 4 days each year in September.

CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL (February) - www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/cny/
Every year Sydney puts on a spectacular 3 week celebration for the Lunar New Year including Dragon Boat Races, Parades, market days and performances, may of which are free. Check back closer to 2009 for upcoming festival highlights.

CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL (March) - www.anmm.gov.au
From the website: "more than 100 superb boats, from graceful yachts to streamlined speedboats, a festive marketplace selling all things nautical and an outstanding display of boating products. Discover the skills of traditional maritime craftsmen including blacksmiths, rope knotters, caulkers and sailmakers. Old favourites including the Deckhand's Line-throwing Competition will return, and new activities and demonstrations will keep you enthralled all day."

DESIGN FESTIVAL (August) - www.sydneydesign.com.au
Sydney’s annual festival of design, presented by the Powerhouse Museum. The 2 week long program encompasses exhibitions and events at the Museum and satellite venues all over Sydney, including the Young Blood: Designers Market.

EARTHDANCE GLOBAL MUSIC FESTIVAL (September) - www.earthdance.org.au
Earthdance is a global music festival where people around the world unite simultaneously to support peace and humanitarian causes through the global languages of art, music and dance. Since its inception in 1996 Earthdance has been held in 400 cities in over 75 countries. Bringing together different sectors of the community, Earthdance Sydney showcases what makes our city such an exciting artistic and cultural hub. Earthdance Sydney is a not-for-profit organization and is run entirely by volunteers. It is one of the few free Earthdance events worldwide and possibly the biggest. All festivals donate at least 50% of their profits to their chosen charity. Promoters, musicians, artists and performers all offer their time and love to make the festival happen.

FEASTABILITY (September) - www.marrickville.nsw.gov.au
Part of the annual Marrickville Cultural festival running throughout the month of September, Feastability transforms Newtown Performing Arts School grounds into a festival of food, drink and entertainment. This festival is currently under review :-(

GLEBE MUSIC FESTIVAL (November) - www.glebemusicfestival.com
From the website: "The Glebe Music Festival grew out of the many informal musical soirees held at the early 19th century building Margaretta Cottage since the late 1960s... The underlying philosophy of the Glebe Music Festival is to bring together musicians at different stages of their careers in the intimate atmosphere of Margaretta Cottage. With large choirs this has expanded to the performance of major choral works at St Scholastica's Chapel in Glebe. Other venues are used including Gleebooks, St John's Bishopthorpe, the Great Hall at the University of Sydney and the Old Court House."

GREEK FESTIVAL OF SYDNEY (March-May) - www.greekfestivalofsydney.com.au
The 26th Greek Festival of Sydney will run from the 29th March to the end of May 2008.

MARRICKVILLE CULTURAL FESTIVAL (September) - www.marrickville.nsw.gov.au
Marrickville Cultural festival is an annual event running throughout the month of September. It encompasses the Marrickville Road Festival, Feastability in Newtown, History Week, Under the Full Moon Festival (Sydney's only Goth Festival), QueerDoc Film Festival, Marrickville Contemporary Art Prize, Marrickville Film Festival, and a variety of Cultural days embracing the richness and diversity of the Marrickville precinct.

NEWTOWN FESTIVAL (November) - www.newtowncentre.org/festival/
From the website: "Presented by The Newtown Neighbourhood Centre the Newtown Festival is a fundraiser for the Centre's services for the disadvantaged in the community. Held in 8 hours of free entertainment, arts, environmental workshops, literary discussions and much fun... The Newtown Festival is a rare and wonderful place where community groups, environmental groups, local residents and the broader community can come together in one place for one day and celebrate diversity and once again experience the true sense of 'community'."

SURRY HILLS FESTIVAL (April) - surryhillsfestival.org.au
Surry Hills Festival is held in Price Alfred Park. Entry by gold coin donation, From the website: "As well as brilliant music & entertainment, 250 market stalls will be spread across Prince Alfred Park, inviting Festival goers to browse through the Bazaar Alley, engage with local artisans, enjoy something sumptuous from the International Food areas, kick back in the Chill Zone, and much more."

SYDNEY FESTIVAL (December-January) - www.sydneyfestival.org.au
Sydney Festival is an annual event running December through January, each year incorporating numerous free events. This official website will provide you with all you need to know about past, present and future Sydney Festivals.

SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL (June) - www.sydneyfilmfestival.org
The annual Sydney Film Festival is the highlight of any movie buff's year. This year the festival is in it's 55th year and runs from 4th till the 22nd June 2008. Most screenings have cover charges, though there are various movie ticket giveaways on the site.

SYDNEY GAY & LESBIAN MARDI GRAS (February-March) - www.mardigras.org.au
The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras has grown from a local gay pride event to being arguably the most spectacular gay and lesbian event in the world. Most famous for the Mardi Gras Parade though Oxford Street, the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras also hosts a number of free and ticketed events over the period of a month, including Cabaret, Comedy, Dance Parties, Discussions, Forums, Workshops, Film Festivals, Music, Social activities, Sports festivals, Theatre, Dance, Musicals and Visual Arts programs. Happy Mardi Gras!

SYDNEY ITALIAN FESTIVAL (May-June) - www.sydneyitalianfestival.com.au
Sydney Italian Festival offers an extrordinary array of events covering fashion, food, art, music, film and sport accross various Sydney venues. Most events are ticketed though there are a few free entry events on offer.

SYDNEY LATIN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL (March) - www.sydneylatinofilmfestival.org
From the website: "...a spectrum of Australian premieres, numerous award winning documentaries and short films along with
a selection of local filmmaker submissions and a series of free screenings open to the local community."

SYDNEY RUNNING FESTIVAL (September) - www.sydneymarathon.org
From the website: "More than 20,000 people enjoyed gorgeous Sydney on foot, in the world’s most spectacular run, the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival. The once-a-year chance to run, walk or skip over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and finish at the equally iconic Sydney Opera House... There are in four events in the Festival, giving people of all fitness levels a chance to be part of the largest running festival in Australia - the Blackmores Sydney Marathon, Blackmores Half Marathon, The Sunday Telegraph body+soul 9km Bridge Run and The Sunday Telegraph 4km Family Fun Run."

SYDNEY WRITERS FESTIVAL (May-June) - www.swf.org.au
The Sydney Writers Festival is made up of a combination of ticketed and free events. Sydney venues include: Pier 4/5 and Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay, City Recital Hall, Sydney Opera House and The Mint. The regional and suburban program includes events in Parramatta, Ashfield, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Penrith, the Blue Mountains, Newcastle, Bowral and Wollongong. Events include exhibitions, readings, talks and forums.

TROPFEST (February) - tropfest.com
Tropfest is the world's largest short film festival. Shown across Australia in various regional and city locations, including Sydney's Domain. Each year thousands flock to this festival, with picnic blankets in tow, to watch the rising stars of Australian film-making.

UNDER THE FULL MOON FESTIVAL (September) - www.underthebluemoon.org.au
Part of the annual Marrickville Cultural festival running throughout the month of September, Under the Full Moon Festival each year transforms Enmore Road into a Goth's paradise.

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ANIMANIA FESTIVAL (March & August) - animania.net.au
From the website: "Sydney-siders (as well as people from all over!) can expect a range of features from staple favourites such as Karaoke, all-day Screenings and video games in the Gamer Room. There will also be an awesome double-hit of Cosplay with: the Animania Festival Cosplay Competition AND the Australian mega first - the World Cosplay Summit Preliminary Competition, proudly hosted by Animania Festival."

BUNDEENA-MAIAINBAR ART OF LIVING FESTIVAL (March) - artofliving.com.au
From the website: "...with market stalls, workshops, plenty of activities for the kids, a dog show and free live music from 9am. The Bundeena-Maianbar Art of Living Festival highlights the cultural diversity of the local community... "

MANLY JAZZ FESTIVAL (October) - www.manly.nsw.gov.au
From the website: "Manly Jazz Festival is the largest and longest running festival of its kind in Australia. With a relaxed atmosphere and a breathtaking Ocean Beachfront backdrop, the festival location is considered to be second to none in the world of jazz. The Manly Jazz Festival continues to attract the finest Jazz perfomers both nationally and internationally."

ST JEROMES LANEWAY FESTIVAL (March) - www.lanewayfestival.com.au
From the website: "It’s only been three years, but already Australia’s most unique traveling music festival has managed to establish itself as every summer’s most anticipated urban experience."

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