Bondi Festival 2023
This 17-day festival at Australia's most famous beach features theatre shows, art, a ferris wheel and ice-skating rink.
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Overview
It's that time of year when Bondi swaps beach cabanas and swimwear for ferris wheels, art shows, live music and history walks — all components of the annual Bondi Festival. And with the Bondi Pavilion revamp complete, the festival is due for an epic homecoming in 2023 with more than two dozen events planned between Friday, June 30 and Sunday, June 16.
The Bondi Vista Ferris Wheel is back to send riders soaring 32 metres above the iconic Bondi sand and waves throughout the festival. If you prefer your spinning a little closer to the ground, you can do just that at the Bondi Festival Ice Rink, the fan favourite pop-up that brings a little bit of winter magic to Sydney's eastern suburbs.
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Alongside those returning favourites, look for stage shows like the celebration of street dancing culture that is Betwixt, the bittersweet story of love and war in the terrific one-woman theatre piece Waterloo and, on the other end of the emotional spectrum, burlesque circus CAKE. Those with an eye for art and culture should check out Marang, a celebration of First Nations culture.
If you're in the mood for some musical laughs plan for a visit to 1800-REQUEST, described as "Melbourne's favourite queer piano bar" fronted by the ever-charming Rosie Rae who makes her Bondi debut on Saturday, July 13. And for any ChatGPT users, a cutting-edge AI Tarot Reader will also be attending the festival.
You can also check out crowd-friendly events like the Bondi Skate Dance, a communal disco-themed roller skate tour along the beach in the golden hour. Led by skating experts and soundtracked by EastsideFM, you'll cruise past landmarks like Bondi Skate Park and Sea Wall before ending the adventure back at the forecourt. If you plan to bring any four-legged plus ones, Bondi Pavilion will be hosting a Pavilion Paw Parade that's open for any pooches to enter, where they can enjoy artisan treats and even get their portrait sketched.
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Local businesses will also be joining the party in the Bondi Festival Local Program — Curly Lewis Brewing Co will be hosting night tours of their brewery and revealing the secrets behind the sips. If you know any kids with a flair for the creative, Bondi Clay Studio will be hosting kids pottery workshops, and grownups can visit The Futures Factory for open studio sessions that aim to break down the unknowns that surround AI artworks.
Bondi Festival runs from Friday, June 30 to Sunday, July 16. For more information on the program and to get tickets, visit the website.
