Bondi Festival Is Returning with a Theatre, Ice Rink and Ferris Wheel Overlooking the Beach

This three-week festival will have you soaring above the idyllic streets of Bondi, before you hit the ice rink or head to a secret location for a supernatural magic show.
Ben Hansen and Sarah Ward
May 19, 2022

Usually, when winter rolls around, Bondi becomes a hub of Ferris wheel rides, art shows, live music, history walks and fringe events for the annual Winter Magic and Bondi Feast events. In 2020, because of COVID-19, those events were combined to create a mega-festival of art, food and soaring through the sky dubbed Bondi Festival.

This year, Bondi Festival is back with a full suite of exciting pop-ups and activations throughout the beachside suburb.

Setting up once more will be Bondi Vista, a Ferris wheel that'll send you soaring 22 metres above the sand. From Friday, July 1 through until Sunday July 17, you can go for a spin and feast your eyes on 360-degree views. On one side, you'll be gazing at wild waves, endless horizon and open sky. On the other, look out for glimpses of the city skyline. If you prefer to spin in circles on the ground, you can do just that at an ice-skating rink. And, walking tours and events for families will also be on the bill.

Between rides on both circular attractions, you can check out an extravaganza of comedy and theatre, with shows popping up throughout the suburb. There will be a comedy and theatre mash-up from Randa Sayed and a comedic theatre seance from magician Harry Milas in a hidden Bondi location. Artist Joel Bray will also be transforming the Bondi Bowlo for a pub trivia night blended with contemporary dance, and award-winning performer Bron Batten will be presenting a theatre piece based on modern romance called Onstage Dating.

"Playful, immersive and tailor-made, this year's program takes over Bondi for three weeks of art and playful audience experiences," Bondi Festival Director Rachel Chant said. "Go ice-skating by the beach or commune with the dead in a mysterious location, date an artist live on stage or take in a panoramic view of the coastline on the Bondi Vista Ferris Wheel."

Bondi Festival will run from Friday, July 1–Sunday July 17. Head to the festival's website to view all the details and the full program.

Published on May 19, 2022 by Ben Hansen
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