A 'Hello Kitty'-Themed Town Is Taking Over Darling Square for the Next Three Months

As fans of a certain fictional cat-like Japanese character should already know, Hello Kitty Land is a real place that exists in Tokyo, and it's probably a bucket-list destination for your next Japan trip. But Sydneysiders don't need to hop on a plane to celebrate the bow-wearing, feline-resembling animated favourite for the next three months, with Darling Square hosting a huge Hello Kitty-themed street festival.

Running now until Friday, April 29, this Hello Kitty fest is actually a Hello Kitty Town — so expect the precinct to be positively purring with all things Hello Kitty. Created in partnership with Sanrio, the Japanese company behind the super-popular character, the set up includes exhibitions, inflatable installations and Hello Kitty-themed food and drinks. Who doesn't want to eat a sandwich shaped like the perpetual third-grade student, or drink Hello Kitty rose mocktails?

On the art side of the setup, Hello Kitty Town is home to Australia's largest Sanrio art exhibitions, spanning pieces from top graphic designers, illustrators and street artists such as UK cartoonist, writer and illustrator Gemma Correll, Berlin-based artist and illustrator DXTR, Melbourne large-scale mural painter Justine McAllister, and Aussie artist Travis Price, who is the featured artist for the festival — with their wares all displayed in an outdoor gallery. And, there's also a five-metre Hello Kitty inflatable that, yes, is as adorable as it sounds.

Food- and drink-wise, the menu currently includes Ume Burger's Bad Badtz-Maru cheeseburger and white peach soda, plus Toastie Smith five limited-edition toasties that all come with Hello Kitty ham bows. Or, you can nab themed teas from Bubble Nini Tea, or dishes such as the Lazy Egg Burger at Auvers Cafe.

There'll be more additions to the program — and to the menu — announced over the event's three-month run, tempting you to indulge your Hello Kitty love multiple times. That starts with Lunar New Year lion dances on Saturday, February 5–Sunday, February 6 February at 1pm and 7pm.

Obviously, Hello Kitty merchandise is on sale, because a festival like this wouldn't be complete without it.

And, also to the surprise of no-one, this is firmly a family-friendly affair. No one ever really outgrows Hello Kitty, though, do they?

Hello Kitty Town is taking over Darling Square, 35 Tumbalong Boulevard, Haymarket, until Friday, April 29. For more information, head to the festival's website.