Granny Smith Festival Drive-In Cinema

Overview

At 35 years old, the annual Granny Smith Festival has its MO down pat. At this time of year, locals flock to the streets to celebrate Australia's favourite apple — one that has a history deeply rooted in Ryde, as Maria Ann 'Granny' Smith accidentally grew the first known crop here back in 1868.

But, like with many festivals in 2020, things are a little different this time around. Instead of a one-day extravaganza with a 2000-person community parade and street fair, this year's Granny Smith Festival is largely operating online. There'll be a virtual marketplace, a digital scavenger hunt and kids' entertainment with celebs like Emma Wiggle performing live — all accessible through your screen at home.

All, that is, apart from a new drive-in cinema popping up at Macquarie University car park for two days this October long weekend.

Showing four films, from the action-packed comedy Shazam! to the star-studded The Gentlemen, the Granny Smith Festival Drive-In Cinema will operate two screenings per night: one at 6.30pm and the other at 9pm.

It'll cost you just $15 per vehicle to enter, and tickets are available to purchase now (both the earlier, kid-friendly sessions for Mosley and SCOOB! are already sold out). As you'll be seated in your car, you can make the experience as comfortable as you like — bring pillows and popcorn — and you can order a slice of pizza or an ice cream onsite to be delivered to your car, too. Just leave all booze and pets at home.

You can tune into the films' audio through your car radio (the FM station will be provided on the night) and all screenings will be closed captioned, too.

Make sure you book tickets in advance to avoid missing out. Gates open from 8.30pm for the 9pm screening.