Sydney Fringe Festival 2023

Overview

Boasting programs where anything and everything can and does happen, fringe festivals are an ode to leaping out of your comfort zone, revelling there and never wanting to leave. New South Wales' largest independent arts fest, Sydney Fringe Festival fits that bill perfectly. Each year, it amasses a jam-packed lineup that's never the same twice, and splashes its playful vibe all around the Harbour City.

Get ready for four hefty weeks of performances, exhibitions, music, theatre, comedy, visual arts, film, dance, circus, literature and poetry. The festival will serve up over 400 events between Friday, September 1–Saturday, September 30.

There are plenty of highlights across the 30 days including a brand-new festival hub. This year's fest features a big new spot to hang out thanks to the Spiegeltent Festival Garden at the EQ Showring in Moore Park. The Entertainment Quarter will host Sydney Fringe's big top, which is where The Marvellous Elephant Man the Musical will entertain audiences — and 300-seater circus dome The Vault, which'll be home to GODZ.

The lineup also spans the return of pop-up musical-theatre club Lola's Piano Bar, Young Henrys' Best Served Loud live music series hitting Parramatta for the first time and free morning concerts courtesy of proven favourite Acoustic Ritual at George Place, too.

To kick things off, Fringe Ignite will take over The Rocks with an opening-night shindig, while a closing-night party on Kensington Street will bookend the fest with a celebration of Caribbean culture.

Other events to look out for at this year's Sydney Fringe Festival include award-winning performer Tessa Redman's new show Love/Love/Love/Love/Love; comedian Jenna Suffern's one women show It's Not Funny, It's Private which tells the story of a week where she was dumped, made redundant and started doing standup comedy; an absurdist dramedy centred around Cate Blanchett; and a duel-headline stand-up show from Becky Lucus and Cameron James.

Explore the full program at the festival website.