21°C | Saturday May 24, 2025 
24 October 2024
By Hannah Wilcox
North Sydney Festival is just around the corner with a day packed full of entertainment, food and shopping in store.
Running from 11am to 5pm on 2 November, the fest will sprawl across multiple streets in the CBD including Mount Street, Denison Street, Brett Whiteley Place and Elizabeth Plaza – all centered around and in celebration of the opening of the Victoria Cross Metro.
The main stage, situated on the cross section of Mount and Walker Streets, will kick off at 11am with a Welcome to Country followed by an energetic performance by The Superjesus’ Sarah McLeod at 11.30am.
Ben Lee will then woo the crowd with his signature romantic anthems and indie pop classics at 12.30pm.
From 2pm till close, live music venue and burger extraordinaires Mary’s will present a series of bands The Toothpicks, Jet City Sports Club, Sesame Girl and STUMPS to bring it to a close.
For those looking to get a little crafty, drop-in workshops will run on Denison Street all day.
Join Sydney Textiles and Primrose Paper Arts to transform fabric and paper off-cuts into wearable flowers or discover the world of brush turkeys with artist Olivia Arnold.
Explore local bush food with Koori Kinnections and take home a pack of native Warrigal Green seeds, known as Australia’s version of spinach, whilst joining in on a Yarn titled ‘Keep the Fire Burning’ and Q&A session with founder and educator Jessica Sinnott.
For the little ones, roving entertainers such as the Toybox Jesters, Sydney Bollywood, Shaun Parker & Company, Up, Up and Away and Lucky African Dance will take over Brett Whiteley Place and surrounds.
The Aqualand Kids’ Creative Zone will be hosted by Siobhan Coombs, owner of Cockatoo Comics and co-organizer of the Brazen comic convention.
Four drop-in workshops – Weird and Wonderful Animals, Good Chef/Bad Chef, Scrolling Action/Adventure and Zine Making – will run throughout the day for an hour each.
Meanwhile, Greenwood Plaza will be keeping the good vibes going from 11am to 2pm. Have a makeover with face painting and hair chalking, or if you’re feeling snackish join in on milkshake making & decorating and finger bun decorating.
The big kids and young at heart are invited to have a go at the gift voucher money grab machine and boogie to live DJs.
Looking to sort out Christmas gifts early? Never fear, sustainable and passionate artisans are here.
North Sydney Festival will host a range of market stalls on the day, selling goods from ceramics to artworks, DIY kits to fashion and accessories.
Many local venues will be running special offers, so keep an eye out on their respective socials to make the most of your day out.
Keen to keep partying? Stay after dark with the Vic X Official After Party. It’ll take place in the laneway outside Mary’s from 5pm till 9pm, with a DJ, Pop Up Wine Bar, family friendly entertainment and promotional vouchers.
More information, including the festival map and detailed itinerary, is available on the North Sydney Council website.