18°C |
Wednesday August 26, 2026 
25 August 2026
The Lower North Shore’s biggest community event will return on Sunday, October 18, with more than 200 market stalls and four entertainment stages taking over the streets and parks of Crows Nest.
Running from 10am to 5pm, Crows Nest Fest will offer live music, food, family activities, cultural performances and art across the village.
“Crows Nest Fest is one of those special days when the whole village changes gear — the streets fill with music, food, colour and people, and there’s a real sense of celebration everywhere you turn,” organiser JoEllen Henderson said.
The festival’s music program will be spread across four sites. The Big Music Stage in Ernest Place will showcase school and local performers, while the HATENA Stage will host dance and cultural groups.
Younger musicians will take to the Base Music Stage, while Art.Beats.Bar will feature DJs and live art, including the popular Art Battle painting competition.
Food will be served in dedicated Gourmet Food and Food Truck alleys, alongside offerings from the village’s restaurants and cafes.
The Kids Zone will return with pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting and a circus playground, while roving performers will entertain crowds throughout the market areas.
“In 2026, we want to bring together everything people love about the festival while continuing to introduce fresh experiences and new reasons to explore Crows Nest,” Henderson said.
She said the event would provide local businesses with an opportunity to reach thousands of visitors while strengthening connections across the community.
“It’s about locals catching up with neighbours, families making a day of it, friends meeting for food and music, visitors discovering somewhere new, and our local businesses having the opportunity to really shine,” she said.
“Most importantly, we want people to experience the personality of Crows Nest — to explore the streets, stay for lunch and dinner, discover somewhere new and leave already thinking about when they’ll come back.”
North Sydney Council last month approved a $20,000 increase in its annual grant to Crows Nest Mainstreet, providing additional financial support for the festival.
Read about it here: https://northsydneysun.com.au/community-politics/crows-nest-festival-secures-vital-funding-boost/