The Sydney Festival is a celebrated mainstay of the city’s summer calendar. For 3 weeks every January, the city comes alive with a spectrum of music, dance, art and drama performances and events. This cultural celebration attracts both Sydneysiders and visitors, who descend on the city to make the most of the balmy nights and festive atmosphere. With a mixture of free and ticketed events, pop-up bars, food outlets and various festival locations and attractions all over Sydney, there’s something for everyone at the Sydney Festival.

In 2011 the Sydney Festival will run from January 8 – 30. Because the festival is spread throughout the city, no matter where you choose to stay you’ll be amongst all the action. Get in the festive spirit and book some funky accommodation from which to enjoy the celebrations!

Here’s a few of the festival highlights:

-        Festival First Night. Marking the first night of the festival, January 8^th is set to be a musical, dramatic and artistic extravaganza! Free events are to be held in Hyde Park, Chifley Square, The Domain and Martin Place. Catch Nashville’s ‘The Dynamites’ in Hyde Park, for example, or marvel at the 12-storey high multi-media projection artwork in Chifley Square.

-        Free events. Yes, you read right, free! The Sydney Festival offers a number of non-ticketed events for all to enjoy. In fact seeing some of the biggest festival acts in 2011 won’t cost you a penny. Grammy winning Latin music aficionados Los Lobos, for example, will perform in a free concert in The Domain on January 15. The Domain will also hold festival favourite Symphony in the Domain on January 22. More information on other free events in in the 2011 program can be found here – http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2011/Free/.

-        Ticketed events. Ticketed theatre, music, dance, family, talks, visual arts and film events will be held throughout the city during the Sydney Festival. Catch shows at some of Sydney’s most iconic venues including the Opera House. The Sydney Theatre Company and the Sydney Dance Company are performing at various locations around the city, as are visiting artists such as Sufjan Stevens and Beach House. Get your tickets early! Find more information on ticketed events here. http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2011/Music/

-        Beck’s festival bar. This pop-up bar in the historic Hyde Park Barracks is popular with music lovers and those who like a beer or 5! The bar serves up drinks but also some of the festival’s best cutting edge musical talent and DJs. Entry is free after 11:30 pm, and the Beck’s Bar is one of the best places to take wile away the summer nights in Sydney in January.

Happy Summer!

Image via Flickr

The first of the Ashes Test crickets series is well under way in Brisbane – with a nail biter finish expected today – what are your thoughts? Will Australia pull through??

When the warm weather hits and the long summer afternoons set in, cricket becomes part of the Australian social fabric and lifestyle. From impromptu beach games and backyard bowling, to days in front of the TV watching our national players, cricket is an important part of the national culture and social life.   A Sydney summer’s just not complete without a good dose of cricket!

If you’re visiting Sydney, then do as the locals do and set aside some time for some cricket. The hallowed turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) comes alive with fans from all walks of life and is a great day out.

Here are some of the biggest games coming to Sydney. Get your tickets now!

The Vodafone Fifth Ashes Series.  – . The Ashes Test cricket series is played between Australia and England. The series dates back to 1882, and represents one of the biggest rivalries in international cricket – both Australians and the English take this Test very seriously! The 4 more Test matches until January 7^{th –} - so that’s 20 days of Ashes’ cricket fun! The 2010/2011 Ashes Series are played in 5 destinations. The first Test is played in Brisbane, the second in Adelaide. The third is played in Perth, and the infamous Boxing Day Test Match is held in Melbourne. Sydney hosts the fifth Test match, held at the SCG from January 3^rd to January 7^th. You can get a ticket for the whole 5 days. Or, if one day of cricket is enough, you can buy daily tickets. (Rooms at the Cambridge Hotel are of course just a stone’s throw away!)

One Day Internationals. Sydney will host two one day international games between Australia and England. These games are part of the Commonwealth Bank Series played over January and February. The Sydney games will be played on Sunday, January 23^rd and Wednesday, February 2^nd at the SCG.

Get ready to ring in 2011 with a bang!

Sydney is the self proclaimed New Year’s Eve capital of the world. Spectacular Sydney Harbour erupts with kaleidoscopic colours as fireworks are set off from a number of vantage points around harbour. Over 1.5 million people flock to the Sydney Harbour shores to marvel at the display. And, with Sydney being one of the first cities in the world to bring in the New Year, it attracts a 2.6 million national audience. One billion international viewers also tune in to see the Sydney fireworks extravaganza.

With so many people watching, Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are a spectacle not to be missed. If you’re visiting Sydney at this time, you have the advantage of experiencing one of the city’s biggest and most beloved events. If you’re an Australian, or one of the 300,000 international tourists that the fireworks show attracts each year, then here’s a guide to Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations and how to get the most out of this celebration. After all, it only happens once a year, so you might as well make the most of it!

-        Vantage Points. There are 55 vantage points from which the fireworks display can be viewed at various locales around the harbour. The fireworks display can be seen from Gladesville to the Heads of Sydney Harbour, with the barges situated between Point Piper and Cockatoo Island. The sites vary in access, provided toilets, first aid, glass and alcohol restrictions, and food provisions. Also, a number of these vantage points are ticketed events. The event’s official website (http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye/2010/) has specific information on each vantage point. Keep in mind that the sites closest to the Harbour Bridge attract the largest crowds.

-        9pm and midnight fireworks. The City of Sydney is sympathetic to the sleep patterns of our younger revellers, and there is a fireworks display at both 9 o’clock and midnight. The 9pm Family Fireworks display is a colourful and choreographed eight minute performance which fires from barges on the Harbour, the rooftops of city skyscrapers and other locations. The Family Fireworks are followed by the Harbour of Light Parade, which features more than 50 illuminated and decorated vessels sailing around a 15km harbour circuit.  The midnight fireworks are the event’s main attraction and the reason why Sydney is the New Year’s Eve capital of the world. Fireworks are fired from barges on the Harbour, the rooftops of city skyscrapers and the unforgettable Sydney Harbour Bridge.

-        Public Transport. The City of Sydney advises taking public transport and leaving the car at home. With road closures and 1.5 million people flocking to the city centre it’s easier to get around on Sydney’s bus and rail network. Remember to check timetables, as there is a special New Year’s Eve schedule. Be prepared for crowds, the possibility of transport delays and that consuming alcohol on buses and trains is an offence! Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk.

-        Things to consider. Remember to check transport, event and vantage point details online before leaving home. Most vantage points will have bag checks and strict security, particularly in alcohol free sites. Planning ahead is the best way to ensure you have the best possible New Year’s Eve!

Sydney comes alive on New Year’s Eve. Will you be here for the celebration?

Image via Christopher Chan on Flickr.

Christmas on the beach - so Sydney!

Christmas in Sydney is a unique experience for our Northern Hemisphere visitors due to the hot weather, sunny skies and a distinct lack of snow and sleighbells. But Sydneysiders don’t skimp on tradition. The temperatures may be scorching, but traditional roast lunches (with the odd prawn thrown in!) are standard fare for most families. Australians see-saw between long-standing Christmas traditions – such as hearty winter Christmas dinners and carolling – and creating their own.

Christmas for many Australians also means a day at the beach, in the sun or around the barbecue. Many Australians take advantage of the public holiday to soak up some rays and hit the waves.

If you’re visiting Sydney for Christmas, here’s a guide on what to expect and some ideas on how to celebrate when away from home.

-        Christmas meals. While most businesses (including restaurants) are closed on Christmas Day, restaurants associated with hotels often offer a Christmas meal. The key is to book early, as they often book out months in advance. Another option when spending Christmas away from home is to volunteer at one of the many charity Christmas lunches and dinners that are provided for those in need around Sydney.

-        Christmas beach days. Alternatively, you can stock up on supplies and head to the beach for a Christmas BBQ. Most Sydney beaches have free BBQ facilities (or can be used for a nominal cost). It’s a great way to make the most of the warm weather and stunning beaches and have a unique Christmas experience. Bondi Beach – a notorious magnet for both tourists and international residents – hosts an annual Christmas party in the Bondi Pavilion. Called ‘Sunburnt Christmas’, it’s a ticketed event that is popular with backpackers.

-        Boxing Day. While Boxing Day is a public holiday in many Commonwealth countries, Australia has developed its own unique celebrations and traditions to suit all tastes. If you’re a shopaholic, then you’ll be in retail heaven at the Boxing Day sales.  Major department stores and CBD retailers open their doors as early as 5am, and slash their prices significantly. It’s a mad rush to grab the best bargains! If you’re more of a sports fan, then you’ll also love this holiday. The 4^th game of the Ashes Test is played on Boxing Day. While it is played in Melbourne the cricket commentary can be heard from many Australian lounge rooms. Sydney Harbour also comes alive with thousands of sails for the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race. Whether you’re out on the water or watching from the Sydney cliffs, seeing the yachts sail out of the harbour is quite a spectacle.

If you’re spending Christmas in Sydney, then adopt a few Australian traditions for an unforgettable experience.

Have you experienced a beach Christmas?