Entertainment Calendar

28 Jan - 31 Mar 2012; Fri, Sat, and Sun only (annual)

Catch live music at Taronga Zoo's Twilight series of open-air concerts. As the sun sets over Sydney's iconic harbour, sing along to classic tracks by Abba tribute band Bjorn Again or melt to the soothing sounds of James Morrison.

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24 Mar - 7 Apr 2012 (annual)

Greyhounds chase the Easter bunny around Wentworth Greyhound Race Track, bringing a competitive spirit to Easter Saturday in the races for the Golden Easter Egg Trophy. Join the expectant crowds as they cheer on their streamlined favourites at this two-week carnival.

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Apr 2012 (annual)

Community spirits are high at the annual Surry Hills Festival, a day that combines musical entertainment with food stalls, an artisan market and Dog Show. Around 90,000 locals turn up for the inner-city fun at parks and sites across the suburb.

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6 - 9 Apr 2012 (annual)

Hoopla, Darling Harbour's free Easter festival of outdoor circus and street theatre, delivers breathtaking aerial acrobatics, fearless knife juggling, fire-eating, plate-spinning and all-round hilarity. For kids and parents inspired to have a go, there are circus workshops too.

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Apr 2012 (annual)

Triathlon Australia presents the Challenge Series, a sequence of multisport events that takes place across the country between January and April. The Sydney Challenge happens in the suburb of Cronulla.

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5 - 18 Apr 2012 (annual)

The Sydney Showground overflows with bleating animals and fun-loving crowds for the agricultural marvel and shopper's paradise that is the Sydney Royal Easter Show. From wood-chopping competitions to adrenalin-pumping roller coasters, there's plenty to keep families entertained for a fortnight!

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Apr 2012 (annual)

The Audi Festival of German Films brings a fortnight of screenings to Australian cities Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. Visitors can catch the latest releases from German filmmakers, including some that premiered only a few weeks before at Berlinale.

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30 Apr - 4 May 2012 (annual)

Australian Fashion Week has been going strong since 1996, with a large buyers' exhibition in addition to the catwalk shows. The event is held at the Overseas Passenger Terminal on Sydney Harbour's Circular Quay.

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3 - 6 May 2012 (annual)

Sydney's Middle Eastern Dance Festival celebrates the exotic world of belly dancing. Learn hip-oscillating moves or Arabic drumming at workshops led by pros in inner west suburbs - Marackville and Newtown. There are colourful shows and a souk selling sequinned costumes.

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10 - 13 May 2012 (annual)

Indulge in a total makeover during the revamped Fashion Weekend Sydney at the Royal Hall of Industries. Bag exclusive threads at bargain prices in the Shop Til You Drop Designer Sale, then complete the look with an Essie manicure or GHD hairstyle.

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20 May 2012 (annual)

Unless you're taking part, prepare to belt out cheers of encouragement as over 10,000 entrants race through the city in the Sydney Half Marathon. The 21.1km race starts and finishes in Hyde Park North.

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14 - 20 May 2012 (annual)

Whether it's pulp fiction or highbrow literary discourse, writing from around the world is celebrated at Sydney's annual Writers' Festival. The events take place at venues across the city, mainly Pier 4/5 and Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay.

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31 Mar - 3 Jun 2012 (annual)

The Archibald Prize is Australia's longest-running and most important award for portraiture. The best entries are displayed at Sydney's Art Gallery of New South Wales alongside the winners of the Wynne Prize (Australian landscapes/sculpture) and the Sulman Prize (subject painting/mural).

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Jun 2012 (annual)

Manly, popular for its spectacular golden beaches and sandstone headlands, attracts over 30,000 visitors for its annual outdoor Food & Wine Festival. Browse the many stalls, sampling local restaurants' signature dishes and tipples from the region's vineyards.

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May - Jun 2012 (annual)

Vivid Sydney brings splashes of light, colour and music to this already vibrant Australian city. The programme is extensive, ranging from progressive music concerts at the Sydney Opera House to creative discussion and light sculptures dotted around the iconic harbour.

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Jun 2012 (annual)

Held over the Queen's Birthday Weekend, the Darling Harbour Jazz & Blues Festival brings smooth sounds to Sydney's waterfront with a series of performances from soloists, swing bands and gospel choirs. A joy for aficionados and families alike!

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Jun 2012 (annual)

The State of Origin tournament sees the best Rugby League talent from New South Wales (the Blues) and Queensland (the Maroons) face each other in three games across Australia. The second match is at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.

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Jun 2012 (annual)

Founded in 1954, the Sydney Film Festival presents screenings at venues across the city, like the State Theatre, Dendy Opera Quays and Metro Theatre. It has established a worldwide reputation and is Australia's leading international film festival.

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Jul 2012 (annual)

The Good Food & Wine Show makes its annual journey east from Melbourne to the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre. As ever it features an unprecedented celebrity chef line-up to dispense top tips on all things culinary.

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Jul 2012 (annual)

The Triple M Sydney Tower Run-Up is a running race with a vertical twist. Athletes start at Pitt St Mall and mount 1504 steps before reaching the finish line on Sydney Tower's Observation Deck. The appealing prize money totals A$26,000.

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Jul 2012 (annual)

Sydney's popular outdoor area, The Rocks, hosts an all-day festival dedicated to coffee, tea and other spices. Australia's coffee makers ply their wares for cheap prices, demonstrate how to make the perfect brew and give away plenty of coffee-related freebies.

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Jul - Aug 2012 (annual)

"There is nothing on earth like owning a boat", claims the Australian Boating Industries Association, and it aims to prove it at the Sydney International Boat Show, held every year at Darling Harbour and the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.

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Aug 2012 (annual)

High-heeled Vogue followers strut to Martin Place for the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival. Organised by the same team as Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, the festival is a great chance to catch a glimpse of the upcoming spring and summer collections.

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Sep 2012 (annual)

Sydney's annual marathon (Blackmores Sydney Running Festival) attracts around 13,000 runners, with tens of thousands of spectators lining a route that passes most of the city's major landmarks. There's also a half marathon, Bridge Run and Family fun run.

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27 Jun - 16 Sep 2012 (biennial)

The Biennale of Sydney was created in 1973 as an international showcase for contemporary art. It utilises venues across the city, such as the Sydney Opera House, Artspace, Cockatoo Island, Museum of Contemporary Art and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

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Sep 2012 (annual)

International freestyle motocross riders rev it up in Sydney at the adrenalin-packed Red Bull X-Fighters. Competitors stop off in Dubai, Brasilia, Rome, Madrid and Warsaw before bringing pure speed and breathtaking air flips to down under.

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Oct 2012 (annual)

Sydney's hedonistic Sleaze Ball is held on the long October weekend and takes place at the Hordern Pavilion. The unfettered party raises significant funds for the city's Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras the following February.

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Sep - Oct 2012 (annual)

Sydneysiders head to the Darling Harbour Fiesta for a long weekend of rumba rhythms and salsa steps. The Latin party fever is contagious - before long you'll be toe-tapping to salsa orchestras, watching jaw-dropping capoeira or joining in a dance masterclass.

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Oct 2012 (annual)

Manly International Jazz festival presents a multitude of concerts on several outdoor stages in the Sydney suburb. Leading bands from around the country perform alongside local student groups and international guest stars.

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