SYDNEY & NSW EVENTS CALENDAR July 2012–June 2013 1 | sydney.com | visitnsw.com CONTENTS ANNUAL SYDNEY EVENTS..................................................................2 On behalf of the NSW ONLY IN SYDNEY IN 2012-2013 ..........................................................3 Government and Destination NSW, I am proud to present the ANNUAL REGIONAL NSW EVENTS ....................................................4 2012-2013 Events Calendar. JULY ......................................................................................................6 AUGUST ................................................................................................8 With such a wide variety of SEPTEMBER ......................................................................................10 activities and entertainment on offer, it’s easy to see why OCTOBER ............................................................................................12 Sydney and NSW are amongst NOVEMBER ........................................................................................16 the world’s premier tourism and DECEMBER ........................................................................................18 major events destinations. JANUARY ............................................................................................20 Tourism and events are a key Events provide a significant FEBRUARY .........................................................................................24 pillar in the NSW Government’s economic boost and flow-on MARCH ...............................................................................................26 plans to rebuild the economy, benefits to NSW and as such, and through Destination NSW, will contribute to the NSW APRIL ..................................................................................................30 the Government is committed Government’s target of doubling MAY .....................................................................................................32 to securing major sporting and overnight visitor expenditure in JUNE ...................................................................................................34 cultural events that appeal to a the State by 2020. variety of international, interstate THINGS to SEE AND DO IN SYDNEY AND surrounds .............36 and local audiences. Welcome and enjoy all that EXPERIENCE REGIONAL NSW .........................................................39 Sydney and regional NSW have Delivering a premium visitor to offer. experience is essential to Disclaimer: Destination NSW advises the details contained in the “Sydney & NSW generate new and repeat Events Calendar July 2012–June 2013” are based on the best available information visitation. That’s why Destination as at time of printing. The “Sydney & NSW Events Calendar July 2012–June 2013” NSW continues to work closely highlights the main events and is not a complete list of the events occurring from July 2012–June 2013. Please consult the relevant ticketing agency/Location for with a broad range of industry ticket prices. Please note that individual activities may be subject to change or partners to secure a strong George Souris MP cancellation without notice. Location capacity restrictions may apply for some calendar of events for NSW. Minister for Tourism, Major individual activities. Check sydney.com or other relevant websites for the latest Events, Hospitality and Racing information. Destination NSW acknowledges and appreciates all photographic Minister for the Arts images supplied by each event owner and their photographers for use in this guide. Photo credits: Anish Kapoor, My Red Homeland (detail) 2003 installation view, CAC Málaga, 2006 wax and oil-based paint, steel arm, motor. Image courtesy and © the artist. Sydney NYE images p.6 & 23 and Chinese New Year image p.29 courtesy of City of Sydney. Sculpture by the Sea p.18 ByeongDooMoon – I have been dreaming to be a tree, 2011, J White. 1 sydney.com | sydney.com | visitnsw.com | visitnsw.com 1 ANNUAL SYDNEY EVENTS Only in SYDNEY IN 2012-2013 The Sydney Events Calendar features a number of signature events that For a short time only – catch these special Sydney events as part of the captivate people each and every year. 2012-2013 NSW Events Calendar. DECEMBEROCTOBER 2012 MARCH 2013 SEPTEMBER 2012 MARCH 2013 Crave Sydney International Food Opera on Sydney Harbour Legally Blonde the Musical – The Addams Family – Australian Festival Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens Australian Premiere Premiere Various venues March Sydney Lyric, The Star Capitol Theatre 1-31 October From 21 September From 9 March NOVEMBER 2012 MARCH 2013 NOVEMBER 2012 MARCH & JUNE 2013 Sydney International Art Series The BMW Sydney Carnival Alexander the Great: 2000 Years of 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Art Gallery of NSW and Museum of Rosehill and Royal Randwick Treasure ANZ Stadium Contemporary Art Australia Racecourses and Newmarket Australian Museum 26 March & 18 June November – April 23 March – 27 April 24 November – 28 April DECEMBER 2012 MAY 2013 JANUARY 2013 JUNE 2013 Sydney New Year’s Eve Vivid Sydney Paris Opera Ballet British & Irish Lions Tour Sydney Harbour Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay and Capitol Theatre Various venues 31 December The Rocks 29 January – 9 February 12 June – 6 July 24 May – 10 June 2 | sydney.com | visitnsw.com 3 ANNUAL REGIONAL NSW EVENTS Every year Regional NSW plays host to a spectacular array of unique entertainment. With welcoming locals and beautiful backdrops, there is and entertaining festivals, high adrenalin sports and exciting family no better way to experience NSW. SEPTEMBER 2012 JANUARY 2013 MARCH 2013 MAY 2013 Deniliquin Ute Muster CountryLink Parkes Elvis Festival Surfest Dungog Film Festival Plains of Deniliquin Parkes Merewether Beach, Newcastle Dungog 28-29 September 9-13 January March May OCTOBER 2012 JANUARY 2013 APRIL 2013 MAY 2013 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 Tamworth Country Music Festival Orange F.O.O.D Week Newton’s Nation Mt Panorama, Bathurst Tamworth Orange Mt Panorama, Bathurst 4-7 October 18-27 January 12-21 April May DECEMBER 2012 MARCH 2013 APRIL 2013 MAY 2013 Jack Newton Celebrity Classic Bluesfest Byron Bay Sail Port Stephens 2013 NCHA Futurity Cypress Lakes Resort, Hunter Valley Byron Bay Port Stephens Tamworth 18-19 December 28 March – 1 April 15-21 April 29 May – 9 June 4 | sydney.com | visitnsw.com 5 Terrain, Bangarra Dance Theatre Aberdeen Highland Games amarcord, presented by Distinctive dance theatre program telling A Celtic display of food, culture Musica Viva the stories of Indigenous Australia. and recreation over two days. The internationally acclaimed a Location Sydney Opera House Location Aberdeen cappella group. Dates 18 July – 18 August Dates 7-8 July Location City Recital Hall Angel Place, Sydney & Harold Lobb Shannons Nationals Concert Hall, Newcastle 2012 LY Australia’s most prestigious car Dates 21-30 July U racing series. J Location Sydney Motorsport Splendour in the Grass Park, Eastern Creek Splendour returns to Byron Bay Dates 14-15 July with three days of knockout talent. Aida Location Byron Bay Verdi’s epic drama of the Dates 27-29 July princess sold into slavery. Location Opera Theatre, Sydney The Rocks Aroma Festival Opera House Escape to a world of coffee, Dates 17 July – 13 October chocolate, tea and spice. Location The Rocks, Sydney Dates 29 July SYDNEY was NAMED ‘WORLD’S BEST Festival 6 | sydney.com | visitnsw.com AND EVENT City’ IN both 2010 AND 2011 7 Byron Bay Writers’ Festival Australian Surf Festival The annual gathering of writers Over 400 surfers compete for the and literary lovers! Australian Titles. Location Byron Bay Location Port Macquarie Dates 3-5 August Dates 11-25 August Flair Fashion Awards The Sun-Herald City2Surf ST 2012 Festival of fashion including Elite athletes and beginners take U Australia’s largest regional on the world’s largest fun run. fashion awards. Location Hyde Park to Bondi G Location Taree Beach, Sydney U Dates 4 August Dates 12 August A Fireside Festival The Life of Patrick White Celebrate all that’s good A wide ranging conversation about winter. about Patrick White from a Location Yass Valley personal perspective. Dates 4-26 August Location State Library of New South Wales, Sydney Coffs Coast Cycle Challenge Dates 15 August Eight race categories ranging from elite through to family friendly. Russian Passions - Location Coffs Harbour Rachmaninoff & Tchaikovsky Sydney Symphony provides a Dates 5 August bewitching and exhilarating concert. Roger and Hammerstein’s Location Sydney Opera House South Pacific Dates 15-17 August The Tony Award® winning production is heading to Sydney! Spring Dance Festival 2012 Location Sydney Opera House From acclaimed international Dates 8 August – 9 September artists to amazing local talent. Location Sydney Opera House World Time Attack Challenge Dates 20 August – 2 September A race against the clock, featuring big-money and 2012 V8 Supercars modified vehicles. Championships – Round 9 Location Sydney Motorsport See all of the best drivers in the Bledisloe Cup Festival Park, Eastern Creek country battle it out. A week-long calendar of events in Sydney Dates 10-11 August Location Sydney Motorsport building up to the Bledisloe Cup Test. Park, Eastern Creek Location Various venues across Sydney Dates 25-26 August Dates 10-18 August IN 2012, SYDNEY placed 3RD IN THE world’S ‘Ultimate Sport City’ RANKING 8 | sydney.com | visitnsw.com by SportBUsiness 9 2012 International Great Art