Bondi Festival, one of winter’s most exciting events is just a week away! The three-week, all-ages arts festival will take in various locations across Bondi from 1-17 July, celebrating local artists, immersive performance and more; all programmed for ultimate play.
Presented by Waverley Council, in partnership with Bondi and Districts Chamber of Commerce, Bondi Festival is a boutique arts and performance festival including a family-friendly entertainment hub.
Featuring performers, storytellers and creators from Sydney and beyond, sharing everything from digital to physical, including new works in unusual places. The famous Bondi Vista Ferris Wheel makes a return to the Festival, providing a birds-eye view over Bondi Beach, and for something different, swap the surfboard for skates and glide around the Bondi Festival Ice Rink.
Opening weekend kicks off with @AbuSalim, a wild, gender-bending, comedy mash-up created by Randa Sayed and hosted at Badlambs Barbershop. Experience a bit of magic each Friday and Saturday night, by hopping on a mystery bus and shuttling off to an undisclosed location for a theatrical séance from magician Harry Milas that promises to be equal parts hilarious and terrifying.
Week two and three are all about contemporary immersive performances. I Liked It, But… from artist Joel Bray transforms the Bondi Bowlo into a pub trivia night, taking contemporary dance out of the theatre and into the Bowlo to see what passes the pub-test. Stroll into Exquisite Corpse at Sparky the Library Van at Bondi Beach for one-on-one storytelling experiences, where this time it’s the young people who sit you down and read you a story from once upon a time. Or pop on your headphones for a walking tour through North Bondi. Curated by kids from Galilee Catholic Primary School in collaboration with grown up artists, discover the magic of their neighbourhood through their eyes.
Closing the festival is Onstage Dating with multi-award-winning performer, theatre-maker and producer Bron Batten. Watch her negotiate first dates live on stage, from the safety of your seat, or volunteer to be part of the action as Bron takes modern romance to the next level.
Like to be a part of the action, but away from the crowds? Download Acqua Profonda: A Trilogy. Available throughout the festival, Acqua Profonda is a trilogy of aquatic dramatic audio works designed to be listened to on the beach. Written by three queer Sydney-based writers, and scored by composer Oliver John Cameron, each story responds in its own way to the depths and truths our oceans and waterways contain. Pop in your earphones, stare at the surf, trust the instructions, and be transported into three different worlds. Not near the beach? Find your own body of water – river, dam, bathtub – and dive in (figuratively).
Each day of the festival allows for spectacular 360 views from the Bondi Vista Ferris Wheel, or encourages family skates and first dates on the world-famous Bondi Festival Ice Rink.
In addition, this year’s program debuts Bondi Festival Local, where local venues present their own arts events, including everything from music gigs to foodie events.
In 2022, Switzerland Tourism returns as Bondi Festival’s Leadership Partner and Hours After return as the Festival’s Branding Partner.
