Stories

Festival Stories is where we go deeper on the shows and artists appearing at Sydney Festival.

Bookmark this page for interviews with the artists, behind the scenes stories, top picks from Festival programmers and arts critics, videos, podcasts, playlists and more.

It’s your window into the world of Sydney Festival.

Virginia Gay talks roller derby, body horror and building relationships

Signature wit and wisdom from the writer of Mama Does Derby.

Introducing the Festival Commons 2026 Cohort

Supporting the next wave of curators and cultural convenors.

Peek behind the scenes of Garabari with Joel Bray

The beautiful story behind this joyous modern corroborree

Festival on a shoestring: The free and affordable events of 2026

Low cost, high value summer happenings.

For the music fans: A guide to gigs in 2026

Find the music that will make your January.

Discover the inimitable Lonnie Holley – our music artist in residence at ACO

The kind of music that changes people.

Post-Orientalist Express: A language that dances beyond

Read the artist statement from celebrated choreographer Eun-Me Ahn.

Julia Phillips on Observer Observed

The sculptor discusses her exposing public artwork, coming to Darling Harbour.

The blockbuster, unmissable events at Sydney Festival 2026

Get on the right side of Festival history.

Meet Nadia Odlum, the artist behind our 2026 brand collaboration

Seeing Sydney differently through the eyes of Nadia Odlum.

Welcome to the 2026 program: marking a half century of Sydney Festival excellence

A message from Festival Director Kris Nelson

What's on in October

Spring calendar stacking up.

What's on in September

Here comes the sun, little darlings.

Festival Commons: Seeking the next generation of IBPoC festival-makers.

Community leaders and cultural disruptors assemble!

What's on in August

It's opera, comedy and fashion to the fore this month.

What's on in July

NAIDOC Week, King Street Crawl and more

What's on in June

More events than you can poke a late-night kebab at.

Announcing our new Creative Producer – First Nations

A new leadership role to drive the next chapter of First Nations programming at Sydney Festival

What's on in May

A spectacular month for live events in Sydney, albeit a bit soggy.

Sydney Festival 2026 dates announced

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