A Night Out At The Noodle Markets

A few nights ago, we decided to venture out to Hyde Park and explore the festivities of the Night Noodle Market, that was mentioned in an earlier blog post.
Despite the light drizzle throughout the evening, we enjoyed the aesthetic ambience of the area, the chill music, and of course, the exotic street food available (despite a little overpriced).

Here's a short vlog of what shenanigans we got up to that night.

This vlog was filmed on the Canon EOS 500d by Rebecca with the help of Huong and Tung (the umbrella holder). Tung suggested the idea of filming footage of a festival, and Huong suggested the idea of Night Noodle Markets. Vlog was edited via Final Cut Pro by Rebecca. Robert aided in showcasing the features of the festival and added some light-hearted comedy. 

Oceanic Pro League (OPL) Grand Finals 2015

League of Legends (LoL) is a free to play multiplayer online battle arena, real-time strategy video game developed and published by Riot Games. The game is the most popular online game with 7.5 million concurrent players daily and many tournaments with it's largest prize pool boasting over 2 million dollars. The first ever Oceanic Pro League was hosted this year by Luna Park. 

Despite the main event being the grand finals for OPL at 6pm, the day itself was very festivalesque. Being hosted by Luna Park, there are no individual stalls by the community but they have done a great job with the League of Legends themed food, attractions, games and merchandise.

The day itself was a blast , the weather was great and the community were all having fun with amazing cosplays throughout the day and FREEBIES. The turnout was excellent especially being so the first year of the event, with 1300 tickets to watch the finals live in the Big Top sold almost immediately and free entry for the festive day and to watch it on one of the screens there was a lot of people.

Even if you aren't a major fan of the game, the atmosphere and cosplays are an amazing experience, and it's still Luna Park. My friend and I found ourselves going on the rides in the long breaks between rounds and coming back 10 minutes in a round. The Ranger and Rotor are especially fun.

                                           (video by my handsome friend,  Peter Tran)

If you don't already know what League of Legends is http://www.oce.leagueoflegends.com/ 
I'd go again next year.

Event: OPL Grand Finals 2015

Date: 8 August 2015

Location Luna Park

KYCK

This is a yearly Christian themed festival set in Katoomba for Christian Youth. It is essentially a camp that spans multiple days that focuses on the socialisation of youth as well as Christian teachings for the youth (Years 7 - 12).

Festival activities range from usual camp activities as well as student run ones like card games, spinning and trivia. The main event of course are the religious speakers and their speeches and songs for the Christian youth as they aim to adapt the relevancy of the gospel to a modern and young audience. 

Each youth group is headed by multiple leaders (around young university student age) and each organise and meet up with other at various venues near the main one. This festival also acts as a retreat and chance for the youth to feel more independent and undergo their own personal and spiritual journey.

Event: KYCK

Date: Easter Holidays

Location: Katoomba, Blue Mountains

Ganon's Castle Trials

This is a very small festival/event that is geared specifically towards the NSW competitive Sm4sh Bros community. This weekly event usually involves members playing the game with each other in a more casual, friendly and relaxed format rather than competitive but it does change depending on the week.

A usually week involves the community playing friendly matches and experimenting with different formats depending on community feedback (customs, time, stock formats) as well as legalities of certain game elements. Matches are also recorded in order to be critiqued by the top level power ranked players in order help better the proficiency of the community.

Once a month a competitive event is held with a small guaranteed cash prized for the highest ranked non-power ranking member in order to encourage the growth of our scene and strength of players. This is of course accompanied by a live stream of the event and commentary in order to emulate the pressure of playing at nationals as well as live and recorded feedback.

Now other festival activities involve the traditional pizza party as well as drunk trash talk. This weekly event however is held free of charge and money is only involved when pooling for a cash prize.

Event: Ganon's Castle Trials

Date: Friday (re-ocurring)

Location: Lidcombe, James Street

Balcombe Heights Australia Day Festival

Every year at Baulkham Hills in Balcombe heights during Australia day, the local community holds a festival celebrating Australia day. It is an annual local festival in which the community bands together to commemorate this event.

The festival focuses on entertainment and food. Small concerts are held as well as a variety of showcases and exhibitions. These range from singing, bands, comedy shows, magic shows, martial arts demonstrations and dances. The growing multicultural population of the local area has contributed in the diversifying of events that are present.

The food stalls usually remain as classic hot food such as chips, burgers, sausages but recently have been incorporating Asian and Lebanese food such as rice and noodle dishes as well as kebabs. Accompanying this is a range of carnival-like activities that you would see in a fair. These mini-games range from target practice, ball related scoring events and mock fishing.

Merchandise that can be bought is also your standard fair with show bags for the kids that carry candy and toys alongside plushes and funny hats.

This annual local event is community run has become a local tradition. It does not really focus on the core concept of Australia day but rather just focuses on the newer multicultural Australia and the unity of the community.

Event: Balcombe Heights Australia Day Festival

Date: 26th Jaunuary (re-ocurring)

Location: Balcombe Heights, Baulkham Hills

Sculpture By The Sea

Australians love beaches. They love outdoor activities. 

They feel the freedom to express themselves through arts.

What's a better way to welcome summer by visiting the beach and seeing the arts!!

So here it is, Sculpture By The Sea is back this year for the 19th annual celebration. It's the world's largest sculpture outdoor exhibition and it's one of the most anticipating events in Sydney every year.

This festival may sound like it only serves the arts people, but trust me, a lot of people make a note and take their time out to visit the beach during this festive period. Walking along the coast while enjoying the weather, bonus having all these 'weird' figures surrounded you will definitely be an awesome experience. 

Come and see how imagination can take people go beyond the sky and as crazy as you wonder how on earth they can come up with such a thing!! 

Event: Sculpture By The Sea

Date: 22 Oct - 8 Nov, 2015

Location: Bondi Beach

Newtown Good Food Fair

'Multiculturalism' - that's a big word in Aussie culture! Here you get a taste of everything, from languages, customs, habits, to music,... And of course, FOOD!!

Newtown was known as Thai City, and it's still, but now it's also about breweries, gelato, the nation's best pastries, and a lot more. It's more about the eating and drinking experience you get when you visit this suburb.

As part of City of Sydney Good Food Month, Newtown Good Food Fair this year is doubling its size to cater for thousands of visitors, making its the most popular event in the community calendar. You will be able to sample a wide range of food and drink and experience the local area.

More info on http://www.newtownprecinct.com.au/

Event: Newtown Good Food Fair
Date: 11 Oct, 2015
Location: Newtown Square

Mad Pizza 

Meat feature

Vivid Sydney

Visual Arts people, this event is for you!

Musicians, entertainers, you're gonna love it!

Photographers, you can't miss this!

And YOU, who don't classify yourself into any of these groups above.

Ok, just Ordinary individuals, why not?? Just go and see it!!


One of the best and largest festivals of light, music and ideas in Australia, Vivid Sydney lasts for around 20 days for everyone to come and experience what Sydney's creativeness is all about. And it's all FREE!

Starting off with Vivid Light, Sydney for half a month is transformed into a wonderful land at night with excellent light designing, light projections that make the city become the best outdoor gallery.

Vivid Music brings a contemporary music culture to the audiences where you will have the chance to hear from both local and international artists singing, dancing at the iconic Sydney Opera House and other venues. 

Vivid Ideas is regarded as the annual celebration in Asia-Pacific region for professionals in the creative industries to come together to share their ideas and build up market for the industries. Over the course of the festival, your vision and knowledge will be expanded through news about innovation of technology, architecture, visual arts,performance, animation, etc and advice from the experts.

So see you there at Vivid Sydney 2016!

Stay update! http://www.vividsydney.com/

Event: Vivid Sydney

Date: TBA (2016)

Location: City area 

Night Noodle Markets

Experience a night filled with oriental colours, sounds, and scents of asian food. The Night Noodle Markets are always buzzing with new stalls that experiment in interesting fusion foods, classic asian dishes and lots more for your tasting palette!

With over 50 stalls there is bound to be something for everyone, even a very picky child. This year there will be chances to sample delicious yakitori from Toko, Singhas from Bangladeshi street food kings on Crown Street, as well as the usual favourites; Ramen Zundo, Jugemu and Shimbashi; and Black Star Pastry, and N2 gelato, who will be collaborating to make sensational desserts.

In addition, there will be bars and and a VIP dining area. 

It's free entry so why not spend a night filling your stomach with delicious food that will tingle your tastebuds. You can experience the sizzling sounds, the shining night lights, the smoky atmosphere and the heaving crowds.

If I haven't enticed you enough with the line up of stalls, here's a picture of an ice-cream 'baoger' that will be on the menu for this year's Night Noodle Markets.

An Ice-cream sandwich with a twist!

Event: Night Noodle Markets

Date: October 8-25

Location: Hyde Park Sydney

Harden Kite Festival

You heard it: "KITE"
Oh! "KITE"!
Oh! Childhood!
Oh! Old days!

Almost everyone played kite at least one during their childhood. And when you can make it fly, high and above, you start to dream. You take your dreams flying with the kite. Even all the secrets that no one knows, you tell the kite. It's your messenger carrier to the future, to the spiritual god above, to the world that you want to transform into, etc..

Here's for you, one day to go back. The day you will be brought back to all the sweet memories of being childish. Or to see kids enjoying the activities and you say to yourself "I was once like them".

So come and revive!

More info on http://hardenkitefestival.org/

Event: Harden Kite Festival
Date: 10 Oct, 2015
Location: Harden Picnic Racecourse, Harden, NSW 2587

William Street Festival 2015

The William Street Festival is held in the heart of Paddington, where an array of beautiful boutiques, bars and eateries are waiting to be discovered. A festival that celebrates the street, the unique retailers and the Paddington lifestyle - it's certainly a one-day festival that cannot be missed.

Take a stroll down the street and explore the delicious food, entertainment and activities that will be held on the day. There will be live music, to go with the fashion boutiques in the lounge area.

And for the first time ever, there will be an open air cinema amongst a light projection show.

So come along and enjoy the lively atmosphere of bustling Paddington!

For more information go to the official website.

Event: William Street Festival
Date: Saturday 17th October 11:30am -10pm
Location: William Street, Paddington

Defqon. 1 Festival Australia

Australia's leading hard-dance festival that hones in tens of thousands of people every year and this year was no different. A selection of line-ups that cover electro, hard-style and highly energetic dance music that are not for the faint-hearted.

This year, Australia's red stage drew inspiration from gothic castles, with a red capped roof and grey pillars towering over the stage - it was certainly a sight that turned heads.

Thousands of ravers and electro enthusiasts gathered for a two day festival that would involve immersing themselves amongst music festival-goers and experiencing the creativity of the artists performing. Expectations were certainly exceeded with excited fans dancing and raving like they were born to.

If you couldn't make it to this year's bomb-shell of a festival, here's a snippet of the ending gig.

Event: Defqon Festival

Date: September 18-20

Location: Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith

Orange Wine Festival

Never been to regional NSW before?

Want to know what it means to live among nature?

Are you wine-holic?


Here we go, Orange Wine Festival,  a great chance for you to experience all of the mentioned above.

For 2 week, you will be joining over 80 events, from the much loved favourite Orange Wine Show Dinner, Orange Wine Show Tasting to the Food Night Market. And then for the second time, Wine in the Vines will also take you on the journey with some of the most picturesque vineyard.

Not to mention the fabulous and talented people you will meet. They are amazing fresh producer, restauranteurs, entrepreneurs, etc..  who put together this amazing annual event. You will definitely find a lot of interesting things from them.

Check our their website for more info:
https://brandorange.com.au/project/orange-wine-festival/

Come on!!

Event: Orange Wine Festival
Date: 16 Oct - 1 Nov, 2015
Location: Orange

EB Expo

EB Expo is a yearly festival that revolves around the showcasing of new and upcoming games in an environment that encourages all attendants to experience for themselves. The exhibition is similar to the more popular American event the E3 games conference or Pax but is held on a more local scale and often features similar showcases to these big events. However due to the smaller nature of the event, attendants are able to more fully immerse themselves and experience the games, demos and competitions at this exhibition festival.

This event isn't all purely a games showcase as it also hosts a number of stalls selling things that range from rare and/or seasonal merchandise that often relates to the showcased games or popular culture as well as food and drinks. Events are also common for those who attend to get involve such as panels with famous players and figureheads, cosplay exhibition and friendly/casual tournaments with prizes usually involving free merchandise.

EB Expo remains as an important yearly popular culture event/festival here in Sydney due to the lack of international festivals that Australia is able to partake in. It also acts as promotion for these upcoming games as well as local game stores like EB Games themselves, with the niche of having everyone attending being able to enter any event present.

Event: EB Expo

Date: October 2-4

Location: The Dome, Showground Rd, Sydney Olympic Park

2015 Leura Village Fair

To mark the beginning of spring, we can’t forget the annual Leura Village Fair, which is hold during the weekend following Labour Day.

This year, as usual, the colourful festival is located on Leura Mall and extending into Megalong Street Car park. Not only you have the chance to appreciate the beauty of cherry blossoms, but also there are over 140 stalls selling almost everything from handicrafts, soaps, candles, jewellery, vintage wares, fresh produce, for you to grap some great stuff …

Among all the various things on display at the stalls, you will fully immerse yourself into the atmosphere of festivals with artists showing their talents from drawing to music, providing entertainment catering for both children and adults.

So SAVE THE DATE and take your family and your friends on the road to Leuma!!

Event: Leura Village Fair (aka Leura Cherry Blossom Festival)

Location: Leura Mall

Date: 10-11 Oct, 2015

2015 Sydney Rides Festival

You like fast food??

Well, there’s nothing wrong about liking something. But does it do you any good?

Too lazy to exercise …. Because it is too boring?

Look around you: How many people are overweight?

Just some warning stats that you should care about:

63% Australian adults (2 in 3 people :-www) are overweight or obese – WHAT???

25% Australian children (1 in 4 kids :-www) are overweight or obese – WHAT???

Overweight and obesity is the second highest contributor to burden of disease!

(Source: http://www.aihw.gov.au/overweight-and-obesity/ )

Taking actions NOW!!

Beginning on the 10^th October until the end of the month, with a whole range of activities ranging from Rides the Park at St Peters, Tour de Hunters Hill at Hunters Hill, Light the City at Hype Park, etc…; hopefully this event will encourage you enough to start doing something helpful for your HEALTH.

Check out their website for more info: http://www.sydneycycleways.net/events/categories/sydney-rides-festival/

Event: Sydney Rides Festival

Time: 10-31 Oct

Location: varies

Cabramatta Moon Festival 2015

Cabramatta's Moon Festival this year was a huge success, the weather was perfect - cool but sunny. There was no commotion and everyone was happily celebrating one of South East Asia's biggest celebrations. 

For those who have never been I highly recommend you going next year as the streets are filled with South East Asian culture and colour, an unforgettable

The Festival is extremely easy to get to being right next to Cabramatta train station and with free shuttle buses provided by the council.

9am - 8 pm may seem like a long day but trust me there is PLENTY to do. Food, Stalls, Live Entertainment, Games, Rides and More Food! There is so much for families and friends to enjoy especially as the streets 

However if you're not great with crowds and long waits as the streets are frenzied with around 90 000 people a smaller festival may be a better option to start with. I had to wait 40 minutes for one of the most popular food there Takoyak, however my only regret was not ordering more. Despite all that and walking less than 1km/hr trying to navigate through the sea of people the festival is a frantic, fun and new experience with lots to do and see. 

Live performances ! There were 3 stages of live performances to watch people sing, dance, defy gravity and even fire shows. 

Hurricane

With all the possible things to do on the 11 hour day, my best recommendation is to try the rides ! Especially the Hurricane and Body Rock, a thrilling experience and possibly the only time you'll be off your feet. 

See you next year, Cabramatta ! 

Event: Cabramatta Moon Festival

Date: 27 September 2015 , 9am - 8pm 

Location: John Street, Park Road, Railway Parade and Arthur Street, Cabramatta 

Never Stand Still

Never Stand Still is a recurring social event in which many people of the same interest in video games come together. The event ranges from friendly but intense competition involving real prize money that is chipped in from all participants as well as being a friendly get-together among like-minded people in a festival-like environment.

All participants and entrants all mingle with one another in this all day event as well as eating together. Because of the accessibility of the event, is is extremely easy to become a participant and competitor in this event with the majority of the participants actually being part of the main events unlike most other events and festivals.

This is one of many competition events that happen around Australia, however the scale of this event is larger than most similar local events but smaller than a national scale competition, keeping the local festival atmosphere as well as being very lively. This event occurs regularly, however not weekly or fortnightly like most smaller ones, but instead at the end of every university break as the majority of the crowd are students of sorts. The event also occurs more than the national yearly counterparts.

Never Stand Still is a fantastic example of a local medium scale event with gaming and dining festivities in which people all come together to play and mingle with one another through common gaming interests.

Event: Never Stand Still

Date: 12th September (recurring)

Location: Sydney, UNSW

Sydney Film Festival

Calling all film makers, film viewers, film lovers -

Anything to do with the silver screen actually.

This is the festival you have to go to!

The Sydney Film Festival happens every year and one of the world's longest-running film festivals. A 12-day festival jam-packed with features films, short-documentaries, short films, and animations.

With a prize offering of $60,000, awarded by a jury of five Australian and international filmmakers and industry professionals to the winner among the 12 titles selected for the official competition, the films are bound to be stellar with skill, form, and art.

Fear not if you're not interested in film screenings, there are plenty of other film-related events for to quench your thirst for the cinematic art.

This includes short talks, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, red carpet premieres, panel discussions and themed parties. And if you're a foodie, why not combine your love for food and cinema at unique events like the Gourmet Cinema.

Next year's film guide has not been released however if you'd like to get an idea of how the festival is run, you can access this year's film guide here.

So muster up your film geeks and come along to next year's Sydney Film Festival!

See you there!

Event: Sydney Film Festival

Date: 8-19 June 2016

Location: Sydney (specific screenings/events TBA)

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

What if??

What if they tell you to use your right hand when you are left-handed person?

What if they don’t accept you just because you are from certain background?

What if you can’t advance to the management position just because you are young?

….

Million of ‘what if’s we ask in our life, just to get to the point of FAIRNESS.

So if you can educate people about individual rights, about violence, why not GENDER equality?

By gender, I don’t just mean men and women. I mean, the ‘Others’ option on the form!

Being bisexual doesn’t mean they are less human. They are just unique in their own way!!

…

So here we are, Sydney people, pride on our freedom and our inclusivity.

SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS – one of the most popular festival in Sydney that remains the one truly global gay annual event and a uniquely attractive escape from the Northern Hemisphere winter.

Come and experience!! Fair Day, Party, Parade, are out of your expectation. In a good way or bad way, just remember, YOLO – You only live once!!

So 10,000 people sauntering streets in a dazzling array of sequins, feathers and speedos. 

More than 200,000 people cheer from the sidelines.

Can't get more exciting than that!!!

Event: Sydney Mardi Gras Parade

Date: Saturday 5^th March, 2016

Location: Oxford and Flinder Streets

Sydney Twilight Parade

Think you’re East Asian and you know everything about Chinese New Year?

Think even though you grow up in East Asian culture overseas but familiarise enough with this culture?

Don’t ever ASSUME! Think twice.

Chinese New Year, aka CNY, or Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is always the biggest festival of the year for any Asian countries who celebrate it, naming China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippine, etc. As the name suggested, CNY festival is to welcome a new year, based on the lunar calendar. Sydney claims to be the area has the biggest Chinese population, as such, the CNY in Chinatown Sydney holds up to 600,000 people every year.

The best part of this whole festival in Sydney is the Twilight Parade. If you are new to Sydney, don’t be surprise to see such many people on the street celebrating a distinct festival of a particular culture. And if you are Sydneysiders and you wonder why Sydney Council does this, go and experience it and you will know why.

With lanterns, floats, projections, costumes, and performances lighting up our city, the night is truly remarkable day for all involved. Walking from Oxford Street to Darling Harbour is tiring, but surely, with all the cheering from the audiences filling up 2 sides of the route path, seeing the beauty of Sydney at night, immersing into the cultural celebration’s atmosphere, the images are still vivid for whoever has marched this parade.

 

Even students love it!

Dragon - symbol of the year!

Welcome to the trip!

Do you frequently festivate?

If the answer is no - what are you doing with your life welcome to the trip! Here you will find reviews, guides, and other fun stuff to teach you how to festivate!

If the answer is yes - you've found your lifetime guide to Sydney's greatest (and not so great) festivals!

What is the practice of "festivating"?

According to Urban Dictionary:
"To have a festival, celebrate, and/or party with great zeal and to an almost superfluous extent"

There are so many different types of festivals to suit people from all walks of life, it is our pleasure, as festival gurus to guide you through these fun times!

Meet the team:

(left to right: Tung, Jenny, Robert, Rebecca)

We are a group of uni students with a passion for festivating and we'd like to share a bit of our experiences and thoughts to anyone who also enjoys attending festivals. 

On this blog you will find festivals mainly held in Sydney. We will do our best to bring you the latest information to ensure you are well informed with what's hot and what's not and will add a little splash of our own opinions and views on all sorts of festivals. You can find that we have a range of interests and hobbies amongst us festival gurus, including: music, gaming, food, films, and much more! 

Feel free to leave any comments on what upcoming festivals you'd like us to talk about, or any general topics about festivals.