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Sydney’s mid-July calendar is shaping up as a busy stretch for the city, with the Bastille Festival headlining a run of cultural, culinary and community events spread across multiple venues.
The Bastille Festival will return to Circular Quay and The Rocks from 16 to 19 July 2026, offering four days of French food, wine, art and live entertainment at no cost to attend.
Bastille Festival in its 13th year
Now in its 13th year, the festival will feature more than 130 exhibitors and over 80 dishes, spanning regional French staples such as raclette, escargots and crepes alongside modern French-inspired fare. A range of drink options will also be on offer, including rose bars, mulled wine and a cocktail programme.
Wine will be a central focus through the Taste France x Vin de France programme, which will include tastings, masterclasses and sensory experiences. More than 18 bars will operate across the precinct.
The 2026 edition will expand the festival’s footprint across Circular Quay with a connected musical programme developed in collaboration with the city’s busking initiative. A new French-inspired flea market at Gateway Plaza will showcase vintage finds, artisan goods and community-driven stalls.
More than 110 free performances are scheduled, covering cabaret, live music, roaming acts and French-themed entertainment.
The festival will run on Thursdays from 12pm to 10pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 11pm and Sundays from 10am to 9pm.
Darling Harbour ice rink continues through July
Elsewhere in the city, an open-air ice rink at Darling Harbour is operating daily through to Sunday 19 July. The rink is open to skaters of all ages and is set up with lighting and food options suited to the winter season.
Weekly comedy and NAIDOC Week events
The Comedy Store is hosting Cost of Living Comedy every Thursday through to 27 August. The weekly line-up features a rotation of established acts, surprise guests and newer stand-up performers.
On Thursday 9 July, the Ultimo Community Centre will host Sing with Barayagal Choir as part of NAIDOC Week programming. The session is an interactive musical workshop featuring First Nations songs, stories and cultural content, and is open to the wider community.
Free programming at the MCA
The Museum of Contemporary Art will hold a free open day on Wednesday 15 July, with exhibitions, talks, tours and hands-on activities centred on contemporary art.
The programme includes Healing Scars, a performance work combining music, movement and storytelling to explore First Nations experiences of healing, resilience and connection to Country. A ceramics wheel-throwing workshop for young people aged 12 to 17 is also on the schedule, giving participants the chance to learn pottery basics and take home their own handmade pieces.
A busy stretch for Sydney’s winter calendar
The cluster of events reflects a broader push to draw visitors into the city during the cooler months, with a mix of free and ticketed programming spread across Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Ultimo and the CBD.
