It’s the coldest time of year – perfect for being inside a theatre, gallery or library!
Here are a whole host of ideas for getting some arts into your Winter School holidays, Sydney!
On Sydney’s Stages
Mr Stink
“David Walliams’ award-winning book comes to life!
It starts when Chloe makes friends with Mr Stink, the local tramp. When Mr Stink needs a place to stay, Chloe hides him in the garden shed. Now Chloe’s got to make sure no one finds out! But there might be more to Mr Stink than meets the eye…” Recommended for ages 6+.
When: July 1 – 6 2023
Where: Sydney Opera House
Tickets: $29 – 49 plus booking fee
Spherical
“The Flying Fruit Fly Circus is back with a brand new show where knockabout comedy meets breathtaking aerials. Witness the incredible talents of young performers in this all-round circus extravaganza!” Recommended for ages 5+ There is also a workshop in the Centre for Creativity on some days, which may be booked separately (details in the Creative Workshops section).
When: July 1 – 8, 2023
Where: Sydney Opera House
Tickets: $35 – 49 plus handling fee
Sun Runners
“Get ready for a new immersive digital experience where you, and three friends, become actual characters in the dynamic, daring story Sun Runners.” The experience is approximately 20 minutes. Recommeded for ages 8+.
When: July 1 – 6, 2023
Where: ARA Darling Quarter Theatre (Monkey Baa)
Tickets: $13.75 – 15 plus booking fee
The Twits
“Roald Dahl’s gruesome twosome The Twits, live on stage in a visually-spectacular, delightfully-disgusting, revoltingly-funny production for the whole family.” Recommended for ages 5+.
Where: Glen Street Theatre
When: July 7 – 8, 2023
Tickets: $35
Where: Riverside Theatres
When: July 18 – 20, 2023
Tickets: $33
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
“This delightful production, based on the poignant picture book by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas, adapted and directed by Sandra Eldridge, weaves together captivating storytelling with mesmerising music in an immersive and intimate performance.” Performance time: 30 minutes. Recommended for ages 3-10.
When: July 9 – 15, 2023
Where: Australian Chamber Orchestra – Pier 2/3
Tickets: $35
Wolfgang’s Magical Musical Circus
“Straight from the score and onto the stage, the man known as Mozart appears amid a storm of powder, tumbling and twirling, as musical mayhem and movement fuse in this family show with a circus twist.” Read our review here. Recommended for ages 3+.
When: July 10 -12, 2023
Where: Riverside Theatres
Tickets: $33
The Snail and the Whale
“Join an adventurous young girl and her seafaring father as they reimagine the story of a tiny snail’s incredible trip around the world, inspired by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved picture book.” Recommended for ages 4+.
Where: Seymour Centre
When: July 1 – 2, 2023
Tickets: $41 plus handling fee
Where: The Concourse
When: July 14 – 15, 2023
Tickets: $41 plus handling fee
The Gruffalo’s Child
“If you loved The Gruffalo, don’t miss the sequel, which returns following previous sellout Australian tours – now in a new West End production! Join the Gruffalo’s Child on her adventurous mission in this magical musical adaptation of the much-loved picture book.” Recommended for ages 3+.
When: July 14 – 16, 2023
Where: Seymour Centre
Tickets: $42
Are We There Yet?
“Join 8 year old Grace and her family on their adventurous and often funny expedition around Australia! Following CDP’s successful national tour of Magic Beach, Alison Lester AM’s classic book comes to life on stage, with songs, fun, (and quokkas!) for children aged 3-10 and their adults.” Read our review here.
When: July 18 – 19, 2023
Where: Glen Street Thearte
Tickets: $30
Peter and the Wolf
“Join the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra and the charismatic conductor George Ellis for a captivating performance of Prokofiev’s timeless classic ‘Peter and the Wolf’. This enchanting tale of a young boy and his animal friends will be brought to life through the evocative narration of Australian author and singer-songwriter Josh Pyke.”
When: July 7, 2023
Where: The Concourse
Tickets: $30
Galleries and Museums
Art Gallery of NSW
If you haven’t seen the Archibald Prize exhibit, yet, school holidays are a great time to check out the portraits (ticketed). While there, be sure to take your artsplorers to see their peers in the Young Archies (free). Full listing of the Art Gallery of NSW’s school holidays events, times, as they are updated, and associated costs in the link above.
Museum of Contemporary Art
“Sit beneath gumtree branches and hear tales about plants from story tellers. Become a story teller yourself, by adding a drawing or written reflection to the budding Story Tree. Visit again to see how the Story Tree grows. Family Space: Story Tree is open every weekend and throughout school holidays during The National 4: Australian Art Now exhibition period.”
When: July 1-16
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art, Level 3
Bookings: Drop in – no bookings required
Powerhouse Museum
The Powerhouse Museum (Ultimo) has a full schedule of creative activity for kids over the school holidays. There is a daily drop-in activity exploring string as an art medium. There are also paid workshops, aimed mostly at kids 7+ with topics including digital art and coding. Full details at the link above.
Libraries
State Library of NSW
The State Library of NSW is a great school holidays outing for kids who love books and/or art. They have several activies on during the first week of school holidays, including a live worshop with Matt Cosgove and Eva Amores (Worst Week Ever), an online workshop with author/illustrator Scott Stuart, a short performance of Just Macbeth!, and art making workshops. They will also be running tours of the Imagine picture book exhibit. If you haven’t seen it – and you really should! – now is the time, as it closes after the school holidays. Full schedule and ticketing information in the link above.
Local Libraries
Be sure to check out what’s happening at your local library over the holidays! Many Council libraries will have something on offer for kids – usually for free! Libraries are a great way to get some creative activity in without breaking the bank.
Creative Performance Workshops
Get hands on at performance workshops for kids. These may be eligible activities for using your Creative Kid voucher, as well.
Sydney Opera House’s Centre for Creativity
Included are workshops that still have availability at the time of publication.
Alien Invasion: Join us for a day of imaginative theatre play where we explore how an alien landed upon the Sydney Opera House…
You might witness alien sightings, learn an alien language or even review some hilarious ‘alien security footage’, all in the search for our alien friend. Together, we will find the best ways to draw out our shy little aliens and return them to their alien families. Children will join the Alien Rescue Team in a fun, interactive adventure that weaves its way throughout the Opera House. Keep your eye out though, the alien might be right behind you! These workhsops are recommended for kids aged 5 – 9.
When: 11-12 July. Workshops run approximately 3 hours
Tickets: $50 plus $8.50 booking fee (This is a Creative Kids eligible activity and can be booked with a show)
Let’s Make a Spherical Circus: A Creative workshop with Flying Fruit Fly Circus’ Artistic Director Anni Davey OAM, the brains behind all-clowning musical variety show Spherical, which will teach 9-15 year-olds the six principles of circus. No previous experience required!
When: 3, 5, and 6 July
Tickets: $29
For more Sydney family arts ideas, follow us on Instagram for “What’s On Wednesday” each week in Stories.