Sydney school holiday activities kids will actually want to do this July
Sydney school holiday activities this July range from free to ticketed, from indoor to outdoor, and from genuinely fun to genuinely spectacular. Here’s what’s worth booking and what you can just show up for.
Bondi Festival
3rd to 19th July | Bondi Beach and surrounds | Free and ticketed
Bondi goes full winter-wonderland every July, and this year is bigger than ever. The ice rink and the 25-metre Bondi Vista Ferris Wheel are back, plus a packed program of music, comedy, theatre and art across Bondi Pavilion. Dog lovers will want to catch the Paw Parade on 11th July, and the Food Markets run every weekend with local DJs and street food. Most of it is free.
Monster Jump
4th to 19th July | Entertainment Quarter Moore Park and Lyne Park Rose Bay | Ticketed
Australia’s giant inflatable obstacle course is back for the holidays with two Sydney locations. A 280-metre course packed with climbing walls, tunnels, slides and bounce zones — genuinely fun for kids and adults alike.
Kids at the Opera House
Various dates | Sydney Opera House | Ticketed
Three shows worth booking this holidays:
Maa Maa and Nonna’s Kitchen — a warm, funny show about food, family and big feelings. Perfect for little ones.
Pay No Attention — interactive and surprising theatre for curious kids.
Antarctica — an immersive adventure to the frozen south. Spectacular.
Free Kids Harvest and Cooking Classes at Chiswick
8th and 15th July | Chiswick Woollahra | Free
Chiswick is opening its kitchen garden to kids for free harvest and cooking classes. Children explore the garden, pick seasonal produce and make their own flatbread. Runs 10:45am to 12pm. Kids also eat free at lunch on both days with a paying adult. Book ahead, recommended for ages 5 to 12.
Hive Festival at the Art Gallery of NSW
July school holidays | Art Gallery NSW | Free
The Art Gallery’s annual kids festival returns with hands-on workshops, performances and creative activities designed for families. Free entry to the festival program.
Space Play at Carriageworks
July school holidays | Carriageworks, Eveleigh | Ticketed
An immersive space-themed play experience for curious little minds. Part art installation, part adventure — one of the more original things on this list.
Parramatta Midwinter Festival
July school holidays | Parramatta | Various
Parramatta’s winter festival has plenty for families across the holidays. Check the full program for what’s on each day.
Arctic Activity Area, Darling Harbour
16th to 19th July | Darling Harbour | Free
Worth planning ahead for the final weekend of the holidays. Step inside a giant inflatable snow globe with real falling snow, plus free winter face painting for kids. Entry to the snow globe is free with proof of spend at any Darling Square retailer.
