Sydney Shimmer Festival 2022
Every day, all day Thursday 13 October 2022 to Sunday 16 October 2022
Visit the website for the evolving programme.
Sydney Shimmer Festival is a four-day celebration of the Darlinghurst, Oxford Street precinct. The free event will span across 13-16 October and will feature performances, live entertainment, food and drink, a range of kids activities and creative workshops.
The festival will occupy Taylor Square, Forbes and Bourke Streets, up to Burton Street and connect through to Oxford Street through immersive and interactive performances with art installations, roving performers, creator and makers markets, music, food and drink. Sydney Shimmer Festival will feature local businesses showcasing the best of what Darlinghurst has to offer across four epic days.
Sydney Shimmer Festival will include interactive, live performances by Melbourne neo-soul boss WILSN; Wadawurrung man and October Records producer Moss; high-energy cabaret, comedy and dance show Aerobicide; drag superstar of your dreams Jimi The Kween; show diva and ultimate premiere party hostess BeAvantGarde; dynamic local duo hygge; and rising star Clarissa Mei. Vocal looper and beatboxer Tanya George will bring electro soul-pop vibes, and Oxford Street royalty DJ Sveta will make an appearance on the decks, with a full programme and line-up to be announced in the coming weeks.
Sydney Shimmer Festival is proudly funded by the NSW Government as part of the CBDs Revitalisation Program.
Member of the Legislative Council Chris Rath said: “As Sydney emerges from two years of hard lockdowns, the tourism, hospitality, arts and live events sectors are working hard to rebuild - and particularly to generate activity around the night time economy. This sentiment presents an exciting opportunity to bring the Darlinghurst and Oxford Street precinct back to life through the Sydney Shimmer Festival - a festival that advocates for inclusivity, celebration, community and fun.
“The NSW Government’s $50 million CBDs Revitalisation Program is reigniting social connection and economic activity in urban centres across Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, through a range of arts, music, food and beverage and cultural events.”
A Festival Gala Dinner will be held on Thursday 13 October to kickstart the festivities. An evening of sparkle and sauce, the ticketed event includes a delicious three-course Claire’s Kitchen meal accompanied by a cabaret show performance by crowd-favourites, The Carpenters of Kempsey. Tickets are $105 per person excluding drinks.
The Sydney Shimmer Festival will officially commence on Thursday 13 October and conclude on Sunday 16 October. Visitors are encouraged to come sparkled and shimmered-up and celebrate the rich culture of the Darlinghurst precinct. Vibrant streetscapes, a collaboration of creatives, and local businesses that will bring the precinct to life over an epic four days for all generations to enjoy.
“The Sydney Shimmer Festival marks the beginning of a new era for the Oxford Street and Darlinghurst precinct, which will contribute to the vibrancy of the City and the night-time economy. It’s time to get out and enjoy Darlinghurst again, to celebrate this beautiful and resilient precinct,” says Michael Rodrigues, 24-hour Economy Commissioner.
Sydney Shimmer Festival is produced and directed by Electric Confetti, VEE Agency and Claire Edwards.