March 2009

Archibald Prize: This prestigious award for portrait painting never fails to provoke
comment and controversy. (Until May at the Art Gallery of NSW)

Sydney Harbour Week: Swim, snorkel, sail, dive and explore in this week of special activities to celebrate the natural beauty and exceptional diversity of Sydney Harbour.

Australian Swimming Championships:
A host of homegrown Olympic champions will battle it out for national titles. (March 17 -22, Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre).

The Greek Festival of Sydney: The annual event stages activities that represent the Greek way of life and the country’s rich cultural and artistic heritage. (Begins March 29)

April 2009

Royal Easter Show: One of the oldest and largest events in Australia features a great variety of shows and competitions including cake competitions, livestock events, dog shows and carnival rides. (April 9 -22, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park).

Australian Fashion Week: Fashionistas can check out the latest spring/summer collections from Australian and Asia Pacific designers.

May & June 2009

Sydney Writers’ Festival: Authors and poets will fly in from around the world to participate in intellectual and cultural forums, readings and panel discussions. (May 18 - 24)

Sydney Italian Festival: Celebrate all things Italian from food and wine to fashion and culture.

Sydney Film Festival: Always a hit with audiences and filmmakers, this June festival showcases contemporary cinema from Australia and around the world.

Football – Australia’s path to the 2010 World Cup continues with the qualifier against Bahrain at the Sydney Football Stadium. (June 10)

July 2009

The Australian International Music Festival: Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the week-long festival boasts jazz ensembles, wind bands, choirs and an international orchestra. (July 6 -12)

Sydney Boat Show: Check out a huge array of pleasure craft, yachts and speedboats that display the marine industry’s finest. (July 30 -August 4, Darling Harbour, Exhibition Centre and Cockle Bay Marina)

December 2008

Japanese Film Festival: This annual showcase of Japanese cinema returns with a lively mix of blockbusters, state-of-the-art anime, horror, comedy and romance. (December 2 - 9)

Bondi to Bronte Ocean Swim: Make a splash at this classic ocean race. (December 7)

MFS Australian Open: Some of the world’s best golfers will head to the Royal Sydney Golf Club for the 2008 Men's Australian Open. (December 11 - 14)

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race: This world-famous yachting spectacular always attracts huge crowds to the Heads. (December 26)

Stay up late to watch the New Year’s Eve Fireworks in the Harbour to welcome 2009.

January 2009

Sydney Festival: Australia's biggest cultural event comprises over 80 events -a bewitching blend of dance, theatre, music, visual arts and multimedia events. (January 10 - 31)

Medibank International: Some of the world's top tennis stars will be in action in this warm-up for the Australian Open. (January 11 - 17)

Australian Youth Olympic Festival: Providing an insight for young athletes to what the Olympics are like, the AYOF will have over 2000 athletes competing from across the world. (January 14 - 18)

Chinese New Year – Sydney’s Chinatown will be crowded with people to welcome the year of the Ox on January 26. Celebrations will include cultural events, lion and dragon dances, performances and parades. Don’t miss the Chinese New Year Dragon boat race in Darling Harbour.

February 2009

Sydney’s own 18 ft skiffs race at Sydney Harbour, JJ Giltinan Championship will be sailed from February 13 - 22.

Mardi Gras: Glitz, glamour and carnival spirit will grip the city with the annual festival that culminates in the famous parade. (February 14 - March 7)

Tropfest 2009: Grab a picnic and watch the final entries from the world’s largest short film festival. (February 22, the Domain)

Twilight at Taronga Concert series: Classical music, jazz and musical theatre will be performed every weekend throughout February and March in this series of open-air concerts in the wild surroundings of Taronga Zoo.

August 2009

City to Surf Fun Run: This 14km run is one of the world’s greatest community fitness events and offers the opportunity for people of all walks of life to participate. (August 9)

Sydney Design 09: The next generation of Australian and international design talent show their work at the Powerhouse Museum.

September 2009

Festival of the Winds: Head down to Bondi Beach and watch the largest and most competitive kite-flying festival in Australia. (September 13)

October & November 2009

Art and About: A unique event celebrating art and the city as artists create a living gallery on Sydney’s streets.

Sydney 2009 World Masters Games Held once every 4 years, the 2009 Masters Games will have about 12,000 international competitors. (October 10 - 18)

October long weekend will see the passion of Latin America in Darling Harbour Fiesta.

Australian International Motor Show: As well as unveiling the latest models, the show provides an insight into the future of vehicle design and new technologies created to make vehicles safer, cleaner and more fun to drive.

Sculpture by the Sea: A three-week outdoor public exhibition of contemporary sculpture and art set against the stunning backdrop of the sea on the Bondi to Tamarama Coastal Walk.

December 2009

The annual Japanese Film Festival will have the best of Japanese film on screen.

Golf: 2009 Australian open will be held at the NSW Golf Club.

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
will start on 26 December at 13:30 from Sydney Harbour. A world-famous yachting spectacular that attracts huge crowds to the Heads.