Welcome to Autumn, to enjoying the sunny days (hopefully), and looking at last year’s winter wardrobe. Sydney is alight with things to entertain us in May, and some of them are free!
Vivid Sydney – 22 May-13 June
This year’s Vivid again has Dream as its main theme and Lighting of the Sails: Opera Mundi will be illuminating the Opera House 6pm-11pm each night. Curator is renowned French multimedia artist Yann Nguema, with music by Romanian classical and electronic composer Mischa Blanos. Other light projections are: Mythical Mashup by Indigenous artist Brian Robinson at Darling Harbour, Vaiola by Samoan-Australian artist Angela Tiatia at Circular Quay and the Rocks. Another highlight is the 6.5 kilometre-Light Walk and new daytime experiences.
The extensive program from free to paid events can be found here.
Fantastic Film Festival – until 15 May
For lovers of Cinema Without Restraint at the Ritz, Randwick. In its seventh year, I am amazed at the breadth of vampire films and J-horror. Tickets range from $25 per session and you can get the full program and other details here.
Sydney Writers’ Festival – Show Me the Truth – 17-24 May
As well as Carriageworks, there are a number of venues, including Sydney Town Hall, Barangaroo, State Library of NSW and Riverside Theatre, Parramatta. Writers and guests include Melanie Saward as Guest Curator, Barrie Cassidy, Jacinda Ardern, Yann Martel, chef and cookbook author Stephanie Alexander and Roddy Doyle.
Highlights include Art and Culture in the Age of AI on Wednesday 20 May, 8pm-9pm at Bay 20. Cost is $40, $30 Concession. Sydney Writers’ Festival Family Day on Sunday 24 May at Carriageworks Way, 9am-4pm. There will be storytelling and creativity for kids of all ages. Tickets are $10, but there are free kids activities 10am-3.30pm at Bays 22-24.
Lots of free events this year, mostly at Carriageworks, and bookings are essential even for free events. You can pick up a copy of the Festival program at your local library or cinema. Book tickets here.
Flight Path Theatre, Addison Road Community Centre on Gadigal land in Marrickville
This is close to my heart, as I’m also under the dreaded flight path and it will only get worse when Badgerys Creek airport is fully operational.
However, jet boom doesn’t stop creativity and the next offering is Ordinary Days: The Musical, 7.30-9pm, Tuesday 5 May until Saturday 9 May.
The next play will be Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo, Wednesday 20 May – Saturday 30 May, 2026. Tickets available here.
If you want to follow this independent company, contact them here.
Dates for your diary
5 May: International Day of the Midwife
10 May: Mother’s Day
12 May: International Nurses Day
17 May: International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)
21 May: Shavuot
24 May: Pentecost
26 May: National Sorry Day
27 May-3 June: National Reconciliation Week with the theme All In
3-14 June: 73rd Sydney Film Festival. For tickets and information, click here.
Pat Clarke
volunteers@ssh.com.au
