Five Family-Friendly Events to Add to Your January 2025 Calendar
5 Family-Friendly Events to Add to Your January 2025 Calendar (No, You Won’t Be Bored)
January’s coming in hot, and if you’re already planning your escape from the endless “I’m hungry” and “Can we go to the park?” requests, we’ve got the perfect antidote. We’ve rounded up five epic family-friendly events across Sydney that’ll keep the kids entertained and, dare we say, actually make you look forward to the new year. From outdoor movies to an ancient Incan exhibit, these events will give you all the excuses you need to ditch the couch and hit the town. Ready to kick off 2025 with a bang? Here’s what’s on…
🌟 Machu Picchu Exhibition at the Australian Museum
Australian Museum, until February 2025
Best for: Primary school to high school kids
Step into the world of ancient Peru with the Machu Picchu Exhibition at the Australian Museum. This world-class exhibit brings the mysterious Inca civilisation to life, featuring rare artefacts and immersive experiences that transport visitors straight to the heart of one of the most iconic archaeological sites on Earth. It’s the perfect mix of adventure, history, and culture, making it an exciting and, dare we say it, educational outing for families (just don’t tell the kids!)
Why you shouldn’t miss it: It’s an interactive journey through the history of Machu Picchu and the Inca Empire, complete with stunning 3D projections, original artefacts, and an insight into ancient cultures that will captivate adults and kids. The exhibition is designed to engage kids aged 6 and up, with plenty of opportunities for them to get hands-on with the history.
Top Picks:
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- Machu Picchu 3D Experience: A virtual tour that lets kids explore the site as if they were standing on the mountaintop themselves. It’s an exciting way to bring history alive.
- Inca Exploration Stations: These interactive stations let kids learn more about the Incan way of life, from agriculture to engineering marvels, and how they built the famous mountain city.
🌟 Sydney Festival 2025
Various Locations, January 2025
Best for: Toddlers through to teens
If you thought our harbour city couldn’t get any better, the annual Sydney Festival adds that extra sprinkle of cultural pizzaz. This year, expect another a jam-packed program of activities, performances, and interactive art that caters to all age groups and interests.
Why you shouldn’t miss it: With events across the city, including free outdoor performances and family-friendly installations, it’s a brilliant opportunity to immerse the kids in art and culture whilst having a blast together.
Top Picks for Kids:
- Swing! Circus at Darling Harbour Palm Grove, Darling Harbour, 4 – 25 January Prepare to be amazed by the aerial acrobats at Swing! Circus at Darling Harbour. The Sydney Trapeze School will showcase their high-flying acrobatic talents in two free shows each day. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also take part in the action with flying trapeze lessons or circus skills workshops.
- Colour Maze, Pier 2/3, 4 – 25 January 2025. The Colour Maze is a visually stunning and interactive experience that’s perfect for sparking creativity in young minds. Inspired by the “Tongpop” aesthetic of Sydney Festival’s Visual Artist in Residence, Telly Tuita, this immersive maze allows kids to explore a world of vibrant colour and visual art through hands-on activities. It’s an engaging space for children of all ages to interact with art and discover their own creative potential.
- Animal, Riverside Theatres, 3 – 12 January 2025. Animal, presented by Québec’s beloved Cirque Alfonse, is a barnstorming circus show that brings farmyard antics to life in the most imaginative way possible. Chickens with teeth, ducks giving side-eye, and cows kicking up more than just dirt are just some of the wild and wacky moments in this family-friendly extravaganza. Expect high-flying acrobatics, juggling (from eggs to giant cowbells!), and toe-tapping live folk music. It’s a hilarious, high-energy show that will have the whole family laughing and cheering.
🌟 Flickerfest 2025
Bondi, 17-26 January
Best for: pre-schoolers/primary school kids through to teens. Flickerfest films are ideal for a 15+ audience, and Flickerkids suitable for 5-12 years.
Set in Bondi Beach but with its roots in the Inner West, Flickerfest, which began as a local festival at Balmain High School in 1991, has grown to become a nationally and internationally recognised short film festival attracting thousands of entries globally. So, whilst the 2025 program is yet to be announced (on December 18 to be exact), you can bet the quality of the films will be exceptional.
Why you shouldn’t miss it: With its mix of fun, culture, and family-friendly vibes, Flickerfest 2025 is the perfect way to introduce your kids to the world of cinema. Whether you’re relaxing under the stars at Bondi Beach or watching animated characters spring to life, Flickerfest brings the whole family together – so grab your picnic blankets, your fave snacks, and your little movie buffs for a night of short film magic.
Flickerfest 2025: The Best Family-Friendly Events
- Flickerfest Family Fun Shorts (January 2025 dates to be announced)
Perfect for toddlers and primary school kids, this collection of animated and live-action shorts features whimsical characters, colourful visuals, and heartwarming stories. A great way for kids to discover the magic of film.
- Flickerfest Kids Animation Extravaganza (January 2025 dates to be announced)
Ideal for primary and tween-age kids, this session showcases stunning animated shorts from around the world. Expect quirky characters and visually captivating animations that will fuel your child’s creativity.
- Flickerfest Under the Stars (January 2025 dates to be announced)
Watch family-friendly films in the open air at Bondi Beach. With ocean views and the evening sky above, it’s the perfect setting to enjoy films with the family. Pack a blanket, snacks, and enjoy a relaxed night out.
- Flickerfest School Holiday Special (January 2025 dates to be announced)
For older kids, this mix of fun and educational films will keep them entertained whilst exploring themes of kindness, courage, and the environment. Perfect for starting meaningful family discussions.
💡 Tip: Check the Flickerfest website from 18 December for the full 2025 program line-up but tickets can be purchased in advance
🌟 Lunar New Year Celebrations at the City of Sydney
Various Locations, dates to be announced but typically from mid-January to early February
Best for: All ages
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydney’s Lunar New Year festivities, a stunning array of cultural events that bring the streets of the city to life. With parades, dazzling light installations, and traditional performances, it’s an experience the whole family can enjoy.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss It: The City of Sydney’s Lunar New Year celebrations are famous for their lively street festivals, including dragon dances, firecrackers, and delicious food markets. Kids will love the colourful parades, while parents can enjoy a wide range of cultural activities and performances.
Top Picks for Families:
- Lunar Lanterns at Circular Quay: Marvel at the gigantic illuminated lanterns that line the streets, with each lantern representing an animal from the Chinese zodiac.
- Lunar New Year Parade: A spectacular procession of dragon dances, music, and floats that wind through the streets, marking the beginning of the New Year.
- Family Activities at Chinatown: From calligraphy workshops to traditional tea ceremonies, there’s plenty to engage kids in cultural experiences.
🌟Mov’in Bed Beach Cinema, Barangaroo
Barangaroo Reserve, until March 2025
Best for: Primary school to high school kids
Warm nights, harbour views, family-friendly films – what’s not to love about Mov’in Bed Cinemas? This year’s Mov’in Bed Beach Cinema experience will see Barangaroo transformed into a city beach complete with 280 tons of white sand and 120 queen-size and 50 king-size cloud-like beds. Don’t worry – pillows and blankets are included!
Why you shouldn’t miss it: The atmosphere at Barangaroo is perfect for families – laid-back and scenic, with live food trucks, picnic spots, and plenty of space to spread out and relax.
Top Picks:
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- Wicked, Sonic 3, Moana and Mufasa: The Lion King
🌟 Sydney Symphony Under the Stars, Parramatta (part of the Sydney Festival)
The Crescent, Parramatta Park, 18 January 2025
Best for: Primary school to high school kids
Does anything say a Sydney summer more than an outdoor concert? Picture you with the kids, a picnic hamper brimming with goodies, sitting under the stars in Parramatta Park’s stunning natural, outdoor amphitheatre. Can it get better? How about a free firework display at the end of the night? Yep. You read that right.
This iconic, free outdoor concert features the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, playing a range of beautiful classical pieces that the whole family can enjoy.
Why you shouldn’t miss it: This is one of the best ways to introduce kids to the power and beauty of live classical music in an easy-going, outdoor setting. It’s a perfect blend of culture and entertainment, plus a rousing firework finale!
Top Picks for Families:
- Pre-concert Activities for Kids: Arrive early and check out Parramatta Park – dotted with gardens, museums and historic sites, not to mention Paperbark and Domain Creek Playgrounds, a visit to the park is the ultimate day out adventure.
- The Performance: Enjoy an inspiring evening of music, with works by some of the world’s most famous composers, from Mozart to Tchaikovsky.
Which of these are you most excited about? Leave a comment below or email us at info@theinnerwestmums.com.au
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