Top 10 Must-See Highlights at Real Festival
Uncover Real Festival’s Top Highlights: fresh experiences and timeless favourites await!
This year's Real Festival takes place on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 September, and there’s an abundance of incredible activities and entertainment awaiting you, your family and friends!
We’re excited to spotlight a few highlights that are absolute must-dos! Some of these are beloved Real Festival favourites, and others are making their debut bringing fresh, thrilling experiences. Each one captures the true spirit of Real Festival, and we’re positive you will love them!
- Friday, September 20 – 4pm to 10pm
- Saturday, September 21 – 12pm to 10pm
1. The Guardians
Making its exclusive first appearance at Real Festival, the larger-than-life art installation will be impossible to miss! Spanning along the riverbank like a maze, it invites you to wander through its immersive spaces. Curated by the Big and Useful Studio, this masterpiece is vibrant - captivating by day and transforms into a magical glow at night.
When: Live during Real Festival
2. Roller Rink by Busways
The hugely popular Roller Rink by Busways returns. Book your FREE 30-minute session (includes skate hire), and glide around the open air rink, under the disco balls to the tunes of the resident rink DJ’s. No Real Festival is complete without a skating session, so get your skates on!
When: Sessions on Friday & Saturday – don’t miss out, book now!
3. Flavours and Feasts!
Treat your tastebuds to a flavour-packed journey and join the feast with exclusive Real Festival dishes and product launches from some of Sydney’s best food trucks! Every dish pairs perfectly with a bespoke cocktail or locally produced beer, to be enjoyed with a stunning riverside view at the Festival Bar.
Little Tokyo, and Penrith favourites Burgerhead are back again and parking next to newbies like The Big Big Aloha and Irie-Caribbean. Enjoy a culinary journey with Italian, Greek, Sudanese, South Indian, Turkish, Hawaiian and Caribbean delights. Caffeine fixes and an incredible line up of desserts are all on the menu.
View the food truck assembly here.
4. Lanterns
Community Lantern
Contribute to creating a giant lantern to celebrate the Platypus, a beloved resident of the Nepean River! On Friday, drop in anytime at the Wharf to participate, and once complete the Platypus will be floated on the river for the duration of the Festival for everyone to enjoy.
When & where: Wharf, Friday - 4pm to 10pm
Floating Lantern Workshop
The whole family can participate in this Saturday workshop designing your own lanterns. Once you have crafted your masterpiece, see it join the grand lantern parade and float it on the river.
When: Saturday, 12pm to 5:30pm – reserve your spot here.
5. Thrilling Performers: Amber Dextrous and Talz Twirlz
Two performers are set to ignite the stage with electrifying fire acts! Amber Dextrous weaves fiery tales with her captivating storytelling and spellbinding performance. Meanwhile, Talz Twirlz is poised to dazzle the night with their spectacular fire-twirling skills and mesmerizing tricks that are sure to leave you entranced.
Make sure to catch BOTH shows at the Kids Zone Stage - they offer wildly different experiences that you won’t want to miss!
Talz Twirlz, Friday 8pm / Amber Dextrous, Saturday 8pm
Thats not all! There are MORE performers, musicians, DJs and dancers ready to take the three stages across Real Festival – read more about our headline acts here.
6. Market Stalls
Stroll through artisan markets and purchase something special that’s been made, grown, sewn, picked, crafted or harvested in the local region. Grab a gift for a loved one or treat yourself to something new and unique– we’re telling you, you deserve it!
View the Market Stall line up here
7. Wondiverse - Build the future
Rediscover the magic of play with Build The Future, where LEGO creativity brings those childhood vibes back to life. This drop in workshop invites you to reconnect and explore endless possibilities with LEGO. Drop in anytime during the Festival - everyone is welcome!
Brought to you by Real Festival partner, Western Sydney International Airport.
When: Drop in, it’s on all day Friday & Saturday
8. Shadow House
Step away from the chaos and into a world of enchantment at this unique performance space and textile art installation, where nostalgia meets creativity. Crafted by hand from recycled lace, curtains, and bedsheets, the Shadow House is a patchwork blanket fort taken to a new level.
Book your spots and be captivated by a mesmerizing shadow puppet show by local artist Bria McCarthy. This sensory friendly offering will capture your imagination and provide a soothing escape into a realm of whimsical shadows and heartfelt artistry.
When: Friday & Saturday, 6.45pm - 9pm / Pre book your spot here.
9. Open Air Arcade
Relive the nostalgia of classic arcade games in our open-air arcade, offering fun for all ages. Featuring old friends like Twin Car Racer, Pinball Machine, Basketball League Machine, Dance Machine, MMA Boxer and King of the Hammer.
When: open during Real Festival
10. Last but not least! We bet you have never experienced the Nepean River like these On-Water Activities!
Dragon Boats: Experience the thrill of dragon boat racing on the river. Join a team or cheer from the shore as the boats race by and catch the showcase race at 2pm Saturday!
Kayak & Stand Up Paddleboards: Experience the beautiful Nepean River from a different perspective with free kayaking & stand up paddling.
When & where: Wharf, Saturday 12 - 5pm
Real Festival 2024 has SO much more in store. MORE entertainment, live music, markets, workshops and a food truck assembly like no other!
For more information and tips on how to plan your epic weekend, visit https://realfestival.com.au/
Don’t forget to tag us while you’re there: #realfestival
Thinking you should stay for both days of Real? Stay and play in Penrith! Check out all our accommodation options on offer, including hotels, holiday parks and self-contained apartments: Places to stay in Penrith.
Visit the Events page for more what’s on | Check out more exciting things to do in Penrith.
