We’re excited to invite you to the night of nights! Bondi Festival 2026 begins with a bang. Join us in celebrating the extraordinary in contemporary art, where innovation, creativity and boundless inspiration draws in the local community and beyond.

The Waverley Art Prize enters its 40th year of celebrating local artistic excellence, championing the outstanding achievements of the arts community and greater Australian contemporary visual arts sector. Come on down to Bondi Pavilion Gallery on Opening Night and soak in the art, atmosphere and magic of imagination. Best of all, find out who this year’s winners are as they are announced on the night!

Please note, this is a free event, but registration is necessary.

Congratulations to this year’s finalists!

Evie Adasal, Ratul Alam, Aisha Alam, Kate Bender, Fergus Berney-Gibson, Jules Bulleid, Deirdre Butters, Louise Carter, Swee Khim Ch’ng, Christine Choi, Karen Coull, Julie Danilov, Viola Dominello, Naomi Droll, Nic Fern, Danica Firulovic, Emily Galicek, Ding Gao, Jane Gerrish, Keroshin Govender, Jaq Grantford, Ash Keating, Anne Leisner, Kathy Liu, Abby McCarthy, Tara McIntosh, Jo Mellor, Alex Niass, Shari Nye, Chris Packer, Matthew Ricci, Fenja T. Ringl, Sofia Scarbolo, Zoe Sernack, Michael Simms, Hui Yuan Christina Sun, Jon Tarry, Thomas Thorby-Lister, Bianca Vern-Barnett, and Lani Westerman.