A Message from our Festival Director

As I write this, the Bondi Festival office is filled with Christmas songs, the smell of freshly baked cookies, and a sort of weary excitement – because it’s been a big year, and we’ve all made it!

For us, 2022 was the year we finally launched our first festival after two years of cancellations. We presented shows within local businesses for the first time, we brought brand-new shows to life in unexpected places, and were chuffed to be able to welcome back our interstate artists and audiences. We were also hammered by Sydney’s wettest July on record (La Niña lives on), and were doing our best to be festival-fit after two years off the wagon. But all that rain didn’t stop you from coming and celebrating with us, with half of our shows completely selling out, and the others not far behind. All in all, it was a cracker, and we’ve got so much that we’re thankful for (we’re shouting about it on our socials with our 12 Days of Thank You).

We’re so proud of what Bondi Festival has become and the direction that it’s heading in 2023, as we celebrate a much-anticipated homecoming – our return to the Bondi Pavilion. Mark the dates in your calendar now – we will be returning 30 June – 16 July 2023. Our full program won’t be on sale until May, but keep an eye out for some exciting announcements in the new year.

Before then, we’re taking a little break – our offices will be closed from Wednesday 21 December – Monday 9 January. A huge THANK YOU for being part of the Bondi Festival family. We love you, we appreciate you and we can’t wait to see you again soon. Wishing you all a wonderful, safe, healthy and happy holiday – I’m crossing fingers and toes for sunshine and swims.

See you by the sea in 2023.

Rachel x