Blacktown City is set to mark a major milestone in 2025, as the Blacktown City Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary - five decades of fun, family and community pride.
What began in 1975 as a small event has grown into one of the largest and longest-running community festivals in Western Sydney, showcasing the vibrant diversity, creativity and spirit of Blacktown.
The Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Brad Bunting, said the 50-year celebration is an opportunity to reflect on the Festival's proud history and it's time to look to an even brighter future.
"For 50 years, the Blacktown City Festival has brought our community together," Mayor Bunting said.
"It has evolved from humble beginnings into a signature event that attracts thousands of visitors and highlights everything that makes Blacktown City such a diverse and welcoming place."
This year's Festival will be bigger than ever, with events across May culminating in the Blacktown City Streets Alive and Parade Day on Saturday 31 May 2025 in the Blacktown city centre.
Streets Alive and Parade Day promises something for everyone, live music, street performers, rides, food trucks, market stalls, roving entertainers, and family-friendly activities.
In honour of the 50th anniversary, the festival will also feature special exhibitions and storytelling projects, highlighting the people, places, and moments that have shaped the event over five decades.
Festival Highlights:
- Grave Secrets Ghost Tour: held at St Bartholomew's Church and Cemetery, Prospect, on Saturday 3 May. Built in the 1830s, this historic site sets the scene for a spine-tingling evening of storytelling and ghost-hunting, guided by paranormal experts. The 3.5-hour experience explores eerie tales and colonial-era mysteries, and is expected to sell out.
Vibes by the Lake: Sunday 4 May, Nurragingy Reserve, Doonside. This event features top R'n'B and reggae musicians set against the serene backdrop of one of our city's most beautiful reserves.
- Blacktown Festival Comedy Night: prepare for an evening of laughter on Friday 9 May at Blacktown Workers Club, headlined by comedy master Simon Kennedy and supported by Aditya Gautam, Ben Darsow, Lizzy Hoo, Dilruk Jayasinha and Danielle Walker.
- Sweet Indulgence Dessert Festival: Friday 16 May. The Village Green in Blacktown will transform into a dessert lover's paradise, offering delectable treats and live entertainment.
- Swingin' Sounds: Sunday 18 May, Blacktown Showground. Rat Pack Reloaded is a great afternoon of big band swingin' fun. All the iconic hits like That's Amore, New York New York, My Way, Feeling Good, Volare, Viva Las Vegas and Come Fly with Me. Rat Pack Reloaded is hailed as the most entertaining feel good show of the year.
- Blacktown City Medieval Fayre: celebrate the 20th year of this festival favourite on Saturday 24 May and Sunday 25 May at Nurragingy Reserve. See knights in shining armour compete in epic battles of strength, skill and bravery in both stand-up battles and incredible jousting competitions, which features riders from all over the country fighting for the title. Immerse yourself in medieval culture through the feathered friends show, medieval displays, combat artillery, handmade arts and crafts, a working blacksmith and woodturners village and medieval-themed food. All the pageantry of a bygone era. An event not to be missed.
- Seniors Concert - Bublé to Brightman: a musical journey on Tuesday 27 May celebrating classics from Michael Bublé to Sarah Brightman. An unforgettable experience at Blacktown's Bowman Hall.
- Dorothy the Dinosaur & Friends Show: Wednesday, 28 May, Bowman Hall, Blacktown. Romp Bomp a Stomp with Dorothy the Dinosaur and her friends including Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus. Get ready for a mega mix of Wiggly dance hits including all The Wiggles' greatest hits like Rock-A-Bye Your Bear, Hot Potato and Do the Propeller.
- The Last Coconut Drifted with Morgan Hogg: open until 21 June, Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre. Cook Islands artist Morgan Hogg weaves stories of culture, family and heritage in this powerful display. Step into a world of sound, video, carving and community where every piece tells a story passed from one generation to the next.
- Streets Alive and Parade Day: concluding the festival on Saturday 31 May, the streets of Blacktown will come alive with performers, markets, and children's activities, showcasing the diversity of our community.
Blacktown City Libraries is celebrating the history of the festival with an exhibition showcasing memorable moments from the last 50 years.
With more events than ever before including theatre, workshops, craft markets, exhibitions, music showcases and more, the 2025 Blacktown City Festival promises to be a landmark moment in the life of the city.
To view the program, book tickets and find out how to get involved, visit:www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/festival.
