Festival by the River
Celebrate life on the river with a range of events, activities, self-guided walks as well as digital artworks and displays.
This year's Festival program has launched! Check out all the details below:
Download the 2021 Festival by the River program
Download a text only version of the 2021 Festival by the River program
Ticketed events are listed below however view the full program for other exciting activities taking place this November:
Frog Calls: Celebrating Frog ID Week
Thursday 4 November, 7:00pm - 8:00pm, online via Zoom
Did you know every frog has a unique call? Frogs are more often heard than seen and with more than 240 species in Australia, that’s a lot of noise!
From ground-dwelling toadlets to agile tree-frogs, these amazing creatures can tell us a lot about our environment. Scientists are gaining more information than ever about our frogs thanks to Citizen Science project FrogID. Celebrate FrogID Week and discover fascinating facts about frogs with Nadiah Roslan from the Australian Museum including how you can use FrogID to help put frogs on the map.
Book online.
Animals of the Dreaming
Saturday 6 November, 10:00am - 11:00am, Waterview Community Centre, 314 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove
Meet amazing native animals, each with their own special character. Hear stories and songs about native animals and the Dreamtime as told by Brewarrina Aboriginal Elder Col Hardy OAM.
Book online.
Saltwater Country, Saltwater People
Friday 12 November, 11:00am - 12:00pm, online via Zoom
Discover more about the Cameraygal and Wallumedagal clans of the north shore region and how the Indigenous people of this area of Saltwater Country used the marine environment of the harbour and rivers. Join Karen Smith from the Aboriginal Heritage Office as she shares her knowledge of Aboriginal culture, kinship and connection to Country.
Book online.
Festival by the River Screen on the Green - Song of the Sea (PG)
Friday 12 November, 6:00pm - 9:00pm, Burns Bay Reserve, Riverview
Sit back and enjoy this unique water-based adventure movie as part of Festival by the River.
Song of the Sea (PG) follows young Irish boy Ben, and his little sister Saoirse, a girl with a unique ability, go on an adventure to free magical creatures and save the spirit world. Based on Irish folklore the film follows the pair's daring journey in an attempt to return home to their home by the sea.
Entry will start from 5:00pm with your ticket indicating your 15 minute window to enter the event space with the movie commencing at 6:00pm.
Book online.
HarbourCare's River Restoration
Sunday 14 November, 9:30am – 12:00pm, Tambourine Bay Park, Riverview
This guided, land-based clean-up will see us collect litter through creeks, parks, mangroves and bushland, all while enjoying a beautiful bushwalk. Clean-ups are a great way to bring the community together, make a real impact to the natural environment, and start the conversation about reducing litter at the source. All ages welcome.
Book online.
Celebrate diversity and inclusion this March with Autumn Harmony. The month-long annual Festival features workshops, film screenings, yoga sessions, Art Month exhibitions, talks and more for the whole community to enjoy!
Download the 2021 Program (PDF)
Sunset in the Village: January - February
Take advantage of the warmer months and enjoy free film screenings, live music, local bushwalks, creative workshops, public art and more! This program also includes the popular annual Lunar New Year celebration.
Download the 2021 Program
The Gai-mariagal Festival was founded in 2001 and aims to raise awareness of First Nations People living in the Northern Sydney region.
The festival starts on Sorry Day, 26 May and goes through to the end of NAIDOC Week; the second week in July each year.
