Best Sydney Fringe Festival Events: Must-See Events in 2024

She’s back, baby! Sydney Fringe Festival, our city’s largest independent arts festival has announced its epic lineup for 2024. With over 400 events spread over four new entertainment precincts, this is a love letter to Sydney’s arts community.

There is no shortage of engaging events for local art lovers and festival fans. The whole festival line-up is well worth a read but, to whet your appetite, here are our top picks of the best Sydney Fringe Festival events happening this year.

27 Club

Winner of the ‘Best Music Award’ at this year’s Adelaide Fringe Festival, 27 Club is a musical tribute to the rock legends of the notorious club. Staring Sarah McLeod, Kevin Mitchell, Carla Lippis and more, these musical talents will entertain with this epic set.

Featuring music from Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain and Jim Morrison, it promises an hour of non-stop ballads and rock anthems that will have you dancing out of your seat. 

August 30th – September 29th, tickets from $59

Spiegeltent Festival Garden, Entertainment Quarter

Emerging Artist Sharehouse

The next generation of artists is shacking up in the Emerging Artist Sharehouse in Erskineville for a month of avant-garde performances and storytelling. There are 50 unique performances on offer so, if you’re lost on where to start, begin with our favourites.

An Apprentice from Western Sydney follows the true story of a Western suburbs tradie starting his apprenticeship in Sydney’s prestigious east, Hemlines is a proactive theatre performance questioning the way our lives thread together and form our identities, and Nepo Baby highlights the first steps of a woman outside of her mother’s famous shadow, touching on the Australian media landscape and mummy issues.

September 3rd – 29th, ticketed and free events.

Erskineville Town Hall, 104 Erskineville Road

GODZ

GODZ is the daredevil, gasp-out-loud performance of high-level stunts and heroic strength combined with Ancient Greek storytelling and impressive circus acts. These comedic acrobats shock the crowd with their skills as the likes of Greek gods Hercules and Cupid flip, twist and fly through the air.

It’s spicy and surprising, making this a must-see Sydney Fringe Festival event.  

August 30th – September 15th, tickets from $53

Spiegeltent Festival Garden, Entertainment Quarter

Sideshow

The Rocks are putting on a show for Sydneysiders with three weeks of comedy, theatre, music and installations with a selection of free and ticketed events. And with easy access to some of the best bars and restaurants in the CBD, this sideshow could even challenge the main event.

Highlights include Alice Terry’s chaotic and immersive artist-behind-the-scenes show 9-5, watching two actors play the entire cast and tell the story of Romeo & Juliet in just 10 minutes, and visiting Lola’s Piano Bar, the favourite pop-up of the festival with singing and cabaret taking over the rocks all month!

September 5th – 29th, ticketed and free events

The Rocks, Sydney CBD

Soweto Gospel Choir

Your spirits will be lifted almost immediately as the Soweto Gospel Choir take the stage and performs a series of South African freedom songs with their inspiring concert, Hope.

This triple-grammy-winning group (no biggie) celebrate the unique sounds of African gospel music, finding talent from the churches of Soweto to share joy through music. Performing songs inspired by Nelson Mandela’s Freedom movement and Martin Luther King’s Civil Rights Movement, expect ballads from Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder to fill your cup with happiness. 

September 3rd – 25th, tickets from $69

Spiegeltent Festival Garden, Entertainment Quarter

Made in Sydney

Supported by Young Henrys and presenting the emerging local talent of Sydney, Made in Sydney returns for its fifth year, giving artists a stage in circus, dance, theatre and cabaret.

Each artist is given two weeks to perform to a crowd at the PACT Centre in Erskenville, with Fringe attendees getting the chance to see something special and support locally.

One event we are eager to catch is Klub Kloori, where talented Aboriginal musicians set the stage alight with a fire ceremony, all-day music and a lively Coorboree over a weekend.

August 30th – September 28th, free and ticketed events.

PACT Centre, 107 Railway Parade, Erskenville

Fringeville

For one night – and one night only – the folks of Southwest Sydney are treated to a feast of Fringe and Fringe adjacent performances celebrating culture and creativity at Fringeville.

With tasty street food and food trucks, interactive workshops, dancing, singing, acrobatics and live music, this Sydney Fringe Festival Event is perfect for the whole family, full of wonder and joy.

Friday 20th September, 6 pm, free event

Hurstville Plaza, 296 Forest Road, Hurstville

POOF DOOF Drag Brunch Club

Arguably providing the most fun you will have at the Fringe Festival, POOF DOOF is back with its iconic Drag Brunch Club, and there is no better way to start your afternoon.

Join hosts Miss Danni Issues and Ruby Slippers for a non-stop party of drag, burlesque, circus acts, DJs and debauchery. With each ticket including a mimosa on arrival, this is the hottest event for cheeky fun with the girls. 

Every Saturday from August 31st – September 28th

Tickets from $49, 18+ event

Spiegeltent Festival Garden, Entertainment Quarter

We’re All Mad Here

Prepare to be amazed by the acrobats in the making at We’re All Mad Here. For one night only, Sydney Trapeze School presents their talented youth troupe to the Fringe Fest with a cabaret-style performance.

The acrobats, aged 10-18, will dazzle the crowd with their skills, but with a touch of madness for each performer, this is a high-energy circus show with a twist! 

August 31st, 4 pm – 5 pm, tickets from $39

Spiegeltent Festival Garden, Entertainment Quarter

While checking out the best Sydney Fringe Festival events, make a night of it with Sydney’s best food and drink offerings. Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered with the best new restaurants and bars.