Sydney Fringe Festival 2023

Sydney Fringe Festival, the city’s largest independent arts festival, has today announced its full program of over 400 events and 12 festival hubs across the city from 1 – 30 September 2023. Tickets are now on sale for the full line-up of events, with highlights including a special performance by iconic Australian band Rogue Traders for Fringe Ignite, acclaimed local and international shows presented across Made in Sydney and the Touring Hub, Fringe’s first ever Dance Hub at Sydney Dance Company, and the return of the pioneering micro-festival LIMITLESS celebrating d/Deaf and disabled artists.

On Saturday 2 September, the Festival kicks off with Fringe Ignite in The Rocks, a free street party headlined by the iconic Rogue Traders. Showcasing the best of Fringe comedy, cabaret, music, dance and more, artists will descend on the historic cobblestone laneways, sandstone buildings, and pop-up stages. The Rogue Traders will take to the Argyle main stage, alongside live performances by The Great West, False London, MUNGMUNG, PEPTALK and DJ Victoria Anthony.

The Sydney Fringe Cabaret Club returns to the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel with a month-long program of fabulous cabaret shows, including legendary Australian cabaret performer Naomi Eyers, creator of the acclaimed cabaret group The Fabulous Singlettes, who brings her show GlamourPussy & The Hip Replacements. Sparkling with glamour, the show will feature well-worn favourites, original songs as well as rewritten classics. Plus join drag royalty Hannah Conda, Charisma Belle, and Carmen Geddit for an unforgettable night of glamour, empowerment, and fierce talent; and experience a mass karaoke sing along at Loafaoke, where everyone is encouraged to join in, and the only options are Meatloaf songs.

An eclectic and vibrant line-up of First Nations artists will present works throughout the Festival, including proud Ngarrindjeri/Bungandidj man and choreographer Lewis Major, who brings his intimate one-to-one performance work Lien to Fringe’s first-ever Dance Hub. Presented at Sydney Dance Company’s Neilson Studio across 48 sessions, Lien is an intimate exchange between Major and one audience member, who come together on an empty stage for a singular ten-minute encounter, never to be repeated. Further highlights include Wiradjuri artist Brianna McCarthy’s solo show Dragon Hearts playing at Riverside Theatres in Parramatta, a magical retelling of the ancient mythology of dragons through shadow puppetry, and weaving workshops with Wiradjuri woman and artist Peta-Joy Williams.

CEO and Festival Director Kerri Glasscock shares:

“We are incredibly excited to present the full program for this year’s Sydney Fringe Festival, which has shaped up to be one of our most dynamic and diverse. Now in my tenth year as Festival Director and CEO, I have seen our festival community continue to expand, explore new terrains and push boundaries with each iteration. We can’t wait for audiences to experience the innovative works as part of the festival-first Dance Hub, our hand-picked shows for Made in Sydney, plus our fabulous new precinct takeover at Entertainment Quarter. Taking over the city for an entire month, Fringe has something for everyone!”