What’s On

Welcome to our events, exhibitions and showcase listing page. If you have a special showcase, exhibition or event that you’d like us to promote on this page, please email us the full details of the program along with the relevant photos to editor@dailystraits.com. We accept listings from around the globe, just be sure to shoot us an email with the complete details and we will do the rest.

SXSW Sydney Expands Music and Podcast Lineups

Sydney, Oct 2: SXSW Sydney has announced over 25 new artists, speakers, and events for its 2024 Music Festival, including acts like GIMMY (NSW), Berlin Psycho Nurses (China), and Yonlapa (Thailand). Notable industry figures such as Marty Diamond, Larry Webman (Wasserman), and A.R. Rahman will also join the speaker lineup.
The festival will highlight APAC talents and host the +91 Calling! event celebrating Indian creative culture.
Additionally, the 2024 Podcast Stage will feature live shows from October 14–18 at ICC Sydney, including But Are You Happy?, She’s on the Money, Culture First, and more.
Badgeholders can also attend networking events and showcases hosted by British Music Embassy, Taiwan Beats, Meta, and others.
Music badges and wristbands are available for purchase, with SXSW Sydney running from October 14–20, 2024.

Borneo Jazz Festival Returns

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 8: The Borneo Jazz Festival, one of Southeast Asia’s longest-running international jazz events, will take place from 29 November to 1 December 2024 at Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club, Miri, Sarawak.
This year’s festival, themed “Jazzy Miri,” marks a return to live performances after a virtual format during the pandemic.
The event, curated by Deckworks Events & Entertainment, features a mix of jazz, reggae, pop, tribal vibes, and world beats, with performances by international and local musicians.
A highlight includes the Borneo Jazz Battle of the Bands on 1 December 2024.
Early bird tickets are available until 31 October.

Free Concert Celebrates Diversity

Sydney, Oct 8: In celebration of International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), “Elevate the Stage” will feature top Australian artists with and without disability in a free concert at ICC Sydney on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Hosted by Paralympic wheelchair rugby star Ryley Batt and journalist Nas Campanella, the event will include performances from Opera Australia’s Nina Korbe, comedian Peter Berner, and musician Iva Davies, among others. Supported by Nova Employment, 1000 free tickets are available at elevatethestage.com.au.

LVLY and Care Bears Collaborate

Sydney, Oct 8: For Mental Health Awareness Month, LVLY has partnered with Care Bears™ to encourage emotional connection through their “bear hugs” gift bundles.
The collaboration aims to raise awareness about mental health by promoting conversations around feelings and support. Each bundle includes a Care Bear, a greeting card, a bio card, and a free cookie for the first 250 purchases.
Care Bears, originally created in the 1980s, continue to teach emotional well-being and are now a symbol of compassion and connection across generations.

Flowers Boost Mental Health

Sydney, Oct 8: As Mental Health Day (10 October) approaches, research highlights the benefits of flowers in reducing stress and promoting well-being.
Flowers help lower blood pressure, regulate cortisol levels, and uplift moods with their vibrant colours and fragrances. Floral industry veteran James Stevens, founder of Mr Roses, emphasises the emotional impact of flower deliveries, which symbolize care and connection.
With Australia-wide delivery, flowers remain a powerful tool to boost mental health during stressful times.

Race of Champions Heads to Sydney

Sydney, Oct 9: The Race of Champions (ROC) will make its Australian debut at Accor Stadium, Sydney, on March 7-8, 2025.
This iconic motorsport event will feature head-to-head races between top drivers from various disciplines, including Formula 1, IndyCar, and V8 Supercars.
Australian motorsport legend Jamie Whincup will participate, along with more to be announced.
The event will include two nights of racing, with the ROC Nations Cup on Friday and the individual Race of Champions on Saturday.
Tickets start at $49 and go on sale October 16 via Ticketek.

Mov’In Bed Returns

Sydney, Oct 9: Sydney’s popular Mov’In Bed outdoor cinema is returning to Barangaroo from November 29, 2024, to March 23, 2025.
The event will feature 160 luxurious queen- and king-sized beds, allowing guests to enjoy movies under the stars, along with food and drinks delivered straight to their beds.
This year’s lineup includes blockbuster hits like Gladiator II and Joker: Folie à Deux.
VIP experiences and budget-friendly sand tickets are available, making it a must-do summer event in Sydney.

Kids Tackle Food Waste

Sydney, Oct 9: HelloFresh has partnered with Kool Beanz Academy to launch Climate Superstars Camp, a new initiative aimed at empowering children to combat food waste.
The program addresses Australia’s food waste crisis, where 7.6 million tonnes are discarded annually, costing $12 billion.
The camp features hands-on workshops and online activities, teaching kids how to reduce food waste and adopt sustainable habits.
The initiative comes as 70 per cent of Aussie parents express concern about the future impact of poor waste habits on their children.
The free workshops will take place on October 12, 2024.

Aussie Bird Count Begins

Sydney, Oct 11: The 11th annual Aussie Bird Count will take place from Monday, October 14, through Sunday, October 20, 2024.
This citizen science project invites participants of all ages to spend 20 minutes observing and counting birds in their local area.
With a decade of bird data, BirdLife Australia is looking ahead to the next 10 years of bird observations. Participants contribute valuable insights into bird populations and species distribution, while also engaging with local wildlife.
Expert spokespeople and celebrity ambassadors are available for interviews during the event.

Sydney Hosts Giant Halloween Festival

Sydney, Oct 11: Allen’s, Australia’s top lolly brand, is bringing a Giant Trick or Treat event to Ghost Festival at The Rocks on November 2 and 3.
Families can join a 20-hour adventure, collecting treats from participating retailers along a mapped trail. With 5,000 free tickets available each day, the event will feature iconic Allen’s lollies like Snakes Alive and Killer Pythons.
The festival also includes the Two-Faced Market, transforming from a charming day market into a spooky night wonderland, and a Halloween parade, the largest of its kind in Australia, on November 2.
Ghost Festival runs from October 31 to November 3, offering free Halloween activities in Sydney’s haunted historic district.

TERANG 2024 Lights Up Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 11: TERANG 2024 returns to the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC) from October 11 to 20, showcasing 34 projection mapping artworks under the theme “Cultural Futurism.”
The 9-day exhibition features 1 to 1.5-minute creative displays by local and international artists, blending Malaysia’s cultural heritage with futuristic elements. Highlights include submissions from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Poland, and more.
Participants include professional artists and students from leading institutions, with public voting available for the “People Choice Award” via QR codes at MaTiC.
TERANG 2024 aims to bridge heritage and innovation, illustrating the evolving nature of cultural identity.

Beach Cinema Returns

Melbourne, Oct 15: MOV’IN BED Beach Cinema is returning to Victoria this summer at The District Docklands from December 6, 2024, to March 30, 2025.
The East Car Park will transform into a beachside cinema with 280 tons of white sand, 150 king and queen-size beds, and Australia’s largest outdoor screen.
This unique event features a lineup of films including Gladiator II and Joker: Folie à Deux, alongside family favorites and cult classics.
Guests can enjoy the VIP experience with butler service, bottomless popcorn, and food delivery to their bed, starting at $150 for two.

Gymea Village Festival Returns

Sydney, Oct 16: The Gymea Village Festival is set to take place on Sunday, October 27, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM along Gymea Bay Road in Sutherland Shire.
Hosted by Cambridge Markets and supported by the Gymea Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature over 200 stalls showcasing local food, fashion, arts, and crafts.
With live entertainment, kids’ rides, and a World Food Zone, the festival promises a fun-filled day for families.
Admission is free, and over 50,000 visitors are expected to attend.

Fairy Bread Day Returns

Sydney, Oct 23: Celebrate National Fairy Bread Day on 24 November with Melbourne-based confectionery brand Dollar Sweets and their charity partner, The Pyjama Foundation.
It’s the perfect time to relive childhood memories while making a meaningful impact on the lives of foster children.
Thanks to generous community support, last year’s event raised $34,917.20 for The Pyjama Foundation, helping introduce 23 new mentors into the ‘Love of Learning Program.’ This year, the goal is to make an even greater impact by providing essential care and support to more children in need.
With over 48,000 children currently in foster care across Australia, The Pyjama Foundation’s volunteer mentors, known as Pyjama Angels, dedicate one hour each week to foster children, helping them develop reading, writing, and creative skills. This support builds confidence, life skills, and inspires hope for a brighter future.
Throughout November, Dollar Sweets will donate 10 cents from every sale of their 100s and 1000s sprinkles to support The Pyjama Foundation. Fairy Bread Day encourages everyone to create this beloved childhood treat and spread kindness, joy, and hope to foster children in Australia.
To join the cause, visit www.fairybreadday.com and be part of this heartwarming initiative.

Paddy’s Spookfest Returns

Sydney, Oct 24: Paddy’s Market is bringing back its Spookfest at Haymarket and Flemington with free admission, running on October 25-27 and November 1-3.
Visitors can enjoy Halloween-themed street performers, face painting, and family-friendly activities, including shopping for costumes and pumpkins.
Event times vary between 10 AM and 3 PM. For full details, visit the event listing.