Culinary Tour de France aims to be a tour de force

The one week of the year when Sydney has a French accent will return in July.

The Bastille Festival will run from July 17-20 around Circular Quay and The Rocks and feature food, wine, music and French joie de vivre.

Organisers are promising more than 120 exhibitors and over 80 dishes on offer, ranging from traditional favourites to sweet treats. 

So expect crowd favourites like raclette, escargots, crêpes, moules and macarons. 

“Food is at the heart of French culture, and it’s at the heart of Bastille Festival too,” says founder and festival director Vincent Hernandez. “We want every bite to transport you - whether it’s through a traditional regional speciality or a creative new fusion you’ve never tried before.”

This year will be the 12th Bastille Festival with the food and music joined by cinema and cabaret. 

“Each year, we aim to recreate what we love about France right here in the heart of Sydney,” says Hernandez. “This 12th edition is all about going bigger, bolder, and more immersive - offering Sydneysiders and visitors a true Tour de France of flavours, sights, and sounds.”

And, of course, French wine will play a starring role. 

This year, the Festival will present tipples from eight iconic wine regions, each offering a curated selection of four wines. 

From Bordeaux to Burgundy, Beaujolais to Provence, Languedoc to the Rhône Valley, and Alsace to the Loire Valley, there should be something for everyone. 

“Our wine experiences aren’t just about tasting - they’re about storytelling,” explains Hernandez. “Each glass is a journey through a region, its traditions, and its people.”

This year, Champagne will also take centre stage, with pop-up stations throughout the festival and two  wine bars offering Champagne paired with oysters and seafood. 

For those seeking something heartier, mulled wine, spiced hot cider, beer bars, and cocktail stations will keep the winter chill at bay. There will be 18 bars in total. 

Visitors will be able to enjoy over 100 free shows, including live concerts, street theatre, dance lessons, fire performances and acrobatic displays. 

Two main stages and a dozen busking spots will operate from morning until late into the night.

“At its core, Bastille Festival is about connection - to food, to culture, and to each other,” says Hernandez. “We’re creating moments where Sydney can come together, celebrate, dance, and rediscover a little bit of magic in the middle of winter.”

See https://bastillefestival.com.au/sydney/

Festive-season Bangkok is the city of light

Bangkok is even more colourful than usual over the festive season.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has just launched the Bangkok Illumination Festival 2024, which will run through to January 5, 2025.

Running daily between 6-10pm, the festival features light and art installations.

"The year-end is a special time for Thailand, filled with the joy of celebrations and an abundance of events nationwide," said Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong.

"The Bangkok Illumination Festival 2024 beautifully highlights Thailand's position as a world-class event hub, combining vibrant artistry and cutting-edge innovation in night-time tourism.

"This event not only promises unforgettable moments for visitors but also underscores our efforts to stimulate economic growth and showcase the country's creative potential."

Visitors are invited to enjoy nine city landmarks, each filled with installations and light displays.

There are three routes that capture the essence of the fun, featuring dance hotspots, a picturesque canal adorned with colourful light displays, and a picnic experience in Benjasiri Park.

Let's dance: free performances at Sydney icons

You don't get much for free these days, but from this month until September free performance art will take centre stage with Performances on the Quay, a series of evening programs jointly presented by the Sydney Opera House and Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA).

The performances are being supported by the NSW Government’s Culture Up Late initiative.

Using the Opera House and MCA Australia as their stage, five contemporary Australian artists will present artistic interpretations of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the climate crisis, highlighting the spirit of street dance.

“More than ever, the world around us is rich with questions that art can help us make sense of," said Sydney Opera House Director of Programming Fiona Winning..

"These works respond to the physical site and our contemporary world by using movement, music and the spoken word to challenge ideas and spark imaginations. 

"I’m excited to see these innovative Australian artists reimagine the spaces around us in this fantastic collaboration with our neighbours at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia."

Your chance to dance with Amy Shark on the Cahill Expressway

The ELEVATE Sydney festival literally stops the traffic on the Cahill Expressway from January 3-7.

The Expressway, which overlooks both the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, will be transformed into a stage offering free music and entertainment.

Right above Circular Quay's ferry terminal, Elevate's stage will host four morning events from 10am-12.30pm, with a kids' street party and surprises at every turn.

In the afternoons, ELEVATE Social will feature some of Australia's leading electronic artists from 2.30pm-5pm.

Evenings offer the chance to boogie while enjoying spectacular views.

From 8pm-11pm, partygoers can enjoy performances from the likes of Amy Shark, Becca Hatch, The Veronicas, Betty Who, Client Liaison (DJ), Drax Project, Mallrat and Thelma Plum.

Tickets are free, but you do need to book.

For full details visit: https://www.therocks.com/whats-on/campaigns/elevate-sydney