Parramatta: Wistaria Festival, Eels finals, Cracker Night in September
One of Parramatta’s most-loved flower festivals returns, the Eels storm into the footy finals and clubbers are hitting the dance floor. Plan your social calendar in September with us.
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Spring is here and the heady days of flower festivals, footy finals and school fetes are here. Whether you want to hit the dance floor, get a theatre fix or watch the red-hot Eels, there’s plenty to keep you entertained across Parramatta in September.
Philharmonic orchestra
Western Sydney Philharmonic (West Phil) has announced its first orchestral concert at Western Sydney University on Friday, September 30, seven months after it made its debut at Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres.
West Phil is the first orchestra in western Sydney since the 19th century, and is led by two extraordinary musicians, classically trained violinists and long-time friends Maximilian Holzner and Kristian Winther.
Musicians will perform its first full orchestral concert following a music camp for students from September 26-30. Of the students involved, 30 of them are high school students and the remainder are post-secondary school (up to age 25).
The performance will be staged at the Sir Ian Turbott Auditorium at the university’s Rydalmere campus at 7pm.
Conductor Kristian Winther leads talented musicians including soloist Anna Da Silva Chen and soprano soloist Chloe Lankshear in a program that features Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 77 - Shostakovich and Symphony No. 4 in G major.
Maltese festival
It’s time to paint Greystanes red and white because after a two-year hiatus, the festa is back on the grounds of Our Lady Queen of Peace Primary School on Sunday, September 25 from 2.30pm following Mass at 1pm.
Enjoy pastizzi and other treats at the food stalls, amusement rides, a performance from the Maltese Cultural Association of NSW Choir, the Youth Band and OLQP Maltese Band before a fireworks display rounds out celebrations from 8.30pm.
Wistaria Festival
The stunning cascading vines of the wisteria return to Parramatta Park for the Wistaria Gardens Festival, making its comeback after several years and continuing a 100-year-old tradition.
Roll out the picnic blanket and enjoy music in the picturesque parcel of the park from September 10-11 and 17-18 to coincide with the gorgeous display of the cherry blossoms and the violet wisteria, with the backdrop of the charming Glengarriff House.
Visitors can enjoy roaming musicians and grab a coffee and snack while celebrating the new plantings and sharing their stories about Wistaria Gardens.
“We want to celebrate spring and celebrate a new era for Wistaria Gardens,’’ Greater Sydney Parklands acting chief executive Joshua French said.
“Parramatta Park Trust is now taking care of the Gardens and we’ve been working hard to revive the garden beds for everyone to enjoy in time for spring.’’
Wistaria Gardens officially became part of Parramatta Park in July 2022. Built in 1906, the Gardens were the personal gardens of the Medical Superintendent of the Parramatta Lunatic Asylum, Dr William Cotter Williamson, and were cared for by the patients as part of their treatment.
Enjoy the festival from 11am to 3pm each day. Share your stories with Parklands staff on September 11 and September 17 or online.
Footy finals
After a thrilling 22-14 win against the Melbourne Storm that landed Parramatta a top four spot, the Eels have booked a western Sydney showdown in the first week of the finals taking on Penrith at BlueBet Stadium (September 8 or 9).
The Blue and Gold Army are hoping for Parramatta’s fine form against minor premiers Penrith to continue after defeating them 22-20 in round 9 and 34-10 in round 20.
For tickets and dates visit nrl.com
Let’s Go Greek Festival
Get ready for a plate-smashing good time when Parramatta’s Let’s Go Greek Festival returns to George St on Sunday, September 11 from 11am and wraps up with fireworks at 6.30pm.
Unleash your inner Zorba, dance to the bouzouki, feast on an amazing array of food from the Mediterranean nation including lamb souvlaki, Greek coffee, loukoumades (doughnuts) and get a close look at the famous Evzones.
There will also be market stalls, carnival rides and a music line-up that features Iho Nyx, Telly and Kostas Benetatos, DJ Jimmy V, DJ Georgie D and exhibitions detailing the personal experiences that connect the men of Hydra with Parramatta.
If that is still not close enough to Greece for you, there’s a chance to fly overseas courtesy of My Greek Odyssey host Peter Maneas, who has donated four return flights to Greece for one lucky winner and their family.
The winner, whom Maneas will announce at the festival, also scores a dinner at their favourite Greek restaurant in Athens or Sydney.
Find the action at 165 George St, next to St Ioannis Greek Orthodox Church.
Moon Markets
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival with two new night markets to serve up delicious dishes from all corners of the world, traditional lion dances as well as a stunning light installation.
The inaugural Parramatta Moon Markets will be held on the iconic Lennox Bridge, overlooking the Parramatta River, on Saturday September 10 from 5pm to 9pm, to coincide with the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival holiday. A second market will be held in Epping town centre on Saturday November 12 from 5pm to 9pm.
The Moon Markets promise to be fun-filled events with delicious street food stalls, entertainment, traditional lion dances and family fun throughout the evening.
There will be mooncakes from GM2i, grilled snacks on a stick by Firepop, a variety of Asian dishes by CoBe Kitchen, fresh sugarcane juice from Tebu Sugarcane and dumplings by Yummy Time Dumpling.
There will be stalls from other pockets of the world including Egyptian Grillers and Parrilla Argenchino.
A lighting installation will be designed for each location, featuring traditional lanterns and an array of colourful lights to bring the Moon Markets to life.
Just like Lunar New Year, the festival, also known as Moon or Mooncake Festival, is considered a significant holiday – and is observed in many Asian countries.
It falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month where the moon is at its brightest and fullest.
Families traditionally gather to celebrate gratitude and connection, and enjoy mooncakes together during this holiday.
Much ado about Nothing
Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres present Nothing, a brutal exploration of adolescence and nihilism until September 10.
The play centres on teenager Pierre-Anthon, who declares that there is no meaning to life.
Determined to prove him wrong, his classmates start to give up things of importance and pile them in a sacrificial “heap of meaning”.
Nothing is an adaptation of Janne Teller’s controversial novel, censored for a time, before it was awarded the Best Book Prize by the Danish Ministry for Culture, the prestigious Le Prix Libbylit and the American Michael L. Printz Honor Award.
The play features outstanding new talents Joseph Raboy and Alyona Popova, who will masterfully play multiple characters.
Nothing is a dark and thought-provoking adventure through the horrors of youth and into the bleak realities of adulthood.
“This play very much resonates with the contemporary world, questioning what we hold dear to us when those around us appear to be going crazy,’’ Riverside’s executive producer Joanne Kee added.
“It twists and turns, is dark and beautifully complex yet simple in its staging. It’s a two hander, and our actors are totally enthralling in their ability to play multiple characters each.
“Its strength turns on our amazing young actors Joseph Raboy and Alyona Popova and I am so excited about them bringing this to life.”
The play is recommended for viewers 15 and over because of graphic content.
Tickets: Adults $49, concession $45, 16 and under $42, groups eight and more $44.
Transaction fee $4.60.
Go clubbing
Parramatta loves to get its groove on and for those who love retro music, Studebakers at the Crown Hotel is the place to go on the first Saturday of every month when it hosts a night of ‘80s and ‘90s hits with DJs, Troy T, Tony Saliba, Nasser T, Pepe, Danny K and Trey spinning the decks from 9pm to 3am.
Clubbers from decades gone by can relive their youth to the unmissable tracks from artists including Whitney Houston and Madonna that became classics.
Each Saturday, the Crown Hotel hosts Eve Saturdays club from 9pm with DJ Noiz on September 10 and Tomorrow People on September 17.
At the Camellia Hotel, see artists perform each Friday from 7-10pm. Karim performs on September 9 and 23, Ben Brown on September 16 and Adam Ventoura on September 30.
Cracker Carnival
Excitement is building at Murray Farm Public School as it prepares for its first Cracker Carnival since 2019, culminating in a dazzling fireworks display at the event on Saturday, September 17.
There will be amusement rides, a jumping castle, white elephant stalls, laser tag, cake stalls, bubble tea, fairy floss and goodies from the Murraycinos Cafe from 2-8pm.
The fireworks display bursts into life at 7pm.
Rides are $2 or $35 for an unlimited armband.
Head to 18 Tracey Ave, Carlingford, for the family-fun event.
Sports festival
A free sports extravaganza is taking over Centenary Square, Parramatta, until September 30. Westfield Parramatta hosts the event which features Western Sydney Wanderers coaching clinics for youngsters on September 24, as well as oversized sports-themed installations and sports zones.
On September 23 and 24, watch the Eels clash with the Cowboys grand final qualifier and a screening of Space Jam at the open air cinema.
From September 23-25, grab a personalised soccer ball from the Wanderers
while also taking advantage of trading sports cards.
Dust off your old cards, find out what they’re worth with friends from Platinum Standard Grading. The first 50 customers, each day, will receive one card graded for free.
Until September 30, creative types can unleash their talents with an art competition. Visit the
live art installations in-centre and scan the QR code to vote for your favourite, with the winning group with the most votes receiving $5000.
If you want to hone your athletic skills, take advantage of the coaching workshops and fitness classes until September 30 when there will be games and activities.
If the weather’s wet, take the fun indoors at Westfield’s level 3 sports zone.
Test your aim at target practice, challenge your mates to a game of foosball or giant connect four until September 30.
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