Nepali music and a Filipino Christmas: two free November festivals in Sydney

Nepali music, dance and food on one Saturday, then a Filipino Christmas celebration across a full weekend: Darling Harbour’s Culture Alive season has two November outings worth putting in the diary.

Nepal Festival takes over Tumbalong Park on Saturday 7 November 2026, from 10am to 10pm. The Philippines Christmas Festival, also known as Pasko, follows on 21 and 22 November, from 9am to 8pm. Entry to both is free.

These are invitations to explore the communities that make Sydney home, whether the traditions are familiar or completely new. Culture Alive welcomes people from every background.

A Saturday of Nepali music, dance and food

Nepal Festival’s announced programme brings live music and traditional dance together with Nepali food, cultural exhibitions and activities for families. The long opening hours leave room for a daytime visit or an evening outing, rather than making the day depend on one performance.

The community connection is part of its appeal. Reporting on the 2024 edition, SBS Nepali heard from participants about the pleasure of finding a sense of Nepal in Sydney. This year’s venue listing again places community, heritage and a welcome for first-time visitors at the centre of the event.

Pasko brings Filipino Christmas traditions to the park

Two weeks later, the Philippine Community Council of NSW hosts Pasko. The programme promises live entertainment, parades, Filipino food, exhibitions, competitions and games, spread across Saturday and Sunday.

It is a chance to make an early start on Christmas while discovering a community celebration with its own character. Come for the performances, leave time for the food and explore the exhibitions between acts. With two days to choose from, it is also the more flexible option for friends trying to find a weekend together.

The dates are also confirmed in The Philippine Times’ report on the council’s plans.

Archive photograph: the Sydney skyline above Tumbalong Park, 27 May 2017. Photo: MDRX1 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Resized and cropped for display.

Make a day of Darling Harbour

Both festivals use Tumbalong Park at 11 Harbour Street. The park has grass and paved areas, with accessible toilets listed nearby. Darling Harbour’s accessibility guide shows lift connections from Bathurst Street into Darling Quarter and step-free access from the Exhibition and Convention light rail stops towards ICC Sydney.

The two official festival pages carry the latest programme details. If you are still finding your social circle, our guide to meeting people in Australia offers more ways to connect beyond a single weekend.

Event details checked on 31 October 2026. All times are Sydney local time.

Featured archive photograph: Tumbalong Park lawn and public paths, 10 April 2018. Photo: David Petit / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized and cropped for display.