Once a year, during the Spring school holidays, Riverside is transformed by thousands of children and their families, dozens of artists and oodles of imagination with our annual Spot On Children’s Festival.
Embracing children’s love of singing, dancing and playing make-believe, Spot On Children’s Festival takes them into curious and magical worlds through live theatre, quirky circus, sensational storytelling, marvellous music and far-out films.
Spot On Children’s Festival includes both free and ticketed events and is for children of all ages, their families and carers. It offers something for everyone with easy access, relaxed performances for children with specific needs, a variety of session times, a mixture of live performances and hands on experiences. We also have a new retro movie day called Be Kind Rewind, bringing back to the big screen many retro favourites plus a couple of more recent family films. A great way to kick off the festival, all tickets to Be Kind Rewind films include a free popcorn.
Spend a day or three hanging out at Spot On enjoying the festival atmosphere, seeing shows, having a movie marathon, playing in the courtyard, eating food and letting little imaginations run wild.
Check out this years highlights below:
Be Kind Rewind Films
29 September
Enjoy the magic of some of your favourite retro films with your family on Riverside Theatres Big Screen. Films include The Goonies, The Princess Bride, The Karate Kid, The Neverending Story, Labyrinth and E.T. Then join us for screenings of two of today’s popular family favourites, Cinderella and Big Hero 6. A great and affordable way to entertain the kids these holidays. Tickets include popcorn.
Please check our website for film classifications
Mr Snot Bottom’s Stinky, Silly Show!
30 September to 1 October
Mr Snot Bottom is a disgusting comedian brimming with all the gooey, smelly and yucky topics kids love. With hilarious audio-visual effects and a cast of bizarre characters this show is guaranteed to make children and their parents groan, gasp and howl with delight.
Suitable for ages 4 – 10 years
Circus Oz: But Wait…There’s More!
1 to 3 October
Roll up, roll up…Circus Oz returns with a fresh ensemble full of wild, astounding and cheeky tricks, flips and twists. Fun for the whole family!
Suitable for all ages
Ali McGregor’s Jazzamatazz!
1 to 2 October
Led by award-winning cabaret star Ali McGregor, this hour of jazzy beats and trashy pop classics gets your children singing, prancing, twisting and dancing.
Suitable for ages 0 – 10 years
Curious Jac
2 to 3 October
After sell-out seasons of Señor Rabbit last year, bilingual storyteller, Lilli Pang returns to Riverside Theatres with a newly devised show, Curious Jac which will captivate and enthral the young and young at heart!
Suitable for ages 4 – 9 years
Lah-Lah Live in Concert – FINAL TICKETS
3 October
Join us as the stars of ABC4Kids TV series Lah-Lah’s Adventures present this live interactive musical extravaganza. Lah-Lah Live in Concert will delight audiences and have the kids grinning and shimmying from go to whoa.
Suitable for ages 3+
Sorcerer’s and Wizards – A Family Concert with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Fellows
4 October
Meet all the instruments of the orchestra in a special family concert with music by Mussorgsky, Harrison and Dukas’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice made famous by the classic Disney film Fantasia. Come dressed as a sorcerer, a wizard or your favourite magical character!
Suitable for all ages