St Leonards

St Leonards is a beautiful coastal town located in the Northern Sydney region of New South Wales, Australia. With its stunning beaches, picturesque landscapes and vibrant culture, St Leonards is a place where people come together to celebrate, connect and participate in a wide range of events and activities throughout the year.

Here are some of the nationally or globally recognised annual events that people might observe in and around the town of St Leonards:

1. Australia Day Celebrations:
Australia Day is a national day of celebration on January 26th, which marks the arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales, in 1788. People in St Leonards, as well as across the country, celebrate this national holiday by hosting barbecues, attending concerts, lighting fireworks and enjoying the spectacular views across Sydney Harbour.

2. Vivid Sydney:
Vivid Sydney is an annual festival of light, music and ideas which runs over a two-week period in May and June each year. This global event draws visitors from all over the world to witness the spectacular light installations, illuminated art, music and ideas that are showcased across the city, including in Luna Park, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

3. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras:
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a world-renowned festival that takes place in February/March each year. It is a time when the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies come together to celebrate diversity, inclusion and equality. The parade typically features colourful floats, costumes and performances, and attracts large crowds of locals and visitors alike.

4. Anzac Day:
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance observed on April 25th each year. It marks the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli, Turkey, during World War I. People in St Leonards, as well as across Australia, commemorate this day by attending dawn services, parades and other memorial events.

5. Royal Easter Show:
The Royal Easter Show is a much-loved event that takes place in Sydney every year over the Easter long weekend. With its rides, competitions, animal displays and showbags, the Easter Show has something for everyone. People of all ages come together to enjoy the carnival atmosphere and all that it has to offer.

6. New Year's Eve Celebrations:
New Year's Eve is a time when people all over the world gather together to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another. The celebrations in St Leonards typically take place along the foreshore of Sydney Harbour, where locals and visitors watch the spectacular fireworks display light up the sky above the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

7. Carols by Candlelight:
Carols by Candlelight is an annual event that takes place in December of each year. People gather in parks and community spaces across St Leonards and other parts of Sydney to sing traditional Christmas carols by candlelight. The event is a time for people to come together and celebrate the festive season with family, friends and neighbours.

8. Sydney Film Festival:
The Sydney Film Festival is an international event that takes place in June each year. It showcases the best of contemporary film from around the world, including documentaries, dramas, thrillers and animation. St Leonards locals and visitors have the opportunity to watch the latest films from both emerging and established filmmakers, as well as participate in workshops and panel discussions with international guests.

9. Sydney Writers' Festival:
The Sydney Writers' Festival is an annual event that brings together the world's most influential writers, thinkers and public intellectuals. The festival features a range of talks, workshops, discussions and readings across a variety of genres and topics. It offers locals and visitors in St Leonards the chance to engage with the latest ideas, debate and intellectual conversation.

10. Sculpture by the Sea:
Sculpture by the Sea is an annual exhibition of contemporary sculpture that takes place along the coastal walk between Bondi and Tamarama in Sydney. The sculptures are created by artists from all over the world and are designed to reflect the natural beauty of the landscape. St Leonards locals and visitors can enjoy the stunning sculptures while taking a walk along the coastline.