Festival of the Winds Bondi 2025

Forget scrolling, this is sky-scrolling. For one day only, Bondi’s ocean horizon swaps surfboards for stunt kites, turning the beach into a kaleidoscopic collision of colour, sound, and sea spray. Festival of the Winds has been lifting spirits since 1978, and in 2025 it’s back bigger, brighter, and higher than ever. Expect giant handmade kites, family chaos (the fun kind), art installations, live music, roaming performers, and the kind of food stalls that make “just one bite” a laughable lie. This is Sydney spring distilled: loud, sunny, unapologetic.

Location

Address: Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach, NSW 2026

Dates

Next Event: Sunday, 14 September 2025
Frequency: Annual
Duration: One Day
Website: Festival of the Winds – Waverley Council

Price

Free entry.
Workshops, food stalls, and Perfect Strangers dining experience additional.

The BioHax Take

This isn’t just about kites — it’s Bondi Beach flexing as Australia’s biggest outdoor playground. Imagine 40,000 people craning their necks to watch a 20-metre whale kite tangle with a dragon, while Eastside Radio DJs drop tunes in the background and kids are face-painted into miniature butterflies. One minute you’re making an origami crane in the Pavilion gallery, the next you’re learning salsa on the forecourt, then ending the day with Olympic royalty at a beach volleyball showdown. Festival of the Winds is part spectacle, part street party, and part communal therapy for anyone sick of winter.

Who It’s For

Families who want an actual reason to drag the kids off iPads
Foodies who know a kite-flying festival is really a food festival in disguise
Culture hunters chasing First Nations music, art, and storytelling
Spring-hungry Sydneysiders desperate for an outdoor reset
Tourists who want a Sydney postcard moment without the filter

Photo Credit: Waverley Council - A circus performer in striped costume balances with a giant red umbrella above the Bondi crowd, one of the roaming acts at Festival of the Winds.

What’s On Offer

Kite Flying

Giant professional displays from the Australian Kite Flying Society (AKFS)
Public kite-flying zones to show off your own creation
Kite stalls selling everything from pocket-sized diamonds to mega-dragons
Kite-making workshops for families and first-timers

Main Stage (Bondi Pavilion)

Cianna Walker & Olivia Coe Fox – First Nations duo shaking the sand with powerhouse vocals
Bukhu and the Tiley Ensemble, Claudia Robe, Gadjigadus Family Show
Gujaga Foundation’s Welcome to Country & Svarupa Jaya Gamelan
A rolling line-up of music, dance, and cultural showcases

Forecourt Stage

Bondi Brass, Black Joak Morris, Rose Bay Secondary College, Bondi Public School Choir
Tap Pups and 100% Dance bringing high-energy routines
Salsa & Latin Fusion by Feel Free Dance Studio (plus all-in dance socials)

Courtyard Creative Zone

CircusWorks (because every kid secretly wants to run away with one)
Lawn games, clay workshops, origami stations, and face painting
Screening of Uluruyaan – Elements Habitat
Bondi Pavilion Gallery’s headliner: Anna-Wili Highfield’s Mating Dance, life-sized dancing brolgas with an immersive soundscape by Bree Van Reyk

Bondi Park

Petting zoo, carnival rides, roaming performers like Beeswax and Bottlecaps, and DanceCircus
Food stalls hawking global eats, fresh juices, and festival snacks
25-Year Beach Volleyball Commemoration Cup with gold medallist Kerri Pottharst coaching from the sidelines

Extra Vibes

Eastside Radio DJs spinning all day
“Perfect Strangers” community dining experience, pairing you with total strangers for a shared meal and conversation (registration required)

Sustainability Snapshot

Paper and clay workshops encouraging low-impact creativity
Community-driven art installations
Local school and cultural groups embedded into the program to keep it community-first

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Festival of the Winds free?
Yes, entry is completely free. Workshops, food, and kite purchases are optional extras.

Where is the event held?
At Bondi Pavilion and Bondi Beach foreshore, Sydney NSW.

What time does it run?
From 11am to 4pm on Sunday, 14 September 2025.

Can I bring my own kite?
Absolutely. There are designated public flying zones alongside the professional displays.

Are there kites for sale?
Yes, stalls in Bondi Park sell kites in all shapes and sizes.

What food will be available?
Food stalls offering international street food, sweet treats, and healthy eats.

Is it family-friendly?
Very. Petting zoo, kids rides, face painting, and circus workshops are all included.

How do I get there?
Public transport is strongly advised. Bondi Beach car park will be closed.

Will there be road closures?
Yes, clearways and closures around Bondi will be in place. Check Live Traffic NSW for updates.

What’s new for 2025?
The 25-year beach volleyball commemoration match, Anna-Wili Highfield’s Mating Dance installation, and the Perfect Strangers dining experience.