The first Sydney Festival (SydFest) took place in 1977. The event was founded by the Sydney Committee, the City of Sydney, and the NSW State Government. The goal of this festival was to attract people to the center of the city during January, a holiday month. Since the inception of this festival, it has become one of the largest cultural celebrations in Australia. It has a reputation across the globe for its modern, intelligent, and popular programming. The event celebrates the city, reflecting the energy and diversity of Sydney for all attendees to enjoy.
The Sydney Festival took many precautions to stay COVID safe, ensuring the health and safety of the guests. The 2021 Sydney Festival took place from January 6th to January 26th.