Newtown Festival

This celebrated community festival is an epic springboard into the summer season of sun and festivities. And, as usual, it doesn't fail to deliver exceptional local talent. Expect to see punters kicking back in the park to the eagerly awaited line-up of bands including Dead Letter Chorus, Deep Sea Arcade, KYU and the Crayon Fields.
 
Other highlights include the Writers' Tent; Newtown Dog Show; a Wing Chun martial arts demo; Newtown Community Choir; Live Sculpture; Kids' Zone; and more than 280 market stalls serving cheap and cheerful fare.
 
The festival will play host to expected crowds of around 80,000. Despite the huge numbers, the festival organisers remain committed to reducing its footprint by dotting eco activities throughout. In keeping with this theme of sustainability, it will feature a Big Aussie Swap Party: you can bring up to five items, register them in exchange for tokens, and swap away! Spruce up your summer threads and treads, music and book collection, toolshed or kids' toy box.
 
And it just wouldn't be a festival without Graeme's giant mobile Worm Farm. Not only will our slippery little friends munch away organic festival waste, Graeme will be on hand to give you all the tips you need to become the successful worm-farmer you've always dreamed of being.

As always, the festival is a non-BYO affair, with plenty of fully licensed on-site bars promising next to no queueing. Bess Kenway
 
Sun 8 Nov, 9.30am-5.30pm. Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Cnr Lennox & Australia Sts, Newtown 2042. (www.newtowncentre.org/festival/).