British electro-dance band Hot Chip, a one-man show from The Crown star Khalid Abdalla and a seven-hour live video game about donkeys lead the line-up for Sydney Festival in January.

It also includes a slew of works from local artists, including a new play from Virginia Gay about a mum taking up roller derby, the heart-wrenching debut cabaret from Aftertaste star Natalie Abbott, and an open-air dancefloor at the Sydney Opera House created by Wiradjuri choreographer Joel Bray .

Sydney Festival 2026 is the first from incoming director Kris Nelson and also marks its 50th anniversary.

"I'm so excited," Nelson says. "I just really want to release this festival into our city.

"There's some really strong Australian work especially, some brand new work, and that feels really great. And the

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