Surry Hills creatives will be front and centre, as the creative heart of the preparations for the Ocean Lovers Festival 2026, which is expected to transform Sydney’s coastline into a hub of marine science and art.
The Inner-City Connection
While the festival is famous for its beachside events, the creative heartbeat of the celebration often starts in the streets of Surry Hills. Local artists and wellbeing experts from this inner-city suburb are the ones who design the workshops and facilitate the major projects that appear on the coast. For example, artist Alina Camiller runs environmental art workshops for the festival, drawing on her experience with projects at the Surry Hills Library. The City of Sydney, which includes Surry Hills, provides essential grants that allow the festival to operate on such a large scale.
This connection extends to the “Trashion” parade, a highlight of the event schedule. Designers based in Surry Hills creative spaces often craft the wearable art made from marine debris for this show. While the models walk the runway at Darling Harbour, the artistic vision often originates in local studios. This relationship shows that you do not need to be right on the water to play a major role in ocean protection.
A Month of Discovery
The festival returns in March 2026 with the theme “Dive into Discovery & Wonder.” It has grown significantly since it began in 2019 and now covers five main locations across the city. Beyond the flagship events at Bondi Beach, new programs will launch in Manly, the Sydney Fish Market, North Sydney, and Maroubra.
Festival founder Anita Kolni noted that the event’s growth mirrors the city’s strong relationship with the ocean. She explained that the goal is to help people learn about the sea and find hope in practical solutions rather than feeling overwhelmed by bad news. The organisers want to turn enthusiasm into action, creating a wave of optimism across the community.
Workshops and Wellness
The schedule offers a wide range of activities for people of all ages. Health enthusiasts can head to South Bondi for sunrise yoga on the sand or brave an ice bath session. Those interested in science can visit the Sydney Fish Market for sustainable seafood cooking classes with Chef Luke Bourke or join the Great Reef Census Workshop to help identify coral.
Art remains a central part of the program. The “Paint & Splash” series runs every Wednesday at Hotel Ravesis, and a special watercolour workshop focuses on ocean wildlife. For a unique cultural experience, the “Sea the Weed” sunrise ceremony at North Bondi honours the Indigenous connection to sea country.
Dates and Key Events
The festival runs from 1 to 31 March 2026. The “Trashion” Parade is set for 15 March at Darling Harbour, while the major film premiere of “Return to Ellison Reef” takes place on 20 March at the Bondi Pavilion Theatre.
In 2025, a large majority of attendees said the festival inspired them to take positive action. The 2026 edition aims to continue this trend by offering even more ways for the community to get involved, from beach clean-ups to citizen science projects.
Published Date 06-January-2025
