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Kids and Families 2024 Program Announce

Sydney —

The Sydney Opera House today announced the 2024 line-up for its Kids and Families program, featuring the stage premiere of beloved novel James and the Giant Peach, Ireland’s Polar Bear and Penguin, a new circus experience by the world-renowned Flying Fruit Fly Circus and a powerful Bangarra Dance Theatre work for children.

Sydney Opera House Head of Children, Families and Creative Learning, Tamara Harrison says: “Our 2024 program is an inspiring collection of local and international performances for children, families and young people that travels far and wide with shows from Switzerland, Ireland and around Australia. From book adaptations, circus and film, to First Nations perspectives, acrobatics and dance, we’re excited for young people to explore a range of artforms and discover joy, laughter and wonder across the program.”

Program highlights throughout the year include:

SUMMER

  • The popular Creative Play workshops return with Drip Drop Play (3 - 13 January), where children aged 3-12 will explore and create soundscapes using ice and water by improvising, listening, and performing.
  • Dav Pilkey’s bestselling book DOG MAN: The Musical (3-13 January) comes to the stage for an epic musical adventure full of humour and heart for children aged 6+.
  • The Australian premiere of the London International Animation Festival (19-21 January) will present an incredible variety of independent animations from across the globe for ages 2-14.

AUTUMN

  • An unlikely companionship between a Polar Bear and Penguin (20-24 April) will teach children aged 5+ about the power of true friendship in this Australian premiere of the acclaimed Irish production.
  • Direct from Switzerland, Game Theory (17-18 May) is a fast-paced and funny dance celebration of play, sport and big emotions for children aged 8+.

WINTER

  • The magic, mischief and mayhem of Roald Dahl’s beloved novel James and the Giant Peach (5-21 July) will be brought to life on stage by the nation’s leading contemporary theatre company, Shake & Stir Theatre Co – for children aged 6+.
  • A fiercely moving production about the power of hope, The River That Ran Uphill (25-27 July) is based on the experience of Edgell Junior, a Ni-Vanuatu man from Pentecost Island who experienced and survived Cyclone Pam (2015). For children aged 8+.

SPRING

  • The world-renowned Flying Fruit Fly Circus premieres a new up-close circus experience, Big Sky (28 September–5 October), showcasing the remarkable talents of 12 young performers aged between 10 and 18.
  • Bangarra Dance Theatre’s first dedicated work for children, Waru - journey of the small turtle (9-10 October), is an interactive introduction to Torres Strait Islander culture and dance for 3 to 7-year-olds.

YEAR-ROUND

  • Kids Music Café is a beautiful introduction to live music and instruments for children aged 0-2, featuring child-friendly classics by Sydney Youth Orchestras musicians.

View the full 2024 program HERE.