Mayor’s News

The weekly views of Penrith’s Mayor

Real Festival to return!

Real Festival is back from September 1517 to take over the Nepean River with art installations, food trucks and pop-up bar, arcade games, performances, workshops, on-water activities and market stalls.

It has been three years since the last Real Festival was held due to COVID-19 and, most recently, the renovation of Tench Reserve. The 2023 event will be the first opportunity to enjoy the newly upgraded riverbank location, and we’re looking forward to utilising this space for the fantastic event program we have installed.

Real Festival is a free event and offers an exciting program of activities, entertainment and activations that celebrate the landscape of the Nepean River.

By day, festival-goers can explore handson workshops, on-water activities and attractions, and by night the riverside will become an illuminated playground of fun.

It is the perfect family-friendly event, with fun activities for kids and adults of all ages. Highlights include 30-minute skate sessions, including skate hire, at

“It will be massive and a great event,” she said.

“Other participants will be taking on 380km cycling rides from Gold Coast to Byron Bay and others will be collectively tackling a 50km run with groups of up to six people.” the Busways Roller Rink (pre-booking required), neon-lit silent disco, an open-air arcade, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, circus skills, slime making and yoga workshops.

Latief said completing the walk will be both rewarding and an achievement.

“I’m doing it for the community. I’m doing it for myself,” she said.

To donate to the cause, visit https://tourdecure.grassrootz.com/ spirit-to-cure-sydney-2023-walk/ geri-latief.

The headline performance will see the Nepean River magically transformed with light, sound and storytelling, featuring animated artworks by the No Boundaries Art Group and starring the Nepean Belle. Followed by an illuminated Jetpack show you won’t want to miss.

And Festival favourite Junkyard Beats is returning once more to bring their highly entertaining all drumming, dancing and creative recycling performances back to Penrith.

To view the full program and pre-book workshops, head to realfestival.com.au, and please connect with us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with news and information. The countdown is on to this fantastic event.

CR TRICIA HITCHEN Mayor of Penrith

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