Following the triumphant return of the event to Tench Reserve last year, Real Festival is set to captivate local audiences once again this weekend, with a full line-up of entertainment and immersive experiences for everyone to enjoy.
After 2023’s event drew record crowds of over 50,000 people, Penrith City Council’s General Manager, Andrew Moore, said he couldn’t be more excited to bring the free event back again.
“Following the success of last year, we are thrilled to welcome everyone back to Tench Reserve with new highlights in the jam-packed program as well as the return of some fan favourites,” he said.
“We’re bringing the very best in creative experiences, family-friendly entertainment and activities to Penrith. Real Festival is free to attend, and this year’s program is not to be missed.”
As far as activities go, there are plenty of things for kids and adults alike to get involved in.
Visit the Open-Air Arcade to play Pinball, Basketball League or Dance Dance Revolution, dance the night away at the silent disGLOW, or head to the Roller Rink by Busways for a free, 30-minute session of fun.
There are also plenty of workshops to participate in, including circus skills, solar making, recycled art, LEGO block building, water activities and lantern making.
One of the things that makes Real Festival so special is the art installations and exhibitions. This year ‘Shadow House’ – an extraordinary performance space and art installation crafted from recycled lace and material – and ‘The Guardians’ – giant, whimsical floral sculptures set to light up the night as the sun goes down – are most must-sees.
Attendees can also enjoy a host of stellar performances over the course of the weekend, including by fire twirler Amber Dextrous, live-looping artist Heath Lincoln, YouTube star Dani Madeline and ‘The Voice’ 2022 alum Connor Wink.
If you are planning to head out to the event, be sure to do so with an empty stomach, with Real Festival promising a bustling market area with local artisans and vendors, and a food truck lineup to satisfy all taste buds. Little Tokyo and Burgerhead will be back again, this time alongside newbies like The Big Big Aloha and Irie-Caribbean, as well as others serving up Italian, Greek, Sudanese, South Indian, and Turkish delights, in addition to caffeine fixes and delicious desserts.
Given the large crowds expected, public transport is recommended as the first option for travel, with Real Festival partnering with Busways once again to accommodate this.
Accessible shuttle buses will be operating continuously from Emu Plains Station, Penrith Train Station, Jamison Road, and the festival itself.
Real Festival will be on at Tench Reserve on Friday, September 20 from 4pm to 10pm, and on Saturday, September 21 from 12pm to 10pm. For more information, visit realfestival.com.au.
Cassidy Pearce
Cassidy Pearce is a news and entertainment journalist with The Western Weekender. A graduate of the University of Technology Sydney, she has previously worked with Good Morning Macarthur and joined the Weekender in 2022.