Culture, commemoration and cows – it’s an eclectic mix in part 1 of our What’s on in Sydney review for April. If you’d rather check out our pick of sport, comedy and beer, take a look at What’s on in Sydney in April Part 2. We’re beginning this month’s review on the banks of the harbour with something breathtaking…

Opera on the Harbour
See (and hear) the spectacle that is Aida throughout April. This is opera on a massive scale, complete with live camels, lights, fireworks and a frankly massive head of Nefertiti sitting sentinel over the harbour. Amid all of the spectacle, the famous ‘Triumphal March’, battle scenes and ancient temples, there’s a powerful emotional wallop too.

Where: Opera on Sydney Harbour, Fleet Steps, Mrs MacQuarie’s Point, Sydney
When: Until Sunday 26 April 2015
Cost: $79-$299 weekdays and $89-$330 for Saturday performances

Aida Opera at Sydney Harbour
Photo courtesy of Opera Australia website

Sydney Royal Easter Show
400 retail outlets and over 140 food stalls mean there’s plenty to see and do (and eat) before you even set sight on an animal. Originally a chance for people working in the rural community to meet, show their livestock and sell their produce, now the Royal Easter Show is the biggest event of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

Where: The Sydney Showground, 1 Showground Road, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127
When: Thursday 26 March – Wednesday 8 April
Cost: One day pass: from $39.50 for an adult, children $24 and concessions $29.50
Two day pass: from $59.20 for an adult, children $39 and concessions $44.20

Sydney Royal Easter Show
Photo courtesy of Sydney Royal Easter Show

ANZAC Day
This year is particularly poignant as it is the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, when thousands of young Australian and New Zealand soldiers (ANZACs) were led into battle and were heavily defeated. They weren’t alone. Many thousands of men from across the British Empire fought the Ottoman Empire during WWI. ANZAC day is when Australia remembers them.

The ANZAC Day dawn service takes place at the cenotaph in Martin Place at 4:15am. This will be followed by the ANZAC Day parade which will start in George Street at 9am. A commemoration service will be held at 12:30pm at the ANZAC memorial, and the day of remembrance will end with a sunset service at 5pm, back at the cenotaph in Martin Place.

ANZAC Day in Sydney
Photo courtesy of Sydney.com website

Camp Gallipoli
This event commemorates the landings mentioned above, and groups and individuals will be able to camp together as the Diggers did during the First World War. There will be no tents or camping stoves, just an opportunity to sleep under the stars and “join in a night of entertainment and remembrance”. In the morning a dawn service will be followed by breakfast prior to the closure of the camp.

Food and drink will be available to buy, but you can also buy tickets inclusive of meals. Alcohol will only be served in the bar areas and cannot be consumed anywhere else within the site.

There’ll be performances from Mahalia Barnes and Jon Stevens, plus appearances by Australian football and cricket players, Olympian Leisel Jones, actress Isabelle Cornish and more to be announced.

Where: Centennial Park, Sydney NSW 2021
When: From 3pm, Friday 24 April
Cost: Including dinner and breakfast: Adult $121, Concession/Junior (3-15) $99
Excluding food: Adult $88, Concession/Junior $77

Camp Gallipoli
Photo courtesy of Camp Gallipoli website

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