Again, Sydney Festival is spoiling Sydneysider’s, having shipped in what has become a highlight of Sydney’s summer, The Famous Spiegeltent.

Standing proud in Hyde Park, the tent, a stunning ‘European Mirror Tent,’ is lined with cosy wooden booths and an ornate bar, with an Art Nouveau chandelier and hanging trapeze overhead. It’s been described as, “the ultimate cabaret and music salon,” and we at Agenda agree. Every year the Spiegeltent is one of the first Sydney Festival offerings to sell out, due to the combination of superb, eclectic programming and the allure of the very special venue
By day, kids boogie under the big top to tunes by Holly Throsby from her kids’ album See! At lunchtime, one of Australia’s finest interviewers, journalist Caroline Baum, asks artists the hard questions in Microscope Artist Talks, including Q&A’s with choreographers Kate Champion and Gideon Obarzanek,  and with performer Meow Meow, creator of The Famous Spiegeltent’s house show, Little Match Girl.

Sundown is when the fun really begins with music from around the globe filling the air. Artists hailing from the Ivory Coast (Fatoumata Diawara) to New England neighbours, Tune-Yards and the founder and frontman of Massachusetts’ finest, Dinosaur Jr., J Mascis perform live, and up close.

This year, The Famous Spiegeltent precinct includes the Jägermeister Hunting Lodge in the Festival Garden, a lounge made from logs where tent ticket holders can kick back after the main event, enjoy a few drinks, DJs sounds and more live music.

Where: Hyde Park North, Corner College and Park Streets, Sydney
Hours: Daily (except Jan 16 & 23) After 5pm The Festival Garden (alongside The Famous Spiegeltent) is an over 18s venue.
Details: spiegeltent.net A selection of food and beverages are available.
Bookings: sydneyfestival.org.au