Forget council meetings and polling booths — Randwick Town Hall is being transformed into a lively local destination for markets, live music, author events, performances and creative workshops.
The award-winning Town Hall Takeover is returning with a new program running from August 2026 until February 2027, giving locals plenty of new reasons to step inside one of Randwick’s most recognisable buildings.
Artists, performers, writers and makers will take over the historic hall for a changing line-up of free and low-cost events.
And this isn’t simply a one-weekend festival. Different events will move through the Town Hall over the coming months, ranging from a two-day artisan market and book-lover’s weekend to music workshops, live performances and free school-holiday programs for young people.
Not your usual trip to Town Hall
One weekend you could be browsing handcrafted ceramics and homewares. The next, you might be listening to authors, learning to DJ, reworking your wardrobe or watching brand-new Australian theatre come to life.
It’s a clever use of a beautiful local building that many residents would otherwise only associate with council business, voting or paperwork. Frankly, dancing and markets sound like much more fun.
Inside Randwick Town Hall. Image: Randwick City Council.
What’s coming to Randwick Town Hall?
Rainbow Rodeo
The season opens with a colourful celebration of Wear It Purple Day featuring line dancing, performances, DJ sets and a free barbecue.
Reading Takeover
A weekend for book lovers featuring an author panel, a communal read-in and write-in, and a creative writing workshop with internationally published author Kavita Bedford.
The Art & Object Market
More than 40 Australian artists, designers and makers will fill the Town Hall with ceramics, glass, illustration, textiles, floral creations, baked goods, homewares and beautifully made objects.
Heaps Decent Youth Takeover
A free school-holiday creative program for ages 14–20 covering songwriting, DJing, electronic performance, fashion customisation, wearable art and creative career pathways.
The program will continue with experimental performances, artist development showings and Play Club, a high-energy reading group usually held at Belvoir St Theatre.
Some events are designed for a broad local crowd, while others are more specialised. That variety is the point: the Town Hall will keep changing depending on who has taken it over.
In a nutshell…
The 2025 Town Hall Takeover involved 266 creatives.
It delivered 30 days of free and low-cost programming.
More than 5,000 people attended events inside the venue.
More than 700 hours of creative activity were generated.
For locals, it means more cultural events without needing to head into the city. For local artists and makers, it creates a highly visible space to perform, experiment, sell work and connect with a new audience.
Individual events will have their own dates, prices and booking requirements, although much of the program is free or low-cost.
Explore the Full Program
