Western Sydney’s newest city is throwing a free, future-focused festival this weekend, with ColliderFest set to transform Bradfield City into a hands-on playground of science, art and imagination.
Taking over the First Building on Saturday, 6th June, the one-day event invites families to step inside the emerging Bradfield City precinct—widely billed as Australia’s first new city in a century—and experience a hub of innovation and imagination.
ColliderFest leans heavily into STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), but is far from a classroom-style lecture. During the festival, visitors can expect a lively mix of interactive installations, performances, workshops and live music, alongside food trucks and open spaces designed for soaking up as much as learning.
Hands-on, all-ages experiences
Among the headline experiences, astrophysicist Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith will guide visitors through the wonders of the universe, while inventor Steve Mushin invites participants to dream up and build their own futuristic jungle cities.
There’s also ERTH’s large-scale creature installation “Fauna”, a surreal exploration of ecosystems inspired by mycelium networks, and Sky Sisters, a theatrical tribute to aviation pioneer Nancy-Bird Walton.
Elsewhere, visitors can get hands-on with everything from origami-inspired engineering and kinetic “body factory” builds to collaborative art projects that turn recycled materials into imaginative cityscapes. Western Sydney University’s robotic “Robodog” will also be on-site, offering a glimpse into the kind of technology shaping the region’s future.
A rare look behind the scenes for free
One of the festival’s most interesting opportunities is rare public access to the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF), where researchers and industry partners are developing cutting-edge production technology to support Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector, adding a layer of real-world innovation to the festival’s playful energy.
The event also doubles as a showcase for Western Sydney’s growing creative and scientific community, spotlighting local artists, performers and researchers whose work is helping define the region’s cultural and technological identity.
Deputy Premier Prue Car said the festival reflects the kind of accessible, family-friendly programming the NSW Government wants to see more of across Western Sydney. “It’s also an opportunity for young people in Western Sydney to explore science and technology, while also experiencing the exciting future taking shape at Bradfield City.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully added that events like ColliderFest are key to shaping Bradfield City’s identity from the ground up. “We want Bradfield City to be a place filled with energy, creativity and community from day one, and ColliderFest is a great example of that vision coming to life,” he said.
Key event details
- What: ColliderFest
- When: Saturday, 6th June 2026
- Where: First Building, Bradfield City Centre
- Cost: Free, All ages
ColliderFest is free to attend, with registrations now open here.
