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FLOAT River Festival to Bring Parramatta River to Life with Free Family Fun, Markets, Movies and Charity Duck Races

Hype Haus Media

Running from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September 2026, FLOAT River Festival will celebrate the

Parramatta River with a vibrant mix of riverside market stalls, food vendors, live

entertainment, floating activations, illuminated installations, outdoor movie moments and

community-focused experiences.

The event will open on Friday 4 September from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, creating a twilight festival

atmosphere with food, music, lights, inflatable movie entertainment and riverside activity. It

will continue on Saturday 5 September from 2:00pm to 9:00pm, before wrapping up on Sunday

6 September from 12:00pm to 6:00pm. Outdoor movies will screen on Friday and Saturday at

7:00pm.

Designed as a free-entry community festival, FLOAT aims to showcase the Parramatta River in

a fresh, colourful and highly engaging way, encouraging families, locals and visitors to enjoy

the foreshore across the weekend.

Festival-goers can expect market stalls along the river, food and beverage vendors, live music

and DJs, giant inflatable ducks, floating visual activations, family entertainment, an inflatable

movie screen, photo moments and a relaxed riverside atmosphere.

One of the major highlights of the weekend will be the Charity Rubber Duck Race, taking place

on both Saturday and Sunday at 3:00pm. Members of the public will be able to purchase a

numbered rubber duck online, decorate their duck on the day and cheer it on as it races across

the river. The first duck across the line will win a cash prize, with proceeds supporting charity.

The official charity partners for the duck race will be announced on 20 August.

Event organiser Monique Annetts said FLOAT River Festival has been designed to create a

memorable, accessible and family-friendly experience for Parramatta.

"FLOAT is all about bringing people together along the river and creating something

colourful, joyful and different for the community," Ms Annetts said.

"We want families to come down, enjoy the markets, grab something to eat, listen to music,

see the giant ducks, enjoy the outdoor movie atmosphere, take part in the duck race and

experience Parramatta River in a completely new way."

"The Charity Rubber Duck Race is going to be such a fun moment for the weekend, but it

also gives the event a meaningful community purpose by supporting charity."

FLOAT River Festival - Media Release Page 1FLOAT River Festival will also provide opportunities for local makers, food vendors, creatives

and performers to connect with the community as part of a large-scale riverside activation.

The event is expected to attract families, market-goers, food lovers and visitors looking for a

unique day-to-night festival experience in Western Sydney.

Event Details

Event FLOAT River Festival

Location Parramatta River Foreshore

Dates Friday 4 - Sunday 6 September 2026

Times

Friday 4 September: 5:00pm - 9:00pm

Saturday 5 September: 2:00pm - 9:00pm

Sunday 6 September: 12:00pm - 6:00pm

Entry Free

Outdoor Movies Friday and Saturday at 7:00pm

Charity Rubber Duck Race Saturday and Sunday at 3:00pm

Duck Sales Online from 21 August

Charity Partner

Announcement 20 August

Key Features

• Free-entry riverside festival • Food and beverage vendors • Giant inflatable ducks • Outdoor movie screenings on Friday and

Saturday at 7:00pm

• Family-friendly entertainment • Market stalls along the Parramatta River

Foreshore

• Live music and DJs

• Floating visual activations

• Twilight lighting and festival atmosphere

• Charity fundraising element • Charity Rubber Duck Race with a cash prize for

the winning duck

• Photo moments and riverside picnic vibes

Media Contact

Monique Annetts

AMA Event Management

[email protected]

0410 660 060