Japanese culture takes centre stage at 3rd annual Sake Festival

Sake it to me, Sydney. The signature drink of Japanese hospitality has given rise to the third annual Sake Festival, which takes over Carriageworks for two delicious days at the end of September.

Sydney is packed with wine festivals year-round, but now we finally have two days dedicated entirely to Japanese sake.

The unique beverage, generally made from polishing short or medium grade rice to remove to bran, will be the star of its eponymous festival, of course. But there’s also a wide variety of Japanese food and cultural activities being planned for the occasion, bringing all types of delicious, interesting and engaging stallholders to the Eveligh institution.

More than 200 varieties—yes, you read that correctly—of sake will feature at the event, with many Japanese sake breweries flying in directly from Japan to showcase the drink’s surprising range.

Tradition sits at the core of Sake Festival, so you can expect Japanese drum performances with singers, DJs and dances to round out to entertainment while 100 stallholders come together to celebrate.

The elegant visuals of a traditional Japanese flower show (AKA a Hannaningen show)

Several free Sake 101 seminars will also feature, including masterclasses on how to expertly pair sake with food and panel talks from some of Australia’s foremost experts on the traditional drink.

There are a few more surprises being planned across the two days as well, including a “walk” show. Originating in Japan, these contests simply celebrate the art of walking as a powerful expression of humanity and movement. It’s an example of the cultrual dimension that’s being poured into the Sake festival, beyond just having the country’s largest concentration of sake all in the one spot.

Sake Festival

Where: Carriageworks; 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh
When: Saturday, September 28 – Sunday, September 29
Tickets: From $60

sake-festival.com.au

Related
What to do gif v2

The best things to do in Sydney this weekend (September 20-22)

Looking to make some last-minute plans for in Sydney this weekend? Whether you’re a local steaming towards the end of the work week or a family looking for the best kid-friendly activities in Sydney this weekend, the Sydney Travel Guide ... Read more
Two big mooncakes to celebrate mooncake festival

Where to buy Sydney’s best mooncakes

The annual Mooncake Festival (AKA Moon Festival) is happening this week, with a massive celebration at World Square on Wednesday, September 18. A time-honoured tradition in Chinese culture, the Mooncake Festival (also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival or simply Moon ... Read more
A new work has been commissioned for the unique Tank space at Art Gallery of NSW

A cinematic installation has been commissioned for Sydney’s unique World War II bunker

Sydney-born Parisian artist Angelica Mesiti has been commissioned for her very first solo presentation at The Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW), conceived as an immersive video and sound installation based on communal rituals and seasonal cycles. Taking place in the ... Read more
The Gidley serves up one of the best gourmet burgers in town

Sydney’s favourite burger was just named one of the world’s best

The Gidley’s famous gourmet burger has been named one of the world’s best in a yearly list compiled by the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants panel. While food fads come and go as fast as you can say edible flowers, ... Read more