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
Food at The Charles in Sydney

The 3 best restaurants near each new Sydney Metro station

Wondering what to eat around Sydney’s new metro stations? It’s been a few weeks since Sydney’s major new M1 Metro line opened, springing several new stations to support the game-changing project. This has not only made getting around Sydney faster, ... Read more
The Soweto Gospel Choir is a highlight of Sydney Fringe Festival

Gospel steals the show at Sydney Fringe Festival

When we think of Sydney Fringe Festival, our minds tend towards the darkness. Eccentric, challenging and provocative theatre dominates the fringes of what is acceptable in the world of art and theatre, and this month-long event absolutely eats it up ... Read more
The two hectare Central Park in Bradfield City, Western Sydney

Australia’s first new city in over 100 years is being built in Western Sydney

Bradfield City Centre will be Australia’s first new city in over 100 years, extending from Western Sydney’s new aviation hub, Nancy Bird Walton Airport. We already know that Western Sydney is the key to the city’s ambitious future plans, with ... Read more
The MCA Cafe will become a fine dining experience.

The MCA’s sunny rooftop cafe to make way for fine diner ‘Canvas’

Sydney is getting a new fine dining restaurant atop the Museum of Contemporary Art, replacing the long-loved MCA Cafe while keeping those pristine harbour views. For years, the rooftop MCA Cafe has made up for its by-the-numbers grab-and-go food with ... Read more