Western Sydney will take centre stage this year as the Coliseum Theatre at West HQ launches its inaugural Coliseum Summer Festival – a two-month celebration of major productions, family experiences and precinct-wide activity designed to bring world-class entertainment closer to home.
Running through to 24 January 2026, the Festival brings together five blockbuster shows under one seasonal banner. It marks the largest summer program the Coliseum has delivered since opening and signals a new era for arts and entertainment in Sydney’s west.
Sooshi Mango: Home Made Encore
Saturday 6 December 2025 – 7.00pm
Sooshi Mango have taken the world by storm in recent years with their relatable, nostalgic humour and hilarious delivery. If you’ve never witnessed the comedic sensations live before, expect outrageousness, characters, skits and musical numbers inspired by their beloved family that will have you doubled-over laughing.
Cosentino – Tricked
Saturday 13 December 2025 – 7.30pm
Step into the mysterious world of Australia’s greatest illusionist, Cosentino. Be captivated by breathtaking grand stage illusions, mind-boggling close-up wonders and heart stopping escapes that will leave you mesmerised to the very last jaw-dropping moment.
Cirque Alice
Wednesday 24 December 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026
Step into magical ‘Wonderland’ as Cirque Alice reimagines Lewis Carroll’s classic adventures with breathtaking twists and astonishing, gravity-defying feats. A joyous acrobatic adventure filled with heart-stopping moments and unforgettable performances, Cirque Alice is a fantastical extravaganza for all ages!
Bluey’s Big Play
Saturday 10 January – Sunday 11 January 2026
From New York’s Madison Square Garden to London’s Royal Festival Hall, Bluey’s Big Play has delighted fans across the globe – and now it returns home to Australia for an encore tour. Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life.
Shrek the Musical
Wednesday 21 January – Saturday 24 January 2026
Get ready for an exhilarating adventure to a far, far away kingdom… This action-packed spectacle brings your favourite animated characters to life on stage! Embark on an epic quest to a far, far away kingdom turned upside down.
“The Coliseum Summer Festival celebrates the diversity of audiences in the rapidly growing region of Western Sydney,” said Richard Errington, Chief Executive Officer of West HQ. “It’s an opportunity for our Western Sydney community to experience world class entertainment right here on their doorstep.”
Since opening, the Coliseum Theatre has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors and hosted performers from international stars like Anastacia to Australian favourites Jimmy Barnes, Celeste Barber and Australian Idol. With its striking architecture and acoustics, it has become a cultural landmark for the West.
The Coliseum Summer Festival transforms the broader West HQ precinct into a full summer destination, offering:
• Complimentary drinks with select ticket purchases
• Daily giveaways during launch week (1 – 7 December)
• Seasonal cocktails at the Chandelier Bar
• Free candy canes for kids attending the Christmas Eve performance of Cirque Alice
Families can extend their visit with dining at West HQ’s award-winning restaurants or stay overnight at Novotel Sydney West HQ, all within steps of the theatre.
Trish Charan, General Manager of the Coliseum Theatre, said the Festival is part of a larger effort to reimagine what summer arts experiences can look like for local audiences.
“For too long, locals travelled into the city for this calibre of entertainment,” said Ms Charan. “That’s changing. The Coliseum proves that venues outside the CBD can deliver the same world-class productions while celebrating the identity and vibrancy of Western Sydney.”
With headline comedy, family favourites, cutting-edge acrobatics and major touring productions, the Coliseum Summer Festival offers something for every generation – all just minutes from home for millions of Western Sydney residents.
For more information about the Coliseum Summer Festival, visit: www.coliseumtheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Jeff Hobson as The Mad Hatter in Cirque Alice – photo by Peter Wallis