What is it about William Street that demands it gets its own festival, the aptly named William Street Festival?
Held in the heart of Paddington, William Street Festival is a celebration of the street, its unique retailers and Paddington lifestyle. Cosmopolitan William Street is different from other places in Sydney; it celebrates the finer things in life and iconic heritage buildings. It is a dynamic mix of cultures, styles and people. A street well known for its array of high-quality boutiques, bars and eateries, William Street contains many hidden fashion gems, and the festival aims to help promote the culture that abounds here.
How has the festival grown over its seven years in existence?
The festival grew every year together with the street retailers community that is very aware of what kind of event they want and the activities they’d like to happen on the day. This year marks the seventh edition of the William Street Festival, and we’re going to have many new and exciting features.
This year’s event features an Open Air Cinema. How did it come about, and what can audiences expect?
The Open Air Cinema is an activity that we proposed to the street retailers since the very first meeting, together with the extension of the duration of the event, and they immediately loved the idea. Audiences can expect to enjoy a movie with a French component in a nice and cosy lounge area!
How important is it to the Sydney night-time entertainment scene that William Street Festival has been able to expand after dark?
The festival this year wants to attract different audiences and have something for everybody. We want the festival to offer a wide variety of activities and entertainment, to celebrate this unique street in the best way possible.
What are the other highlights of the day?
The festival is offering 33 amazing outdoor activations thanks to the street retailers participating in the event and 20 stalls thanks to our fantastic external vendors, providing the festivalgoers with great shopping and delicious food. We’re going to have a full music program and a kids’ corner sponsored by Opus during the day, plus an Open Air Cinema and light projections at night. An extra and unique feature of this year’s festival is the Progressive Dining Walk, organised by The Sydney Connection, to promote the high standard of innovative cuisine, good service and great dining rooms available at the restaurants and bars on William Street. This activity is part of Good Food Month.
William Street Festival 2015, in Paddington, takes place on Saturday October 17.
