08.09.2025

The Children’s Festival, hailed by NSW Premier Chris Minns as “a brilliant day out and a proud reflection of who we are”, is returning to Playford Park, Padstow on Sunday, September 21st.

Last year, Mr Minns told the festival crowd in Padstow:
“This is an amazing festival. It’s such a privilege to be here to see kids coming together off their devices, off their mobile phones and playing in the community.”

In a written message of support for the festival this week, Mr Minns added:
“For more than 25 years, this festival has brought families and communities together to celebrate everything that makes our multicultural community special.”

Leaders Praise the Festival

Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, and Minister for Cyber Security, also praised the event, stating:

“We gather today to recognise the contribution our children, their parents and friends have made to create an inclusive and cohesive society, a society that is culturally diverse and representative of our community.”

The Founding President of the Children’s Festival Organisation, Thuat Nguyen AM, invited the entire community to join in what he described as “a free, lively, and entertaining festival that will run all day in Playford Park on Sunday, 21st September.”

He added:
“This is a day that each member of the family can enjoy, with exciting song and dance performances, music and martial arts demonstrations on stage, as well as games for the kids, wonderful food, market stalls, and interesting displays—including the entries for the Poster Design and Writing Competitions. We look forward to welcoming you at any time throughout the day on Sunday the 21st of September.”

Festival Highlights

✨ A major highlight of the day is the annual parade of hundreds of children in uniforms and national costumes, marching past an assembly of VIPs.

This year’s special guests include:

• The Hon. Jason Clare MP, Federal Minister for Education

• The Hon. Jihad Dib MP, Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister for Youth Justice, representing the Premier of NSW

• The Hon. Sophie Cotsis MP, Minister for Industrial Relations, and Minister for Work Health and Safety

• The Hon. Mark Coure MP, Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Shadow Minister for Jobs, Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, and Shadow Minister for South-Western Sydney

• Ms Kylie Wilkinson MP, State Member for East Hills

• Mr. Joseph La Posta, CEO, Multicultural NSW

• The Mayor of Canterbury-Bankstown, alongside other dignitaries from Federal and State Government, Canterbury-Bankstown City Council, community leaders, media representatives, and sponsors.

Event Details

📍 Location: Playford Park, Padstow (between Gibson Avenue and Cahors Road, near Padstow Railway Station)
📅 Date: Sunday, 21st September 2025
⏰ All-day family festival – Free Entry

Media Enquiries

• Contact: Warren Duncan

• 📱 Mobile: 0411 507080

• ✉️ Email: warren.duncan.crc@gmail.com

• 🌐 Website: www.childrensfestival.org.au

• 📸 Instagram: @childrensfestsyd

• 👍 Facebook: Children’s Festival Organisation Inc