Check out the Ocean Festival community events happening on the Northern Beaches.

Upcoming events

Sun 30 Nov
5.00 AM - 7.30 AM
Scott McGale

Sunrise at Manly Photography Course

Come along to a Shooting Sunrise @ Manly is a fabulous short photography course for Smartphones and DSLR cameras.
South Steyne, Shelter near Wentworth Street Manly
MEC Events, Ocean Festival, Art and Culture, Children and Families, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability
Sun 30 Nov
Sun 7 Dec
© Alexander Gunter Wandering Sea Anemone

Underwater Photography Exhibition

Visit the Underwater Photography Exhibition at the Belgrave Cartel to view the winners and finalists for 2025.
Belgrave Cartel 6 Belgrave Street Manly
Council Events, Exhibitions, MEC Events, Ocean Festival, Aquatic, Environment and Sustainability, Exhibitions
Sun 30 Nov
3.00 PM - 3.30 PM
Photo of a Little Penguin standing on a sandy shore

Meet Manly’s Little Penguins

As part of Ocean Festival, join our free and family-friendly community talk on Manly’s little penguins.
Manly Library - Community Room 1 Market Ln Manly
Council Events, Ocean Festival
Tue 2 Dec
8.00 AM - 10.00 AM
Sustainability Business Network (SBN) Dec25 networking event

Business Sustainability in Action – Summer Coffee meet-up

A free casual networking event for businesses wanting to be sustainable. This December it's over coffee where you can also view the Underwater Photography Exhibition as part of Ocean Festival.
Belgrave Cartel - 6 Belgrave St, Manly
Council Events, Ocean Festival, Sustainability Business Network, Sustainability information session, Business Development, Environment and Sustainability
Tue 2 Dec
6.00 PM - 9.00 PM
Camouflage with a Grin

Marine Talks at The Manly Club

Join us to celebrate our love of the oceans. Part of Ocean Festival, the highly popular event ‘Marine Talks' at The Manly Club is on again.
The Manly Club On Gilbert Park 2 West Esplanade Manly
MEC Events, Ocean Festival, Aquatic, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability
Thu 4 Dec
9.45 AM - 12.30 PM
Unknown, Long Reef Headland

Walk & Talk: Aboriginal Heritage & Culture

Join Karen Smith, Educator, Aboriginal Heritage Office, on a Walk & Talk over Long Reef Headland. Karen is from the Buruberongal clan of the Hawkesbury (Derrubin). Learn about Aboriginal Heritage & Culture on this walk from Long Reef SLSC to Fisherman's Beach.
Meet at Long Reef Surf Life Saving Club, off Pittwater Road, Long Reef
MEC Events, Ocean Festival, Aquatic, Children and Families, Education and Learning
Fri 5 Dec
9.30 AM - 12.30 PM
Operation Crayweed 2025

Freshwater Crayweed Quest

Join Operation Crayweed and Patagonia for a hands-on ocean adventure celebrating the hidden underwater forest at Freshwater Beach.
Freshwater Rockpool 4 Lumsdaine Drive Freshwater
Council Events, Ocean Festival, Aquatic, Children and Families, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability
Sat 6 Dec
10.00 AM - 11.30 AM
Two people on a SUP board doing yoga

SUP Yoga

Join us for a unique and fun SUP yoga class in Manly, Sydney. Beginners welcome, be ready to laugh and flow with us. 1.5hour session includes briefing, guidance on how to SUP and photos at the end!
Manly Wharf Manly
Council Events, Workshops and Talks, Ocean Festival, Aquatic, Environment and Sustainability
Sat 6 Dec
4.00 PM - 6.00 PM
Rock Platform Fairlight

Rock Platform Ramble at Fairlight

Discover the amazing diversity of sea creatures in your backyard. Join us for a rock platform ramble home to a surprising array of marine ecology.
Fairlight Beach Rockpool, Fairlight Walk, Fairlight
Council Events, Ocean Festival, Aquatic, Children and Families, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability
Sun 7 Dec
7.00 AM - 9.30 AM
Bongin-Bongin-Bay-Celebration-Morning

Bongin Bongin Bay Celebration Morning

Come and enjoy everything that Bongin Bongin Bay has to offer - Conde Naste’s travel magazine survey’s “the 6th best beach in the world”.
North end of Mona Vale Beach Mona Vale
Council Events, Ocean Festival, Aquatic, Children and Families, Community Group, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability
Sun 7 Dec
9.00 AM - 3.30 PM
Q Station

Harbour Day at Q Station

Join us to celebrate the beautiful harbour with a beach clean-up, history talks, wildlife insights, and scenic tours. Enjoy coffee, learn about Manly’s culture, protect penguins, and explore Sydney’s maritime history in a fun, educational day by the water.
Q Station, 1 North Head Scenic Drive Manly
Council Events, MEC Events, Ocean Festival, Waste Reduction Events, Aquatic, Children and Families, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability
Sun 7 Dec
10.00 AM - 3.00 PM
FoCTB Volunteers

Meet the Friends of Cabbage Tree Bay Volunteers

Meet the popular Friends of Cabbage Tree Bay (FOCTB) volunteers and find how you can join up and participate as a volunteer.
Shelly Beach Manly
MEC Events, Ocean Festival, Aquatic, Children and Families, Education and Learning
Sun 7 Dec
3.30 PM - 4.30 PM
Long Reef Aquatic Reserve

Long Reef’s natural wonders above and below the waterline

Celebrate the Long Reef Aquatic Reserve’s 45 years, with local expert Phil Colman on reef habitat and ocean currents.
Reef Education Room, Fisherman’s Beach off Anzac Ave Long Reef
Council Events, Ocean Festival, Aquatic, Children and Families, Community Group, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability
Sun 7 Dec
4.00 PM - 5.00 PM
Plastic pollution laid out on the sand

Surfrider Adopt a Beach Community Clean Ups

Join us and give your local beach and coastline a bucketload of love to tackle ocean plastics and pollution on 9 of our Northern Beaches from North Avalon to Manly.
Council Events, MEC Events, Ocean Festival, Waste Reduction Events, Aquatic, Children and Families, Community Group, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability
Sun 7 Dec
5.00 PM - 7.00 PM
Long Reef Headland

Long Reef Aquatic Reserve - Rock Platform Exploration

Come along for a guided tour to Long Reef Aquatic Reserve - Rock Platform Exploration
Reef Care Room just past Long Reef Golf Club Collaroy
Council Events, CEC Events, Ocean Festival, Aquatic, Children and Families, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability