Sydney is getting ready for one of its biggest running weekends of the year, but you certainly don’t need to be a marathon runner to join the fun.
The TCS Sydney Marathon weekend, running from Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 August 2026, is shaping up as a huge celebration across the city, with activities for kids and families, free live entertainment, a four-day festival and even a chance to run through Sydney and finish at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
From the family-friendly TCS Sydney Mini Marathon to dinosaurs taking over Circular Quay and free music stages along the marathon route, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
Run as a Family in the TCS Sydney Mini Marathon
Want to give the kids their first taste of a big-city running event?
The TCS Sydney Mini Marathon takes place on Saturday 29 August, offering families a 5km run through the heart of Sydney with an unforgettable finish at the Sydney Opera House.
Designed to be accessible to everyone, there are no age restrictions, making it suitable for kids, parents, grandparents and first-time runners.
Prams are also welcome in the final start group, so even some of the littlest family members can come along for the ride.
The course will be fully closed to traffic, with marshals and entertainment positioned along the route to create a safe, exciting atmosphere.
And there is something waiting at the finish line – every entrant receives a finisher’s medal.
Whether your family runs, jogs or takes things at a more relaxed pace, it’s a pretty special opportunity to experience Sydney’s streets without the usual traffic and cross the finish line beside one of Australia’s most famous landmarks.
TCS Sydney Mini Marathon
When: Saturday 29 August 2026
Distance: 5km
Where: Royal Botanic Gardens to Sydney Opera House
Adult entry: $80
Children 16 & under: $50
Age restrictions: None
Prams: Welcome in the final start group
Finisher’s medal: Included for every entrant
Motion Festival Takes Over Circular Quay
You don’t have to enter a race to enjoy marathon weekend.
From Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 August, the free Motion Festival will take over the Customs House forecourt at Circular Quay, creating a four-day celebration in the lead-up to race day.
For families, one of the biggest attractions will be Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo.
The acclaimed interactive theatre experience gives children the chance to get surprisingly close to prehistoric creatures, from baby dinosaurs to some of the biggest – and mostly friendly – carnivores and herbivores to come back to “life”.
Alongside the dinosaurs, visitors can expect live music and entertainment, big-screen race coverage and plenty of marathon-week atmosphere.
There will also be plenty to eat at the Carb Food Festival, which seems particularly appropriate during marathon weekend!
Motion Festival
When: Thursday 27 – Sunday 30 August 2026
Where: Customs House Forecourt, 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay
Cost: FREE
Free Race Day Music Stages
If running 42.2km isn’t quite your idea of a relaxing Sunday, cheering from the sidelines might be more your speed.
On Sunday 30 August, two free, all-ages music stages will bring even more energy to the marathon course and turn race-day spectating into a day out.
The SCG Stage on Driver Avenue, Moore Park will feature Tigerlily, The Potbelleez and Nina Las Vegas.
Over at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, the entertainment continues with Anna Lunoe, Discovery, Mashd N Kutcher and Alex Hayes, before Bag Raiders close out the day.
It’s a great opportunity to find a spot along the route, cheer on thousands of runners and enjoy some free live music at the same time.
Race Day Music Stages
When: Sunday 30 August 2026
Where: Driver Avenue, Moore Park and Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney
Cost: FREE
Suitable for: All ages
Make a Weekend of It
The TCS Sydney Marathon may have running at its heart, but this year’s program gives families plenty of reasons to get involved even if nobody in the household is tackling the full marathon.
Start the weekend with a visit to Motion Festival, get the kids moving with the 5km Mini Marathon on Saturday, then head out on Sunday to cheer on the marathon runners while catching some free live music.
With dinosaurs, family running, food, entertainment and some of Sydney’s most recognisable locations providing the backdrop, TCS Sydney Marathon weekend is becoming much more than a race – it’s a city-wide celebration families can be part of too.
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