Powerhouse Parramatta will open its doors in November with a 23-day Opening Festival featuring 179 events spanning First Nations culture, science, technology, design, music, food and film.

Running from 7 to 29 November across three weeks and four weekends, the festival will bring together Australian and international artists, designers, scientists and thinkers, alongside a strong program developed with Western Sydney communities.

Powerhouse Parramatta. Photo © Powerhouse studio

Sixty-five percent of festival events will be free, while all visitors under 16 will receive free entry to exhibitions. During the festival, the museum will open seven days a week, with extended hours until 9pm from Thursday to Sunday. From Monday to Wednesday, it will open from 10am to 5pm.

The program includes appearances by veteran astronaut and former NASA administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr., who will reflect on his career in space exploration, while a panel featuring space architect Melodie Yashar, artist and engineer Xin Liu, spacesuit developer Kiriti Rambhatla and artist Tavares Strachan will consider what it means to live in space.

Science fiction author Ted Chiang will discuss the pursuit of immortality, with his short story Tower of Babylon having inspired the design of Powerhouse’s Task Eternal exhibition. A panel of technology entrepreneurs will explore emerging developments including bio-manufacturing, space technology and AI medical diagnostics.

The opening weekend on 7 and 8 November will also feature steam trains and vintage buses, with the NSW Railway Band performing at Parramatta Station.

The Pride (Jin Wu Koon). Photo © Powerhouse Studio

Western Sydney artists and communities are central to the program. Jin Wu Koon will present The Pride, a new lion and dragon dance commission, while Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts will bring together Pacific community groups for a performance featuring the unveiling of Te Waka Whakakotahi, a newly commissioned Māori watercraft, and Pacific weaving mats.

Other highlights include a Pasifika Film Festival, a Diwali Day Party and Come Home Again, a large-scale installation by British artist Es Devlin featuring hand-drawn depictions of endangered NSW species and live choral performances by Western Sydney ensembles.

Jannawi Dance Clan. Photo © Stephen Wilson Barker

First Nations programming includes Jannawi, by Jannawi Dance Clan and collaborators, and Eseli’s Story, performed by 44 male dancers and eight singers and musicians from Badu Island. Gamilaroi Elder Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo OAM and Ngemba Weilwan woman Sharon Winsor will also join Julie Gibbs for a discussion on cultural knowledge and continuity.

The festival will also feature industrial designer Marc Newson, workshops and performances based on S. Shakthidharan’s Gather Up Your World in One Long Breath, and a dedicated program for families and young people, including a school summit for local students.

Powerhouse Interim CEO Abbie Galvin said more than 1,200 collaborators were contributing to the 23-day celebration.

For more information visit powerhouse.com.au