Snow Much Fun: Why Greenwood Hotel’s Snow Festival Is the Coolest Family Outing (and Date Night) This Winter

Swap your puffer jacket for a party hat because this winter, you won’t need to hit the slopes or break the bank to play in real snow. The iconic Greenwood Hotel’s Snow Festival is back from June 27 to July 6, 2025—and it’s snow joke! We’re talking 50 tonnes of real snow, a 20-metre toboggan slide, DJ-fuelled dancefloors, and mulled wine on tap. Whether you’re wrangling toddlers or escaping for a date night, this 10-day North Sydney takeover is pure winter magic.

Family Fun Forecast: Snowballs, Shania, and Street Hockey

Toboggan Slide (June 27 – July 6)

Strap in, scream loud, and hold on to your beanie—this giant 20-metre snow-covered toboggan is perfect for adventurous kids and thrill-seeking adults (just pretend you’re doing it for the kids). It’s open daily, and yes, you’ll want a second go. Or five.

Winter Night Markets (June 30 – July 4, from 4pm) Tired of soft play centres and takeaway chips? Upgrade your family outing with these rooftop markets packed with handmade goodies, live music, festive lights, and food stalls offering Euro eats and cosy winter cocktails. There’s mulled wine for the grown-ups, fairy lights for the ‘gram, and churros to keep the kids happy while you shop.

Canada Day Party (Saturday June 28, 2pm–1am) What do you get when you combine snow, poutine, free street hockey, and over $25K in prizes? Greenwood’s Canada Day bash. Kids are welcome until 7pm (free entry for them!), and there’s an all-day street hockey tournament, game shows, Canadian DJs, maple syrup vibes, and even the chance to win flights to Canada. You’ll be humming “O Canada” by the end.

Shania Twain Line Dancing (Tuesday July 1, 6:30pm)

Yeehaw! It’s not every day you get to teach your kids how to boot scoot to “That Don’t Impress Me Much.” Dress in your best country sparkle and get ready to line dance the night away with a live Shania Twain tribute band. It’s free, it’s fabulous, and it’s guaranteed to tire them out before bedtime.

Mario Kart Snowdown: Battle of the Businesses (Wednesday July 2, 5–9pm) Call the babysitter—this one’s for the competitive grown-ups. Bring your workmates or parenting crew and go wheel-to-wheel in Greenwood’s high-speed Mario Kart showdown. Prizes include 15% off at Greenwood for your entire office for the year. Losers walk home. Winners party.

Date Night Gold: DJs, Drinks, and Dancing Without Baby Shark

Snow Fall Party (Sunday June 29, from 1pm) It’s a rare moment when parents get to dance for joy without tripping on LEGO. But here you are—three stages, headliner DJs (Tommy Trash! Groove Terminator! Kid Kenobi!), and an all-day lineup that feels like the soundtrack to your pre-kid glory days. Bring your dancing shoes and leave the Paw Patrol backpack at home.

Winter Wonderland Thursdays (Thursday July 3)

Thursday = new Friday. And Greenwood Thursdays are turning into an après-ski dream. Expect DJ sets, snow zones, 2-for-1 pizzas, $6 drinks, free entry, and more singles than a Tinder scroll. Whether you’re out with your partner or having a long-overdue girl’s night, it’s a party you don’t want to miss.

Spirit of House Closing Party (Sunday July 6) Soul of Sydney is bringing disco-meets-house grooves to Greenwood for the ultimate winter wind-down. This Sunday session is for lovers of smooth beats, great wine, and finally having your hands in the air for a reason that isn’t wiping baby wipes off your jeans.

Need-to-Know Details

Where: Greenwood Hotel, 36 Blue Street, North Sydney (yes, just a hop from the train station and Metro)

When: Friday 27 June to Sunday 6 July 2025

Why: Because real snow + mulled wine + 20-metre slide = parenting win

How: For tickets and bookings, visit greenwoodhotel.com/snow-festival or grab spots for specific events at sevenrooms.com or Moshtix. Some events are free, others ticketed—book early, especially for the family-friendly ones!

Parenting Hack: Make a Day of It Start with a slide, shop the rooftop markets, grab a kids’ pizza at Blu Courtyard, then hand them over to the grandparents and stay for cocktails and dancing. You deserve it.