Up! For Fun in celebration of Down Syndrome Awareness Month

We warmly welcome you to join us for:  

Up! for Fun: Picnic & Games is an annual event held in the picturesque Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. This inclusive and heartwarming gathering unites individuals, families, and communities to raise awareness and support for people with Down syndrome, in celebration of Down Syndrome Awareness Month. 

Participants can enjoy delicious food and drinks, live performances, fun activities for kids, games, and special visits from beloved children's characters and celebrity friends. 

• Enjoy a picnic in the park - purchase from food truck onsite or feel free to pack your own picnic hamper.  

• Games for all ages and abilities.  

• A visit from everyone's favourite princess

• A visit from everyone's favourite superhero  

• Entertainment from Dance-ability 

• Performance by Matilda Maunder 

• Performance by Swamp Dogs

• Drumming session   

• Face painting 

• Nail artwork

• Arts and crafts station for both children and adults hosted by Bunnings

• Fire Truck

• And much more! 

Key Information:

📅 Sunday 18 October 2026

⏰ 11:00am – 2:00pm AEST 

📍 Location: Cresent Precinct, The Domain (corner of Art Gallery Road & St Marys Road) 

Transport

🚌 Bus 441 departs from the York Street side of the Queen Victoria Building (Stand D) and stops near the Art Gallery. It returns to the Queen Victoria Building, picking up outside the Gallery.

🚉 Train access is available via St James and Martin Place stations, both around a 10-minute walk.

🅿️ Metered parking is available on Mrs Macquaries Road and surrounding streets.

🚗 There are several parking stations near the Domain. The closest are the Domain Car Park Note: For those with accessibility needs, please park on Ground level and access the car park via Sir John Young Crescent.

Accessibility Information

Due to one of the lifts at the Domain Car Park currently being out of service, families may wish to drop guests off at the Domain Park via the driveway before the driver parks in the Domain Car Park or finds nearby metered street parking.

Accessible Parking options

Art Gallery of NSW

• Accessible parking and a drop-off location are available just outside the gallery.

• Holders of mobility parking permits do not need to pay and may park for longer periods.

• The Art Gallery is only a short walk to the event site.

Art Gallery Accessibility & Parking Information

Botanic Gardens of Sydney

• On-street mobility parking is available near Woolloomooloo Gate and outside the Art Gallery of NSW.

• Vehicles displaying a valid Mobility Parking Scheme permit can park in any available bay free of charge, including along Mrs Macquaries Road and Hospital Road.

Botanic Gardens Accessibility Information

Thank you to:

A huge thank you to Botanic Gardens of Sydney for generously donating the venue for this very special event. We’re incredibly grateful for your support!

This event has been made possible through the support of the Department of Social Services Information Linkages and Capacity Building Program.

NOTE Registration is essential to attend this event. Please ensure you register every family member attending. 

Why we ask for demographic information

We collect this information to help us understand who attends our events and to report to our funders. It is shared de-identified, meaning your personal details are not

included. This helps us improve our programs and secure funding to keep them running.

Are you a member?

Membership is FREE. Sign up here: Become a Member – Down Syndrome NSW. We have lots of member-only events throughout the year as well as discounts for our conferences, workshops and training and other great member benefits soon to be announced! 

Down Syndrome NSW is the peak body for Down syndrome in NSW. We work with pride to support people with Down syndrome to reach their full potential. Your support at our events makes our work possible. Where we can, we provide events for free or at cost recovery only. We greatly appreciate your support. 

We look forward to seeing you!  

Down Syndrome NSW