SpecFest

SpecFest flash mob

NSW public school dance groups from right across NSW are encouraged to participate in the 2025 SpecFest Flash Mob. Now in its fourth year, this exciting initiative will take place as part of the entertainment at SpecFest, the outdoor festival that accompanies the 2025 Schools Spectacular, on Friday 28 November 2025.

To apply for the flash mob, teachers will need to submit an online application. There is no audition required, teachers just simply need to fill in the form and nominate the number of students they would like to be involved in the event. Once participant numbers are confirmed and schools have completed their acceptance forms, teachers will be provided with a video resource to use to teach their students the flash mob choreography. Participants will participate in a rehearsal on the performance day (Fri 28 Nov) from approximately 11 am and then remain on site for the flash mob performance at 5:45 pm. All flash mob participants and their accompanying teachers will be provided with complimentary tickets to view the 7 pm Friday 28 Nov Schools Spectacular performance.

Applications for the SpecFest 2025 flash mob are open now and close Friday 1 August.

School group performances

SpecFest provides the opportunity for performance groups from public schools around NSW to be showcased on one of our outdoor stages or as roaming entertainment. The SpecFest team are looking for groups including (but not limited to):

• musical ensembles (for example, big bands, marimba ensembles, vocal ensembles)
• dance groups (for example, cultural groups, circus skills, dancesport)
• drama groups (for example, street performers, mime)

Groups auditioning should be able to perform 6 to 8 minutes of content appropriate to an outdoor festival performance environment. School groups who want to perform need to be available for a safety briefing, rehearsal, and sound check on Thursday 27 November 2025.

Groups providing performances representing different cultures within their school or community are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications for the SpecFest 2025 school group performances are open now and close Friday 1 August.

Individual mainstage performers

SpecFest will feature a variety of individual musicians and vocalists performing different stages at various times throughout the event. Mainstage performers are selected through the Schools Spectacular individual application process, from the featured artist - vocalist, instrumentalist, and specialist categories. During auditions for these categories, the panel identifies standout students who may be offered the opportunity to perform at SpecFest.

Students interested in this incredible opportunity must apply for their relevant category in the 2025 Schools Spectacular. Visit the individual performer application page for more details.

Featured artist applications close at 5 pm, on Friday 28 February 2025.

Surround Sound – rural and remote band competition

Surround Sound is a band competition for students from NSW public secondary schools in rural and remote areas. Bands can be made up of 3 to 16 members and may perform covers or originals in any contemporary music style. SpecFest is the host for the competition's final rounds, live and loud on the mainstage in the forecourt of Qudos Bank Arena. For more information and how to apply visit the Surround Sound page.

Surround Sound applications close on Friday 30 May 2025.

Student production team

If you're a student in Years 10 to 12 and interested in being a part of the student production team for SpecFest, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside the Schools Spectacular production team and industry professionals. Your responsibilities will include assisting with the bump-in, bump-out, management, and coordination of all the elements of the event, as well as the operation of camera, audio, and lighting equipment.

Applications for the SpecFest 2025 student production team are open now and close Friday 1 August.

Staff production team

Staff who are interested in applying for the staff production team for SpecFest should apply via the Schools Spectacular 2025 staff production team application process and indicate their interest in working on SpecFest as part of the application. For more information, visit the Schools Spectacular staff production team application page.

Applications for the staff production team close on Friday 9 May 2025.

The cost of involvement in SpecFest varies depending on your auditioned category. Specific details regarding the costs for each performance group will be provided here soon.

Costs will be direct debited from the student's school. Students will need to pay the fee directly to their school once notified of their acceptance into the event.