PHIVE Presents: Soft Forest at Midwinter Festival

What is Soft Forest?

Soft Forest is a magical immersive experience for children and families at Parramatta Town Hall this July school holidays, as part of the Midwinter Festival. Step into a dreamlike underground world and meet Fauna, a giant illuminated creature, as you explore through interactive storytelling, light and sensory play. Children can also create their own puppet in a hands-on workshop, taking home a piece of the magic.

When

Wednesdays to Fridays across the July school holidays:

• Wednesday 8 – Friday 10 July 2026
• Wednesday 15 – Friday 17 July 2026

Session Times - five sessions daily

• 11:30am – 12:15pm Sensory session Wednesdays / Auslan interpreted session Thursdays
• 12:45pm – 1:30pm
• 2:00pm – 2:45pm
• 4:00pm – 4:45pm
• 5:15pm – 6:00pm

Tickets

• Children: $15
• Adults Accompanying a child: Free (maximum 1 adult per child)
• Additional Adults: $10
• Children under 12 months and Companion Card Holders: Free

Please note: Each paid child ticket includes one free accompanying adult only. Entry will not be permitted for additional adults without a valid ticket.

Important Information

• Duration: Approximately 45 minutes
• Arrival: Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your session time
• Late Entry: Late entry may not be permitted once a session has commenced
• Supervision: Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult at all times
• Tickets: All attendees must hold a valid ticket for entry
• Prams: are welcome, with a designated pram parking area available.
• Experience Format: Soft Forest begins as an immersive performance inside Parramatta Town Hall, where children meet Fauna and explore a glowing world of light and story. The experience then continues with a hands-on puppet-making workshop, where children can create their own Fauna to take home.

PHIVE stands on the lands and waters of the Burramattagal people of the Dharug Nation. We acknowledge Burramatta as a place of deep cultural significance, ceremony, and tradition. We pay our respects to Dharug Ancestors and Elders, past, present and future, and extend that respect to all First Nations people joining this program.