Sydney's Motion Festival is about to turn Circular Quay into one giant marathon party

You don't need to be running 42 kilometres to get something out of Sydney Marathon week, and Motion Festival is proof of that.

From Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 August, Customs House at Circular Quay turns into the official race week live site, free and open to absolutely everyone, runner or not. Expect live music, food stalls, big screens running race coverage and the general buzz of one of Sydney's most photogenic public spaces being taken over for four straight days. Doors are open from 4pm on the Thursday, then 7am to 9pm Friday through Sunday, so there's no shortage of chances to swing by.

The proper spectacle lands on Friday 28 August, when the free Meet the Stars opening ceremony takes over the Sydney Opera House Forecourt. The world's top marathon runners get their arrivals moment, Bag Raiders headline, and the night wraps with fireworks over the harbour, which is a fairly serious way to kick off a fun run.

Race day itself is Sunday 30 August, and even the course has had a glow up. Two new fan stages are opening along the route, one at Driver Avenue near the SCG and another at Mrs Macquarie's Chair, giving spectators proper reasons to plant themselves somewhere other than the finish line.

This is all part of TCS Sydney Marathon's push to turn race week into a genuine citywide festival rather than just a road closure you complain about on your commute. Whether you're running, cheering, or just after a free harbourside night out with fireworks attached, Motion Festival is worth pencilling in.