At a glance
- When
- Saturday 14 November 2026, 6pm to 9:30pm; the films begin at 7:30pm
- Where
- The Strand, Dee Why Beachfront
- Cost
- Free general admission ticket; a reserved bean bag is $15; a free bag of popcorn per viewer while stock lasts
- Run by
- Northern Beaches Council, as part of Ocean Festival 2026
- Who it’s for
- Anyone who wants a free outdoor film night on the beach, including families
- What to do now
- Book the free ticket (or a bean bag) through the council’s event page, and bring a picnic rug or low chair
- Last checked
- Thursday 29 October 2026, against Northern Beaches Council’s event pages
- Not yet confirmed
- The full film list, the wet-weather plan, and parking and bus arrangements (none published on the event page)
The Best of Ocean Film Festival screens for free on Dee Why Beachfront on Saturday 14 November 2026. Activities start from 6pm, the films begin at 7:30pm and the evening finishes at 9:30pm. You bring a picnic rug or low chair, or you can reserve a bean bag for $15. Sydney is on daylight saving time, so all times are local AEDT.
This guide uses Northern Beaches Council’s event page and the council’s event calendar, read on 29 October 2026.
What is the programme on the night?
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6pm | Arrive and take part in activities before the screening |
| 7:30pm | The films begin |
| 9:30pm | Listed finish time |
The council says the pre-screening activities include the EPA Binnovator, a Coastal Environment Centre stall and the SharkSmart Van from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. The page does not say how long each activity runs, so the 6pm start is the only time to plan around.
Which films are being shown?
The council describes the evening as a collection of short films from the Best of Ocean Film Festival, covering ocean adventure and exploration, marine life, surfing and ocean sports, coastal cultures and conservation. It names three festival favourites: We the Surfers, Elephants of Avalon and Footprints on Katmai. It says more films will screen alongside them, and it has not published the full list or the running time of the programme.
Who is the evening aimed at?
The council describes the evening as one of ocean adventure, wildlife and storytelling. The page does not give an age guide or a rating for the films, and it does not say whether children are admitted without an adult. If you plan to bring children, contact the council before the night.
The EPA Binnovator, the Coastal Environment Centre stall and the SharkSmart Van are the activities the council lists before the films start, so arriving at 6pm gives you time to look around and settle in before 7:30pm.
How much does it cost, and what is a bean bag ticket?
| Option | Price | What the page says |
|---|---|---|
| General admission | Free | Bring a picnic rug or low chair and find your spot on the beachfront |
| Reserved bean bag | $15 per bean bag | Described as the best viewing experience |
| Popcorn | Free | One bag per viewer, limited stock |
Both the free ticket and the bean bag are booked through the “Book now” link on the council’s page, as at 29 October 2026. The page does not give a cap on free tickets, so book ahead rather than relying on turning up.
Where exactly is it?
The location is listed as The Strand, Dee Why, postcode 2099, and the page calls the venue Dee Why Beachfront. The council’s map link points to a spot at The Strand. The page does not name a car park, a bus stop or a closed road for the night, so use the Transport for NSW Trip Planner for your own trip and read the signs where you park.
What else is on in Ocean Festival 2026 around the same week?
The film night is one event in Northern Beaches Council’s Ocean Festival 2026. The council’s event pages list these nearby sessions. Each has its own booking arrangements, and some are limited in numbers.
| Date | Time | Event | Where | Cost (council pages) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 8 Nov | 6:30pm to 9:30pm | Turning the Tide: Lisa Blair talk and film tour | Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club | Free |
| Mon 9 Nov | 6pm to 9pm | Evening of marine science | Manly Club, 2 West Promenade | Free; booked out |
| Tue 10, Thu 12 and Sat 14 Nov | 9:30am to 10:30am | Guided snorkelling with Ecotreasures | Shelly Beach, Manly | Booked with Ecotreasures |
| Fri 13 Nov | 10:30am to 11:30am | Kelp City talk with marine scientist Annemie Rose Janssen | The Boathouse Shelly Beach, 1 Marine Parade | Free |
| Fri 13 Nov | 6:30pm to 7:30pm | Online whale talk with Dr Vanessa Pirotta | Online | Free, not recorded |
| Sat 14 Nov | 7:30am to 9am | Ocean Minded Morning | Manly Cove Beach, West Esplanade | $15 (booking fee applies) |
| Sun 15 Nov | 9am to 11am | Breakfast with the Friends of Cabbage Tree Bay | Shelly Beach boat ramp | Free |
Which of these could I fit into the same Saturday?
Saturday 14 November has three listed sessions in this list: two at Manly and the Dee Why film night. The Ocean Minded Morning at Manly Cove runs from 7:30am to 9am, with meditation and yoga, an ocean plunge and then coffee. A snorkel tour at Shelly Beach starts at 9:30am. The film night at Dee Why starts from 6pm. The pages do not give travel times between the venues, so check the Trip Planner if you want to do more than one.
What happens at the Ocean Minded Morning and the snorkel tours?
The Ocean Minded Morning is hosted by Ocean Lovers Festival and starts with meditation and yoga. After that comes a plunge in the ocean, and then everyone gathers for coffee to talk about the experience and to learn about the festival’s platform for change. The snorkel tours are led by Ecotreasures’ local eco guides at Shelly Beach and Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, and they are booked with Ecotreasures rather than through the council.
What is the whale talk?
Dr Vanessa Pirotta, a local whale expert and scientist, gives a free online presentation on Friday 13 November. The council says it covers whale songs, social interactions and why migration is an indicator of a healthy marine ecosystem, and it includes question time. The session will not be recorded, and registered people receive a link closer to the date.
What is already full?
The council’s page for the Manly marine science evening on 9 November says it is booked out. So does the page for the Palm Beach rockpool walk on 8 November. If you want a place at any of the other sessions, book early.
What should I bring, and what is still unconfirmed?
The event page asks you to bring a picnic rug or a low chair if you are on general admission. It does not publish a list of banned items, an alcohol rule, rules about dogs, or what happens in bad weather. Do not assume any rules that the page does not state. Check the page again closer to the date, and contact Northern Beaches Council through the details on it with questions.
- The full list of films and the running time of the programme.
- The wet-weather plan.
- Whether there are rules on dogs, alcohol or glass.
- Parking, bus and road arrangements around The Strand.
- How many free tickets and bean bags are available.
Sources
- Northern Beaches Council: Ocean Film Festival under the stars, read 29 October 2026
- Northern Beaches Council: event calendar, read 28 October 2026
- Ocean Minded Morning, Manly snorkel tour, whale webinar, Kelp City talk, marine science evening, Cabbage Tree Bay breakfast, read 29 October 2026
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Northern Beaches Council or the Ocean Film Festival.
Featured image: Dee Why Beach at sunrise (photo: AvaPine123 / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)