Sydneysiders can look forward to a delightful experience this March as the popular social event **Cake Picnic** makes its way to the **Royal Botanic Garden**. On **March 28, 2026**, the event will feature an impressive display of **500 cakes**, with participants required to bring their own creations to share.
The concept behind Cake Picnic is simple yet engaging: every attendee must bring a cake to gain entry, allowing them to sample a variety of baked goods from others. The venue, specifically the **Tarpeian Lawn**, will be transformed into a vibrant showcase of sweets, with tables adorned with an array of confections, from colorful tiered cakes to classic sponges.
Elise Sunga, the creator of Cake Picnic, has attended 12 events globally and has encountered over **7,000 unique bakes**. She describes the sight of so many cakes gathered together as “incredible,” likening it to “a mirage in the desert.” The event originated in **2024** out of Sunga’s desire to indulge in a variety of cakes without having to bake them all herself. After organizing a cake swap in **San Francisco**, interest surged, resulting in the first gathering featuring **183 cakes**.
Following its success, Cake Picnic quickly expanded across the United States, with the event in **New York** selling out in less than a minute. Sunga humorously remarked, “It was harder to get than a **Taylor Swift** concert ticket.” The event now boasts international appeal, having made its way to locations including **London** and even **Mexico** before landing in Australia.
The inaugural **Australian Cake Picnic** will kick off on **March 21** at **Kings Domain** in **Melbourne**, as part of the **Melbourne Food and Wine Festival**, before heading to Sydney. Sunga is particularly excited to discover the regional variations in cake styles. “In London, there were a lot more lavender and tea-based cakes, whereas in the United States, it’s a lot of peanut butter and red velvet,” she explained, eager to see what Australian bakers will present.
For the Sydney event, Cake Picnic has teamed up with **KitchenAid**, a brand synonymous with high-quality kitchen appliances. Many of KitchenAid’s **stand mixers** will be put to good use in the lead-up to the event, contributing to the extensive variety of cakes on display.
The demographic drawn to Cake Picnic is diverse, ranging from professional pastry chefs to those who have never baked before. “Everyone is there for the love of cake,” Sunga noted, emphasizing a communal atmosphere where participants enjoy a beautiful morning in the outdoors, indulging in sweet treats.
Attendance for the Sydney event is capped at **500 participants**, with each required to bring a single, uncut cake measuring at least **20 cm wide** and **7.5 cm tall**. While cupcakes, tarts, and pies are not permitted, Sunga occasionally allows for creative interpretations of cake, such as a croquembouche or a towering stack of madeleines. She enjoys the unexpected creations, recalling one instance where a participant sculpted a cake to resemble a fish.
For those who may not have baking skills, cakes can also be purchased from bakeries or cake shops. Sunga encourages participants to unleash their creativity, adding an element of surprise to the event. “In New York, one woman sculpted a cake to look like a fish. It was so fun and unexpectedly delightful,” she said.
Cake Picnic in Sydney is scheduled for **Saturday, March 28**, from **09:00** to **11:00** at the **Royal Botanic Garden**. Tickets are currently available for **$49** each at **cakepicnictour.com/sydney**. With a unique blend of community spirit and culinary creativity, this event promises to be a memorable celebration of cake and camaraderie.
