Forestville families can enjoy French food, live music and family entertainment when the FANS French Market celebrates its 20th edition in neighbouring Killarney Heights, following a record of community fundraising that generated $70,000 in profit last year.
The anniversary market will be held at Killarney Heights Public School on Sunday, 15 November 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. More than 60 stalls are expected, offering French cuisine, clothing, specialty products and gifts, alongside carnival rides and children’s activities.
Organised by the French-speaking Association of the North Shore (FANS), the annual market is the association’s main fundraiser for the school’s French-English bilingual education program, which has operated for more than 25 years.
Last year’s French Market delivered $70,000 profit
The market has grown from a school fete into a major community event, drawing visitors from across Sydney to celebrate French culture while supporting local education.
According to the FANS Term 4 2025 newsletter, last year’s event attracted more than 6,000 visitors, involved over 300 volunteers and 60 stallholders, and generated $70,000 in profit. FANS said the proceeds would support new learning resources, teacher development and the ongoing costs of its bilingual education program.
For the 20th edition, the food selection will include crêpes, croque-monsieur, raclette, French cheeses, pastries, waffles and other specialties. Visitors can also browse stalls selling fashion, accessories, homewares, artwork and handcrafted goods.
Live music performances are planned throughout the day, while younger visitors can enjoy carnival rides, games and face painting.
The anniversary market will again rely heavily on community participation. Organisers are recruiting 300 volunteers to help prepare the grounds, operate food stalls, supervise activities and assist with the event between 13 and 15 November.
The school behind Killarney Heights’ French identity
The market’s anniversary reflects the history of a French-speaking community that has helped shape Killarney Heights and its surrounding suburbs.
In 1998, local French-speaking families established a playgroup that helped lay the groundwork for bilingual education at Killarney Heights Public School. The first bilingual kindergarten class followed in 1999.
As the program expanded, the suburb became an increasingly popular home for families seeking French-English education. A report published in June 2025 examined how the school contributed to the area’s French-Australian identity. The report cited 2021 Census figures showing that 6.1 per cent of Killarney Heights residents spoke French at home, compared with 0.3 per cent across Australia.
The NSW Department of Education has also documented the program’s expansion from a single kindergarten class into bilingual learning across the primary school years.
Market proceeds help support 569 bilingual pupils
The program continues to serve hundreds of children, with FANS reporting 569 pupils enrolled across 27 classes at the beginning of 2026. The association employs 17 French teachers and a teaching assistant to deliver additional instruction alongside the NSW curriculum.
Children participate through two streams. The Francophone stream supports pupils who already speak French, while the Anglophone stream introduces the language to students learning it as an additional language.
Although the program operates within a NSW public school, families pay additional fees to participate. Fundraising activities such as the French Market help support teaching resources, professional development and operating expenses.
The school remains part of the NSW public education system, with the bilingual program providing additional French-language learning opportunities.
Forestville’s French education and transport connections
Forestville shares a direct connection with the association through French-language classes offered locally for secondary school students.The additional classes allow older students to continue their French studies beyond primary school, extending the bilingual education community into neighbouring suburbs.
Forestville also provides transport and parking options for families attending the market. According to the organisers’ visitor information, visitors can catch bus route 278 from the Forestville Memorial Hall area on Starkey Street. Parking areas around Forestville shops, the Memorial Hall and Melwood Oval are also identified as options, subject to local restrictions and availability.
More information about the event is available on the FANS website.
Published 10-Nov-2026
