Giant Cake Picnic Brings Sweet Joy to Sydney

Sun Mar 29 2026 16:50:24 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Cake Picnic phenomenon, originally launched in San Francisco, has made its Australian debut in Sydney, attracting a diverse crowd of bakers and cake lovers to enjoy a vibrant celebration of sweets.

Sydney recently hosted its first Cake Picnic, a viral event that celebrates cake sharing among bakers and dessert enthusiasts. The gathering took place in the picturesque Royal Botanic Garden, where over 500 attendees displayed their flavorful creations, from towering layer cakes to unique savory options. Founded by Elisa Sunga, the event promotes community and joy through the simple act of sharing cake, encouraging connections across generations and backgrounds.

Giant Cake Picnic Brings Sweet Joy to Sydney

Welcome to Cake Picnic, Sydney edition. This viral event has sold out in cities including San Francisco and New York, and now it has arrived in Australia. The first event took place in Melbourne earlier this month with a record of 1,600 cakes and an eager crowd. Elisa Sunga, the founder and a part-time baker, reflects on her surprise at turning her love for cake into a touring event.

The concept is charmingly straightforward: attendees each bring a cake, sparking connections around a shared love of baking and community. Sunga, who hails from the Philippines but moved to San Francisco at age 12, hosted her first cake gathering two years ago with the expectation of a small gathering. She was shocked when nearly 200 people turned up with cakes in hand.

It feels unreal, she said, expressing her disbelief at how widely embraced the idea has become globally. I had no idea that thousands of people all over the world would be as excited as I am.

This excitement was palpable during the Sydney event held in the Royal Botanic Garden, where over 500 participants lined up to showcase their creations. From spongy cakes to extravagant displays of towering designs, the picnic transformed into a colorful celebration of creativity and community.

Participants followed specific guidelines for cake sizes, emphasizing a non-competitive spirit that prioritizes fun over rivalry. The variety of cakes showcased included a metre-high swan cake, decadent Persian baklava, and savory cakes like focaccia decorated with pesto icing.

Hilary Lindgren, 54, a participant, noted the joy and fun of baking with her daughter late into the night: There are so many negative things happening in the world at the moment that it's nice to do something like this.

Drawing connections between generations, Sunga believes the picnic bridges gaps that typically separate people in urban settings. Her vision combines her professional life in tech with her passion for baking, creating a tangible outlet that promotes creativity through community engagement. I want to have my cake and eat it too, she remarked as she continues juggling her day job with her cake mission.

The Cake Picnic is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of life, connection, and the simple pleasure that comes from sharing cake.