Festival First Night

The heart of the city is again transformed for Festival First Night – an extravaganza that invites everyone to experience Sydney in spectacular and surprising new ways. All are welcome, big and small. And it’s all free.

Enjoy kids’ fun in the afternoon with Holly Throsby performing her children’s album, plus Caspar Babypants with his very cool rockin’ sing-a-long. Share the shade with Erth’s puppets (if you dare) or get all tangled up in Polyglot’s bouncy sculpture. Hosted by Melbourne’s madcap Listies, this is one afternoon the kids won’t want to miss.

The good times roll on with DJ Norman Jay parking his iconic double-decker bus in Hyde Park, keeping Sydney dancing from 3pm with a marathon eight hour set of idyllic summer tunes. Meanwhile, one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists, Brook Andrew, presents an all-embracing spectacle that brings the buildings and streets around Hyde Park to life with massive projections and street performances amid a bevy of handpainted caravans.

As the sun sets prepare yourselves for the breathtaking aerial performance As The World Tipped on College Street, telling a powerful tale of eco-crisis. Pull on your retro threads and dancing shoes and head to Elizabeth Street to catch Jamaica’s mento masters The Jolly Boys. These dance hall legends get things swinging before The Sirens Big Band open an explosive outdoor Trocadero Dance Palace. The 40s and 50s jive and hop into life as Sydney’s swingsters and rockabillies fill the streets in all their fabulous finery.

FREE VALET BIKE PARKING

You can ride in style on Festival First Night with FREE valet bike parking courtesy of the City of Sydney. Leave your bike with our expert attendants and pick up a free bike map and reflective slap band while you’re there.

The City’s Valet Bike Parking service will be located in Hyde Park North near the corner of Elizabeth and Park Streets. The service starts at 1pm on and closes at Midnight.

College Street Temporary Cycleway Closure:

Please be aware that College Street (including the Cycleway) will be closed north of Park Street from 10am Friday 06 January until 6am Sunday 09 January. See the Festival website for details of other road closures around the city.