Sydney high streets gear up for festival fun

Residents and visitors in the City of Sydney area can look forward to a series of events that will create a festival atmosphere and bring communities together to have fun and support local businesses.

As part of Sydney Streets, local neighbourhoods will transform into traffic-free zones for one-day festivals across various weekends from February to April.

Live music, roving performers, children’s entertainers and alfresco dining will create festival vibes along the street, while businesses and local retailers will have the opportunity to trade outdoors and entice passers-by with special offers, pop-up shops and live performances.

“Our last series of Sydney Streets was a huge success that brought neighbourhoods together and encouraged locals to visit businesses in their area,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“We first introduced Sydney Streets as a pandemic-recovery initiative, giving people a fun and safe way to enjoy being out among friends and family, local businesses get back on their feet. It was so popular we committed to holding more of the street parties, and they’re getting better each time.

“I encourage everyone to join family and friends and come along to their local event.”

Six Sydney Streets events will take place across the local area:

Darlinghurst Road and Macleay Street, Potts Point – Sunday 19 February, 11am to 9pm

Along with some Sydney WorldPride celebrations that will add sparkle to the day, enjoy DJs at The Roosevelt’s pop-up bar and Pride-themed cocktails including MarGayRitas from Bistro Rex.

Local retailers will take special offers to the street and the El Alamein fountain area will be a hub for kids’ activities and games.

Glebe Point Road, Glebe – Sunday 5 March, 11am to 9pm

The strip will buzz with a live DJ at Ethiopian restaurant Jambo Jambo, performances from Latin Dance Australia and a food stall and music at Sri Lankan diner Kandy.

Tommy’s Beer Garden will serve pretzels, pig rolls and sausages, and Glebe institution and popular vegetarian café, Badde Manors, will reopen for business.

Redfern Street, Redfern – Saturday 11 March, 11am to 10pm

Expect everything from local retailers withpop-up bars from The Tudor Hotel and The Redfern and a ‘Hoptimus’ truck by Atomic Beer Project set up for games and a beer garden.

Together The Sunshine Inn and The Dock will host live bands, DJs and a vinyl record fair, and Mark’d Tattoo will have special offers by signature artists.

Children and adults can also join painting classes run by Sydney Collective.

Stanley Street, Darlinghurst – Saturday 18 March, 11am to 10pm

Businesses will offer alfresco wining and dining options.

DJs will fill the street with tunes from Stanley’s Bar and Verde Restaurant, and Harrys by Giuls will host live music performances.

La Farmacia and Flave will also trade out on the street and offer their signature food and beverages.

Harris Street, Pyrmont – Saturday 25 March, 11am to 10pm

The strip between Pyrmont Bridge Road and Union Street will become a hub of activity with roving performers and live musicians keeping locals and visitors entertained.

Kids can join in a variety of workshops in the circus playground and Snap Fitness will run hip-hop dance classes.

A pop-up bar by Porter’s Liquor will offer a variety of tastings and boutique clothing store Urban Oasis will host red-carpet fashion parade.

Crown Street, Surry Hills – Saturday 1 April, 11am to 10pm

The centre of Surry Hills will be set up for a fun-filled day for the whole family, with Crown Street closed to traffic between Cleveland and Foveaux streets.

There will be pop-up stalls and live DJs at some of Surry Hills’ favourite venues including The Clock Hotel, Ardi’s Block to Grill and Masala Theory.

Reactivate will host children’s activities and workshops, and dancers from the Sky Sirens studio will entertain locals with a Moulin-Rouge themed performance.

Sydney Streets is part of the City of Sydney’s community recovery plan to support Sydney’s economic and social revival following the pandemic.

Local businesses keen to be involved in the Sydney Streets series can visit the City of Sydney website for more details.

Plans for a Sydney Streets winter series are also in the works and expected to run from mid-May to late June.

Media contact Elaine Kelly. Phone 0477 362 550 or email [email protected]

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Zoe Delamare. Phone 0477 263 615 or email [email protected]