Sydney’s local neighbourhoods will come alive with free, festival vibes for the whole family in spring.
Over 7 weekends, each of the main streets of Sydney’s inner villages will be closed to traffic for one day, creating car-free zones for locals to wander and explore their neighbourhood, while local businesses and organisations trade outdoors.
Sydney Streets will run from 11am to 10pm and feature alfresco dining, pop-up stalls, roving entertainment, live music, and kids’ games.
“Sydney Streets is something we introduced as part of our Covid community recovery plan to create outdoor celebrations in local neighbourhoods that bring communities together and support our high street businesses,” Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said.
“This spring, we’ll once again transform high streets across the city into spaces for walking, shopping, dining and entertainment.
“Along with our ongoing outdoor dining program, Sydney Streets has been instrumental in supporting the economic and social recovery of businesses and local communities impacted by the pandemic.
“The programs have also been beneficial in helping us work with local businesses in the production of the events including Indigenous company Boomerang Batteries who we’ve contracted to install the seating and other event infrastructure.”
Dates for the Sydney Streets program are:
23 September – Redfern Street, Redfern
Cool down with a drink at Beercade and enjoy some paella among friends at Vamonos. Performers including capoeira dancers and Mexican mariachi band Fiesta Viva will bring the entertainment.
30 September – Hay Street, Haymarket
Sample some traditional Chinese dishes from local favourites including Chongqing Hot Pot and delicious desserts from Sweet Lu. Dance groups, choirs, drummers and lion dancers will perform throughout the day.
14 October – Glebe Point Road, Glebe
Among the day’s performers are singer/songwriter Emad Younan, breakdancers and roving entertainers. Local favourites will be serving up their finest including Dirty Red Café, Staves Brewery, Nag’s Head Hotel and Kandy by Sri Lankan Bites.
21 October – Stanley Street, Darlinghurst
Grab a bite from local diners including Soul Burger and Yormichi and indulge in a cocktail from The Long Goodbye and Stanley’s Bar, while face painters and entertainers keep children amused.
4 November – Crown Street, Surry Hills
Choose from drinking and dining options including Ardis Block to Grill, Giuls, Masala Theory and Surry Hills Fine Wines, while DJs and live music will have people dancing in the street.
11 November – Harris Street, Pyrmont
Harris Street, between Pyrmont Bridge Road and Union Street, will be a walkable hub of activity well into the night. There will be plenty of music and live entertainment and food offerings including Elements Bar & Grill, Gallon and Dkstation Vietnamese Street Eats.
18 November – Macleay Street, Potts Point
Dance to music from live DJs, grab a bite from eateries including Rustic French and Ms Cattea Tea Bar and join in the fun with children’s activities and roving entertainers.
All Sydney Streets events are fully accessible, dog-friendly and will be buzzing with excitement and activity as local businesses bring their best with great deals, games and more.
Sydney Streets events are also being planned from February to April 2024. The series is another opportunity for local businesses and organisations to produce in-store activations to help attract customers and patrons to their venues, and potentially extend trading to outdoors subject to availability and approval.
