Join us to celebrate the new North Sydney CBD at the inaugural North Sydney Festival, Saturday 2 November.
We’re throwing a party to celebrate the latest phase of North Sydney’s redevelopment – with the opening of the new Sydney Metro Victoria Cross Station and Vic X city block, and the influx of new creative energy to the precinct.
Over the past few months, we’ve welcomed a host of new retailers and hospitality venues, transforming the CBD into a vibrant, lively entertainment hub that is increasingly attracting attention as one of Sydney’s next dining and recreation hot spots.
North Sydney Festival celebrates these exciting new arrivals and much more, with a full day of free music, art, creativity and entertainment from 11am to 5pm on Saturday 2 November, spread across four separate festival zones, catering for diverse audiences and interests.
A highlight for many will be the Main Stage on Mount Street, for which we’ve collaborated with two of Sydney’s finest – Small Fry Rock, renowned for their popular baby and toddler friendly music gigs; and Mary’s, the cultural icon behind Mary’s Underground and Mary’s Burger Bars (one of the proud new additions to the North Sydney CBD), to ensure an exceptional program.
Abuzz from morning to late afternoon, the Main Stage program will kick off with Small Fry Rock’s presentations of ARIA award winning artists Sarah McLeod and Ben Lee, followed by Mary’s curation of Australia’s hottest indie sounds – STUMPS, Sesame Girl, Jet City Sports Club and The Toothpicks.
Whilst in Brett Whiteley Place, a brilliantly quirky immersive art installation by artist Thom Roberts, from the North Shore’s famous Studio A, is sure to capture hearts and imaginations. Specially commissioned for the North Sydney Festival, the work is reflective of Thom’s unique vision of trains as people and people as trains; and inspired by his rides on the new Sydney Metro.
On a transformed Denison Street, festival patrons will find creative workshops and talks – with appearances by special guests including best-selling author Kristen Darrell, artisan market stalls, and a dedicated Kids Creative Zone, supported by Aqualand.
And throughout the day, Greenwood Plaza will come alive with pop up and roving entertainment from the likes of Sydney Street Choir, Shaun Parker & Company, aerial duo Up, Up and Away, and the Toybox Jesters.
North Sydney Council Chief Executive Officer Therese Cole says, “North Sydney is thrilled to present the inaugural North Sydney Festival, celebrating the CBD’s transformation.”
“If you haven’t already paid a visit, this free all-ages event provides the perfect opportunity to discover all that the area has to offer, whilst enjoying the buzzing Festival environment.
“We welcome residents and visitors from further afield to drop in for a single activity or performance; or stay the whole day with the option to continue the good times into the evening, when many of North Sydney CBD’s new venues – and much-loved established ones too – remain open.
“Don’t forget to take advantage of the new Sydney Metro to get to the Festival. North Sydney is now more connected that ever before – just three minutes from Barangaroo, five minutes from Martin Place, or eight minutes from Central.”
The North Sydney Festival is brought to you in partnership with the NSW Government through the Open Streets Program, an exciting initiative aimed at injecting vibrancy into our streets and helping to create thriving local places that support businesses, creative sectors and the community through events and activations. The Open Streets Program is part of the NSW Government’s Vibrant Streets Package.
Minister for Roads, Arts, Music and the Night-Time Economy, Jobs and Tourism John Graham said: “We’re excited to support this event in North Sydney.”
“Too often our main streets are something we drive through, rather than drive to. Our streets are a critical part of our public and social infrastructure. Great streets make great towns and centres and reflect the local community and culture.
“The Open Streets program is about temporarily transforming our main streets into vibrant and welcoming public event spaces.
“The colour and diversity of these 130 events celebrates the unique personality of each town or suburb. This is what our vibrancy agenda is all about, backing locals to create events and entertainment that works for their local community.”
The North Sydney Festival is proudly sponsored by the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and Aqualand.
View the full program and list of participating business at www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/NSFestival