Winter in Sydney has never been hotter as the city comes alive with Sydney Solstice launching tonight. Sydney will be buzzing with more than 200 events across 150 venues, showcasing the city’s world-class hospitality, music and creative industries, and thriving night-time economy until 20 June.
A NSW Government initiative delivered by Destination NSW, the Sydney Solstice program spans four precincts
– CBD, Darling Harbour, Newtown, Oxford Street and surrounds.
Highlights include the re-opening of the Metro Theatre; an extravagant ‘Queen’s Feast’ long-table dinner at Sydney Town Hall; a Country and Inner Western music festival in bars and laneways of Newtown; Darling Harbour’s vibrant winter festival and ice rink; a street party in South Eveleigh with Kylie Kwong; a food and music experience on-board the HMAS Vampire; interactive art installations; drag performances; and kayaking under the stars on Sydney Harbour for the first time ever.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the two-week program will stimulate the local economy and encourage Sydneysiders, intrastate residents and visitors to explore and rediscover the city.
“Sydney Solstice is an incredible opportunity to revitalise Sydney’s CBD this winter – something the NSW Government remains committed to. The two-week program of more than 200 events involves 150 venues and an array of opportunities to explore and rediscover our Harbour City,” My Ayres said.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said Sydney Solstice was a great example of the NSW Government’s commitment
to CBD revitalisation.
“Sydney Solstice is bringing energy back into Sydney during winter and is a great initiative to support jobs and drive foot traffic into the CBD,” Mr Perrottet said.
The program is available here, with additional Sydney Solstice highlights from each of the four Sydney precincts revealed below:
Sydney CBD and surrounds:
– Immersive multi-sensory ‘Queen’s Feast’ dining and art experience by Heaps Gay at Sydney Town Hall featuring all female chefs including Sarah Tiong, Anna Polyviou, George Woodyard and Claire Van Vuuren
– Songlines of our Universe: a world premiere work by William Barton, pairing live music with stargazing at the Sydney Observatory
– The return of performances at Sydney live music mecca, Metro Theatre – A celebration of local seasonal produce and NSW wines at Aria restaurant
– A series of music, dance, theatre and art events in Sydney’s newest small bar precinct, YCK Laneways
– Late-night DJs, dancing and dim sum with Midnight Feast at Mr Wong
– Series of Mardi Gras events at Metro Theatre, the first time since 1980 that Mardi Gras is involved in International Pride Month.
Darling Harbour and surrounds:
– A Winter Festival celebration featuring an ice-skating rink, chalets, ice-skating demonstrations, daily local musician/DJ performances at Darling Harbour
– Harbour Garden, a series of large and small inflatables that capture the spirit of spectacular ocean creatures through an exciting and bold use of colour, pattern and form at the Australian National
Maritime Museum
– A Craft Beer Festival at the Terminus Hotel, Pyrmont
– ‘Moonlight’ sea kayaking launching from Darling Harbour.
Newtown and surrounds:
– From 18-19 June, the streets of South Eveleigh will come alive as local restaurant heroes such as Kylie Kwong’s new eatery Lucky Kwong; Eat Fuh; RaRa Chan; and Steve Costi’s Famous Fish are celebrated, and music, entertainment and live performances fill the streets with colour and excitement
– The inaugural Country and Inner Western festival showcases the best emerging and established country, alternative country, bluegrass, folk, Americana and blues artists across an array of small bars, pubs, established venues and open spaces.
Oxford Street and surrounds:
– Explore the wonderful world of indigenous and local ingredients at Bitter Phew bar on Oxford Street – ALTAR Danceteria at Hotel Harry is a two-week long celebration of music, food, dance and light, encompassing a range of bespoke events across different musical genres
– FBi’s flagship electronic music show ‘Sunset’ heads out of the studio to host two intimate live broadcast events at Surry Hills’ Golden Age Cinema and Bar, featuring performances by Simon Caldwell and friends, Deepa, Ben Fester, Kato and friends.
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