DOWNLOAD YOUR FESTIVAL FIRST NIGHT MAP HERE. DOWNLOAD YOUR FESTIVAL FIRST NIGHT PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE HERE.
VIEW THE FESTIVAL FIRST NIGHT 2010 TRAILER HERE. VIEW TOURISM NSW'S PREVIEW OF FESTIVAL FIRST NIGHT HERE.
'The arts event for everyone.' - The Daily Telegraph
Festival First Night returns on January 9 with an epic all embracing celebration of our Festival and our city. With the streets cleared of cars, the Festival explodes across the city with major international and local artists.
Put on your dancing shoes and catch some of the biggest names in the Festival for FREE.
In just two years Festival First Night has become a Sydney tradition! In 2010, the story continues with visionary director Nigel Jamieson creating an epic theatre of music, spectacle and surprise in our city centre.
Hyde Park is transformed into a spice garden, a feast of sumptuous delights. In the afternoon, families can learn to juggle, dance or hula, watch daredevil performances at the outdoor circus or sit back and enjoy family-friendly music from Kasey Chambers, Poppa Bill and The Little Hillbillies. As dusk falls, a magical world comes alive in the park’s avenue of trees and 43 Rajasthani musicians take the stage for a preview of the lush visual and musical celebration, The Manganiyar Seduction.
The Qantas Domain Concert opens with an inspirational message of hope and understanding from Indigenous supergroup The Black Arm Band. Their show Hidden Republic features a line-up of 25 songwriters and musicians including Jimmy Little, Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter and Dan Sultan, accompanied by a full orchestra. Then legendary soul and gospel singer Al Green takes the stage in his first ever Australian performance. Green made the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with hits like ‘Let’s Stay Together’ and ‘Take Me to the River’ and is sure to be spreading the L-O-V-E.
Down in Martin Place Big Bad Voodoo Daddy head a line-up to get you swinging, while at Chifley Square Uber Lingua’s global urban sounds play across a cluster of stages.
Performances big and small will transform the city landscape into a remarkable summer playground – look up, look around and look out for the unexpected!
Stay tuned for further additions to the Festival First Night program and to find out how you can take part.
Everybody is welcome
• There is a special program of events for families in Hyde Park from 2pm • Make sure to be sun smart – wear sunscreen and a hat and drink plenty of water • All areas are wheelchair accessible • We recommend you leave the following items at home: glass, pets, skateboards, thongs and rollerblades
No BYO alcohol, no glass in the CBD
• Food and beverages will be on sale throughout the day
• Cycle to Festival First Night and enjoy free valet bike parking at Hyde Park North, near the corner of St James Rd and Elizabeth St, from 2pm-11.30pm • Self service bike parking will also be available in The Domain from 6pm-11pm
Take a better road and cycle to the festival Click here to find out more about cycling in Sydney. Laneways By George! Hidden Networks - Discover 8 creative interventions in Sydney's CBD laneways during Festival First Night. For more info head to lanewaysbygeorge.com.au
To view a short film of Festival First Night 2009 (courtesy of Tourism NSW) click here.
In order to ensure Festival First Night is a fantastic experience for everyone who attends, we’re asking you to take a minute to answer a few questions. Your feedback will help us make everything runs smoothly on the night and create a Festival event to remember.
