Festival First Night - FAQs

FAQs

GENERAL

Do I need to purchase a ticket for Festival First Night?
No. Festival First Night is a free event and everyone is welcome. Please note that while access to the Art Gallery of NSW is free, the Picasso exhibition is a ticketed event. Please visit artgallery.nsw.gov.au for full details.

What happens if it rains on the day?
Festival First Night will go ahead in all moderate weather conditions. If extreme weather conditions appear on the day, a decision will be made and posted on our website. Announcements will be made on the stages if the event has to be postponed or cancelled.

What time does the event start and what time does it finish?
Festival First Night officially opens in Hyde Park at 3pm. All the entertainment will finish at 11.00pm.

Can we bring pets, skateboards and rollerblades into the Festival?
No, please leave them at home.

Where can I get a map and program schedule?
The full line-up including set times and event map will be published closer to the event date on the Sydney Festival website and in The Sunday Telegraph on Sunday 1 January.

What should I wear to Festival First Night?
Dress for the day and the weather. Wear sunscreen, sensible shoes and a hat and remember that even in summer the evenings can become rather cold. Wear a rain coat, if required.

Is it really crowded?
Last year Festival First Night had up to 200,000 people, but remember this is in a large area of the city, and not everyone arrives at the same time! But yes, there are a lot of people and it's best to be prepared - wear comfortable shoes for walking, take water and sunscreen, and give yourself plenty of time.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

Can I bring my own alcohol into the Festival?
No - BYO alcohol is not permitted at Festival First Night. Food and beverages will be on sale throughout the event.

Can I bring glass to Festival First Night? 
No, glass is not permitted in the CBD.

Can I buy alcohol at the event?
Yes (as long as you're over 18 of course). There will be alcohol sold in several areas,  in Hyde Park near St James, Bar Europa on Elizabeth St, Hyde Park Barracks and also at the St Mary’s Cathedral Forecourt. If you are drinking, be sensible, take care of yourself and your friends and remember to drink water.

Can I take water to the Festival?
Absolutely, but please ensure it is in a plastic bottle as glass is not permitted. There will be water re-fill stations located around the site for you to fill your plastic bottles. The locations of these can be found on our event map that will be posted on the Sydney Festival website closer to the event date.

TRANSPORT AND ROAD CLOSURES

Can I ride my bicycle to the event?
Yes. Please do! There will be designated bicycle parking areas for you to lock your bike. See our event map for the locations. The map will be posted on the Sydney Festival website closer to the event date. If you are cycling in, please obey the road rules, wear a helmet and don't drink and ride.

Can I drive to the event?
We recommend you leave the car at home as there will also be extensive road closures and parking restrictions in the CBD. There will be additional public transport options available on the night. For detailed public transport information visit www.131500.com.au or call 131500 closer to the event. For information on road closures, alternate traffic routes and parking restrictions visit www.livetraffic.com or call 132 701 closer to the event.

When do roads close for the event?

Road closures are subject to police discretion, however, broadly, the first road closures will come into effect on Friday 6 January at 10am.

There will also be parking restrictions in the CBD from Friday 6 January at 10am. For information on road closures, alternate traffic routes and parking restrictions visit www.livetraffic.com or call 132 701 closer to the event.

Is the event accessible?

Yes. All areas of Festival First Night are accessible. We recommend travelling South along George Street to arrive at the managed access point at the corner of George and King Street, from here a traffic controller will guide you eastbound on King Street then left into Pitt Street for set down and pick up. There is a small area for vehicles to pull into, and for passengers to disembark. Wheelchair access is available from this point to the CBD and Hyde Park.

Is there disabled access at train stations?

Yes. Circular Quay, Wynyard and Town Hall are all wheelchair accessible.

FAMILIES

Is Festival First Night for families?

There is a special program of events for families in Hyde Park from 3pm.

CROWDS

What happens if a Festival First Night site reaches capacity?
If one of the Festival First Night sites reaches capacity, Sydney Festival marshals will temporarily close access to that site until the crowd disperses. If you are not able to access a site, try one of the other five Festival First Night sites. College Street Stage is a Live Site for the Domain, so if you can't get to the Domain head to College Street to catch all the Domain action. Check with marshals and watch the screens at the event, they will help you keep up to date with what's happening. 

How can I prepare for the crowds at Festival First Night?
Make sure you dress appropriately with sensible clothes and shoes. We recommend that you leave the following items at home: GLASS, pets, skateboards, thongs and rollerblades. Large crowds are expected, so allow plenty of time to move around the site if you are meeting friends or wanting to see a number of different acts on different stages.