• BRIAN WILSON
• SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA
• PAUL KELLY
• SYDNEY YOUTH ORCHESTRA
• SHOOGLENIFTY
• BABYLON CIRCUS
• AIRVAG
• PINK MARTINI
• SHUFFLE CLUB BIG BAND
• FUZZY STAGE
• PLUMP DJS
• SPANK ROCK
• DJ BRAME (G-SWING)
• & MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED

Festival First Night is a new event staged on the first night of Sydney Festival, January 5, 2008 and it's FREE! Everybody is welcome.

With over 200 artists performing in five different precincts there is something to suit all tastes as streets, laneways and parks are given over to a day and night of music, dance and celebration. The full line-up and schedule will be announced closer to the date, so you can create your own itinerary, moving from site to site throughout the evening.

Festival First Night has been made possible thanks to the support of the NSW Government, recognising Sydney Festival as one of the leading events in Sydney's annual calendar. Mark your diary now for what promises to be a night to remember.

KIDS FIRST : In the afternoon the city will come alive with family-friendly events during which grown-ups are encouraged to button their lips and listen to how Sydney can be made into a better place for all. Festival First Night is calling on children throughout New South Wales to express their hopes and dreams for Sydney in the year ahead.

THE DOMAIN : God Only Knows, Fun Fun Fun, Good Vibrations - the list of hits goes on and on. BRIAN WILSON and his pumping band headline this year's main stage with the great PAUL KELLY kicking things off earlier in the evening. HYDE PARK : Tango, jive, salsa, lindy hop and waltz your way around the Archibald Fountain as Festival First Night turns back the clock to the 1940s as Sydney is put through her paces.

MACQUARIE STREET : Three couples, three wedding parties, three ceremonies, three very special wedding bands and a surprise ending.

MARTIN PLACE : Sydney's favourite dance music specialists, Fuzzy serve up an outstanding line-up of international and Australian artists.

FIRST NIGHT LIVE : In addition to the main stages, hotels, bars and restaurants throughout the city are staging a huge range of live entertainment before, during and after Festival First Night.

While there will be many licensed areas around the city, please note that Festival First Night is an alcohol free event.

Be sunsmart: wear sunscreen, a hat and drink plenty of water.

All areas are accessible. We recommend leaving the following items at home: alcohol, glass, pets, skateboards and rollerblades.

Food and beverages will be on sale at most Festival First Night events and venues.

Extra trains and buses will be operating on the day. CityRail will be operating a special timetable with additional services until 2am. State Transit Authority will be operating additional bus services on major routes.

For detailed public transport information visit www.131500.com.au or call 131 500. For information on road closures, alternate traffic routes and parking restrictions visit www.rta.nsw.gov.au or call 132 701.

For more information on First Festival Night ? watch this space!