This year’s Sydney Festival will be the first event since the opening of the Barangaroo Sydney Metro station, and the second tranche of the vibrancy reforms that have cut red tape that restricted operating hours and trading conditions for venues and events.
Last year the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct became the home of the Sydney Festival, but the event was restricted due to planning conditions that meant patrons were forced inside after 10pm, just as many shows were finishing and patrons were arriving for a post-show drink.
Under new planning conditions the main festival bar will get an extension until 2am for both indoor and outdoor areas.
The new planning conditions will allow ‘Sunrise Yoga’ at 6:30am, more outdoor furniture, food trucks to operate during the day and evening for preshow and post-show dining, and a floating boat installation to be lit until 2am. This will significantly improve the vibrancy and experience of patrons of the world class Sydney Festival and demonstrate what could be achieved in Walsh Bay all year round.
The Walsh Bay Arts Precinct has enormous potential given its scenic harbour views, central location, proximity to the Sydney Metro and the high concentration of Australia’s premier performing arts companies.
In addition to the extended trading hours for Sydney Festival, tranche two of the government vibrancy reforms (legislated in October 2024) has also introduced the following measures which will create more powers to activate Walsh Bay and other precincts all year round:
- Enabling the creation of Special Entertainment Precincts (SEPs) on state owned land so places like White Bay Power Station and Walsh Bay can benefit from extended trading hours and relaxed rules.
- Amendments to the Major Events Act 2009 which make it faster and easier for the government to manage transport, street closures and other key planning measures for large scale events.
- Remove even more barriers for hospitality venues, like the antiquated ‘5km Rule’ for clubs.
- Create greater opportunities for live music through turning off development consent conditions that limit a venue’s ability to host live music.
- Removed restrictions on outdoor areas in licensed venues that restricted patrons to sitting only.
John Graham Minister for the Arts said:
“Walsh Bay could be like the West End in London, but with harbour views. For one month of the year during Sydney Festival, our city will now start to see the full potential of Walsh Bay.”
“At this year’s Sydney Festival Walsh Bay will trade two hours later. That will make it a lot more vibrant on those hot summer nights.
“Walsh Bay could be one of the most exciting performance hubs in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s home to Australia’s best theatre, music and dance companies, and now has a metro station around the corner.
“The Minns government’s vibrancy reforms have cut the red tape that has held our city back.
Sydney Festival Director Chris Tooher said:
“Sydney Festival is thrilled to return to the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct in January 2025, bringing "The Thirsty Mile" to life with a vibrant mix of ticketed and free performances and installations.
“Thanks to new planning provisions championed by the NSW Government, visitors can enjoy the precinct’s indoor and outdoor spaces late into the summer evenings.
“Streamlined licensing regulations will also enhance the experience with exceptional food and drink offerings, including the Moonshine Bar pop-up on Pier 2/3.
“With the new Barangaroo metro station providing seamless access, Walsh Bay is set to be the must-visit destination this January.”
Background on Walsh Bay
- Walsh Bay Arts Precinct is a modern arts and cultural hub that is home to nine of Australia’s leading performing arts companies: Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian Theatre for Young People, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Bell Shakespeare, Gondwana Choirs, Sydney Dance Company, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Sydney Theatre Company, and The Song Company
- In 2024, Sydney Festival activated the entire precinct for the first time with a whole of site festival takeover, with the festival returning in January 2025, delivering over 40 events, music and installations to Walsh Bay Arts Precinct between January 4 and 26
- Responding to the cost-of-living crisis, 50 out of 150 shows and events at Sydney Festival are free entry and early bird ticket buyers were able to access all ticketed events for only $49
