By Rama Gaind.
Aerial shot of Sydney Harbour at dusk. Photo: Destination NSW
Blow the winter blues away by putting the soul back into the city with the Sydney Solstice event that gets underway today. In the lead up to the longest night of the year, Harbour City will come out of hiatus with an action-packed festival celebrating everything the Harbour City has to offer.
More than 150 venues and hundreds of artists, chefs, musicians and performers will be involved in the festival from 8 to 20 June, bringing vibrancy back to the city, creating jobs and supporting economic recovery. More than 200 events will showcase the state’s world-class food, drink, music and creative industries.
Celebrate everything you love about Sydney, and discover new, hidden gems. Explore the city’s rich Indigenous heritage. Warm yourselves with live music and colourful performances. Dance in the streets or in your favourite club until the early hours. Discover local artists, see some outrageous drag shows and sidesplitting comedy or get involved in an immersive workshop.
Sydney Solstice will mark the reopening of Metro Theatre, bring an ice rink and art installations to Darling Harbour, and welcome a two-day street festival at the new South Eveleigh precinct featuring food icon Kylie Kwong, demonstrating the innovation and positive impact that is achieved when industry and the NSW Government collaborate.
Darling Harbour Winter Festival celebration will feature an ice-skating rink and demonstrations and daily local musician/DJ performances.
So, take this chance to explore new and loved corners of the city, support local businesses and connect with the community. A country music festival in Newtown, a celebration of Aboriginal song and astrology at Sydney Observatory, a flash-mob style dance program at the Museum of Contemporary Art, and night-time kayaking on Darling Harbour are all part of the new event this month.
You can sample incredible food from culinary masters and innovative newcomers. See outrageous drag shows and intimate choral performances. Dine atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon at sunset, dance in the streets or indulge in dim sum at 3am. Celebrate the things you already love about Sydney, or uncover new, hidden delights.
There’s something for everyone no matter what you fancy. With something for all ages and tastes, Sydney Solstice will take you from urban laneways to city landmarks, to cosy bars and glittering harbourside locations.
Festival buzz
Take advantage of the buzzing and vibrant atmosphere with a host of attractions, free activities and special offers. The festival will be sprawled out across two iconic Sydney locations including Tumbalong Park and the Convention Centre Forecourt, both right in the heart of Darling Harbour.
From 18-19 June, the streets of South Eveleigh will come alive as local restaurant heroes such as Kylie Kwong, RaRa Chan and Steve Costi’s Famous Fish are celebrated and music, entertainment and live performances fill the streets with colour and excitement.
The Tumbalong Park hub will include loads of exciting, party vibes brought to you by an eclectic mix of Sydney based DJ’s dropping banging beats through the day and into the night, with a hearty market full of winter warmers will keep everyone energised with wintery delights. The ice skating rink and slide at Convention Centre Forecourt will keep everyone entertained with music, skating performances, demonstrations and workshops and an opportunity for young and old to unleash their inner Torvill and Dean.
You can explore events, music and art, food and drink by location (Sydney CBD & Surrounds, Oxford Street & Surrounds, Newtown & Surrounds and Darling Harbour & Surrounds).
There’s plenty to see for families with several events taking place that won’t cost a cent. The sails of the Sydney Opera House will light up every sunset with the work of six female First Nations artists, while Indigenous performances will take place in the famous landmark’s forecourt.
For the family
Known as YCK Laneways, 15 bars around York, Clarence and Kent streets will serve up the nightlife we’ve all been waiting to return. Venues such as Since I left You, Prince of York and The Barber Shop will offer up a diverse music, dance and theatre program that will entertain between the sips of a shaken martini.
Sydney Solstice is a two-week celebration and one of the highlights being all things fermentation – brewers, winemakers, bakers and cheesemakers – at Bitter Phew bar on Oxford Street.
When it comes to what Solstice has to offer for live music, there are almost too many options. The soundtrack to Sydney will take over venues across the city, including some rather unconventional spaces.
The first ever Country and Inner Western Festival, with the blues taking over Newtown, will be at a series of free and ticketed events. Australia’s best artists in bluegrass folk, blues and alt-country will put on a show, but if you’re in the mood for something more upbeat, the Museum of Contemporary Art will cater to dance fans.
The history of Aussie music will take visitors on a trip down memory lane, with a different era recaptured for an intimate audience each night.
It wouldn’t be a Winter solstice without a little bit of snow. Darling Harbour Winter Fair will offer up some fairytale magic that’s bound to be a hit with the kids. There’s something on offer for all ages with a themed ice skating rink, an arctic ice slide and an abundance of food and drink stalls.
Sydney Solstice is an initiative of Destination NSW, and has been planned with
staying COVID-19 safe. By taking some simple precautions, you can help protect yourself and others – and enjoy this festival.
DETAILS BOX
Sydney Solstice
www.sydneysolstice.com
Destination NSW
