Wondering what’s happening around Sydney and the North Shore for Australia Day in 2021? With covid restrictions in place, there are a few changes to the regular events – but there’s still plenty going on! Numbers are restricted so you might need to pre-register for tickets or watch online. Nothing beats a BBQ in your own backyard too!
Australia Day is the first big celebration for 2021. The public holiday on Tuesday 26 January gives us a nice long weekend (if you’re clever and book Monday off too!), with lots of ways to get involved in celebrations, or if you prefer, you can attend community events around supporting Indigenous peoples.
Here is a lowdown on events happening on the North Shore, the city and nearby suburbs, along with those that have been cancelled for the year. Take your pick and have a memorable day with the family!
- Ku-ring-gai’s Australia Day Drive-in
- Ku-ring-gai Fitness & Aquatic Centre Australia Day Pool Party
- Australia Day Picnic, Lane Cove
- Australia Day Celebrations at the Concourse, Chatswood
- Wulgulora Morning Ceremony, Barangaroo Reserve
- Darling Harbour
- North Ryde Common
- Northern Beaches
- Sydney Opera House
- Australia Day Address, online
- Salute to Australia, online
Australia Day Events for 2021: North Shore
Ku-ring-gai’s Australia Day Drive-in *** SOLD OUT ***
If you live in the Ku-ring-gai LGA, you’re in for a treat! Residents are being treated to a free Drive In movie at St Ives Showground on the evening of Australia Day. The movie that’s being screened is Go!, a high-octane Australian family film with heart was produced in Western Australia and champions our dusty landscapes, occa tones and overall tenacity!
- Where: St Ives Showground, 450 Mona Vale Road. St Ives
- When: Tuesday 26 January. Gates open 5.30pm, movie commences at 8.30pm
- Bookings: This is a FREE event for Ku-ring-gai Residents. Bookings essential – sorry this event is now sold out
Ku-ring-gai Fitness & Aquatic Centre Australia Day Pool Party
Celebrate Australia Day at Ku-ring-gai Fitness & Aquatic Centre! Families can enjoy the pool inflatables along with a DJ on site to keep you entertained. Food and beverage will be available to purchase from the kiosk on the day. Book your family in for a 1.5 hour session! Just $2 per person.
- Where: Ku-ring-gai Fitness & Aquatic Centre, West Pymble
- When: Tuesday 26 January, 10am – 3pm (1.5 hour sessions at 10am, 11.45am and 1.30pm)
- Book now, limited spots available.
Australia Day Picnic, Lane Cove
Celebrate Australia Day in Lane Cove with a special program of local live music at The Plaza and The Canopy. More details to be announced soon.
- Where: Lane Cove Plaza
- When: Tuesday 26 January, 10am – 12pm
- More information
Australia Day Celebrations at The Concourse
Join Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney and Councillors of Willoughby City in celebrating Australia Day at The Concourse.
Welcome new citizens to Willoughby, hear a keynote speech from our Australia Day ambassador and congratulate our Australia Day award winners, including the Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and the Community and Cultural Building Award. Performances by the Willoughby Band and a local choir.
As numbers are limited due to Covid-19, bookings are essential.
- Where: The Concourse Chatswood
- When: Tuesday 26 January, 9.30am to 11am
- More information
Australia Day Events for 2021: The City
Wulgulora Morning Ceremony, Barangaroo Reserve
Rise with the sun and celebrate the world’s oldest living culture at Walumil Lawns at Barangaroo Reserve.
WugulOra Morning Ceremony is different due to COVID-19. If you’d like to attend, you will need a ticket to see the WugulOra Morning Ceremony. Tickets are free to this public event, but registrations essential. Only ticket holders will be admitted to the Headland Stage at Barangaroo Reserve. Otherwise, you can also watch it on ABC and online.
- Where: Walumil Lawns, Barangaroo Reserve
- When: Tuesday 26 January, 7.30 – 8.30am
- More information
Australia Day Live, Sydney Opera House
Enjoy music on the steps of the Opera House
Watch some of Australia’s best artists perform on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt stage, accompanied by a cavalcade of performing jet-skis, fly-boarders and dancing yachts on the water at Circular Quay.
Australia Day Live at Sydney Opera House is different due to COVID-19.
Tickets for frontline workers
This year, they’re taking the opportunity to acknowledge, celebrate and thank our heroic frontline workers for their tireless efforts during the bushfires and the pandemic. As such, Australia Day Live at Sydney Opera House will be for frontline workers in public agencies. They will invite these frontline workers via key NSW Government agencies and departments.
Tickets for the general public
They’ll be announcing ticket information for the general public in January 2021. For ticket alerts, please subscribe to their newsletter.
- Where: Sydney Opera House
- Time: 7.30 – 9.30pm
- More information
With the evolving COVID-19 situation, events may change. Our priority is to keep the community COVID Safe. So we’re staying on top of public health orders and following their advice — and we’ll keep you updated with event changes too.
Darling Harbour
Celebrate Australia Day with a fantastic line up of free entertainment at Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is hosting the biggest, Aussiest Australia Day festivities in Sydney! They’ve got a monstrous floating cinema showing a classic Australian film, giant inflatables all over Tumbalong Park perfect for selfies, and an epic BBQ courtesy of Braza.
There’s also backyard games for the kids, a DJ playing Aussie bangers out of a retro Kombi Van, a live stream of the Australia day concert and much more. And the best part? It’s all happening next to one of Australia’s most iconic harbours.
- Where: Tumbalong Park and Darling Quarter Village
- Time: 11am – 9.30 pm
- More information
Australia Day Events for 2021: North Ryde, Parramatta and more suburbs
Battle of the Bands, Ryde Park
In previous years there’s been an Australia Day concert at North Ryde Common, but due to the current COVID 19 restrictions City of Ryde will be running a small-scale event by holding the Battle of the Bands competition at Ryde Park, Ryde on Australia Day.
The live competition will kick off at 7 pm, with the top three “Battle of the Bands” battling it out. Grab a bite to eat from the featured food vendor on the night whilst supporting upcoming bands. There will also be an Aussie Trivia where prizes can be won!
To adhere to current NSW guidelines there will be a limited number of free tickets available and the event site will be fenced. Max. 500 capacity. Register now for your free ticket.
- Where: North Ryde Common, Twin Rd
- When: Tuesday 26 January, 7pm
- More information
Northern Beaches
There are plenty of Australia Day events still taking place across the Northern Beaches over the Australia Day long weekend. There will be pool parties, performances, open air cinema, Australian made markets, food truck party, and more.
- Where:
- Beverly Job Park, Narraweena, 5pm to 9pm
- Forestville War Memorial Playing Fields, 4pm to 9pm
- James Meehan Reserve, Dee Why, 8am to 1pm
- Brookvale Oval, 5.30pm
- Warringah Aquatic Centre and Manly Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton Aquatic Centre, 9am to 12pm
- The Strand, Dee Why
- More information
Australia Day Events for 2021: Online
Australia Day Address 2021
Traditionally, distinguished Australians are invited to present their unique reflections on our national identity and share their vision for the future of all Australians.
Each Australia Day Address has been as individual as the person delivering it, presenting inspiring and thought-provoking messages from some of our nation’s leading visionaries.
- Where: Australia Day Facebook Page
- When: Tuesday 26 January, from 12.30pm
- More information
Salute to Australia
The Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force combine to deliver a stirring military ceremony. The event features HMAS Canberra on the water, a 21-gun salute on land and RAAF fast jets flying in formation above Sydney Harbour. Join Australians young and old to hear the Governor’s Address and to sing our national anthem.
- Where: ABC TV or IView
- Time: 2-2.30pm
- More information
Australia Day Events cancelled for 2021
- Australia Day BBQ by the Bridge
- Parramatta Park
- Sydney Harbour
- The Farm, Bella Vista
