26 January at the Sydney Opera House
There are a range of events available across the city to mark Australia Day on 26 January including the Australia Day Live concert at the Sydney Opera House, a maritime show and spectacular fireworks display across Circular Quay and Sydney Harbour.
As the sun rises, the Opera House sails will be lit up with a special First Nations artwork – Dawn Reflection. The work represents and celebrates First Nations history, culture and people and invites everyone to pause, reflect and remember as the artwork is revealed on the nation’s most iconic canvas. The best location to enjoy the sails lighting will be at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
As the sun sets, the Opera House Forecourt will host the Australia Day Live concert with performances from some of our nation’s most celebrated talent, including William Barton, Dami Im, Katie Millier-Heidke, Ganggajang and the Aussie Pops Orchestra.
Accompanying the musical performances will be a show on Sydney harbour featuring a flotilla of yachts, light displays on the Opera House sails and Harbour Bridge, plus a dazzling fireworks show.
The two-hour Australia Day Live concert is produced by the Australia Day Council of NSW and NSW Government. It is supported by the state government’s tourism and event agency, Destination NSW and the National Australia Day Council.
More information about Australia Day events taking place across Sydney
What’s on
26 January at Opera Bar
Watch all the action on the harbour and the dazzling fireworks display from Opera Bar this 26 January. Purchase your ticket to gain access to Opera Bar's exclusive waterfront viewing area and outdoor bar, and experience all of the festivities in style.
26 January at House Canteen
For just $35 per person you will have access to the water's edge at House Canteen as well as your choice of a pint of Sydney Brewery lager, house wine, or soft drink. Tickets can be purchased both prior to the event and on the day.
Attending the Opera House on 26 January
Venue information
Security
The safety and security of our visitors, patrons and staff is our highest priority. The Sydney Opera House works closely with NSW Police and other relevant authorities to ensure a safe and secure environment. As a condition of entry into the venue, bag inspections and electronic screening will be carried out at security checkpoints on entry to the site. We strongly encourage patrons to leave bags at home and avoid bringing any large items to the Opera House.
Accessibility
Our goal at the Sydney Opera House is to provide barrier-free access, making the site, building and the experiences we offer accessible to all. Australia Day Live is accessible to all ticketholders with disability or limited mobility.
There are wheelchair and companion seating locations, accessible toilets, audio description of the performances, haptic vests and a quiet space for neurodivergent guests.
Registration for accessible seating is organised through the Australia Day website.
For further information please contact DNSW on Paul.Nunnari@dnsw.com.au
Conditions of entry
All patrons and visitors attending Australia Day Live must present their bags and personal belongings for visual inspection or x-ray screening as a condition of entry. Ticketholders may be electronically screened by Opera House security staff.
The following items are considered prohibited and will be confiscated if found:
- Alcohol
- Illegal substances, including controlled, dangerous or illicit drugs
- Flammable devices (flares, fireworks and smoke bombs)
- Anything that could be used as a weapon, such as sharp items, including knives
- Suspicious items or items that may look like a weapon
- Professional cameras or recording devices
- Laser pointers
- Offensive signage or clothing
- Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles
- Any other item that may cause harm or public nuisance or could interfere with the event, including musical instruments
- Unauthorised advertising material, flyers or merchandise giveaways
- Large umbrellas (larger than 125cm in diameter)
- Sunshades and tent structures
Ticketholders and visitors have the option to leave with their prohibited items should they not wish to forfeit them in accordance with the above conditions of entry. All confiscated and prohibited items will be disposed of and will not be held. Possession of unlawful items will be reported immediately to NSW Police.
Security staff will monitor patrons for RSA and refuse entry to any intoxicated persons in accordance with the Liquor Act 2007.
Travelling to the Opera House
Visitors and ticketholders are strongly encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and use public transport wherever possible. Large crowds are expected on the Opera House precinct and around the CBD.
Significant road closures will be in place, and planned track work will impact multiple train lines in and out of the city. Ferries to and from Circular Quay will also be impacted. Please visit the Transport NSW Australia Day 2025 website for more information.
Visitors are strongly encouraged to leave their car at home and use public transport wherever possible. Please plan ahead and allow plenty of extra travel time.
Road closures will be in place around Circular Quay, including the closure of Macquarie Street between 6:30pm and 10:30pm. For the full list of road closures and maps, please check the Transport NSW Australia Day 2025 map and livetraffic.com.
The Opera House Wilson car park will be open, however it is expected to reach capacity early. Please note, entry and exit will be prohibited between 6:30pm – 10:30pm due to the planned closure of Macquarie Street. Once Macquarie Street reopens, please expect long delays due to congestion.
Yes. Visit Transport NSW Australia Day 2025 for more details on service changes.
Covid-safe information
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We’re committed to making your experience safe, comfortable and enjoyable, with a number of measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. We remind our audiences and visitors to please stay home if you feel unwell. If you need to discuss your ticketing or booking options, contact our Box Office team on 02 9250 7777.
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We have a number of safety measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. While face masks are no longer required, we ask all our patrons and visitors to practise good hygiene.
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Frequently asked questions
The Opera House’s Western and Northern Broadwalk can be accessed by the general public to visit the precinct, or enjoy the Australia Day maritime show and sails lighting.
Both Opera Bar and House Canteen will be open to the general public, with a viewing area along the seawall to be ticketed from 5pm.
Bennelong and The Harbour restaurants will be open and bookings are strongly recommended.
Tours will be operating as usual with advance bookings recommended.
Yes, only ticketholders can access the Australia Day Live concert on the Forecourt.
The Opera House is accessible to all visitors and ticketholders with accessible toilets and adult changing rooms facilities available.
For the Australia Day Live concert, accessible viewing areas, a tactile tour, audio description and haptic vests are available for ticketholders. Register for this service.
We also have available a designated quiet room available from 5.30pm – 10pm and water stations and spending areas for patrons attending with their assistant animal.
For more information please visit the Australia Day website or contact accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com.
In line with our venue security procedures, Opera House security will be scanning and checking bags on entry. Please travel lightly and do not bring items that require cloaking e.g. handbags bigger than A4-size, backpacks and umbrellas, which are not permitted inside our venues.
There will be no cloaking services available for ticketholders attending the Australia Day Live concert.
Picnic blankets, low chairs and bean bags are permitted as long as they do not impact the experience of fellow visitors. Please check our conditions of entry for more information about what can and cannot be brought onsite.
Australia Day Live is an all-weather event. Visitors are encouraged to check the weather and come prepared. Wear a hat and protective clothing. Please be sun safe.
The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone at the Opera House is our top priority. In line with this commitment, the Opera House is a smoke-free site.
The Smoke-free Environment Policy applies to all areas of the of the Opera House precinct and covers all forms of tobacco and non-tobacco smoking, including cigarettes, vapes, e-cigarettes, cigars and water pipe tobacco smoking.
House Canteen will be open from 7:30am and Opera Bar will be open from 10am. Both venues will be open to the general public all day, with a viewing area along the seawall to be ticketed from 5pm.
Bennelong will be open and bookings are strongly recommended. The Harbour is also open, however bookings are strongly recommended with some space reserved for walk-ins.
Midden will be closed, however the Western Foyer bars and Colonnade will be open to Gatsby ticketholders.
Members of the general public can purchase food from Opera Bar and House Canteen. There will be food trucks on the Forecourt serving snacks, desserts, coffees and gelato from 8am. Vegan and vegetarian options will be available.
From 6:30pm – 9:15pm, a fully licensed, cashless bar will be accessible to Australia Day Live ticketholders.
Ticketholders can bring BYO food & water bottles are permitted as long as there is no glass. Alcohol is not permitted and can only be purchased at the concert from the licenced bar.