Open House Weekend
21 – 22 October 2023
Free event
Limited tickets available from 5pm, Fri 22 Sept
To celebrate the Opera House’s 50th birthday, we’re throwing open our doors for a free weekend of exploration and discovery.
Please note you will receive a booking confirmation at the time of booking. Your e-tickets will be sent to you three days prior to the event.
|
Date |
Time |
|
Saturday 21 October |
9am - 3pm |
|
Sunday 22 October |
9am - 3pm |
Open House Weekend will run across two days and will be admitting audiences into the House approximately every 30 minutes. You will be able to book your preferred time when bookings open.
Open House Weekend is a free ticketed event and registrations are highly recommended to secure your desired time slot and to avoid long queues.
Accessible routes available.
The Opera House will be offering dedicated time slots for people who have mobility support needs or are wheelchair users and we will have a ‘quiet low tour’ for those who prefer a reduced sensory experience.
Bookings can be made by calling +61 2 9250 7250.
Find out more about accessibility at Sydney Opera House
Run time
The tour can take up to 90 minutes depending on your pace and how long you would like to take to explore the Opera House.
Age
This event is for all ages.
Cloaking
Some cloaking facilities will be available, however it is strongly recommended that you travel light to minimise queuing. Please leave your large belongings at home as any bags larger than an A4 piece of paper will not be permitted.
Pram parking
Limited pram parking will be available outside the building.
Open House Weekend will be livestreamed on Sunday 22 October from 3pm AEDT as part of the 50/50 Birthday Festival streaming season.
Step inside and see our house
The whole community is invited to wander through the corridors of this World Heritage-listed masterpiece, to explore our famous venues, witness the magic that takes place at the House*, including:
- Access to behind-the-scenes of the House
- Roving performances
- Special exhibits by the Opera House’s resident companies including Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Bell Shakespeare and Opera Australia
- First Nations dance performances by Bangarra Dance Theatre and Mornington Island Dancers
- John Coburn’s Curtain of the Sun which will be hung in the Joan Sutherland Theatre.
This special edition of Open House Weekend — the first of its kind in eight years — is an opportunity to immerse yourself in a building that continues to inspire artists and audiences alike.
Join us to celebrate half a century of wonder as we set the stage for another fifty years of unforgettable experiences.
*Programming subject to change
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This program is proudly supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW Blockbusters Funding initiative
G.H. Mumm Open House Weekend Competition
To celebrate the Sydney Opera House’s 50th birthday and the creation of the 50th birthday gift tin by our official champagne partner, G.H. Mumm, we’re giving you and a friend the chance to win a luxury culture and champagne experience in Sydney.
Entries are open to 18+ NSW residents that register for Open House Weekend.
Other information
Getting here
The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see their website for details.
Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel and COVID-19 safety measures. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six min walk to the Opera House.
We strongly encourage you to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and use public transport wherever possible.
Yes. Transport NSW has planned trackwork on a number of train lines on 21 and 22 October. Visit Transport NSW’s website for more details on service changes and please plan ahead.
We strongly encourage you to leave the car at home and use public transport where possible. The Opera House Wilson car park will operate as usual, however it’s expected to reach capacity early.
Alternative parking locations are available:
- One Farrer Place (43 Phillip St) – entry via Young & Phillip Streets. 800 metres walk to the Opera House which takes about 12 minutes’.
- The Domain (St Mary’s Road) – 1.8km walk to the Opera House via the Botanic Gardens which takes about 20 minutes’.
- Sofitel Wentworth (61-101 Phillip St) – entry via 2 Bligh Street. 1.1km walk to the Opera House which takes about 14 minutes.
There is a drop off zone at the end of Macquarie Street (adjacent to the roundabout).
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 encourage you to wear a mask in indoor settings or when physical distancing can’t be maintained, and 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.
Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of everyone on site, and we are closely following NSW Health guidelines and advice. The Sydney Opera House is registered as a COVID Safe business with the NSW Government. For detailed information about our COVID-19 safety measures and what’s required of you when visiting, please see our plan your visit page.
Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during the performance. Please bring your own mask.
As you move around the Opera House, practise physical distancing (1.5 metres whenever possible) and follow the guidance provided by our staff and signage.
Within venues, always take your allocated seat.
For detailed information about our COVID-19 safety measures and what’s required of you, please see our plan your visit page.
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during the performance. Please bring your own mask.
Contact information is required when making a booking with us and upon arrival at the Opera House, as set out in our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events and our Customer Privacy Statement.
As the ticket purchaser, you are responsible for recording the contact details of your guests. Contact information will only be used for the purposes of contact tracing, if required, and will be deleted at least 28 days after your event.
Frequently asked questions
Attending this event
Booking a time slot is essential and must be made in advance. An eTicket which will be emailed to you on Monday 16 October and must be presented to Opera House staff at check-in via your mobile or print out.
You can book a time slot for up to six people. Larger groups will need to be made over multiple bookings.
The ticket is valid on the day indicated, and is the time you enter the queue for the Opera House. Entry to the queue will be allowed within 30 minutes following the selected time slot. If you are late, we may not be able to accommodate you. We recommend you arrive at least 15 minutes before your time slot, and please follow the advice of Opera House staff when on site. We’re expecting large crowds, so you may experience some queuing and would like to thank you for your patience.
Please let us know if you are no longer able to join us by contacting the Opera House Box Office on +61 2 9250 7777, or via the Opera House website so we can pass your time slot on.
We’re unable to amend your booked time slot.
Opera House staff on the day will be able to notify you of the approximate wait time, which may be up to 60 minutes.
Open House Weekend is an all-weather event. We encourage you to check the weather and come prepared. If it’s a hot day, please wear a hat, protective clothing and sunscreen. If it’s raining, please wear a raincoat or poncho.
The designated tour route is 1.5km and has 273 stairs. The tour can take up to 90 minutes depending on your pace and how long you would like to take to explore the Opera House.
We strongly encourage patrons to leave bags at home and to avoid bringing any large items to the Opera House (anything larger than an A4 sheet of paper) to avoid delays.
A list of prohibited items can be found on our Conditions of Entry.
In accordance with our venue security procedures, Opera House security will be scanning and checking bags at the entry to the site, prior to entering the queue. Some cloaking facilities will be available, however it is strongly recommended that you travel light to minimise queuing.
As the tour route isn’t pram accessible, pram parking will be available outside the building.
Open House Weekend is suitable for all ages. Children aged 15 years and under will need to be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Yes, there will be plenty of photo and filming opportunities throughout your tour. You will be advised by Opera House staff where filming is not permitted.
We don’t have a dress code at the Opera House. Come dressed in what you’re comfortable wearing.
Keep in mind you will be on your feet, and there are over 273 stairs along the 1.5km route. We recommend wearing flat, comfortable walking shoes.
Food & beverage
House Canteen will be open from 7:30am and Opera Bar will be open from 11am. Both venues will be open to the general public all day. Bennelong and Midden will be open and bookings are strongly recommended.
Please note that Midden will be operating at reduced hours over the weekend. More details can be found here.
Food and drink will be available to purchase from the Opera House’s Foyer Bars, House Canteen, and Opera Bar. Vegan and vegetarian options will be available.
You’re welcome to bring your own water bottle and small snacks but other food, drink and glass items will not be permitted inside. The Opera House. Opera Bar, and House Canteen are available for you to enjoy. Find out more about our restaurants.
Accessibility
The Opera House will be offering dedicated time slots for people who have mobility support needs or are wheelchair users. We will also have a ‘quiet tour’ for those who prefer a reduced sensory experience
Bookings can be made by calling +61 2 9250 7250.
Accessible toilets and adult changing room facilities are available. For further information, please contact our accessibility team.
The Opera House Wilson car park located at 2 Macquarie Street includes 11 accessible parking spaces on level 1, and 12 accessible parking spaces on level 6. Both levels have access to lifts.
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