New Year’s Eve on the Forecourt

All patrons and visitors attending Forecourt events at the Opera House 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. 

Empty water bottles are allowed (no metal or glass, and no larger than 1 litre) – free water stations are available on the Forecourt. No BYO alcohol, beverages, food or glass. 

If you choose to sit on the Monumental Steps, you’re welcome to bring a cushion for comfort, maximum size is 40cm x 40cm and maximum width is 5cm. Cushions should be held when standing or dancing. 

The following items are prohibited onsite: 

• Alcohol 
• Illegal substances including controlled, dangerous or illicit drugs 
• Incendiary devices (flares, fireworks and smoke bombs) 
• Glass items 
• Knives and any sharp items 
• Lasers 
• Any items that may cause a public nuisance 
• Any items that can be used as a weapon 
• Any items which look like a weapon, this includes replicas and toys 
• Unauthorised advertising material or flyers 
• Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) 
• Musical instruments which can cause a public nuisance such as vuvuzelas, drums or any amplified music 
• Large umbrellas (bigger than 125cm in diameter) 
• No prams or strollers are permitted in the event footprint 
• Sunshades and tent structures, which are not permitted on site 
• Any other item that in the opinion of Opera House security could cause harm or public nuisance 

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. 

Road closures will be in place in the Sydney CBD on New Year’s Eve. For the full list of road closures and maps, visit livetraffic.com.

Yes, there is a dedicated accessible viewing area available on the Opera House Forecourt for registered guests.

Entry to the accessible viewing area for ticketholders is between 4-10pm.

The accessible viewing area is located 600 metres downhill from entry. 

For those requiring assistance, wheelchair or companion seating please contact our Box office on +61 2 9250 7777 or email accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com.

Access to the site for Forecourt ticket holders is between 12pm and 3pm via Macquarie Street.

Public transport is the best way to travel on New Year’s Eve. 

Driving is not recommended.

Macquarie Street will close to traffic on New Year’s Eve at 4am and will reopen on New Year’s Day at 10am. The Opera House Wilson carpark will be closed during this time. 

The closest train stations to the Opera House entry gates on Macquarie Street will be Martin Place and St James. There will be no trains, ferries, light rail or buses to Circular Quay after 3pm.

For public transport information, visit transportnsw.info.

Only ticket holders can access the New Year’s Eve Opera House vantage point – without a ticket, entry won’t be permitted.

Tickets will be released on the 26 December.

Ticket holders need to arrive between 12pm and 3pm via Macquarie Street.

No entry will be permitted after 3pm. The closest stations are Martin Place and St James.

A resale restriction is in place, meaning it is unlawful for a person to resell their ticket for more than 110% of the face value. In all cases, it is advisable that tickets are only purchased from authorised channels, to protect your rights should the event be cancelled or postponed and to be sure you receive all necessary communications. 

The authorised agency for this event is listed under ticket pricing. Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered reliable. If you purchase tickets from a non-authorised agency such as Ticketmaster Resale, Viagogo, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or any other unauthorised seller, you risk that these tickets are fake, void or have previously been cancelled. Resale restriction applies.

Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times. Babies aged 0-2 years old at the time of a performance may be seated on an adult’s lap. Children three (3) years and older will need to hold a standard ticket.

eTicket or postal delivery should be used wherever possible. Tickets will be emailed three days prior to the event. Download your e-Ticket and have it ready on your mobile device for scanning before you queue to enter the venue. 

The Opera House’s popular and free New Year’s Eve vantage point will be ticketed again this year, so patrons have guaranteed entry to the precinct and a safer and more enjoyable night out.

Ticketing will help to alleviate crowds at entry gates and ensure a safe and comfortable event for everyone.

The vantage point will operate on a first come, first served basis with no allocated or reserved seating. Great views are available from across the site and ticket holders are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket or cushion to sit on for comfort.

The ticket reminder is a great way to make sure patrons don’t miss out. Tickets are free but limited to 6,000 people, so they’ll go fast on 26 December.

To ensure the limited number of tickets are distributed fairly, a maximum of six (6) tickets can be secured per booking.

No. Given demand for this event is high, we expect tickets to be sold out in advance. We strongly encourage patrons to sign up to be notified when tickets are released on 26 December. 

There is no cloaking facility on the forecourt. Please check conditions of entry for more information about what cannot be brought into the event and leave these items at home.

For the safety of everyone at the event, certain items not permitted. No strollers, chairs, laser pointers, sparklers, professional cameras or recording devices or selfie sticks, sharp knives or objects. No oversized items larger than an A4 piece of paper including extra-large backpacks, briefcases and suitcases. All bags will be checked on entry, your cooperation is appreciated. Please check conditions of entry for more information about what can and cannot be brought into the event.

There are no ATM facilities available on the Forecourt. Please bring a credit or debit card for any purchases to keep transactions quick and queues short.

Cashless payment methods are strongly recommended. Please bring a credit or debit card for any purchases to keep transactions quick and queues short.

Yes. The safety and security of our visitors, patrons and staff is our highest priority. Opera House security will be scanning and checking bags on entry. Our walk-through scanners are safe for patrons with pacemakers, cochlear implants or similar devices. Please let security know if you prefer alternative screening.

Please travel lightly and do not bring items that are not permitted as per our conditions of entry.

For safety and security reasons there will be no pass-outs at any of the forecourt events. You won’t be able to re-enter once you have left the venue.

The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Read our Child Safety Policy. The Opera House has also developed a Child-friendly Code of Conduct to engage with our youngest visitors.

The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone at the Sydney Opera House is our top priority. In line with this commitment, the Opera House is a smoke-free site. Read our Smoke-free Environment Policy. 

Picnic blankets, cushions, low beach chairs (with seat height less than 25cm from the ground), prams for children, and umbrellas (defined as smaller than 125cm in diameter) are permitted as long as they do not impact the experience of fellow visitors. Please check the conditions of entry for more information about what can and cannot be brought on site.

Ticket holders are welcome to bring food, however BYO alcohol is not permitted. There will be a variety of food outlets and a fully licensed bar serving non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. Drinking water will be accessible on site and ticket holders may bring a reusable water bottle. Please note no glass containers or metal bottles are permitted.

Yes, there will be a variety of food outlets serving small plates, snacks and dessert, with vegan and vegetarian options available. A fully licensed bar will also be serving non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks.

The safety and security of our visitors, patrons and staff is our highest priority. The Opera House works closely with the NSW Police and other relevant authorities to ensure a safe and secure environment.  

As a condition of entry, bag inspections and electronic screening will be carried out at entry. Our walk-through scanners are safe for patrons with pacemakers, cochlear implants or similar devices. Please let security know if you prefer alternative screening. Please follow the directions of Opera House staff and be aware of prohibited items.

We recommend you travel lightly and be aware that alcohol, glass and metal containers, any dangerous or illegal items, large umbrellas and tent structures, are not permitted as per our Conditions of Entry for New Year’s Eve.

If you are attending an event in an internal venue, backpacks and bags larger than A4 size, will need to be cloaked.

We hope all our audience members, including those children with us, have a wonderful time. Please keep disturbances to a minimum. Ticketholders who interfere unreasonably with another’s enjoyment may be asked to leave.