New Year’s Eve 2026
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most stunning locations to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Party under the stars, watch a spectacular performance inside one of our theatres or enjoy the free viewing area on the Forecourt. There’s a range of unforgettable events to suit everyone. Plan your visit.
New Year’s Eve events at the Opera House
Plan your visit
Important information
Everyone visiting the Sydney Opera House on New Year’s Eve is strongly encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time. Large crowds are expected on the Opera House precinct and around the CBD, and significant road closures will be in place.
This year we are ticketing the Forecourt to make it easier for people to access the site. It's still free but bookings are essential.
Access to the Opera House precinct for paid event ticket holders will be from 4pm to 10pm via Macquarie Street. Event ticketholders will not be able to access the Opera House site after 10pm. Latecomers will not be admitted.
All tickets will be scanned on Macquarie Street, prior to entry to the Sydney Opera House site. Screenshots of tickets will not be accepted.
A temporary box office will be open on Macquarie Street from 4pm to 10pm on Thursday 31 December for general ticket holder enquiries and ticket collection.
Visitors are strongly encouraged to use public transport wherever possible.
- Access to train stations, ferry wharves, light rail stops and buses will be affected from mid-afternoon on Thursday Thursday 31 December as roads progressively close. There will be no trains, ferries, light rail or buses to Circular Quay after 3pm. The closest train stations to the Opera House will be Martin Place and St James.
- For up-to-date city-wide transport information visit transportnsw.info.
Visitors are strongly encouraged to leave their car at home and use public transport wherever possible.
- Macquarie Street will be closed from 4am Thursday 31 December until 10am Friday 1 January.
- During this time, there will be no vehicle access to the Sydney Opera House Wilson Car Park.
The Wilson Car Park will close at 4am on Thursday 31 December and vehicles will not be able to leave the car park until 10am on Friday 1 January.
The Opera House will be accessible to all attendees with disability or limited mobility. Accessible toilets and adult changing room facilities will be available.
For further information, please contact accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com.
Conditions of entry
As a condition of entry, all patrons and visitors attending the Opera House during New Year’s Eve must present their bags and personal belongings for visual inspection or x-ray screening. Ticket holders may be electronically screened by Opera House security staff.
The following items are considered prohibited and will be confiscated if found:
- Alcohol
- Glass or metal containers, including reusable water bottles
- 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 which may look like a weapon
- Professional cameras or recording devices
- Laser pointers
- Offensive signage or clothing
- Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- 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 (no more than 125cm in diameter)
- Sunshades, tent structures and portable chairs
All attendees 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.
Frequently asked questions
If you would like to attend a performance at the Opera House or an event at one of our popular restaurants and bars, an entry ticket is required. High demand is expected and tickets are limited so patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
If you would like to view the fireworks from the Forecourt, it is free however you will need to book a ticket.
No. Please check the Sydney Opera House website for last minute purchases. High demand is expected so tickets will be limited.
Access to the site for event ticket holders is between 4pm and 10pm on Thursday 31 December. No entry will be permitted after 10pm. We recommended allowing plenty of extra time and arriving 60 minutes before your event.
Forecourt ticket holders need to arrive between 12pm and 3pm to gain access to the vantage point. No entry will be permitted after 3pm.
Visitors are strongly encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and use public transport wherever possible. Large crowds are expected and significant road closures will be in place.
Please note that access to train stations, ferry wharves, light rail stops and buses will be affected from mid-afternoon on Thursday 31 December as roads progressively close. There will be no trains, ferries, light rail or buses to Circular Quay after 3pm. The closest train stations to the Opera House will be Martin Place and St James.
For up-to-date city-wide transport information visit transportnsw.info.
Significant road closures will be in place in the Sydney CBD including Macquarie Street from 4am on Thursday 31 December until 10am on Friday 1 January.
Visitors are strongly encouraged to leave their car at home and use public transport wherever possible.
There will be no vehicle access to the Opera House Wilson car park from 4am on Thursday 31 December until Macquarie Street reopens at 10am on Friday 1 January.
No re-entry will be permitted for any New Year’s Eve events at the Sydney Opera House.
Please refer to our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance and contact our Box Office on 1300 764 849 as soon as possible to enquire about options available to you.
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. 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.
There are no ATM facilities available at the Opera House on New Year’s Eve. 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.
The Opera House will be accessible to all visitors and ticket holders with disability or limited mobility. Accessible toilets and adult changing room facilities will be available.
For further information, please contact accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com.