New Year in Sydney: Beyond the Fireworks

New Year in Sydney: Beyond the Fireworks

Sydney might be known for its iconic Harbour and world-famous midnight fireworks, but the real celebration doesn’t stop when the clock strikes 12. In fact, January is packed with brilliant events from the roar of the SCG crowd to open-air cinema nights by the Harbour, theatre openings to family adventures on the water. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, this is your invitation to kick off the year with something a little different - where the calendar is just as full-on 2 January as it was on 31 December.

Summer of Sport

There’s no slowing down after New Year’s Eve - Sydney’s sporting calendar is one of the hottest tickets in town.

The New Year’s (Pink) Test – Australia v England, 4–8 January, SCG
An unmissable Sydney summer tradition, and one of world cricket’s most iconic fixtures. The New Year’s Test transforms the Sydney Cricket Ground into a sea of colour - from the bright pinks of the McGrath Foundation Day to the green and gold of Aussie pride and the chants of England’s Barmy Army.
It’s five days of sport, sunshine and spirited rivalry where the atmosphere is as memorable as the cricket itself. Even if you’re not a die-hard fan, it’s worth going just for the energy - families, friends and fans all soaking up the uniquely Sydney mix of sport and summer celebration.

United Cup Tennis, 3–11 January, Sydney Olympic Park
International tennis returns as world-class men’s and women’s teams battle it out in a festival of power, skill and sun. A great way to catch the stars before the Australian Open.

Big Bash League – Sydney Sixers & Sydney Thunder
The family-friendly, fast-paced cricket continues with T20 matches across the city - perfect school-holiday energy.

Sydney Kings (Basketball) & Sydney FC (Football)
Catch the Kings at Qudos Bank Arena or Sydney FC lighting up Allianz Stadium. Both are summer regulars with plenty of atmosphere.

Summer Racing – Royal Randwick Saturdays
Racegoers can make a day of it with back-to-back meetings through January. Dress sharp, enjoy the social buzz, and cap it off with a harbour dinner cruise.

Golf Days Across Sydney
Keen golfers can swing into the new year at public and charity events around the city - from Bonnie Doon to Cromer and Macquarie Links - while spectators can tee off their own summer fun.

Culture, Stage & Screen

Sydney’s summer arts season is as dazzling as the fireworks, with theatre, live music and outdoor cinema filling the calendar.

Sydney Festival 50th Anniversary – 8 to 25 January
The city comes alive with colour, performance and creativity: more than 100 events across dance, music, theatre, visual art and more. You’ll find shows in theatres, parks, even on the streets, with plenty of free highlights.

Opera Australia – Summer Season at the Sydney Opera House
From beloved classics to new productions, Opera Australia’s summer program is a world-class experience inside Australia’s most famous sails.

• Madama Butterfly from 3 January
• Turandot from 15 January
• Hansel & Gretel from 27 January
• Great Opera Hits – Special performance 26 January

Sydney Theatre Company, Belvoir & Hayes Theatre Co.
January marks the start of their mainstage seasons, with new Australian works, powerful dramas and crowd-pleasing musicals.

Flickerfest – Bondi Pavilion, 23 January to 1 February
Australia’s leading short-film festival returns to Bondi Beach - a relaxed, creative night after a dip and dinner.

Westpac OpenAir Cinema – Mrs Macquaries Point, 9 January to 24 February
The big screen rises from the Harbour with Sydney’s skyline glittering behind it - the ultimate alfresco movie night. The 2026 film program is due for release at the end of November.

Australia Day on the Harbour - 26 January

Sydney’s Australia Day celebrations are made for the water - the Ferrython, Tall Ships Race, flyovers, concerts and fireworks make the Harbour the heart of it all.

Join Captain Cook Cruises for the best seats in the house - or rather, on the Harbour with Australia Day Lunch and Dinner Cruises. Sit back, relax and soak up the action from the comfort of our decks.

School Holiday Adventures

January also means school-holiday freedom - and Sydney delivers. Think Taronga Zoo days, splash-park stops, beach mornings and Harbour afternoons.

Hop aboard a Captain Cook Hop On Hop Off Harbour Explorer for an easy, fun day that connects the city’s top spots - Circular Quay, Watsons Bay, Taronga Zoo, Manly, and more.

Or take a leisurely Lunch Cruise to enjoy Sydney’s sparkling summer views while the kids stay entertained and everyone gets a well-earned break.

More than Fireworks

Sydney doesn’t slow down after New Year’s Eve - it shifts gears into full-throttle summer. From world-class sport to open-air art, lazy lunches to lively nights, this city knows how to keep the celebration going.

So, here’s to long days, Harbour breezes and unforgettable January moments. The fireworks may mark the start, but in Sydney, the new year truly begins the next morning.