What's On In Sydney

CHRISTMAS DAY - FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020

Join our family for Christmas Day, Christmas Lunch, Summer in Sydney and a spectacular cruise onboard Sydney 2000. Take in the sights from the expansive open observation deck and enjoy the feast on one of three restaurant decks. Great range of options for families, singles and travellers. Cruise flyer

BOXING DAY - SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER 2020

Boxing Day (26 December) is the day Sydney comes out to play. All the action is centered around the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, one of the world's greatest ocean races. Enjoy a special lunch aboard flagship MV Sydney 2000 or pack a picnic and join the fun on our spectator craft.

NEW YEARS EVE - THURSDAY 31 DECEMBER 2020

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, has confirmed Sydney's New Year's fireworks will go ahead! The Lord Mayor is also encouraging people to watch this year’s display in a Covid-Safe environment. The vast majority of Sydneysiders will be watching from home on the television and only a limited number of tickets will be available on cruises. 

Our revised New Years Eve cruises have now been released with contactless check-in, cashless terminals, social distancing and a full range of Covid-Safe initiatives. Join us as the eyes of the world turn to Sydney Harbour on New Years Eve. There was never a better year to farewell and a new year more desired. Make sure your 2020 New Year's Eve is memorable!  

CHRISTMAS PARTY CRUISES 

Even during challenging years, the important times with family, friends and colleagues who supported us throughout the year should always be celebrated. At Captain Cook Cruises we will make your 2020 Christmas party a celebration to rememember because you deserve it. Choose a comfy lounge in the Harbour Bar, a table or a private room  in the Harbour Restaurant, or charter your own boat from our Sydney Harbour fleet

Enquire online now and we'll contact you with options and availability. Looking for a little inspiration? Scroll below. 

Be quick while popular dates Thursday-Sunday in November-January are still available

Contactless check-in | Cashless terminals | Smartphone ordering | Social distancing | Covid-Safe

AUSTRALIA DAY - TUESDAY 26 JANUARY 2021

Planning is currently underway for Australia Day 2021 in NSW.  In 2020 Sydney Harbour was the centre for the major live TV broadcast and Captain Cook Cruises vessel held prime participating positions. Secure your seats at early bird prices before full details of the 2021 are released to the public. View the Highlights of 2020 including an amazing array of Harbour events from the iconic Ferrython, Salute to Australia 21-gun salute, helicopter flag display, Red Beret parachutes, Boat Ballet, Australia Day Parade, Tall Ships Race and Australia Day Regatta. Culminating in the `Australia Day Live’ evening spectacular and fireworks display.

Cruise for FREE on your Birthday

• Join the Captains Club to receive exclusive member offers and discounts, private party invitations, and a voucher to cruise for FREE on your birthday
• Visit the Captains Club page for full details and to join online

Captain Cook Cruises is a proud supporter of a wide range of community fundraising events and activities including hosting the the Rotary Club of Sydney Cove breakfast meetings every Friday.

Upcoming Events

• Rotary Club of Sydney Cove breakfast - Every Friday, all welcome
• Donations & fundraising

Past Events & Partnerships

Turn Sydney Harbour Pink - 2016, 2014 & 2013

Special cruises in support of the McGrath Foundation which raises money to place Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia as well as increasing breast awareness in young people.

Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife 

The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife is the charity partner of Australia’s National Parks. They are a non-government organisation with a mission to protect Australia’s ecosystems and native wildlife for generations to come. FNPW funds projects that support the permanent preservation of Australia’s unique natural environment. Since its founding in 1970, FNPW has funded over 600 scientifically-based Australian conservation programs. Find out more.

YEAR-ROUND FAMILY FUN

The whales are here! There is so much to see and do on Sydney Harbour for families! With great savings on ferry and attraction combos to child-friendly menus on dining cruises, there's plenty of options to please the entire family. Make sure you check out the Family Bonus on selected cruises - one child cruises FREE per full-fare paying adult!

NSW SCHOOL HOLIDAYS - 19 DECEMBER 2020 TO 26 JANUARY 2021

Sydney Harbour has so much to see and do for the kids during school holidays. Enjoy a casual lunch aboard the Harbour Restaurant featuring a new kids menu or jump on a Hop On Hop Off Harbour Explorer and visit up to four famous harbourside precincts over one or two days. Fantastic value ferry and cruise passes, plus kids cruise FREE selected cruises.

Darling Harbour is a vibrant waterfront Sydney hub, hosting a myriad of great festivals and activities all year round. Every season boasts major events like New Years Eve, Australia Day and Chinese New Year to cultural festivals, celebrations such as "Fiesta", "Santa Fest" and 'Month of Love", plus regular weekend Harbourside Fireworks.

Upcoming Events

• Star of the Show Ferris Wheel - Daily
• New Harbour Bar & Restaurant - 360 degree water views
• Sydney Harbour Gift Certificates - Save up to 50% on the perfect Christmas gift
• Christmas Day Lunch - 25 December
• Boxing Day Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race - 26 December
• New Years Eve - 31 December

SYDNEY LUNAR FESTIVAL 

2020 is the year of the Rat and the City of Sydney will host a wonderful program of Chinese New Year events to celebrate, including events like the Lunar Lanterns trail, Lunar Lanes, festival markets, and the largest Dragon Boat races in the southern hemisphere.

Sydney Lunar Festival 2021
- Details coming soon ...

VALENTINE'S DAY 

Celebrate the most romantic day of the year, Valentine’s Day, and be seduced by the spectacular beauty of Sydney Harbour. By day sip champagne as some of the world's most beautiful bays and beaches glide by. In the evening discover the magic that is Sydney by night. Choose from our great range of Valentines dinner and lunch cruises that will impress from the moment you arrive. Download flyer

Valentine's Day Cruises 2021
- Details coming soon ...

NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL CRUISES

NSW Seniors Festival is the largest celebration for people over 60 in the southern hemisphere. Captain Cook Cruises is proud to support this event annually with special seniors cruises. Download flyer

Seniors Festival Cruises 2021
- Details coming soon ...

SYDNEY SAILGP 

SailGP is the world's fastest and most exhilarating sail racing featuring an international league racing identical supercharged F50 catamarans capable of breaking the 50-knot barrier. 

SailGP Spectator Cruises
- Details coming soon ...

BIENNALE OF SYDNEY

Held every two years, Biennale of Sydney is the largest and most exciting contemporary visual arts event in the Asia Pacific region. Presented free to the public, the 22nd Biennale of Sydney in 2020 showcases works by over 90 artists, including artists hailing from Nepal, Georgia, Afghanistan, Sudan and Ecuador for the first time. Also a first for the Biennale of Sydney, this year's exhibition, due to the impact of COVID-19, has moved to a digital program, allowing audiences around the world to engage on the Google Arts & Culture platform. 

Binnale of Sydney 2022
 - Details coming soon ...

EARTH HOUR

Over a billion people from seven continents, 150 nations around the world turn participate in Earth Hour each March. Show your support, turn off your lights at home and join us on Sydney Harbour for dinner. View the lights go out in Sydney between 8.30pm & 9.30pm and weather permitting you may even see the stars come out to play!

Earth Hour 2021
- Details coming soon ...

MOTHER'S DAY

The second Sunday in May is Mother's Day, one of our favourite days of the year. The challenge lies in where to spend it - at Nan's, Grandma's or Mum's place, or in the traffic going from one place to the next. Spoil all the mums in your life onboard one of our cruises this Mother's Day. 

Mother's Day 2021
- Details coming soon ...

Vivid Sydney is set to return 6-28 August 2021

Update as at 14 October 2020

Dates have just been announced for the return of Vivid Sydney in 2021, and we can't wait to share more details as they become available - stay tuned!

The 2020 event was cancelled on the recommendations of the Australian Government and health authorities regarding organised gatherings of more than 500 people as a result of the Covid-19 global pandemic.

Vivid Sydney

Vivid Sydney is the largest outdoor lighting, music and ideas festival in the Southern Hemisphere with 'lights on' nightly from 6.00pm. This world famous festival invites aspiring artists from around the globe to put their best and brightest creative concepts on show, with Sydney Harbour as the centrepiece. Choose from a great range of cruising options from the family-friendly Vivid Lights cruise to the prestigious Gold Penfolds Dinner Cruise. Download flyer

Official Partner - Vivid Sydney `Harbour Lights'
Be part of Vivid Sydney and dine aboard MV Sydney 2000 displaying the official `Vivid Sydney' lighting installation or MV John Cadman with the ‘#ilovesydney’ installation. Both vessels travel through a spectrum of light as they cruise the Vivid Sydney Harbour precincts.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Winter is a magical time on Sydney Harbour. Grab your yuletide cheer and join us on a special Christmas in July Lunch Cruise for traditional northern hemisphere wintry treats. More Info ...

Christmas in July 2020 
- Details coming soon ...

FATHER'S DAY

The first Sunday of Spring is Father’s Day in Australia. It’s a special day to show our appreciation for the fathers, grandfathers and father figures in our lives. Treat him to something different this year and he may even take you with him! Choose a lunch or dinner cruise you know he'll love, or let him decide with an open-dated Cruise Cash voucher from $50.

Father's Day 2021
- Details coming soon ...

GRANDPARENT'S DAY

The last Sunday of October marks Grandparents Day in Australia. It’s a special day to show our appreciation for the contribution Grandparents and older people make to our lives and community. Join us for a special lunch or high tea cruise to celebrate.

Grandparent's Day Cruises 2021
- Details coming soon ...

MELBOURNE CUP LUNCH

Get that winning feeling and celebrate the race that stops the nation aboard Sydney's thoroughbred cruise ship MV Sydney 2000. The Melbourne Cup Lunch cruise will get you to the winners circle in style with premium 3 course dining and all the action of race day live plus race sweeps, best dressed and lucky door prizes to be won. Secure your seats now and join all the fun on the first Tuesday in November.

Melbourne Cup Lunch Cruise 2020
- Details coming soon ...