Australia Day Celebrations

The debate around the appropriateness of celebrating Australia Day on January 26 will continue to rage until an official change is made. Until that occurs though Sydney has a plethora of opportunities to celebrate all of the various cultures and communities which make not only our country but our city so wonderful.

City Hub has put together the following round-up of events to help our readers find their ideal way to celebrate right throughout the day, from the early morning until late into the evening.

To kick-off your morning there are a number of options available to you. You could begin the day with a leisurely walk out to the Barangaroo headland to view the sunrise and take in artist Jacob Nash’s large scale outdoor sculpture Always, or you could head out to Parramatta Park to witness Sydney’s large hot-air balloon display.

Always is an art installation based around the statement, ‘Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land’ and is both a commemoration of what was taken from the Indigenous community in the past and a celebration of the cultures ability to endure and remain prominent for thousands of generations.

Aerial is the opening event of Parramatta Park’s all-day Australia Day party which includes 15 hours of non-stop entertainment for the whole family. Throughout the day attendees will be able to take in the hot-air balloon display, a showcase of classic cars, kids activities, music, food amusement rides, and of course an Australia Day citizenship ceremony.

Darling Harbour is also playing host to a family-friendly event, which features none other than kid favourites The Wiggles, this Australia Day. The Children’s Festival at Tumbalong Park has a four-hour lineup of entertainment on stage from the likes of The Wiggles, The Vegetable Plot, The Beanies and Big Science – Fizzics Education. The kids will also be able to partake in some ‘True Blue Bush Games’ such as thong throwing, a watermelon eating contest or the ‘chuck a steak on the barbie’ contest.

Speaking of barbecues is there anything more Australian than an Australia Day BBQ lunch?

We at the City Hub certainly don’t believe there is, and those on the North Sydney Council seem to agree as they’re hosting a BBQ By The Bridge. Located in Bradfield Park at Milsons Point this event will be serving up a range of delicious barbecued cuisines from around the world as Sydney celebrates its multicultural community.

One community, in particular, that is incredibly important to the fabric of Australian culture is our Indigenous community. Since its inception in 2001, the Yabun Festival has become an incredibly important annual tradition held upon the traditional lands of the Gadigal people in Sydney’s Victoria Park.

Yabun (meaning ‘music to a beat’ in Gadigal language) is a free event which features live music, bustling market stalls, panel discussions and community forums on Aboriginal issues, children’s activities, and traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural performances. Yabun Festival welcomes everyone to join in this one of a kind event which honours the survival of the world’s oldest living culture.

One final iconic event, before you simply let your hair down in the evening to party, on Sydney’s Australia Day calendar is the annual Ferrython. Head on down to the waterside and witness the spectacular view of Sydney Harbour as our iconic ferries venture from Circular Quay out to Shark Island and then back to the finish below the Sydney Harbour Bridge. If you want to get a great photo for Instagram to mark Australia Day this is the event for you!

After a long day in the sun and indulging on barbecued delights you’ll likely want to keep the party rolling into the night. Now luckily if you’ve taken our advice you should be down by the harbour and only a short walk from the Australia Day Live concert at Circular Quay.

The line-up of Aussie artists for the concert includes the soulful Kate Ceberano, the renowned Sydney Symphony Orchestra, rocker Jon Stevens, funk instrumentalist and vocalist Harts, tenor Josh Piterman, a revitalised Yothu Yindi and The Treaty Project, along with hitmakers Ricki-Lee, Anthony Callea, Karise Eden and Conrad Sewell.

Take in the music whilst also being delighted by the sights of a flotilla of yachts, jet skies, flyboarders and more out on the water. Oh and don’t forget the evening ending fireworks display at 9 pm.

So there you have it, a full day of activities to celebrate our fine city and country. Get out there enjoy the day and spread the joy and love between all of your fellow Sydneysiders and Australians.

ALWAYS

Until Jan 27. Barangaroo Reserve. FREE. Info: www.sydneyfestival.org.au

AUSTRALIA DAY IN PARRAMATTA – AERIAL

Jan 26. Parramatta Park, Corner Pitt St & Macquarie St, Parramatta. Info: hwww.ausdayparramatta.com.au

DARLING HARBOUR CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

Jan 26. Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour. FREE. Info: www.australiaday.com.au

BBQ BY THE BRIDGE

Jan 26. Bradfield Park, Alfred St South, Milsons Point. FREE. Info: www.australiaday.com.au

YABUN FESTIVAL

Jan 26. Victoria Park, Parramatta Rd, Broadway. Info: www.yabun.org.au

FERRYTHON

Jan 26. Sydney Harbour. FREE. Info: www.sydneyfestival.org.au

AUSTRALIA DAY LIVE

Jan 26. Circular Quay. FREE. Info: www.australiaday.com.au