Australia Day 2021: Sydney events, activities and COVID restrictions
Australia Day activities will look different this year with restrictions in place. Here are what activities are on in your area.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Masks, tickets and online citizenship ceremonies — Australia Day celebrations will be a little different in 2021.
Social distancing regulations have scuppered many council plans for celebrations on January 26 including the huge Yabun Festival in Victoria Park, Glebe, while Sydney Harbour’s traditional event roster will not be going ahead.
But many COVID-safe activities are still planned for residents across Greater Sydney.
The state government is supporting a range of online performances including a welcome to country and smoking ceremony, citizenship ceremonies and concert.
Australian singer Dami Im is part of the evening concert and said the day is an opportunity to help unite the community.
“It’s been a tough year for all Australians – with national disasters and the pandemic, yet we’ve all been able to come together as we always do in crisis. As we come into Australia Day we are able to celebrate our resilience and ability to work through tough times,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter what cultural background you come from, the one thing that unites us all is the Australian spirit. The characteristics that come to mind when I think of being Australian are good humour, warmth, respect, endurance and ingenuity.”
They will be available to watch here or on the ABC.
Here’s what’s on in your area (further details on council websites).
AUSTRALIA DAY EVENTS 2021
Burwood Council: Australia Day picnic and movies at Wangal Park. Limited to 500 tickets. Movies run from 4pm-9pm with the films Storm Boy and Rams screening.
Camden Council: Celebrate online with activities via the Camden Council website including colouring-in, craft and a music performance by Ric Bailey. Australia Day ambassador George Tonna will deliver a message together with Australia Day award announcements.
City of Campbelltown: A Big Aussie BBQ will be held in six locations with snags and drinks from 8am-11am.
City of Canterbury Bankstown: Celebrations include an Aussie rock truck touring the area while seagull, jumping kangaroo and lifeguard characters will visit parks giving away ice cream and gifts. Australia Day art trail will feature the work of street artist Brode Compton.
Cumberland City Council: Cultural heritage performances will be held at Holroyd Gardens from 6pm-10 with include food trucks, live music and fireworks. Numbers are limited and masks encouraged.
Fairfield City Council: Fireworks begin on Monday evening, and on Tuesday the 26th access to selected pools and the youth and community centre is free. Details on the council website.
Hornsby Shire Council: There will be two separate citizenship ceremonies for Hornsby Shire residents. The events are capped at 40 people and start at 9.30am and 11.15am.
Hunters Hill Council: “Australia Bay” celebrations will run over five evenings at an outdoor cinema showing Australian classics. Free but tickets required. From 5pm from January 21-26. Details on the council website.
Ku-ring-gai Council: A picnic in the park, a drive-in movie and a swim will be available for Ku-ring-gai residents. Bookings required. Events open Sunday January 24. Council invites constituents to celebrate Australia Day at Ku-ring-gai Fitness and Aquatic Centre where there will be pool inflatables and a DJ.
Lane Cove Council: Lane Cove Council’s Australia Day Picnic is a ticketed event with numbers limited. Music and performances at The Plaza and Canopy before an open-air cinema to round out the day.
Northern Beaches Council: The traditional Australia Day breakfast has been cancelled but constituents have been encouraged to get to Beverley Job Park for markets, Forestville War Memorial Playing Fields for food trucks and Brookvale Oval for an open-air cinema.
Penrith City Council: Enjoy a dip with council sponsoring activities at Cables Wake Park and Ripples, tickets are required with limited spots for free wakeboarding at the Aqua Park from 10am-4pm.
Willoughby City Council: Small Australia Day celebrations will take place with new citizens welcomed at The Concourse before local awards are announced. Bookings required and a live stream of the ceremonies will be available.
City of Ryde Council: Alongside citizenship ceremonies and citizen of the year awards, Ryde Council will hold a smaller scale version of their Australia Day concert with ticket numbers limited to 500. From 4pm-9pm at the North Ryde Common.
City of Canada Bay: A small citizenship ceremony will be held.
Bayside Council: The council will be holding their official citizenship ceremony with restricted numbers. There will be no other events.
NO COUNCIL RUN EVENTS
Sutherland Shire Council, City of Sydney, Randwick City Council, The Hills Shire Council, Waverley Council, Woollahra Municipal Council, City of Parramatta Council, Liverpool City Council, Mosman Council, North Sydney Council, Georges River Council, Inner West Council, Blacktown City Council.
More Coverage
Puppy love: New laws to ban mass production farms
Mass production puppy farms, where sometimes hundreds of dogs are kept in cages and bred dozens of times, will soon be banned in new legislation to be introduced by the Minns government today.
Man killed in Western Sydney stabbing
A 64-year-old man has died after being stabbed in the neck in Sydney’s west. A 34-year-old man has been arrested at the scene and is assisting police with their inquiries.