Open Up: Sydney’s jam-packed January crammed with sport, music and arts

Sydneysiders are being encouraged to look forward to a jam-packed January crammed with dozens of sporting, musical and arts events.

In a ringing indication that the state’s rule-makers are set to hold their nerve against ­Omicron, Sydneysiders are being encouraged to look forward to a jam-packed January crammed with dozens of sporting, musical and arts events.

Headlined by the inaugural Elevate Festival, which will transform the usually bustling Cahill Expressway into a pop-up festival ground with six days of live music and performances, January will also include the return to a full-­capacity Sydney Cricket Ground for the Pink Ashes Test and the tennis ATP Cup.

Tim Minchin is on the Elevate Sydney Festival 2022 program. Picture: Damian Bennett.

That will be followed by the Sydney Tennis Classic throughout mid-January, and regional NSW will also get its time to shine — with the Tamworth Country Music Festival rocking from January 14 to 23.

Rounding out the month will be the full-strength return of Australia Day celebrations, announced by Premier Dom­inic Perrottet.

Never before has Sydney been so pumped to party, with Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Minister Stuart Ayres saying Sydney’s unrivalled month of events and entertainment would make it unquestionably “Australia’s event capital”.

“These events will breathe new life into our state, and showcase our world-class sport, hospitality, culture, arts and live music scene,” he said.

Mr Ayres said 2022 would also bring reignited attention on Sydney’s night-life as a prime driver of the city’s post-lockdown economy: “Sydney is Australia’s event capital, and we have a renewed focus on our Harbour City’s entertainment and night-life.”

Tamworth Country Music Festival will return.

The Daily Telegraph’s Open Up campaign this week has devoted coverage to the people and industries working hard to bring our great city back to life.

The NSW government has pumped cash into ­reinvigorating consumer confidence, with another $10 million now to go towards enticing customers to local shopping strips and laneways.

More than 30 streets and laneways will be temporarily shut down across Sydney as part of the Festival of Place In Your Streets, in a bid to attract pedestrians and reinvigorate shopping hot spots hit by Covid lockdowns.

CHANCE TO THINK ABOUT PINK LINK

When Mahalia Barnes steps onto the hallowed turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground to perform during the fourth Ashes Test, she’ll take a quick moment to reflect on her own personal link to the Pink Test.

“I lost one of my very close friends to breast cancer a few years ago,” the rock royalty star said ahead of her teatime performance scheduled for day three of the Ashes Pink Test.

“Far too many of us know far too much about breast cancer, it’s far too common. A lot of us have been touched by it, unfortunately.”

Mahalia Barnes will perform at the McGrath Foundation Pink Test at the SCG in January. Picture: Tim Hunter

It’s part of why she’s met her invitation to perform at the Pink Test, now in its 14th year of fundraising for the McGrath Foundation, with such elation.

“I was thrilled when I got the call (to perform) – it’s such an iconic day. In general people love the cricket, but the Pink Test is really special. It’s such a great feeling coming together and showing support for the McGrath Foundation,” she said.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be performing. Under normal circumstances this is such an exciting gig to be a part of, but supporting the Jane McGrath Foundation and the Pink Test is iconic.”

And with capacity restrictions on major sporting venues such as the SCG lifted earlier this week, Ms Barnes said she “can’t wait” to perform in front of a packed crowd after two years of Covid restrictions.

“I think it’s a great chance for the community to come together, especially after so much downtime, so it’s a great chance to connect and come together, I just can’t wait.”

The Star, in support of Open Up, is giving away five luxury weekends for two. Click here for details.