Sydney 2021 Christmas events cancelled due to lockdown
Delta has trampled all over our grand plans for 2021 – and now councils are beginning to cancel their major Christmas and New Year’s Eve events. See the full list of cancellations.
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UPDATE, OCTOBER 29, 2021
The Coogee NYE fireworks could be back this year - despite the council previously saying they would be cancelled.
Randwick Council is currently developing plans to host the family-friendly 9pm event if Public Health Orders at the time permit.
The fireworks were not held in 2020 due to COVID and the 2021 fireworks were cancelled again in August by Council due to the uncertainty around public health order restrictions on outdoor gatherings.However, since this time, health orders are relaxing inline with increasing vaccination rates and easing Government rules.
With the changing climate, council staff are currently investigating how the event could be held safely provided that the Public Health Orders, applicable at the time, permit an event of this type without requiring fencing, ticketing or seating.The fireworks would also require agreement and support from local and state agencies before proceeding.
Council would host the event under a Covid safe plan which would likely include capacity management, visible signage to communicate messaging, COVID marshals and increased security and site management. These extra requirements are likely increase the costs of putting on the event.
“Hosting the Coogee NYE Fireworks would provide a short but significant free public celebration for the Randwick City community acknowledging the difficult and challenging year that’s been,” the council said.“It would also end the year on a positive note and usher in hopes for a safe and healthy 2022 for the whole community.”
EARLIER
The Delta outbreak is set to wreak havoc across the Christmas holidays with councils already pulling the plug on their annual events.
Randwick Council has become the first to announce major cancellations with many more expected.
Other councils are holding off cancelling in the hope the situation and restrictions will change.
City of Sydney said it has not yet cancelled any major festive events.
“We are working closely with the NSW Government to assess the impact of the pandemic on our major events, including Sydney Christmas, Sydney New Year’s Eve and the Sydney Lunar Festival,” a council spokeswoman said. “Where events are deemed safe enough to occur, we will prepare and enact Covid safe plans and physical distancing guidelines to safeguard the health and safety of our community, staff and contractors.”
Blacktown Council is also hoping to run its usual Christmas schedule as long as restrictions have eased.
We will bring you all the latest cancellations across the state on this page as Covid continues to have an impact on every aspect of life in Australia.
Coogee Carols and Coogee Sparkles
Randwick Council has made the decision to cancel the Coogee Carols and Coogee Sparkles NYE fireworks for a second consecutive year.
Randwick councillors made the decision on August 24 to cancel the events due to the ongoing lockdown and pandemic uncertainty.
“The uncertainty around what restrictions may be in place in the coming months and the significant planning required to produce these events, means we’ve had to make this tough decision now,” Mayor Danny Said said.
Randwick’s Seniors Christmas Concerts
This free event is always something to look forward to for Randwick’s seniors. However, given the current restrictions it has been called off for 2021.
Kingsford Night Noodle Markets
While not strictly a Christmas event this foodie offering in November has become a staple of the calendar. It too has been cancelled for 2021.
Mosman Art Prize
The Mosman Art Prize, which was due to be held from October 20 to December 12, has been cancelled for 2021.
However, organisers have said the national acquisitive painting prize will be back for 2022 – the 75th anniversary of the event.
Entries will open in June 2022.
Festival of the Winds
Festival of the Winds is the largest kite-flying festival in Australia, typically catering to over 80,000 people.
Last year it went online for the first time in 42 years and this year has unfortunately suffered the same fate.
With lockdown still in force, Waverley Council made the prudent decision to cancel the 2021 event.
“Waverley Council looks forward to kites flying in the skies at Bondi again, when it is once again safe for the community to gather,” a council spokeswoman said.
“For now, our focus is on compliance with Public Health Orders and the continued reduction of the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 through our behaviours so that we can return to some sort of normalcy in the very near future.”
Instead, audiences are invited to explore festivalofthewinds.com.au to enjoy workshops, talks, photo galleries and lessons on how to make and fly a kite.
HMAS Watson Carols by the Bay
The beloved Navy run carols event will be cancelled for the second year running.
HMAS Watson Commanding Officer, Captain Heath Robertson, said this year’s event would not be going ahead due to both the pandemic and the major ongoing redevelopment of the base.
There are currently 70 sailors from HMAS Watson assisting with Covid relief.
Captain Robertson said while the redevelopment would rule out hosting a public event on base for the next five years, he hoped the sailors could stage the carols in conjunction with Woollahra council in 2022, potentially in Robertson Park.
“We look forward to being able to resume them in the future,” Captain Robertson said.
“Obviously, we would be doing it locally – hopefully from next year in the park – and then in due course, on the base in years once again in years to come.”
Glenhaven Carols by Candlelight - IN DOUBT
The fate of the popular carols event Glenhaven Carols by Candlelight is uncertain.
Event organiser Mitch Blue said the carols event relied on sponsors and with most local businesses shut down until the end of lockdown he was unsure whether they could help support this year’s event.
“If we don’t get enough sponsors, we can’t run. There are usually 5,000 people that attend,” Mr Blue said.
Glenhaven Carols by Candlelight is an annual community carols event with performances from local singers and dancers as well as fireworks, rides, and attractions.
Mr Blue, from Friends of Glenhaven, said a final decision would be made at the end of October pending Covid restrictions and sponsorship.
If the event was not to go ahead he said a Santa run at Glenhaven Rural Fire Brigade would be a backup plan.
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