Parramatta Nights Street Festival to run from March 17 to April 23

The ‘music died in Parramatta’ when Elton John fled the stadium in his chopper two years ago, but an autumn festival featuring jazz, classic and rock performances with Aussie legends will revive the ‘fun city’.

Summer is subsiding but autumn will be no time to hibernate in Parramatta where a six-week festival featuring music, family friendly school holiday activities and big acts — including artists from Powderfinger and the Baby Animals — will get the city buzzing post Covid.

Running from March 17 to April 23, the jam-packed Parramatta Nights Festival is set to be the biggest event series in Parramatta since the pandemic plagued small businesses and social calendars. Crowds are set fill venues including Parramatta Square and Parramatta Park where two concerts are to be staged.

Australian Rock Collective, featuring Kram from Spiderbait (far left), features in Parramatta.

One of those gigs is the Rock in the Park at The Crescent at Parramatta Park on March 27.

The Baby Animals, veteran singer and songwriter Jon Stevens, indie band Kingswood will amplify the stage, along with the Australian Rock Collective — featuring Darren Middleton from Powderfinger, Mark Wilson from Jet, Kram from Spiderbait, and Davey Lane from You Am I.

The event rounds out with a dazzling 10-minute fireworks display.

The Baby Animals will get Sydney’s west rocking at The Crescent, Parramatta Park.

Parramatta Nights Street Festival will make its debut, while Parramatta Square will fill with the sound of jazz and performances by some of Australia’s most renowned First Nations artists, as well as art installations, roving performers and food and beverage offerings.

Youngsters should also get their skates on with a family-friendly Skate and Play event during the school holidays at Prince Alfred Square.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis said Parramatta Nights was the perfect way to

reinvigorate the city and support businesses and the creative arts industry, which had taken a hit over the past two years.

“This year, we’ve expanded the program to make it bigger and better, and we can’t wait to share it with you,’’ she said.

“You can skate, play, eat, sing, dance and be entertained. It’s an autumn event series for everyone.’’

Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis (back row, third from left) with artists Loretta Palmeiro, DJ Talisha, Mandie Vieira and (front) Korgy’s Peter Sabbagh and Tom Elliott.

Western Sydney Business executive director David Borger welcomed the “fantastic’’ event.

“It’s really the first chance, in the words of the Beatles, to get back to where we once belong,’’ he said.

“I think we’ve got to remember Parramatta’s a fun city, it’s a fun town.

“When people come into the city there’s normally a spend on transport, food and shopping. With festivals and events, everyone gets food, from the taxi driver to the cafe owner.’’

It is also a chance to help Parramatta get its groove on again.

“We missed out on big concerts a long time ago,’’ he said.

“Since Elton John flew his helicopter out of Bankwest Stadium, as it was called then, two years ago, the music died in Parramatta.’’

The program

Jazz After Dark

Parramatta Square

Thursday – Sunday, March 17-27

Enjoy a series of jazz performances curated by Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA) featuring musicians and musical styles from all over the world including Brazilian, African, New Orleans, electronic, contemporary, and traditional.

Parramatta Nights Street Festival

Phillip St and surrounds

Friday – Sunday, March 18-27

Five stages across the CBD will host electronica, hip-hop, soul, funk and punk music performances, along with local DJs and radio presenters. Pop-up bars, food stalls and a host of art installations and roving performers can also be found throughout the precinct.

Sydney Symphony Under the Stars

The Crescent, Parramatta Park

March 26

Celebrated conductor Benjamin Northey leads the world-class Sydney Symphony Orchestra, which marks its 90th anniversary with a program ranging from canonical greats such as Mozart, to a selection of heart-stirring John Williams film classics from ET to Indiana Jones. All building towards the thunderous finale of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, accompanied by a dazzling splash of fireworks. Free and family friendly, Sydney Symphony Under the Stars is the perfect alfresco evening out.

Ngana Birrung

Erby Place carpark

April 3

Ngana Birrung (Dharug for “black stars”) makes its festival debut and features a stellar line-up of hip-hop, R‘n’B and dance performances by First Nations artists Briggs, Miiesha, JK-47, Soju Gang, and Jannawi Dance Clan.

Skate and Play

Prince Alfred Square

8–23 April

Entertain the family these school holidays by taking them for a skate around the outdoor roller-rink in Prince Alfred Square or a spin on the Ferris wheel or other amusement rides.

Don’t miss the larger-than-life inflatable installation Lost Dogs Disco by ENESS, which is making its Sydney debut.

Concertgoers who bought tickets for Rock in the Park, which was originally scheduled for the Summer Sessions concert series in January, will automatically be advised by Moshtix on how they to obtain a full refund (including booking and transaction fees).

Skate and Play rolls into Prince Alfred Square during the school holidays.

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Originally published as Parramatta Nights Street Festival to run from March 17 to April 23