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How to Celebrate Australia Day 2023 in Sydney

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    Australia Day pulls out all the stops when it comes to entertainment in Sydney. Come 26th of January, the city comes alive in a stunning fashion with people from all parts of the country coming together to celebrate the Aussie way of life. It’s truly a day where the locals wear the green and gold the proudest! 

    Join us to enjoy the best of what our nation has to offer and celebrate the national day - the Aussie way. 

    Beacon of celebration

    Like all other major occasions in the city, Australia Day brings all the festivities down to the harbour. With events starting off as early as sunrise and continuing till late night, there is plenty that’s happening in the world’s greatest harbour and you can be a part of it. 

    As the city sees the first sight of light in the sky, the Opera House takes the centre stage with First Nations artwork projected on its magnificent sails. As a nod to the world’s oldest living culture, the artwork sheds light on the indigenous culture, and symbolises unity above all. During this ‘Dawn of Reflection’, flags are raised high and mighty over the Harbour Bridge and signal the start of the national day celebrations!

    Acknowledging the elders

    Several celebrations on this special occasion revolve around the idea of paying homage to the traditional custodians of the land through unique ceremonies and rituals. One of them is the WugulOra ceremony in Barangaroo, which is an early morning tribute to the indigenous past through smoking rituals, dance, music and more, which showcases the Abrogibnal talents of the land. The major focus of these tributary events is to safeguard the oldest living culture and bring about a sense of maturity in the minds of every Australian and continue living as one.

    On the waters

    Now the real fun begins! One of the city’s oldest annual events is the Ferrython race, where Sydney’s popular ferries assemble on the harbour waters for their high-adrenaline race from The Quay to Shark Island and back! As part of offering the best experiences to the residents, prominent cruise operators offer Australia Day cruises, which is arguably the best way to catch all the harbour events in a crowd-free comfort. Along with top-quality food, beverage packages and a tremendous atmosphere, these cruises tick all the boxes for a fun-filled national day!

    Though a bit exxy, another popular way to enjoy the race is by taking part in the exclusive Ferrython BridgeClimb, where you can take in bird’s eye view of the ferries racing against one another!

    Another unique spectacle you must not miss out on is the Yacht and Boat Ballet - which is a famous choreographed display of yachts, jet skis, ferries, tug boats and. These vessels manoeuvre in topsy-turvy fashion synchronised to classic Aussie beats, creating a brilliant display of sight and sound! 

    Family-friendly celebrations

    Bustling with revellers, Darling Harbour will be one of the go-to destinations for families that look to celebrate the national day outdoors. With outdoor games for kids, uplifting concerts, cultural displays, massive BBQ cook ups and plenty more, the harbour turns into a summer playground for people of all ages! This is also where the iconic fireworks display goes off at night, as a grand finale to the national day celebrations! 

    Live it up even more!

    For anyone looking to catch festivals and live concerts, you don’t need to venture far from the city centre. Dwelling on the years before, Parramatta Park will likely host its Australia Day in the Crescent concert this year too! Expect a star-studded lineup of Aussie musicians, performers and artists, along with hot-air balloon displays, fireworks, vintage car expo, rides and other activities! It’s where the kids’ll want to be for sure!

    From the popular Australia Day cruises on Sydney Harbour to family-friendly festivals and once-in-a-lifetime concerts, celebrate the national day in the highest spirits!