Haymarket project updates
Stay up-to-date on projects and initiatives in the area.
Haymarket is a unique and distinctive part of Sydney. It has a special urban character that is lively, diverse and ever changing, characterised by dining and shopping, and a popular destination for locals and tourists.
Haymarket has historic links with Chinese culture and community. The growing influence of other Asian cultures and communities adds to an increasing diversity of shops and restaurants throughout the area.
Plans to revitalise Haymarket
A long-term plan to breathe new life into Haymarket and Chinatown is underway. The multimillion dollar vision sees key projects focus on activating and improving streets and public spaces, shopfronts, parks and lighting.
In December 2023, Council endorsed the Haymarket and Chinatown revitalisation strategy and Haymarket and Chinatown public domain plan after extensive consultation with the community.
Priority projects complete or underway
- Preparing designs for Dixon Street's update
- Restoring and heritage listing the Chinatown ceremonial gates
- Transforming George Street south
- Improving Thomas, Hay and Barlow streets and Ultimo Road
- Waiving outdoor dining fees until 2025
- Revitalising the area with major events like Sydney Lunar New Year and Sydney Streets
- Heritage listing the Kwong War Chong building at 82-84 Dixon Street in 2020
- Supporting the precinct's branding, funded by the NSW Government's Uptown Accelerator Grant
- Supporting the new Museum of Chinese in Australia (MOCA) with grant funding
- Sponsoring SXSW Sydney, a week-long tech, innovation and culture event in Darling Harbour and Haymarket in October 2023.
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News
A new era for Haymarket unfolds with urban renewalDiscover the changes shaping the heart of Chinatown's future: heritage upgrades, street improvements and cultural events.24 September 2024News
Be part of the SXSW Sydney restaurant guideConnect your food and drink offers with 300,000 festival goers.29 August 2024News
How to get involved in Sydney StreetsMake the most of our popular street events this spring - bring your trading or dining outdoors, apply for event space, host a pop-up stall and more.6 August 2024News
New Dixon Street improvement grants now openLandowners and businesses can apply to receive funding to improve shop or building frontages.5 August 2024News
Bring your idea to life in Haymarket with $200,000Applications are now open for festivals, events or pop-up attractions.21 May 2024News
Shape the future of Sydney Streets Have your say on our neighbourhood community events.25 June 2024News
By George, dragons! Experience the magic of Sydney Lunar FestivalThe roarsome dragons and lanterns making George Street shine for Sydney Lunar Festival.25 June 2024News
What to do and where to eat during Sydney Lunar Festival 2024Fabulous feasts, spectacular shows and magnificent artworks – it’s time to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.28 February 2024News
Get your business involved in Vivid SydneyLearn how you can be part of the world's largest festival of light, music, food and ideas27 March 2024News
Dixon Street transformation revealedOur proposed designs will bring vibrancy back to the heart of Chinatown with creative lighting, improved flow and traditional cultural features.26 December 2023
Markets, events and activations
Sydney Lunar Festival is the largest Lunar New Year celebration outside mainland China – with a street festival in Haymarket, daily lion dancing performances, delicious food and over 60 events in January and February.
The famous Friday Night Markets on Dixon Street are one of Sydney’s most popular late-night shopping hotspots. Showcasing local designers, delicious Asian street food and unique products.
The restaurants, cafes and bars provide theatre goers at Capitol Theatre, tourists staying in surrounding hotels and backpackers hostels, city residents and workers late-night food and entertainment options. Arts and cultural organisations such as Gallery 4A and the Museum of Chinese in Australia, help define the precinct as a cultural hub.
What’s On
- Sat5Oct
- Sat5Oct
What’s On
Intro to Rug Weaving on a Floor LoomWeave a rug in a day using upcycled materialsHaymarket - Sat5Oct
What’s On
Qigong classesGet an introduction to Qigong at any level of experience and fitnessHaymarket - Sat5Oct
What’s On
The Way of Snow PeakExplore the deep history of Snow Peak from Niigata, Japan, a company dating back more than 65 years.Haymarket - Sun6Oct
What’s On
Kids kung fu classThe martial tradition of the Shaolin temple adapted for kids to reach their full potential in a fun environmentHaymarket - Sun6Oct
What’s On
Chinatown – Street food & stories guided food tourSample a range of regional Chinese snacks while discovering Chinatown's secretsHaymarket - Tue8Oct
- Tue8Oct
What’s On
School holidays: 3D print club, 12-16 years - BOOKED OUTA fun introduction to 3D printing for young peopleDarling Square Library - Thu10Oct
What’s On
Minds and machines: Youth mental health in a digital world Explore the role of technology and the future of treatment while raising your knitting needles.Darling Square Library - Thu10Oct
What’s On
School holidays: pixel art maker day, 10-15 yrs - BOOKED OUTCreate 8-bit inspired pixel art at the Darling Square Library MakerspaceDarling Square Library - Fri11Oct
What’s On
School holidays: manga comic book workshop, 13-17 yrsLearn how to make your own manga style comics in this introductory workshopDarling Square Library - Sat12Oct
What’s On
Weekend makertime for families, 8-12 yrsGain practical creative makerspace skills and experience in this intergenerational 2-hour sessionDarling Square Library - Tue15Oct
What’s On
Maker and creator workshop 8-12 yrsHarness all things inspirational and inventive with our sensational series of creative workshops for kidsDarling Square Library - Tue15Oct
What’s On
Tango course (6 weeks) with Club De TangoFor all levels with Sydney's most experienced and successful teachers.Haymarket - Wed16Oct
What’s On
Celebrate National Bird Week and the Aussie Bird CountCreate your favourite Aussie bird.Darling Square Library - Thu17Oct
What’s On
A sense of scale Discover remarkable models and learn about the skilled artisans behind them and their impact across diverse industriesDarling Square Library - Tue22Oct
What’s On
Makertime for families, 8-12 yrsGain practical creative makerspace skills and experience in this intergenerational 2-hour sessionDarling Square Library - Wed23Oct
What’s On
2nd Iranian Music Festival Embrace the sounds of Persia: four nights of classic, fusion, and contemporary Iranian musicHaymarket - Sun27Oct
- Sun27Oct
What’s On
Tabletop games afternoon for ages 16+Play fun contemporary favourites with fellow gamers in the cityDarling Square Library
Planning and development
Haymarket is continuously changing with major developments nearby such as universities in Ultimo, Darling Harbour and potential development at Central precinct, part of the NSW Government’s innovation precinct, Tech Central. Our plans for a new public place at Central, described in the city south public domain plan, are part of our vision for this area.
Chinatown is designated a Special Character Area, with planning rules in place to retain and enhance the unique character of the area. The Haymarket and Chinatown revitalisation strategy proposes a review of planning rules to allow more freedom and cultural expression in building signs and lighting, and to encourage renewal of smaller buildings as a point of difference from other areas of the city. A new grant program will incentivise improvements to buildings and shopfronts on Dixon Street south.
The Haymarket and Chinatown public domain plan recommends priority projects to improve the streets and parks, including the Dixon Street upgrade and restoration of the Chinatown Ceremonial Gates.
Our Central Sydney planning strategy identifies areas to the north and south of Haymarket as key areas for employment growth. Changes to planning rules are supporting more development in these areas.
