Join us for Sydney Streets

Get your local business or community group involved in these one-day special events: extend trading outdoors, apply for event space, provide entertainment and more

Darlinghurst Glebe Haymarket Potts Point Pyrmont Redfern

Closed

Applications closed February 2026

City of Sydney

: GPO Box 1591
Sydney 2001
: 02 9265 9333
: [email protected]

Help bring festival vibes to your neighbourhood and make Sydney Streets a success. Local businesses, community groups and performers are invited to join us for these one-day special events.

Sydney Streets is run across Saturdays in spring and again in summer to autumn. To apply for event space or to perform, you’ll need to complete an expression of interest. There are many other ways to take part including activating in your store, displaying goods on the footpath or listing your special offer or event on What’s On. See event dates and find out more about event opportunities below.

Opportunities for local businesses and organisations

- We encourage businesses in the street and surrounds to activate in-store during the event.
- Activations could include musicians, performances, exhibitions, workshops, product demonstrations, cultural programming or a special promotion or offer exclusive for that day to help drive trade to your business.
- Upload your unique event, promotion or offer to the City of Sydney’s What’s On platform to be part of the overall marketing and promotion.
- Take advantage of our display of goods on the footway policy that supports and promotes using the footpath while ensuring comfort and safe use for people walking and riding bikes.
- It applies to all retailers who have, or wish to have, a display on the footpath outside their premises.
- Retailers may use up to 0.6 metres of footpath space in front of the shopfront (subject to guidelines) without seeking approval from the City of Sydney.
- Read the display of goods on the footway policy to ensure you’re eligible.
- We encourage you to take advantage of the additional space available during the road closure event with activities such as kids workshops, pop-up stalls, outdoor dining or live performances.
- Lodge an expression of interest with your activation ideas. See the above table for deadlines.
- We’ll assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. Formal approval will be given to successful applicants.
- To be eligible, you must be a business, organisation, community group or government agency within the City of Sydney’s local area providing a product or service to residents.
- Businesses within the road closure area will be prioritised, but we’ll consider expressions of interest from businesses within the surrounding streets.
- We’ll consider the mix of businesses and activations at the event to balance the offerings on the day.
- Distribution of flyers or promotional material isn’t permitted, which is in line with our guidelines for single-use items.
- Political, offensive, religious offerings or marketeers won’t be permitted.
- Contact the Sydney Streets team to discuss your plans at [email protected].

Promote your activation on What’s On

List your in-store activations, special offers or approved outdoor activity on our free event listing website, What’s On.
Simply create a City of Sydney account and upload details and an image of your event or offer.
What’s On is one of Sydney’s most trusted event sites, with more than 100,000 visitors a month and over 30,000 email subscribers.
To be part of the What’s On program marketing upload your events or special offer at least 2 weeks before your high street event.

A DJ in the foreground plays music to revellers who are dancing in the street as part of Sydney Streets on Stanely Street.

Busy street scene with people walking past a tattoo parlor with black awning labelled tattoo and display boards showcase various tattoo designs. Trees, buildings, and a clear sky in the background.

Conditions of approval

- The road closure and special event clearways will be in effect from 7am–11:30pm. During which times vehicles will not be able to access the street.
- You aren’t permitted to conduct activities outside of your allocated space or in spaces where you have not been granted permission.
- You can access your allocated space from 9:30am and must remove all items no later than 11pm.
- You’re responsible for managing the approved space and will need to supply your own equipment and services. This includes waste management, security and managing patrons on the day.
- Temporary structures not forming part of an approved activity will not be permitted.
- All infrastructure must be appropriately weighted down to accommodate high winds. All cables are to be tested and tagged, and suspended above people or taped down to avoid trip hazards.
- The licensee must not permit patrons to take alcohol bought for consumption on the premises out of the licensed area.
- Licensed outdoor areas must be enclosed with temporary barriers such as planter boxes or fencing.
- No drinks in glassware are permitted in the approved outdoor area.
- Single-use plastics and balloons are prohibited, all items must be reusable or recyclable.
- The distribution of flyers and/or other marketing/promotional material is not permitted.
- You must comply with your existing development consent and/or liquor licence.
- City of Sydney staff and NSW Police will be present and will provide assistance if needed.
- Breaching these conditions may result in your approval being withdrawn.
- All music/live performance must cease one hour before the event end time. You must be responsive to requests from City of Sydney event personnel to adjust volumes and timings if necessary, including pausing the entertainment to allow the crowd to disperse if there is overcrowding. A refusal to comply with a request will result in approval for the activity being withdrawn.
- Food stalls must have prior approval and practice safe food handling. They must comply with food stall operation requirements including necessary flooring, Food Act 2003 and Food Standards Code. Please read the food stall requirements to ensure compliance with current legislation.