We have a riddle for you—what do delicious eats, acclaimed rapper and producer L-FRESH The LION, your favourite local businesses, live entertainment and DJs all have in common? Spoiler, you can find them all at a string of free street parties kicking off in Sydney's suburbs this month.
Enticingly titled, Your Street, Your Party, these all-day events are the initiative of the NSW Government through Investment NSW and are a celebration of the local businesses that operate as the lifeblood of Sydney’s suburbs. From the corner cafe that caffeinates you every day, to your favourite restaurant down the road, these street parties are an awesome way to say thanks to your local or to discover a new favourite.
Totally free to attend and inclusive to all, the parties get underway this month, with the first events bringing the streets of the Northern Beaches and Parramatta to life across two jam-packed weekends.
We’ve got all the details on this month’s parties below.
Northern Beaches
Fairlight | Saturday, 21 May | 10am to 6pm
The first weekend of street parties visits the Northern Beaches, lighting up the streets of Fairlight with an electric vibe. Soak up the eclectic, bohemian soundtrack throughout the day that will pick up the tempo as the sun sets and a mix of DJs, live vocals, sax and trumpet take over.
Running from 10am to 6pm, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved and eat your way through the day with multiple culinary delights on offer. Grab a coffee and pastry from Honeybee Boulangerie to put a pep in your step as you explore the stalls or see in the sunset with a slice from Pizza At Yours. Be sure to keep an eye out for the grab-and-go streetside barbeque from local favourites Two Siisters Pantry.
Inclusive of all Sydneysiders, it’s the perfect excuse to catch up with friends, see the family, or do date day with a difference.
You’ll find all the fun on Slip Road, off Sydney Road, at Fairlight Village.
Dee Why | Sunday, 22 May | 10am to 6pm
Doubling down on the Northern Beaches festivities, Dee Why will pick up where Fairlight left off with another day of food and entertainment from 10am to 6pm. Pet-friendly festivities mean you can change up your Sunday routine and take your four-legged friend for a stroll with a difference, or see-in Sunday’s sunset to the sound of live music.
Stroll along with a Viet Baguette from An Viet Street Food, warm up with cacao, mushroom and jing hot chocolate from Bare Naked Bowls, or refresh with a delicious cocktail at Corretto.
The party will take over The Strand, between Dee Why Parade to Oaks Avenue.
Parramatta
Harris Park | Saturday, 28 May | 12pm to 8pm
Set in the heart of Sydney’s music scene, a street party in Parramatta wouldn’t be complete without a packed soundtrack of local talent. Featuring the breakout band, H3rizon, an exclusively curated playlist of the best of hip hop, RnB, soul and global beats, performances from the Intricate School of Hip Hop, Western Sydney Samba, a K-Pop Takeover and a range of cultural Performances, this is a weekend event music lovers do not want to miss.
The party runs from 10am to 8pm, so head down early to spend the day eating your way through the flavours of the local communities, and connecting with the cultural heart of Sydney Western Suburbs. Settle in once the sun sets as South West’s very own, critically acclaimed superstar, L Fresh the Lion rounds out the night.
Get along to Wigram Street, between Marion Street and Ada Street, Harris Park for all the action.
With this string of parties planned across Sydney throughout May and June, there are heaps of opportunities to explore an old favourite or discover another side of a suburb you don’t get to often. Head over here for more information on the suburbs where the streets are coming to life, and when to stack your calendar in preparation.
Image credit: Transport for NSW
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