The NSW Government has unveiled what it describes as the nation’s largest Australia Day program, setting out a full day of free events across the state on 26 January 2026, with Sydney Harbour at the centre of proceedings from dawn through to night.
The program spans community ceremonies, family activities and large-scale harbour events, culminating in Australia Day Live at the Sydney Opera House forecourt. The government says the approach aims to reflect shared values, cultural diversity and opportunities for both celebration and reflection, against the backdrop of a day that continues to carry different meanings for different Australians.
Across NSW, communities will take part in local events alongside the Australia Day Ambassador Program, which will see more than 100 Australians recognised for their contributions visiting towns and cities. In Sydney, Circular Quay and the harbour precinct will host a sequence of activities across land, water and sky, designed to be accessible to all ages.
The day will begin at sunrise with the Dawn Reflection, marked by the illumination of the Sydney Opera House sails with artwork by Garry Purchase, a proud Aboriginal man. This will be followed by the WugulOra Morning Ceremony at Walumil Lawns in Barangaroo, continuing a long-standing tradition that acknowledges the cultural and spiritual significance of the day for First Nations peoples.
As the day unfolds, the Harbourfest program will bring together a mix of ceremonial and family-focused events. The Midday Salute will honour Australian veterans with a tri-forces display, while Maritime Mayhem and the Harbour Parade will see decorated vessels take to the water in a colourful display of national pride. The Australia Day Regatta will add to the activity on the harbour, drawing sailing enthusiasts and spectators alike.
On land, Surf Life Saving NSW will host its Fun in the Sun activation at First Fleet Lawn, offering free games and activities where children can meet volunteers and learn about water safety. Families will also see the return of the Mega Kidz Zone at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, featuring large-scale games, inflatables and arcade attractions.
The evening focus will turn to Australia Day Live, with a concert at the Sydney Opera House forecourt featuring a broad cross-section of Australian performers. The lineup includes Cody Simpson, Kate Ceberano, William Barton and Jude York, alongside The Fabulous Caprettos, a supergroup made up of Wendy Matthews, Rai Thistlethwayte, Dave Gleeson and Joe Camilleri.
The concert will include a tribute to the families and communities affected by the Bondi terror attack last month. Sydney-based band SHIR, from the Australian Jewish Music Festival, will perform after their widely shared rendition of I Am Australian at the Bondi vigil. The tribute is intended to provide a moment of collective reflection within a broader celebratory program.
A fireworks display and aerial show over Circular Quay will close the night, adding a visual centrepiece for locals and visitors gathered around the harbour.
Premier Chris Minns said the program was designed to emphasise common ground while recognising the complexities of the day. He said Australia Day offered a chance to focus on shared beliefs in freedom, respect and a fair go, and described the 2026 program as the largest of its kind in the country, with free events running from sunrise to nightfall across Sydney Harbour and throughout NSW.
He also said the program aimed to celebrate multicultural communities, honour First Nations history and create space for reflection, particularly in light of the recent Bondi attack, which he described as a moment that had deeply affected the state.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said Australia Day remained an opportunity to recognise what brings Australians together, pointing to shared values, diversity and a sense of mateship. He referred to the way communities came together following the Bondi tragedy and said Australia Day 2026 provided another moment to gather with care, respect and unity.
He said the government had focused on delivering a larger and more varied program, with events for all ages and a major concert at the Opera House, encouraging people to take part in ways that suited them, whether attending formal ceremonies, harbour events or smaller gatherings with family and friends.
The NSW Government has indicated further announcements will be made closer to the date, with full program details to be published here.
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