Australia Day 2026: What's On in the Shire & Sydney | Free Concerts, Fireworks & Outdoor Movies

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January in Sydney means sunshine, warm evenings, and the kind of energy that makes you want to actually get out and do things. Here’s what’s happening in the Shire and across the city this month - including SLAM Society events so you can connect with your community.

SLAM Society Events

Walk and Talk – January

Wednesday 21 January | Sea Level Restaurant, Cronulla

Join us for our monthly walk along the coast followed by coffee and connection. Perfect for meeting like-minded women in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

👉 RSVP here

Shire Women in Business Lunch

Thursday 29 January | Bobby’s Cronulla

Connect with local business women over lunch at Bobby’s. Great for networking, inspiration, and building genuine connections in the Shire business community. Members receive special pricing.

👉 Get tickets

Australia Day Long Weekend 2026 (FREE)

The Australia Day long weekend brings free concerts, outdoor movies and fireworks to Cronulla and locations across the Shire. Pack your picnic rug and make a weekend of it.

Saturday 24 January

Sunset Cultural Ceremony📍 Burnum Burnum Sanctuary, Woronora | 5:00pmA beautiful community event where Aboriginal Elders share stories, culture, traditional dance, music, yarning circles and art displays. Plus First Nations stallholders and a BBQ.

Cinema Under the Stars – Cronulla📍 Cronulla Park | From 5:00pmBluey & Bingo meet and greet, face painting, and live music from The Quokkas.

🎬 Movie screening: Dog Man (PG)

Sunday 25 January

Cronulla Vibes Concert

📍 Cronulla Beach | 4:00pm–9:00pm

Live music on the sand with sunset views — one of the best summer nights in the Shire.

Headlined by Sons Of The East, with Felipe Baldomir, Hein Cooper, Wolfe Black, Jade Steg and Daniel Tomalaris.

Cinema Under the Stars – Menai

📍 Parc Menai | From 4:00pm

Inflatable water slides, rock climbing, DJ and food trucks.

🎬 Movie screening: Paddington in Peru (PG)

Monday 26 January – Australia Day Concert & Fireworks

Main Concert + Fireworks

📍 Cronulla foreshore (Cronulla Park area) | 4:00pm–9:15pm

The big one! Featuring Dragon and Furnace and the Fundamentals, plus NSW Police Rock Band, The White Tree Band and Rachael Fahim.

🎆 Fireworks at 9:00pm to close out the night.

Cinema Under the Stars – Engadine

📍 Cooper Street Reserve, Engadine | From 4:30pm

DJ, parkour, rock climbing and bubble performer.

🎬 Movie screening: A Minecraft Movie (PG)

Getting there: Take the train to Cronulla - trains run every 15 minutes from Sutherland. Limited parking available. BYO picnic blankets and low chairs. Alcohol-free events.

More info: Sutherland Shire Council What’s On (sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au)

Sydney Festival 🎭

8–25 January 2026

Sydney Festival celebrates its 50th year with 130+ events across the city - theatre, live music, comedy, dance and immersive art experiences.

Highlights include:

50+ free events
Sydney Symphony Under the Stars at Tumbalong Park
Live music at ACO On The Pier
Theatre performances including Mama Does Derby and Dear Son
Major events across the CBD and beyond

👉 Program & tickets: sydneyfestival.org.au

Darling Harbour Open-Air Cinema (FREE) 🍿

January 9–26 (Thu–Sun evenings)

Darling Quarter is hosting two FREE outdoor cinema series across January — perfect for a summer night in the city.

Warner Bros. Discovery Open Air Cinema

18 free screenings including Wonka, Barbie, and Harry Potter marathons on Saturdays

HBO Max Open Air Cinema

16 free screenings including The Wizard of Oz, Space Jam, Crazy Rich Asians and Fantastic Beasts

🕓 Gates open 4:00pm | Screenings start approx. 6:30–7:00pm

👉 Book free tickets: darlingquarter.com (recommended, but walk-ins welcome)

🛋 Optional bean bag hire: $10–$13

For ticketed harbourside cinema experiences, Westpac OpenAir Cinema at Mrs Macquarie’s Point runs until February 18, featuring new releases and classics.

Tickets: $78+ | openaircinema.com.au

Barangaroo to Darling Harbour Walk 🌅

For something spontaneous and free, the harbourside walk from Barangaroo to Darling Harbour is perfect for late afternoon. Beautiful water views, plenty of dining options, and the best kind of sunset scenery.

A great change of scenery from the Shire without needing to plan much.

✨ Save this blog and send it to the friend who always asks “what are we doing this weekend?” 👀