New Year’s Eve

Opera Bar’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are only for paid ticket event holders.

There is a free forecourt viewing area organised by The Opera House, however tickets are essential. Find out more here >

• Entry via Macquarie Street ONLY (cross-city access via Bent Street)
  https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/visit/new-years-eve
• SOH Security Gates open: 4:00pm – 10:00pm (last entry strictly 10pm — latecomers will NOT be admitted)
• Look out for our OPERA BAR Ticketing squad on Macquarie Street and have your ticket ready (no screenshots accepted). The ticketing squad (dressed in dark brown OPERA BAR t-shirts) will check your ID, check your ticket, and give you your wristband. If you don’t find the team before you reach the Opera Bar party, don’t worry, we will have an additional ticketing squad at the entrance.
• Once guests are through the Sydney Opera House security entrance, look out for the OPERA BAR signs. You will be guided through a queue that takes you to the Opera Bar party entrance, where we will check your wristband before entering. Recommendation: Arrive between 5:30pm – 6:00pm to avoid crowds and maximise your evening 
  As a condition of entry, bag inspections and electronic screening may be carried out at the entry to the site. Please follow the directions of Opera House staff and security. 

• Event ticket holders can enter the Sydney Opera House precinct from 4pm, however Opera Bar NYE doesn’t commence until 6pm.
• Guests arriving between 4pm and 6pm are welcome to enjoy the forecourt facilities or queue at our venue entrance. We recommend arriving as close to 6pm as possible to avoid large crowds heading into the city later in the evening.
• Live entertainment begins at 6pm with a full lineup of bands, DJs, roaming performers, and immersive experiences throughout the night – arrive early to make the most of your evening!

The event concludes at 2:00am. All guests must vacate the venue and Sydney Opera House precinct by 2:30am. Please be respectful of our neighbours and the surrounding community when departing.

• 4:00pm: SOH precinct gates open (Macquarie St)
• 6:00pm: Opera Bar doors open / Entertainment begins
• 9:00pm: Calling Country fireworks
• 10:00pm: LAST ENTRY — No admittance after this time
• 11:00pm: A Moment of Unity
• 12:00am: Midnight fireworks
• 2:00am: Event concludes
• 2:30am: All guests must vacate SOH precinct

All tickets will be scanned on Macquarie Street, prior to entry to the Sydney Opera House site. Screenshots of tickets will not be accepted.

No re-entry will be permitted for any New Year’s Eve events at the Sydney Opera House.

There are no cloaking or storage facilities available on the night. We recommend bringing only essential items. Opera Bar and Sydney Opera House are not responsible for lost or stolen belongings.

We recommend using public transport to get to Opera Bar as there are several road closures around the area.

Please note Macquarie Street will be closed to general traffic between 4am on Wednesday 31 December and 10am on Thursday 1 January. During this time, there will be no vehicle access to the Sydney Opera House Wilson Car Park.

Visitors are strongly encouraged to use public transport wherever possible. Access to train stations, ferry wharves, light rail stops and buses will be affected from mid-afternoon on Wednesday 31 December as roads progressively close. There will be no trains, ferries, light rail or buses to Circular Quay after 3pm. The closest train station to the Opera House will be Martin Place and St James.
For up-to-date city-wide transport information head here>

Visitors are strongly encouraged to leave their car at home and use public transport
wherever possible.

Macquarie Street will be closed to general traffic between 4am on Wednesday 31 December and 10am on Thursday 1 January. During this time, there will be no vehicle access to the Sydney Opera House Wilson Car Park.

The Wilson Car Park will close at 4am on Wednesday 31 December and vehicles will not be able to leave the car park until 10am on Thursday 1 January.

• Smart casual to cocktail attire. Dress to impress for Sydney’s most spectacular NYE celebration. We recommend bringing a light layer for harbour breeze.
  Please note: Clothing and enclosed shoes must be worn at all times. Thongs, flip-flops, and beachwear are not permitted.

• Your ticket includes roaming canapés and complimentary food stations throughout the evening. Our team will cater to most dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
• Specific menus will be finalised closer to the event. If you have severe allergies or specific dietary needs, please contact us at book@operabar.com.au after booking.
  Please note: Beverages are not included in the ticket price (excluding your complimentary arrival drink) and are available for purchase throughout the night.

Your ticket includes one complimentary arrival drink. Additional beverages are available for purchase throughout the night at our multiple bars.
Opera Bar practices strict Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA).

Yes, this is strictly an 18+ event. Valid photo ID must be presented upon entry. Acceptable forms of ID include:
• Current Australian driver’s license
• Current passport
• Proof of Age card (18+ card)

As per the Sydney Opera House Conditions Of Entry, for security screening at entry, guests should be aware the below are not permitted:

• Outside food and beverages
• Alcohol (BYO)
• Glass or metal containers, including reusable water bottles
• Handbags bigger than A4-size, backpacks (no cloaking available)
• Large umbrellas (more than 125cm diameter)
• Sunshades, tent structures and portable chairs
• Professional cameras / recording equipment
• Laser pointers
• Selfie sticks
• Drones
• Weapons or illegal substances
• Offensive signage or clothing
  Note: All bags will be x-ray scanned. Travel light — if items are prohibited, guests can leave with them but they won’t be held for collection. 

Please note that external furniture is not permitted at the event. We will have scattered seating available throughout the venue on a first-come, first-served basis. As this is a roving festival-style event, we encourage you to move around and explore.

• Several unforgettable NYE experiences are taking place at the Opera House to welcome the
arrival of 2026.
• There will be the Forecourt vantage point which offers prime position for eventgoers to
witness the 9pm and midnight fireworks.
• Paid ticket events are taking place across the Opera House’s restaurants and bars including
Opera Bar, Yallamundi Rooms, Bennelong and Midden. There will also be spectacular
performances from Opera Australia in the Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre, along with the ABC NYE Concert being broadcast live from the Northern Broadwalk.

Unfortunately not. The Opera House can only be accessed by patrons who have secured a
ticket in the lead up to the day.

There is no access to the Royal Botanic Gardens or Tarpeian Way via the Opera House on
New Year’s Eve. For access to the Royal Botanic Gardens, please check the Royal Botanic 
Gardens’ website.

You may experience some queuing during entry, but staggered arrival times will help to minimise wait times. Please arrive during your allocated entry time to avoid delays.

There are ATM facilities available at Opera Bar on New Year’s Eve. Please bring a credit or debit card for any on-site purchases to assist with swift transactions and alleviating queue times.

Cashless payment methods are strongly recommended. Please bring a credit or debit card
for any on-site purchases to assist with swift transactions and alleviating queue times.

• All tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Valid photo ID matching the name on the ticket is required for entry.
• Name changes can be made up to 24 hours prior to the event through Iwannaticket. It is the responsibility of the ticket holder to process any name changes.
• Opera Bar reserves the right to refuse entry to any guest who does not meet entry requirements or who poses a risk to the safety and enjoyment of other guests.

• The safety and security of our visitors, patrons and staff is our highest priority. The Opera House works closely with the NSW Police and other relevant authorities to ensure a safe and secure environment.
  • As a condition of entry, bag inspections and electronic screening will be carried out at entry. Please follow the directions of Opera House staff and be aware of prohibited items.
  • We recommend you travel lightly and be aware that alcohol, glass and metal containers, any dangerous or illegal items, large umbrellas, tent structures and portable chairs, are not permitted as per our Conditions of Entry for New Year’s Eve.
  • If you are attending an event in an internal venue, backpacks and bags larger than A4 size, will need to be cloaked

• This is an 18+ event. Valid photo ID is required for entry.
• Minors will not be permitted entry under any circumstances.

For those requiring assistance, wheelchair or lift access please contact opb@applejackhospitality.com.au and SOH
+61 2 9250 7777 or email: accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com.

Those requiring assistance will have priority access to Opera Bar event.  

• All guests must comply with venue rules and staff directions at all times.
• Opera Bar reserves the right to remove any guest whose behaviour is deemed inappropriate, disruptive, or unsafe without refund.
• Responsible service of alcohol applies. Intoxicated guests may be asked to leave the premises, without cause for refund.

• Package inclusions are as stated and cannot be substituted or exchanged for cash value.
  Entertainment, food, and beverage offerings are subject to change without notice.
• Please note that last entry to Sydney Opera House precinct will be 10pm. Lock outs will be imposed. No refunds will be provided for guests arriving late to the event.

• This is an outdoor event. The event will proceed in wet weather.
• In the unlikely event of cancellation due to circumstances beyond our control, ticket holders will be notified via email and refunds will be processed.

By attending this event, you consent to being photographed and filmed. Images and footage may be used for promotional purposes.

Opera Bar and its operators accept no responsibility for loss, theft, or damage to personal property.
Guests attend at their own risk.

Opera Bar and its operators are not liable for any injury, loss, or damage incurred during the event except where required by law.