ELEVATE Sydney 2022: Your Guide to the Epic (& Free!) Open Air Concert Series Happening this Summer in Sydney
Check out the killer cultural event that’s quite literally shutting down the Sydney CBD!
The day after the fireworks, the Sydney’s Cahill Expressway will be transformed into a spectacular stage for an epic six-day festival. Starting from Saturday 1st January and running until Thursday 6th January, you’ll be able to check out more than 180 performers including Tones And I, Tim Minchin, Baker Boy, Electric Fields, Marcia Hines, Leo Sayer, The Wiggles and Ngaiire.
There will also be a 500-strong drone show where the machines will perform choreography and create a mesmerising light show over Sydney Cove.
There are 30,000 tickets available which will all be completely free and are available online here. Check out our picks for the best ELEVATE Sydney events!
ELEVATE First
We’re starting 2022 on the right foot by celebrating our epically talented first nations performers. Start the night with the soulful pop and high-intensity electronica from Electric Fields. Let the beautiful voice of Zaachariaha Fielding wash over you, before we open the one and only Baker Boy who will be bringing his uniquely fresh flow to the Cahill Expressway. At the end of the show, cast your eyes to the sky to check out the ELEVATE Sky Show.
Saturday 1st January, 7pm – 10pm
ELEVATE Discotheque
Get ready to boogie beneath the watchful gaze of the bridge with this epic disco night! Disco divas Courtney Act and Marcia Hines will be lighting up the stage with their entirely boogie-able beats. Then if you don’t ‘feel like dancing’ already then get ready for Leo Sayer. Yes, the full blown 70s legend that brought us, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing, Dancing The Night Away and The Show Must Go On!
Sunday 2nd January, 7pm – 10pm
ELEVATE Kids
A treat for the young, and young at heart, bring the kids down to the ELEVATE stage for a wellness session with champion gymnast Lauren Hannaford. Then kids will meet the deep sea creatures from the Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium. Then it’s time for the main event with performances from Junkyard Beats and Simon Wiggles and Friends.
Monday 3rd January, 8am – 12pm
ELEVATE Encore
Calling all my fellow theatre kids! This is the event for you! We’re celebrating the hottest musicals that are taking Sydney by storm. Get ready to see the epic girl power of (one of my personal favourite musicals) SIX The Musical. Then see the first performance from the much-anticipated Girl From The North Country. Check out performances from the stars of Dream Lover, In The Heights, Merrily We Roll Along, The Phantom of the Opera and Aussie musicals FANGIRLS (honestly hilarious!) and Barbara And The Camp Dogs. And, if that wasn’t enough you can check out performances from John Paul Young and The Boy From Oz himself Todd McKenney! Then the ELEVATE SkyShow is back to light up the night!
Monday 3rd January, 7pm – 10pm
ELEVATE Music
Get ready to discover some of the newest and most exciting artists on Australia’s music scene. Hosted by Triple J’s Ebony Boadu and get ready to check out CXLOE, a breakout artist with pop sensibilities and alternative beats. Hauskey, the self-described ‘harmonic Swiss Army Knife’ from WA will also be taking to the stage. L-FRESH The LION, one of Sydney’s most important hip hop artists who is guaranteed to move a crowd. And, before the SkyShow, check out Ngaiire, the multi-award winning, show-stopping artist who makes big, brave sounds.
Tuesday 4th January, 7pm – 10pm
ELEVATE Sydney Final Night
The final night of ELEVATE brings a massive high! Hosted by Courtney Act, the stage will welcome Tim Minchin (hold for applause!) the hilarious Australian musician and comedian who brought us Matilda, Groundhog Day and one of our favourite Australian TV series Upright. Then everyone favourite Byron busker turned international sensation Tones and I will be there to perform her undeniable hit songs before the good old SkyShow drones take to the sky!
Wednesday 5th January, 7pm – 10pm
ELEVATE Curtain Call
Dancing in the … daylight? We promise you, for a line-up like this, it’s absolutely worth it! Big goodbye to this epic festival with performances from Marcia Hines, Leo Sayer, Todd McKenney and John Paul Young. This is the ultimate lunchtime treat!
Thursday 6th January, 1:30pm – 2:45pm
To check out more amazing events happening in Sydney, head here. Or, if you’re planning your next festival experience, check out our Australian music festival bucket list.
