Parramatta New Year's Eve

Overview

Keen to avoid Sydney Harbour's NYE crowds this year? Make tracks to Parramatta to bid farewell to 2019 instead, where you'll be surrounded by century-old trees, heritage-listed buildings, gourmet food trucks, rides and live music.

Taking over Parramatta Park for the evening, this free shindig will give you plenty of room to move, so you can roll out a picnic blanket, crack open a tinnie, sit back and watch the fireworks.

The action will kick off at 5pm, across three stages. You can count on a healthy dose of live, local and original acts, including pianist and composer Freyja Garbett, who studied at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston; neo-soul singer-songwriter Rissa; rock band Amends; and indie popper and producer Poolroom (Charlie Waldren).

Keeping you fuelled between tunes will be a range of dishes from all over the world. Tuck into Middle Eastern street food, Korean barbecue, gozleme, fried chicken, dumplings, noodles, pizza and more. Come dessert time, there'll be loads to sweeten you up, from baklava to creme brûlée and ice cream.

While it is a BYO-friendly event, no glass will be allowed — so make sure you bring your bevvies in a glass-free vessel. And, of course, New Year's Eve isn't New Year's Eve without fireworks. To that end, Parramatta Park will host its very own spectacular at 9pm.

Images: City of Parramatta and Peter Dovgan.