Redfern and Haymarket Gear Up for Sydney Streets Community Celebrations

The streets of Redfern and Haymarket are once again preparing to transform into open-air festivals of community spirit, where local culture, live performances and outdoor dining take over the heart of the city. The popular Sydney Streets program will turn Redfern Street and Hay Street into lively hubs of food, music and connection — proving that street parties remain one of the city’s most powerful ways to bring people together.



Community beats return to Redfern

Redfern’s vibrant character is set to shine as local businesses and performers step out onto Redfern Street for a full day of festivities. The Sydney Streets in Redfern has become a local favourite since its earlier editions, drawing families, residents and visitors alike to enjoy alfresco dining and live entertainment. 

The upcoming event will continue our tradition of bringing the community together. It will feature performances by local musicians and community groups, fun activities for children, and extended hours for cafés and shops along the street. This initiative builds on our past successes, where Redfern’s strong sense of community made the street a welcoming public space filled with diverse art, food, and culture.

This year, the event is expected to maintain that momentum by featuring a mix of neighbourhood businesses and local creatives, ensuring the day feels distinctly “Redfern.”

Redfern Sydney Streets
Photo Credit: City of Sydney

Haymarket celebrates Sydney’s Lunar heart

In Haymarket, the Sydney Lunar Streets celebration will once again bring the area to life, following years of success under the Sydney Lunar Festival banner. The event will see Hay Street, near Dixon Street Mall, dressed in festive colours and lanterns as performers, market stalls and food vendors celebrate the cultural richness of the precinct. 

This celebration plays an important role in supporting local trade while honouring the area’s deep connections to Sydney’s Chinese and Southeast Asian communities. In past editions, Lunar Streets drew large crowds eager to experience both traditional and modern entertainment, from lion dances to contemporary music.

The Haymarket event will create an inclusive experience for everyone in the city. Local businesses are encouraged to take part through pop-ups, special menus and outdoor dining options that showcase the precinct’s world-renowned food scene. 

Haymarket Sydney Streets
Photo Credit: City of Sydney

More Sydney Streets

The Redfern and Haymarket events are part of a broader Sydney Streets series, featuring celebrations across other neighbourhoods such as Potts Point, Glebe, Darlinghurst and Pyrmont. Each event will see traffic make way for pedestrians and community activities, allowing high streets to become lively gathering places. 

Here’s the full Sydney Streets 2025–26 schedule:

DateLocation / StreetSuburbEvent TimeNotes
1 November 2025Macleay StreetPotts Point11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.Launch of the Sydney Streets season; local dining and live entertainment.
15 November 2025Glebe Point RoadGlebe11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.Community market vibe with family-friendly performances.
13 December 2025Crown StreetSurry Hills11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.Surry Hills Christmas Street Fair with extended hours.
14 February 2026Hay StreetHaymarket5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.Sydney Lunar Streets, part of Lunar New Year celebrations.
7 March 2026Redfern StreetRedfern11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.Local music, street performances, and outdoor dining.
21 March 2026Darlinghurst RoadDarlinghurst11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.Street party atmosphere with food stalls and community art.
28 March 2026Harris StreetPyrmont11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.Closing event of the series with live entertainment and local pop-ups.


Published 27-Oct-2025

Taste the World in Haymarket: What to Try at Sydney’s Biggest New Food Hall

A 3,000-square-metre food hall in Haymarket is turning heads with its mix of global eats, local flair and the kind of energy that makes people linger. Located inside the historic Paddy’s Markets, the newly opened Hay St Market brings together over 48 traders offering food, drinks and artisan products from more than 25 cultures. 



It’s Sydney’s first fully licensed market, and it’s designed for all-day wandering—coffee in the morning, lunch with friends, late-night snacks, and drinks to go.

Start with the Stars

Celebrity chef Luke Nguyen is behind several standout venues at the market. At Pho Chu Lap, his father’s closely guarded pho recipe is served with a slow-cooked broth that simmers for 24 hours.

Hay St Market Chefs
Photo Credit: Hay St Market/Instagram

Just a few steps away, Luke Luk Dumplings packs big flavour into dumplings filled with Singapore chilli crab and laksa. Another of Nguyen’s spots, Madam Banh Mi, dishes up wagyu brisket rolls dipped in salsa, giving the traditional Vietnamese sandwich a bold upgrade.

Hay St Market Bahn Mi
Photo Credit: Hay St Market/Instagram

Mark Olive, a well-known Indigenous chef, brings native ingredients to the forefront at Little Midden. His grilled skewers of barramundi and prawns are seasoned with pepperberry and saltbush, offering a taste of local culture that’s hard to find elsewhere in the city.

Go Global with Every Bite

Photo Credit: Hay St Market

The market isn’t just about local names—it’s a food trip around the world. Taco Nixtamal serves tortillas made using the traditional nixtamal technique, offering rich textures and flavours in every taco.

Nico’s Cypriot Chargrill has house-made lamb and pork sausages seasoned with cinnamon and mint, alongside crispy loukamades drizzled with honey or miso butterscotch. El Mercado Spanish Deli stocks fine olives, aged vinegars, and premium tinned seafood for those who want to take a little Europe home.

Photo Credit: Hay St Market

The Cheese Table, curated by expert Christina Murphy, features a changing range of international cheeses with classic pairings. On the meat front, butcher Tim Casey—formerly of Rockpool—runs Love Me Tender, offering everything from prime cuts to charcuterie.

See, Sip and Snack

Hay St Market is built for grazing. Sip as you wander thanks to Sydney’s first drink-as-you-shop licence. Cans & Crates has over 180 canned beverages—ranging from international cocktails to local craft sodas—while Traders Bar pours nostalgic cocktails and wines from across Australia in a venue styled after Sydney’s mid-century bars.

Coffee lovers can stop at Hay St Roasters, where beans are roasted on-site using blends from Genovese. And for those with a sweet tooth, Biaggio Coffee & Cannoli pipes each cannoli to order. Fresh pastries also line the counters at Thomas Hay Bakery and Paddy’s Patisserie.

Take Something Home

The market isn’t just a place to eat. There are seasonal flowers from Flowers by Agnes Harrington, homewares and crockery at The Goods, and fresh produce grown and sold by Urban Farm by Greenspace. It’s a place where the everyday and the special occasion meet—whether you’re stocking up for dinner or just picking up a gift.

Hay St Market Vendors
Photo Credit: Hay St Market
Hay St Market Map
Photo Credit: Hay St Market

What Locals Are Saying

While some have noted that the market’s polished look doesn’t quite match the character of old-school markets overseas, the setup is designed to evolve. Every stall is operated under a central management structure, allowing vendors to rotate based on demand. Organisers say this helps keep things fresh and relevant to what people want to eat.



Haymarket has always been one of Sydney’s most diverse neighbourhoods, and Hay St Market adds a modern, food-focused layer to its story. Whether you’re popping in for pho or settling in for late-night cocktails, it’s a space built for the community—with enough variety to bring you back again and again.

Published 4-April-2025

Neon Playground 2.0 : A Festival of Light, Music, and Culture Returns to Chinatown

Neon Playground 2.0 is set to light up Chinatown and Haymarket, promising an unforgettable mix of neon art, live music, performances, and Asian street food. 



The festival starting from 15 March to 6 April 2025 follows the successful 2022 debut with an expected 350,000 visitors.  It will be one of the biggest celebrations of Asian-Australian creativity and culture in the city.

Bringing New Energy to Chinatown

Neon Playground 2.0 returns with fresh momentum, backed by a $200,000 grant from the City of Sydney. This funding aims to revitalise Chinatown and Haymarket, drawing more foot traffic and supporting local businesses.

Sydney’s Lord Mayor, Clover Moore AO, emphasised the importance of investing in Chinatown’s future.

She said that the city allocated a long-term financial plan of $44 million to fund Chinatown’s success. 

Neon Lights, Live Entertainment & a Feast of Flavours

Chinatown’s streets will glow with stunning neon light installations designed by Asian-Australian artists. The festival will also feature live music, DJs, dance performances, and cultural showcases, ensuring an exciting atmosphere throughout.

Neon Playground 2.0
Photo Credit:  Neon Playground/Facebook

Food lovers can indulge in some of the best Asian street food from top vendors and restaurants.

Building on Past Success

When Neon Playground debuted in 2022, it transformed Dixon Street with large-scale street art, interactive installations, and high-energy performances. Organised by Haymarket Alliance, the event played a key role in helping Chinatown bounce back after the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kevin Cheng, Manager of Haymarket Alliance, believes this year’s festival will be even bigger.

Neon Playground 2.0
Photo Credit: Neon Playground/Facebook

Cheng highlighted that Neon Playground 2.0 will create opportunities for organisations like Haymarket Alliance to support large-scale events that benefit the entire district. By attracting more visitors, the festival will help boost foot traffic and bring new energy to the area. 

The ultimate goal is to establish Neon Playground 2.0 as Sydney’s largest Asian-Australian creative festival.

A New Era for Chinatown

Beyond Neon Playground, Chinatown is undergoing significant upgrades. Restoration work has begun on the Chinatown Ceremonial Gates, with plans to repaint structures, install new lighting, and repair key architectural features.

Additionally, a new grant program is offering support for Dixon Street businesses to enhance their shopfronts, further modernising the precinct.



Don’t Miss This Unforgettable Event

With its dazzling neon art, energetic performances, and incredible food, Neon Playground 2.0 will be one of Sydney’s most exciting events in 2025. As Chinatown continues to evolve, the festival will highlight the talent and creativity of Asian-Australian artists and businesses.

Mark your calendar—Neon Playground 2.0 kicks off on 15 March 2025, bringing three weeks of non-stop energy to the heart of Chinatown.

Published 6-Feb-2025