Major events including the Deni Ute Muster and Bluesfest are becoming more accessible, with councils supported to deliver free street-based events alongside some of New South Wales’ most popular festivals and sporting fixtures.
Through the Open Streets Program, councils are adding free street parties to Foundation Events, expanding celebrations beyond ticketed venues and helping communities participate without cost barriers.
The Tamworth Country Music Festival recently expanded its program through the Open Streets initiative, delivering four days of free Fringe Zone activities including line-dancing lessons, whip-cracking demonstrations and live entertainment.
Other major events supported through the program include the NRL Grand Finals, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Sydney Marathon and the Bathurst 1000.
A $4 million funding round is supporting councils to broaden major events beyond traditional ticketed models, recognising the cultural and economic value Foundation Events deliver to local communities and regional economies.
The Open Streets Program focuses on activating public spaces to bring communities together while supporting local businesses. Previous council-led Open Streets events recorded average local business revenue increases of 60 per cent, with most visitors indicating they would return to the area as a direct result of the events.
Alongside free street events, the Permit/Plug/Play program is supporting more than 35 councils to reduce the cost of hosting community events. Some councils had previously reported costs of around $100,000 per day to deliver street-based events.
Program outcomes from 2024 showed councils reduced these costs by an average of 40 per cent by installing permanent event infrastructure such as retractable bollards, power and water connections, and by streamlining approvals and traffic management processes.
Upcoming Open Streets Foundation Events include:
- March 2026
28-29 Streets Alive Brunswick presented by Byron Bay Bluesfest - June 2026
12 Closing Night at the 25th Biennale of Sydney - August 2026
15-17 Mundi Mundi Lightfest by the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash
27-30 Garra (working title) by TCS Sydney Marathon
29 Official Opening Party at the Sydney Fringe Festival - September 2026
29-30 Spirit of the Muster Street Festival by Deni Ute Muster - October 2026
1-2 NRL Fan Fest for the NRL Men’s and Women’s Grand Finals
6-11 Brock Heritage Festival by Bathurst 1000 - January 2027
6-10 Parkes Elvis Festival expansion
20-23 Fringe Zone Year Two at Tamworth Country Music Festival - February 2027
20 The Rainbow Mile Block Party at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
For more information, visit the Open Streets Program website.
