9 May 2024
Sydneysiders are invited to enjoy a week of free family-friendly events and festivities at Parramatta North, an emerging Western Sydney destination.
The week kicks off with the annual Heritage Day on Saturday 18 May, followed by the inaugural Celebrate Parramatta North: Innovation, Arts and Culture event from 19-25 May.
Parramatta North provides a unique backdrop for arts, culture and creative industries in NSW to thrive. Heritage Day and Celebrate Parramatta North offer free programmed entertainment suitable for all ages.
Bringing vibrancy back to NSW’s economy and community, Parramatta North welcomes all to explore the unlocked spaces, connected walking paths and new, modern amenity, in a safe, welcoming and inclusive space.
Heritage Day at Parramatta North, a feature event of the National Trust Heritage Festival, is an opportunity to explore the compelling stories, telling history, connecting Country, with guided tours of the restored heritage-listed buildings, live music, food and market stalls, and children’s activities.
The new Celebrate Parramatta North: Innovation, Arts and Culture event invites visitors to explore the sensitively restored buildings of yesterday and the innovation hub of today, with live music, bustling markets, and delicious food.
Headlining the celebration will be artist Christina Huynh, who will transform a blank wall, outdoors along Jacaranda Way, with a bespoke artistic mural, painted in real time throughout the week.
A program of free performances from a series of artists, music workshops and special performances, as well as talks and discussions on innovation and opportunities in urban design, sustainable housing, generative AI, health and medical advances, and much more will be on offer.
The week-long event celebrating Parramatta North will culminate in Culminating in a feature event celebrating Parramatta North on Saturday 25 May, with an interactive film and technology workshop by Made in the West Film Festival, puppet shows by First Nations puppeteer Bria McCarthy, Western Sydney musicians, and Indigenous cooking demonstrations that celebrate the history and culture of the Burramada people of the Dharug Nation.
The community is invited to Parramatta North to explore this program of free events. Some events require pre-booking, with tickets allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Avoid disappointment by pre-booking to secure your spot.
For more information and to book free tours and discussions for both, view Heritage Day and Celebrate Parramatta North: Innovation, Arts and Culture.
About Parramatta North
Parramatta North is a whole of government precinct that will deliver a diversity of education, research, commercial and residential outcomes and provide important social and community infrastructure in support of the innovation, jobs and skills growth of the Westmead Innovation District. Located in Paramatta North is the Parramatta Female Factory, is a National Heritage Listed place which is now also being considered for World Heritage listing.
Minister for Climate Change and Heritage Penny Sharpe said:
“Parramatta North is an incredibly significant precinct steeped in First Nations, women's and European history that warrants a weeklong festival so people of all ages can explore it.
“People enjoy living and visiting Parramatta because of what it has to offer. These events highlight the multi-million dollar restoration of our heritage while also showcasing our Government's investment in great community spaces like The Green and innovative places including the Western Sydney Startup Hub."
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:
“Parramatta is one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions, and this exciting new program of events will support the wonderful community that now calls this place home with a rich mix of innovation, arts and culture that everyone can enjoy.
“The future is bright with significant transformation underway across the precinct, including the Western Sydney Startup Hub, and our government's delivery of The Green, an 8,000 square metre community sportsground last year."