Australia Day FAQs

Balloon and Breakfast is held January 26th, 6 am - 11 am

Main Stage Program

Trevor Brown MC & DJ playing a wide range of hits, world music and funk.

Circular Keys Chorus – award-winning women’s barbershop harmony ensemble.

Penrith Youth Orchestra – a dynamic local youth ensemble made up of primary and secondary school students who get to play alongside professional musicians for public performances. 

Finesse Music Group – highly polished group playing r’n’b, hip-hop, soul, disco, funk, reggae, rock, pop and everything in between.

General Activities

Enjoy the First Nations dance and ochre face painting workshops plus cultural talks by Nulungu Dreaming from 8.30am – 10.30am.

Look out for the friendly bikers from Harley Heaven as they show off their rides.

Free Activities

Play amongst the Bounding Kangaroo Stilt walkers, as they jump, graze and sleep under a tree. 

Take part in the ‘science of play’ with The Children’s Discovery Science workshops where everyone gets to discover, create, and have fun doing it.

Australian Wildlife Displays will be doing demonstrations from 8:00am - 11:00am.

Make music in Junkyard Beats interactive and playful Musical Garden with instruments made from trash and found objects from 7am - 10:30am.

Get lost in an endless haze of hundreds of giant bubbles…all day long!  

Football panna cages will be set up for 1 v 1 shoot outs.

The Active Parramatta van will be on site with activities and games for the whole family from 7am.

Amusement Rides

Amusement rides will be running from 6am – 11am. Tickets for the rides can be purchased at the event.

What do I do if I have a lost child?

Please speak with event staff or security within the event site or at one of the gates.

Do you have wristbands/ID for children?

Child wristbands are available at the information booths, for parents and guardians to write their mobile number. This assists event staff and security in reuniting lost children with their parent or guardian.
 

Is there food on site?

Yes, there will be food trucks on site including Black Bear BBQ serving up delicious slow cooked and smoked breakfast options. What a way to start the day!

We also recommend bringing a picnic rug to make a comfortable space for yourself on the grass. 

Is there a bar on site?

No. Kombi Keg will be serving refreshing non-alcoholic drinks. 

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes, you are allowed to bring your own food from home. We recommend bringing a picnic basket and/or Esky, with low foldable festival chairs or a picnic rug to make a comfortable space for yourself on the grass. Cooking equipment, such as camping gas burners, are not permitted on site.

Can I bring alcohol (BYO)?

No. Australia Day Balloons and Breakfast event will be a drug and alcohol-free event.

Where can I refill my water bottle?

Free drinking water stations are located throughout the park. Bring your own bottles and refill at one of three locations – (1) Food vendors area, (2) Sports activities area, (3) Near the workshops.

Fly high above the park in a hot air balloon! The tethered balloon rides run from 6am – 9am on Friday 26 January and cost $10 per person. Ballot registrations have now closed. Terms and conditions apply*.

Hot Air Balloons may be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, such as heat, wind, and lightning.

*Transaction fees may apply. One ballot entry per household. Once the ballot is closed, winners will be randomly selected and a direct link to purchase tickets will be sent. Successful ballot entry winners can book up to four tickets for their balloon ride. Any duplicate purchases may risk having their tickets cancelled without a refund. Due to safety reasons, children under 6 years are unable to ride in the hot air balloons.

Balloon Ticket Contact

The balloon ballot and ticketing are managed by Riverside Theatres.

The normal Box Office hours are:

Monday to Friday: 9am – 5pm
Saturday: 9:30am – 1pm

Christmas hours:

Closed from Saturday 23 December at 1pm
Re-open Wednesday 27 December to Saturday 30 December from 10am - 2pm
Closed Sunday 31 December and Monday 1 January
Re-open at Tuesday 2 January at 9am

Box Office will also be open one hour prior to scheduled events. Their phone lines will not be in operation during this time.

Ph: 02 8839 3399, Email: boxoffice_riverside@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

Need to contact them after hours? Please email them and the friendly Box Office staff will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

What date and time is the event?

Friday 26 January 2024, from 6am – 11am. 

Where is the event located?

Parramatta Park, Cattle Paddock. 

Please refer to the event map.

Is the event free?

Yes, this event is free!

What if the weather is hot/windy/rainy?

Light/medium rain will not cause cancellation of the events. As public safety is one of our priorities, adverse weather forecasts of extreme temperatures, lightning storms, torrential rain and/or strong winds may result in event cancellation. 

Where is the ATM?

There are no ATMs within the park, however, vendors will have digital payment options available.

Where are the toilets?

Toilets are in two locations; (1) Sports activities area, (2) Near the workshops.

Where is first aid?

There is a First Aid tent beside the Information tent, near the workshops.

Where can I fill up my water bottle?

Free drinking water stations are located throughout the park. Bring your own bottles and refill at one of three locations – (1) Food vendors area, (2) Sports activities area, (3) Near the workshops.

Can I bring a shade tent/dome?

No, shade tents/domes and other similar structures are not permitted at the event.

Can I bring a drone?

No, you cannot bring a drone. 

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, but they must remain on leash.

Parking, transport and access?

Please visit here for more information.

Thursday 25 January, 5pm - 10pm

Main Stage Program

Cass Greaves DJ – all the hits with live sax and vocals too!

Junkyard Beats Show – high-energy show stage show with drumming, body percussion, dance, junk percussion, circus and hilarious skits.

Those Folk – a folk duo with breath taking vocal harmonies alongside guitar, accordion, mandolin & banjo.

The Ragin Cajuns – Sydney based The Ragin Cajuns are concoction of Louisiana Swamp, New Orleans jazz, blues and rockabilly, dripping with feeling.

Clayton Doley - a giant of the Australian blues, jazz and soul scene, catch him in Parramatta before he heads up to Blues Fest.

Our MC for the night will be the energetic and entertaining former Triple J DJ and TV presenter Maynard.

Balloon Glow 

At 9pm the night sky will be illuminated as the stunning hot air balloon and lighting display choreographed to music begins.

Free Activities

Junkyard Beats will be spreading the joy as they rove amongst the crowds in their up-cycled Junk Mobile with drummers, break-dancers and circus performers.

Take part in the ‘science of play’ with The Children’s Discovery Science workshops where everyone gets to discover, create, and have fun doing it.

Laser tag sessions will be free and running from 5pm – 10pm.

Football panna cages will be set up for 1 v 1 shoot outs.

Amusement Rides

Amusement rides will be running from 5pm – 10pm. Tickets for the rides can be purchased at the event.

What do I do if I have a lost child?

Please speak with event staff or security within the event site or at one of the gates.

Do you have wristbands/ID for children?

Child wristbands are available at the information booths, for parents and guardians to write their mobile number. This assists event staff and security in reuniting lost children with their parent or guardian.

Is there food on site?

Yes, there will be food trucks on site including Black Bear BBQ serving up delicious slow cooked and smoked meats – absolute perfection! 

We also recommend bringing a picnic rug to make a comfortable space for yourself on the grass. 

Is there a bar on site?

Yes, Kombi Keg will be serving a selection of alcoholic drinks on the night at our on-site bar. You must carry valid ID to enter. 

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes, you are allowed to bring your own food from home. We recommend bringing a picnic basket and/or Esky, with low foldable festival chairs or a picnic rug to make a comfortable space for yourself on the grass. Cooking equipment, such as camping gas burners, are not permitted on site.

Can I bring alcohol (BYO)?

Alcohol is permitted in small amounts for people over 18. Security may ask to inspect your bags and check ID if you are bringing alcohol into the event. Liquor brought into the park will be strictly restricted to 1 litre with a 14% maximum alcohol or 6x Beers/Ciders (5%) per person. No glass will be permitted into the park.

Where can I refill my water bottle?

Free drinking water taps are located throughout the park. Bring your own bottles and refill through the evening!

What date and time is the event?

Thursday 25 January 2024, from 5:00pm – 10:00pm. 

Where is the event located?

Parramatta Park, Cattle Paddock. 

Please refer to the event map.

Is the event free?

Yes, this event is free!

What if the weather is hot/windy/rainy?

Light/medium rain will not cause cancellation of the events. As public safety is one of our priorities, adverse weather forecasts of extreme temperatures, lightning storms, torrential rain and/or strong winds may result in event cancellation. 

Where is the ATM?

There are no ATMs within the park, however, vendors will have digital payment options available.

Where are the toilets?

Toilets are in two locations; (1) Laser tag area, (2) Near the workshops.

Where is first aid?

There is a First Aid tent beside the Information tent, near the workshops.

Where can I fill up my water bottle?

Free drinking water stations are located throughout the park. Bring your own bottles and refill at one of three locations – (1) Food vendors area, (2) Laser tag area, (3) Near the workshops.

Can I bring a shade tent/dome?

No, shade tents/domes and other similar structures are not permitted at the event.

Can I bring a drone?

No, you cannot bring a drone. 

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, but they must remain on leash.

Parking, transport and access?

Please visit here for more information.