5 zones you can't miss at Parramatta Lanes
Here are 5 zones you can’t miss at this year’s epic FREE festival. Look out for the bird installations for directions as you wander around, so you don’t miss a thing.
Artists, musicians, street food stalls and breweries are prepping to take over Parramatta’s city centre. Laneways and car parks will be transformed, music stages will pop up in unexpected places and the city will come alive in a massive fusion of eats, beats and art.
Parramatta Lanes 2024 will feature 16 festival sites, 8 music stages and 60+ street food vendors, plus giant art and lighting installations!
Here are 5 zones you can’t miss at this year’s epic FREE festival. Look out for the bird installations for directions as you wander around, so you don’t miss a thing.
Stop 1 - International Music, Karaoke and BIG art (Parramatta Square & Centenary Square)
Start the festival with a bang right next to Parramatta Station in Parramatta Square and Centenary Square.
- The karaoke stage in Parramatta Square is back by popular demand. Sing your heart out and star in your very own live music video on the big screen.
- Nearby, a music stage next to Parramatta Town Hall will feature an alt-rock band from Thailand, a psychedelic band from Colombia and singer/songwriter Grace Cummings from Melbourne, plus you can find an illuminated DJ booth pumping some tunes.
- Discover giant enchanting flowers, a stunning installation by Optus, two colossal and colourful cat heads and hoverboard dancing in this zone. Visit the games container and spin the wheel for a unique prize.
- The festival zone offers some great food options and a pop-up bar, setting you up perfectly for the evening ahead.
Stop 2 - Bollywood Club Nights (Brislington Gardens and the Justice Precinct Courtyard)
From Parramatta Square, head down Macquarie Street and on to Marsden Street to discover delightful heritage festival spaces.
- Have a relaxed moment in Brislington Gardens amongst the magical lights and enjoy a delicious, sweet treat from KOI Dessert Bar or Mr Spanish Churro.
- Moving into the Justice Precinct Courtyard you’ll find Bollywood inspired music and a colourful Southeast Asian program of entertainment. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights Indian Club X will bring the ultimate night club vibes the latest trending chart busters.
Stop 3 - Wrestling Mania and Pooch Agility (Prince Alfred Square)
Head north over the bridge to Prince Alfred Square, one of the key hubs this year with a music stage, ambient lighting and lots of food options.
- Parramatta Lanes is known for its quirkiness and this year is no exception. Pup Culture is the ulti-mutt way to let your pooch strut their stuff and have a good time. This free dog agility course was a huge hit last year and is returning for more tail-wagging fun.
- For adrenaline-pumping entertainment, the pop-up wrestling ring on Friday and Saturday provides all the action as the wrestlers go head-to-head with high-flying maneuvers and powerful slams.
- Prince Alfred Square will be a foodie’s heaven with stacks of popular food stalls and a pop-up bar by Archie Rose.
- Plus the art installation Trumpet Flowers will provide an over-sized jungle of light and colour to explore.
Stop 4 - Car Park Crawling & Main Stage (Eat Street Car Park and Leigh Memorial Church Car Park)
- Just off Phillip Street, the Eat Street Car Park rooftop and lower ground floor will be transformed into vibrant spaces with lights, sound and action.
- Whip out your phone to snap viral food moments and impressive roving entertainers, grab a cocktail from Karu Distillery and boogie at one of the pop-up DJ Booths.
- Nearby, the Leigh Memorial Church Car Park on Macquarie Street will house the main music stage. Playing everything from hard core punk to hip hop, indie to bedroom pop, the live music program will be electric. Grab a drink from the bar here and check out some the best live bands around - a must for your festival itinerary!
Stop 5 - Powerhouse Lane (George Street)
A new addition for 2024, Powerhouse Lane will be a celebration of the culinary and musical landscape of Western Sydney.
- Powerhouse Stage present Sydney’s best RnB, soul and hip-hop artists with nights curated by We Are Warriors, fbi.radio and MC Trey.
- Check out the exciting variety of food stalls and vendors curated in collaboration with award-winning social enterprise Welcome Merchant.
- New artworks by acclaimed artists Andrew and Chris Yee will be showcased under the creative direction of Tony Assness.
Parramatta Lanes runs from Wednesday 23 October to Saturday 26 October 2024 from 5pm each day.With great transport links direct to Parramatta, we recommend ditching the car and skipping the parking hassle. Light rail may be operating during the festival, so be aware and stay safe.
Entry is free!
