2026 FAQs

Parramatta Lanes is a four-night celebration of food, music and art, taking over the streets and laneways of Parramatta CBD. Explore hidden spaces, discover unforgettable performances, experience large-scale artworks and enjoy diverse food and drink experiences across the city. 

No, Parramatta Lanes is free to attend, with all event sites open to the public. Some experiences may require a free ticket to help manage venue capacity. Any ticketed experiences will be listed on the Parramatta Lanes website. Food and drinks will be available to purchase from stalls, pop-up bars and participating venues throughout the festival. 

Parramatta Lanes takes place across 20 locations throughout the Parramatta CBD, transforming the city's streets, lane ways and public spaces into a vibrant festival experience. Event sites include: 

1. Parramatta Square​
2. PHIVE Foyer & Riverside Live at PHIVE​
3. Town Hall​
4. Beatdisc Lane​
5. Cent Sq​
6. Leigh Memorial ​
7. Macquarie Street​
8. Church Street​
9. Bodega Lane ​
10. Civic Arcade​
11. Eat Street Car Park (4 Lvls)​
12. Lanes Underground​
13. Erby ​
14. Baba Ghanouj​
15. Latin Quarter​
16. Lennox Bridge 

Visitors can explore food, music, art and cultural experiences across the festival footprint, with each site offering something unique to discover. 

Parramatta Lanes will go ahead in light to moderate rain. In the event of severe weather, such as lightning, torrential rain or hail, parts of the festival may be closed or cancelled for safety reasons. Any updates will be communicated through Council's social media channels and on-site signage. 

Yes, everyone is welcome at Parramatta Lanes. While many experiences can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages, some performances and entertainment may include strong language, mature themes or content more suitable for adult audiences, particularly after 7pm. Parents and carers are encouraged to use their discretion when planning their visit. 

Yes, dogs are welcome at Parramatta Lanes. Please ensure your dog is kept on a leash, is comfortable in busy and noisy environments, and is well-socialised with people and other dogs. Owners are responsible for supervising their dog at all times and cleaning up after them. Assistance Dogs are welcome across all festival sites. 

Yes, we are so thankful for our incredible team of volunteers and their support. You can register your interest HERE. 

Yes. All Parramatta Lanes sites are accessible, however some routes are easier to navigate than others. Directional signage will be available throughout the event to help visitors find the most accessible paths and routes. Please note that some existing site infrastructure, including lift dimensions and ramp gradients at venues such as Eat Street Car Park, may impact accessibility for some visitors. We recommend reviewing the accessibility information available on our website, before your visit, to help plan your experience. 

Yes. Accessible toilets will be available at the following Parramatta Lanes locations:

• PHIVE
• Centenary Square
• Auctioneer Lane
• Park Royal Hotel 

Visitors can also refer to the event map and accessibility information available on the Parramatta Lanes website to help plan their visit. 

Parramatta Lanes offers a range of facilities to help visitors plan and enjoy their experience, including accessible toilets, wayfinding signage, accessible route information and dedicated accessibility resources. An accessibility map and additional visitor information will be available online before the event. For more information visit our accessibility page. 

Yes. The is an accessible viewing platform located at Ngurra Gunya Stage, Parramatta Square, while accessible viewing areas will be available at selected performance locations across the festival. Further details, including locations and access information, will be available on the Parramatta Lanes website closer to the event. 

A Low sensory space will be available during the festival, for visitors who need a quieter place to take a break from crowds, noise and event activity. This space is located in Auctioneer Lane. Accessibility resources and planning information will be available before the event, with further details published on the website closer to the festival. 

Yes – we have an allocated accessible drop off point on Smith Street, outside of 4 Smith Street and on Horwood Place, outside 3 Horwood Place. 

If you are searching for accessible parking within the Parramatta CBD, Council’s Parking Finder map can help.  

Be sure to uncheck all other parking types and tick accessible parking.  

Auslan interpretation will be available at selected performances and stages throughout the festival. Details of interpreted performances and any additional hearing support services will be published on the Parramatta Lanes website closer to the event. 

Yes. Assistance Dogs are welcome at all Parramatta Lanes sites.

Parramatta Lanes is a free event and no Companion Card is required for entry. 

The safety of our visitors, staff, artists and vendors is a priority. Parramatta Lanes has event management, security, first aid services and incident response procedures in place across the festival. If conditions become unsafe due to severe weather or other circumstances, updates will be provided via Council's website, social media channels and on-site signage. 

Yes. We encourage visitors to travel to Parramatta Lanes by public transport wherever possible. For the latest service updates and trip planning tools, visit transportnsw.info.

BUS

Regular bus services operate throughout the Parramatta CBD. Alight on Argyle Street or Phillip Street for convenient access to event sites.

TRAIN

Parramatta Station is a short walk from the festival precinct, with train services operating throughout the event period.

LIGHT RAIL

The closest light rail stop to the festival is Parramatta Square.

Be aware that due to road closures and for the safety of pedestrians attending the event, L4 Light rail services will not run between Parramatta Square and Westmead from 5pm to 11pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and from 5pm to 11.30pm on Friday and Saturday. Buses will replace services during this time. Visit transportnsw.info for details.
 

Due to road closures, parking restrictions and increased visitor numbers during Parramatta Lanes, parking in the CBD will be limited and traffic is expected to be heavier than usual. We recommend planning ahead and considering public transport where possible.  

There are a number of public parking options available throughout the Parramatta CBD.

Road closures, access and car park changes: 

Are there any parking restrictions & limited car park access in the CBD during the event?
There are parking restrictions on Macquarie, George, and Phillip Streets from 15 – 27 October. 

Eat Street Car Park Restricted Parking Times
Eat Street Car Park will have restricted parking from 16 – 27 October and will be completely closed for parking from 20 – 26 October.

Parramatta Station Car Park (Wentworth Street) and Justice Precinct Car Park (Hunter Street) are the closest car parks during event days. 

There are parking restrictions on Macquarie, George, and Phillip Streets from 15 – 27 October. 

Macquarie St (Southern Side – Cent Sq entrance bollards)

• 6am – 12pm daily Thu 15 Oct – Sat 17 Oct
• 6am – 12pm daily Mon 19 Oct – Tues 20 Oct
• 6am – 12pm daily Mon 26 Oct – Tues 27 Oct

Eat Street Car Park will have restricted parking from 16 – 27 October and will be completely closed for parking from 20 – 26 October.

Parramatta Station Car Park (Wentworth Street) and Justice Precinct Car Park (Hunter Street) are the closest car parks during event days. 

• Friday 16 October - Sunday 18 October - Levels LG, 1 & 2 open only.
• Monday 19 October - Sunday 25 October - All levels closed.
• Monday 26 October - Level LG & 1 open only. 
• Tuesday 27 October - Levels LG, 1 & 2 open only.

Due to road closures and for the safety of event pedestrians L4 Light rail services will not run between Parramatta Square and Westmead from 5pm to 11pm Wednesday and Thursday, and from 5pm to 11.30pm on Friday and Saturday

Services will continue to run as normal between Carlingford and Parramatta Square only every 7.5-15 minutes between 5pm and 1am each day of the event.

Replacement buses between Parramatta Square and Westmead will run every 7-15 minutes during this time. Note that bus frequencies will vary subject to traffic conditions. Most replacement buses will be accessible; if not, wait for the next service.
Please note that replacement buses will not stop at the following locations:

• Westmead Hospital – please use the alternative stop at Westmead Station (approx. 6 minute walk)
• Ngara – please use the alternative stop at Benaud Oval (approx. 5 minute walk)
   

Select City centre roads will be closed from 20 – 26 October. Most road closures will take place in the City centre on event days from 21 – 24 October, traffic delays can be expected.

• Macquarie St (Between Marsden St and Horwood Pl) - Wed 21 Oct – Sat 24 Oct, 2pm – 12am daily 
• United Lane (Off Macquarie St) - Wed 21 Oct – Sat 24 Oct, 2pm – 12am daily 
• Auctioneer Ln (Off Horwood Pl) -  6am Wed 21 Oct – 5am Sun 25 Oct
• George Street (Between Freemasons Arms Lane and Horwood Pl) - 6pm – 10pm Mon 19 Oct, 1pm – 1am daily Wed 21 Oct – Sat 24 Oct,1am – 5am Sun 25 Oct
• Phillip Street (Between Freemasons Arms Lane and Erby Pl) - 4.45pm – 12am daily Wed 21 Oct – Sat 24Oct
• Erby Pl - 4.45pm – 12am daily Wed 21 Oct – Sat 24 Oct
• China Rose Walk (Off Erby Pl) - 4.45pm – 12am daily Wed 21 Oct – Sat 24 Oct

Yes. Existing water fountains, along with temporary water refill stations, will be available throughout the Parramatta Lanes festival footprint. Visitors are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle and stay hydrated while exploring the event. 

Yes. Parramatta Lanes is committed to reducing its environmental impact. All food and beverage vendors are required to use sustainable and biodegradable service ware, and the sale and distribution of single-use plastics is restricted across the festival. We encourage visitors to help reduce waste by using the recycling and waste facilities provided throughout the event. 

We are working to reduce waste by cutting down on single-use items and promoting reusable alternatives. Refillable water stations are available throughout Parramatta Lanes, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own water bottles. Artists and performers are provided with water dispensers and reusable RUZI cups in green rooms. Council has partnered with stallholders for several years to reduce the use of single-use drink cups, with the reusable cup program helping to avoid 5,145 cups during Parramatta Lanes 2024 alone. Food stallholders are also encouraged to use compostable packaging and serving ware wherever possible.

We continue to increase the use of reusable event infrastructure and materials wherever practical. Event contractors identify, recover and store reusable materials during bump-in and bump-out, helping to reduce waste and support future events.

Where grid electricity is available, Parramatta Lanes is powered by 100% renewable electricity. While diesel generators are still required in some locations, Council is exploring opportunities to reduce their use.

Parramatta Lanes is located within easy walking distance of public transport, and sustainable travel information is included in event communications to encourage the use of public and active transport.

Digital communication and marketing channels are used wherever possible to reduce the need for printed materials, while local suppliers and businesses are prioritised to support the local economy and reduce transport-related impacts.

Sustainability considerations are integrated into the planning and delivery of Parramatta Lanes, with a focus on practical, measurable improvements each year while balancing the needs of artists, audiences, businesses and the local environment.

Clearly labelled waste and recycling bins are provided throughout Parramatta Lanes, with bin numbers and locations tailored to expected waste volumes. Waste educators are often engaged to support attendees in using the correct bins and improving waste separation. Mixed waste collected at the event is sent to a resource recovery facility, where recyclable and organic materials are recovered, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill. In 2024, 64% of waste generated at Parramatta Lanes was diverted from landfill through recycling and resource recovery.

Licensed bars and alcohol service areas are located throughout the Parramatta Lanes festival footprint. Visitors aged 18 years and over can purchase alcoholic beverages from the following locations:

1. Mountain Culture Juice Trip Bar (Erby Place)
2. CINCiN Spritz Bar (Rooftop)
3. Karu Distillery Bar (Centenary Square)  
4. PARKROYAL Bar30 & PARILLA (Phillip Street)  
5. Red Bull Bar (George Street) 

Please drink responsibly. Valid photo identification may be required when purchasing alcohol, and alcohol must be consumed within designated licensed areas. 

From live music and DJs to food experiences, large-scale artworks, installations and cultural activations, each Parramatta Lanes site offers something different to discover. The full program and day-by-day guide will be available in September on the Parramatta Lanes website.