A day and night arts and culture festival will transform Sydney’s Macquarie Street East into a whimsical flurry of art, colour and celebration for 24 hours, from 6pm Saturday 4 – 6pm Sunday 5 February.
Mopoke Sydney will pedestrianise the precinct from Hyde Park Barracks to the State Library of NSW, bringing its buildings and alleyways to life with live theatre, street art, live music, storytelling, a giant glow-in-the-dark Playdough Garden, art and design market, food trucks and more.
Designed to take the public on an artistic journey, the free public event will feature a black light path to a range of immersive indoor and outdoor activities within the precinct, including at the Mint, the Domain, and the Sydney Eye Hospital.
The event is created and produced by BBR Experiential Agency and funded by NSW Government.
Here are some of the unmissable experiences:
The Hyde Park Barracks
Wander through the art and design market which has 20 pop-up artist studios featuring tattoo artists, pottery makers, hair stylists, painters, sculptors and more. You can shop, take part in activities and workshops, and meet some of Sydney’s best artists and creators.
The Mint
Explore the Native & Glow-in-the-dark Flower Garden. During the day, visit the flower market and see talented florists at work, and at night, enter the glow-in-the-dark garden for a magical walk under the blacklight.
Sydney Eye Hospital
Designed around visual arts, the courtyard will be transformed into an Artist Plaza until late at night, where artists will be drawing and street theatre performers and magicians will be performing, set against a backdrop of historic buildings enhanced with purple black lights and the glow-in-dark fountain.
The Domain
Fire and music dance together at Fire in the Domain – a garden playground of fire artists, twirling the flames to the sound of the piano, at times joined by a cello or saxophone. Lay back on a large rugs or lounger pillow and treat yourself to “flambé” desserts and smoky drinks prepared in the flaming cooking stations.
The State Library of NSW
Between the new and old State Library of NSW buildings, enter the black light tunnel and explore Hunter Lane. In this modern triangle, the glass pyramid will glow and the DJ booth will pop under the black lights – grab a headset and join the dance floor. You’ll also find a bar, jazz musicians and interactive art installation next to the original heritage building.
Inside the Library is Sydney’s best kept secret rooftop bar – the newly renovated Library Bar which will feature an Astronomy panel, spoken word poetry and readings under the moonlight, cocktails and snacks.
