Sydney has been swallowed by a haunting red glow, and the "Upside Down" has broken through. Surprised locals and visitors who were near Sydney Harbour last night were treated to the strangest things – an eerie red projection rippled across the night sky, making it look like the harbour had slipped into an alternate dimension.
What the? To celebrate the launch of the final season of Stranger Things, the Upside Down took over the Harbour City last night – and it's happening again tonight (Wednesday, November 26) for the last time. So grab your bike, gather your besties, and get over there after dark.
Sure, fans of the Netflix show will froth over the spectacle – but these immersive, downright bizarre activations can add a fun dose of strange to anyone's night out in Sydney. From 8.30pm, you might catch glimpses from viewing points around the harbour foreshore – or from a harbour-view rooftop bar.
How to get the best view of the Stranger Things Sydney activation
If you’re keen to get your kicks up really close, make tracks for the Northern Wharf at the Overseas Passenger Terminal for the most cinematic view.
If you’re up for an extra hit of strange tonight (November 26), swing by the Harbour Bar at Squire’s Landing. For one night only, the waterfront venue is transforming into a Stranger Things-themed mecca – complete with a special viewing deck that will serve as the perfect place to clutch a cocktail as “the rift” unfolds overhead.
Even away from the waterfront, there will be kooky, creepy activations (like the bus stop pictured above) popping up all across the city.
When can you watch Stranger Things in Australia?
The show’s final chapter lands on Netflix screens from November 27, 2025. Here are the deets...
Stranger Things 5 will premiere only on Netflix across three dates:
Volume 1: November 27, 2025, at 12:00pm AEDT
Volume 2: December 26, 2025, at 12:00pm AEDT
The Finale: January 1, 2026, at 12:00pm AEDT
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news and the best of the city, straight to your inbox.