Sydney’s CBD is set to come to life this August for Pitt Street Mall Alive, a nine-day celebration of the Harbour City and everything that it has to offer.
The usually bustling precinct will transform into a Instagram-worthy springtime destination hosted by Westfield Sydney, complete with interactive floral and art installations, live entertainment, pop-up cinema screenings and family-friendly workshops.
Kicking off on Saturday August 27, Pitt Street Mall Alive will be running through to Sunday September 4, so there’s two weekends and ample midweek time to come and check it out (including Father’s Day weekend). Some of the workshops at Pitt Street Mall Alive are free and walks in are welcome, though be sure to check as some activities have limited space and will need to be booked in advance with a fee.
Below, we’ve rounded up everything to see, do and experience at Pitt Street Mall Alive. Mark your calendars.
Funded by the NSW Government in association with Westfield Sydney, the initiative is part of the NSW Government’s CBDs Revitalisation Program to help turn Sydney into the city it’s meant to be with a lively and flourishing 24-hour economy.
Art on the Gogh: Paint and Sip | Photograph: Supplied/Westfield Sydney
Workshops
From a gin tasting to learning how to create terrariums, Pitt Street Mall Alive will be hosting workshops designed for adults across the nine-day event. First up, enjoy a non-alcoholic drink as you create a masterpiece with Art on the Gogh: Paint and Sip (Aug 27, 3-5pm, Aug 31, 6-8pm & Sep 3, 3-5pm). Give your green thumb a workout and learn how to create a terrarium filled with trendy succulents that you can take home with the Spring Succulent Terrariums Workshop (Aug 28, 3-4pm & Sept 2, noon-1pm). Learn the craft of flower arranging at Floral Arranging with La Petal (Aug 30, noon-1pm) and create your own flower bouquet to take home or gift to a friend. Get creative and blend your own scent using essential oils and botanical ingredients at the Essential Oils Scent Blending Workshop (Aug 29 & 31, noon-2pm). Unleash your gin connoisseur at the Archie Rose Gin Tasting (Sep 1 & 2, 6-7pm) and receive a tasting flight of the core spirits, a G&T on arrival and a Westfield Gift Card. Plus, pop out on your lunch break and unwind with a Spring Botanicals Watercolour Workshop (Sep 1, noon-1pm).
Face painting | Photograph: Supplied/Westfield Sydney
Family activities
As well as workshops for adults, Pitt Street Mall Alive is also putting on fun free events for people of all ages to enjoy – including parents, grandparents and the littlest of ones, too. And, if you’re worried about what to get dad this Father’s Day, or want to skip the choc-a-bloc café lines, head down to Pitt Street on the first weekend of spring instead for a day out the whole gang can enjoy. Who doesn’t love an outdoor movie? Take the family to a pop-up cinema and see Bee Movie (Aug 27, 5-8pm) and Night at the Museum (Sep 3, 5-8pm) – the first 600 Westfield Plus members will get free fairy floss and popcorn. Allow the kids’ creative juices to flow and help them decorate their own clay pressed flower dish to hold special belongings at the Pressed Flower Dishes Workshop (Aug 27 & Sep 3, 11am-2pm). And never lose your keys again by designing your own beaded floral keyring at the Flower Key Ring Workshop (Aug 28 & Sep 4, 11am-2pm). Last but not least, be sure to make the most of the free face painting (Aug 27 & Sep 3, 11am-3pm) and the glitter tattoo artist (Aug 28 & Sep 4, noon-3pm) at Pitt Street Mall Alive. The more colours and sparkle, the better.
Live music | Photograph: Supplied/Westfield Sydney
Live entertainment and art installations
Get up and off your couch and head to Pitt Street Mall as it comes alive over the nine days with music, art installations and interactive floral displays. Watch and admire the flower stilt and ladybug walkers that’ll take over Pitt Street Mall (Aug 27 & Sep 4, 2-4pm) and have your portrait done by a caricaturist (Sep 1 & 2, noon-2pm). Music lovers are in for a treat as Hot Potato Band, made up of three drummers, a sousaphone, five horns and a vocalist, will be performing at the event (Aug 27, 11.30am-2.30pm, Aug 28, 3-6pm & Aug 31, noon-3pm), as well as DownTown Brass (Aug 29 & 30, noon-3pm) and Phat Brass (Sep 1, 2 & 3, 3-6pm). Whether you’re a signer, groover or like to tap your foot along with the tunes, all enthusiasm levels are encouraged – and welcome.