A lot of buzz has accompanied the opening of Sydney's new South Eveleigh precinct. Is it something to do with the fact that some of the city's best mixologists and restauranteurs are calling the heritage site home? Maybe it's the location, sandwiched neatly between Redfern and Alexandria? It could just be its aura of low-key industrial cool, owing at least a little to the fact that the area was once a railway building warehouse, whose factories have now been repurposed as a stomping ground for the city's bright young things.
Whatever the reason, the 139-year-old space is the perfect spot to spend the longest night of the year, at the South Eveleigh Solstice Festival. Over two days, you'll see live performances from top Australian artists including a DJ set by Pnau and performance by Kota Banks on Friday and Budjerrah followed by a (top secret) headline act taking the Locomotive Stage, on the Saturday. Tickets are $20.
Nearby, Kylie Kwong’s new eatery, Lucky Kwong, which is usually only open for lunch, will open Friday night and from 11am on Saturday. Next door, Matt Whiley’s no-waste bar, Re-, will serve up new and inventive cocktails just for the festival.
The two-day event is set to be a great vibe for kids, too: check out the free, mini children’s festival with activities kicking off from 5pm on Friday and running through to Saturday (there's an an an all-ages UV rave with DJ Levins, kids' ghost story sessions, junk jewellery workshops and more).
The area also holds a great deal of significance for First Nations people, both pre-colonisation, and later on, when many were employed in the area's industrial works. The South Eveleigh Cultural Garden will also be hosting tours with indigenous company Jiwah’s team of environmentalists, who will run tours on the native flora integral to the heritage and land of South Eveleigh.