MOPOKE 2023
On the 4th of February 2023, Sydney’s Macquarie Street East precinct will stay awake under the watchful eye of the MOPOKE. The buildings will stay open, the alleyways will be alive and under the unique black light installations, you will see through the night like the MOPOKE, revealing unexpected paths from Shakespeare Place to Hyde Park Barracks.
4TH AND 5TH OF FEBRUARY 2023
FROM DUSK (6PM) TO SUNSET (6PM)
On the 4th of February 2023, Sydney’s Macquarie Street East will stay awake under the watchful eye of the MOPOKE. The buildings will stay open, the alleyways will be alive and under the unique black light installations, you will see through the night like the MOPOKE, revealing unexpected paths from Shakespeare Place to Hyde Park Barracks.
MOPOKE is a 24-hr arts and culture festival kicking off at dusk and promising to take you on an artistic journey through night & day. We intend to shake up your imagination, stimulate your curiosity & nourish your mind. Talented artists will be bringing their visions and creations to Macquarie Street East. From music to live arts, drawings to paintings, storytelling to poetry, native gardens to gastronomy, art market to philosophy debates; the programming is not only eclectic but unprecedented and unique.
In Sydney, this night and day festival will be a celebration of arts, culture and creation. MOPOKE will be the festival of the unexpected, creating reasons to meet, facilitating ways to share, and giving people opportunities to debate, contemplate and participate with entirely free access to spaces, exhibitions, talks and shows.
MOPOKE will be a stimulating artist’s playground for all; democratising creativity. To enter our world, all you need is an adventurous mind and restless curiosity. For your comfort, resting nooks will be organised around the precinct for visitors to have a break; eat, drink and re-fuel all through the night and day.
MOPOKE promises to celebrate diversity, connecting arts to people and people to arts.
CREATING CONNECTIONS ALONG MACQUARIE STREET
Unexpected paths revealed under the Black Lights from Shakespeare Place to Hyde Park Barracks.
MACQUARIE STREET
MACQUARIE STREET TURNS PEDESTRIAN FOR 24 hours AND EVERY HOUR COUNTS
ENTER THE WORLD OF MOPOKE
The iconic Macquarie Street will become pedestrianised from the Hyde Park Barracks to the State Library of NSW. The street will be transformed into an artist’s playground with live theatre, live music, street art and a giant glow-in-the-dark Playdough Garden where you can express your creativity, play with shapes, and create art.
Along Macquarie Street, 10 food trucks will showcase the diversity and the quality of Sydney’s best street food. From Mexican to Vietnamese, Italian to Spanish, food trucks will create unique glow-in-the-dark food offerings. Expect extraordinary food creations, wine, bubble bars & espresso martinis to refuel all through the night and day.
Macquarie Street will be the backbone connecting each one of the unique experiences within the cultural institutions and public spaces from the Hyde Park Barracks to the State Library as well as The Mint, the Domain and the Sydney Eye Hospital. Follow the black light path to unique indoor and outdoor activities.
THE HYDE PARK BARRACKS
art fair & Hands-on Workshops
CRAFTSMANSHIP UNDER THE EYES OF THE MOPOKE
MUSEUM OPEN until MIDNIGHT
The grand front gates of the historic Hyde Park Barracks will remain open throughout the night, welcoming and guiding our curious visitors.
Play with art all night and day. Walk your way through the art and design market of the Hyde Park Barracks. Pop-up artist studios will invite you to shop, take part in activities, and showcase the “savoir-faire” of Sydney’s best creators. Meet the artists, take part in intimate workshops, shop and learn a new craft.
From pottery makers to painters, sculptors and more. This space is dedicated to sharing, learning and shopping.
THE MINT
NATIVE Nursery & GLOW-IN-THE-DARK FLOWER GARDEn
INTO THE HABITAT OF THE MOPOKE
At night, enter the glow-in-the-dark garden surrounding the Mint for a magical walk under the black light. During the day, visit the flower shops and the native flower market.
The garden invites you to wander and to meet Sydney’s talented florists. The garden follows the rhythm of the moon, the rhythm of the day, while classical music will immerse you all the way.
SYDNEY HOSPITAL AND SYDNEY EYE HOSPITAL
THE ARTIST PLAZA & THE GLOW IN THE DARK FOUNTAIN
THROUGH THE EYES OF THE MOPOKE
Creating an arty customer journey articulated around visual arts.
To enhance the beautiful architecture, Shakespeare’s theatre will be unfolding from the square using no other form of sound amplification than voices. The fountain will be flowing and glowing in the dark, the building will be enhanced with purple lights to highlight some of the unique aspects of the architecture.
In this setting, the courtyard will be transformed into an Artist Plaza until late at night where artists will be drawing, magicians will be performing tricks and where street theatre performances will engage with our night owls or our daytime visitors.
THE DOMAIN
FIRE IN THE DOMAIN - FIRE SHOW, LIVE PIANO, BBQ & COCKTAILS
MOPOKE : “WHO SAID HELL COULD NOT BE FUN”
Where fire arts meet live piano.
From 6pm until late in the evening, The Domain will be a playground of creativity, where the park will be lit with towering and radiant structures that will shine in the dark. Witness the passion and virtuosity of two glow-in-the-dark pianos as the pianists engage in a captivating duel of classical improvisation, accompanied by the mesmerising dance of fire performers.
You’ll also be treated to the sounds of other instruments such as cellos and saxophones, all serenading you in the garden, where large bohemian rugs, umbrellas and pillows will create the perfect ambience for you to relax and enjoy the show. Three giant tipis are where you can sit back and enjoy the entertainment and try some of the fantastic smoking and flambé food and beverages on offer.
STATE LIBRARY OF NSW
PARTY AND CHILL
THE DICHOTOMY OF THE OWL
state library of nsw OPEN until MIDNIGHT
Between the new and old State Library buildings, enter the black light tunnel and explore Hunter Lane. In this modern triangle, the glass pyramid will glow, the DJ booth will pop under the black lights and if you want to join the dancing, grab a headset, and immerse yourself. It’s party time.
Along Macquarie Street, next to the historic Mitchell building, you will find a bar, jazz musicians and an interactive art installation. Chill under the trees, enjoy a drink and listen to some jazz. At night, the State Library of NSW will be illuminated in purple creating a unique back drop to contrast with the glowing art installation.
Inside, the Mitchell Reading Room and Mitchell Galleries will remain open until midnight on Saturday, giving visitors a rare opportunity to explore the Library late at night . Discover Sydney’s best kept secret rooftop bar, the newly renovated Library Bar, where you can find events including an Indigenous astronomy panel, or a book club brunch on the Sunday morning. Bring the kids on Sunday to explore the fun and games on offer in the John B. Fairfax Learning Centre, and learn more about the incredible items in the Library’s collection from the expert curators or take a behind the scenes tour.
The library bar will stay open until 2am on Saturday night. Don’t miss out on this exceptional opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking views at night. See you there.
AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM
"SHARKS" EXHIBITION
OPEN UNTIL 9PM ON sat 4TH FEB
As part of MOPOKE Festival, the Australian Museum (AM) will be keeping its doors open into the night, with live music, a pop-up bar and the chance to explore their collections and exhibitions after-hours.
Make the most out of your night and book tickets to their blockbuster exhibition Sharks! Go back in time to meet sharks’ ancient ancestors, come face-to-face with an 8m-long Whale Shark, and uncover their extraordinary adaptations with interactive displays, touchable specimens and objects from the AM collections in this immersive exhibition. Sessions are timed and capacities are limited.
Get your FREE, after-dark culture fix and be inspired by our natural history and cultural collections. Discover 100 Treasures of the Australian Museum and hear the stories of 100 of Australia’s most influential people. Learn about the diversity and richness of First Nations communities. Get up close with dinosaurs and Australia’s weird and wonderful wildlife.
The Pooch Over N’Out Jazz Quartet will be lighting up Hintze Hall and delighting your ears with tunes ranging from the 1920s right through to the 2020s. Featuring four musicians that between them span four generations.
Art Gallery of NSW
NEW ART EXHIBITIONS AND SPACES ARE READY FOR YOU TO EXPLORE
OPEN UNTIL 12AM ON SAT 4th FEB
The Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of Australia’s flagship art museums and the state’s leading visual arts institution.
To celebrate the Mopoke festival, the Art Gallery of New South Wales will stay open until 12am on the Saturday 4th for visitors to explore the exhibitions for free (no bookings required).
The free Slow-looking tour “The End of Imagination” in the Tank is on at 5.30pm, 6.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm. Additionally the Gallery Highlights Tours is also available for free. Come and discover the beautiful art collections at the Art Gallery of New South Wales North Building.
ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL
GUIDED TOURS OF THE CRYPT
OPEN UNTIL 11PM ON SAT 4th FEB
St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney is an architectural masterpiece that is not to be missed. The grandeur and elegance of this Gothic Revival church will take your breath away as you approach its impressive facade.
Stepping inside, you’ll be greeted by the grandeur of the nave, adorned with high ceilings and beautiful sculptures. The natural light that filters through the stained glass windows casts a warm glow over the entire space, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The Cathedral is also home to a beautiful pipe organ and a set of bells that are played regularly, adding to the overall ambiance of the space. Visitors can also explore the crypt, which houses a museum and a collection of religious artefacts.
St Mary’s Cathedral is not just a place of worship but also an important historical and cultural landmark, and it is an essential visit for anyone interested in architecture, art, and history. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience a special tour of the crypt, at night on the 4th of Feb.
the library bar
hidden rooftop bar
OPEN UNTIL 2AM ON SUN 5th FEB
An open-air drinks spot with unique views of the Harbour and Sydney skyline from the top of Australia’s oldest Library. Enjoy sunset cocktails with friends, or head indoors for a more intimate vibe. Pouring top-shelf local drops Wednesday to Saturday.
