MOPOKE: 24 Hr. Arts and Culture Festival

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 the Festival. 

In Sydney this 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 free access to spaces exhibitions talks and shows. 

This night and day festival is a stimulating artist playground for all; democratising creativity. 

To enter the Mopoke world all you need is an adventurous mind and restless curiosity. For your comfort resting nooks will be organized around the precinct for visitors to have a break; eat drink and re-fuel all through the night and day. 

IN 2023 - ENTER THE WORLD OF MOPOKE. 

1. MACQUARIE STREET TURNS PEDESTRIAN FOR 24HRS AND EVERY HOUR COUNTS. 

Macquarie Street East Precinct. 

The iconic Macquarie Street will become pedestrian from the Hyde Park Barracks to the State library of NSW. The street will be transformed into an artist 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. 

All through Macquarie 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 one unique glow in the dark food offering. Expect extraordinary food creations wine bubble bars & Espresso martinis to refuel all through the night and day. 

Macquarie street will connect 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. 

2. CRAFTSMANSHIP UNDER THE EYES OF THE MOPOKE. THE ARTY MARKET. 

The Hyde Park Barracks. 

The large gates of the Hyde Park Barracks will remain open throughout the night. Bordering the gate the windows of the old booths will open welcoming and guiding our curious visitors. 

Play with art all night and day. Walk your way through the art & design market of the Hyde Park Barracks. 20 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 learn & craft. 

From Tattoo artists to pottery makers hair stylists to painters sculptors and more. This space is dedicated to sharing learning and shopping. 

3. INTO THE HABITAT OF THE MOPOKE. NATIVE & GLOW IN THE DARK FLOWER GARDEN. 

The Mint. 

At night enter the glow in the dark garden surrounding the Mint for a magical walk under the blacklight. 

During the day visit the flower shops & the native flower market. The garden is an invitation to wander and to meet Sydney’s most talented florists. The garden follows the rhythm of the moon the rhythm of the day while classical music will immerse you all the way. 

4. THROUGH THE EYES OF THE MOPOKE. THE ARTIST PLAZA & THE GLOW IN THE DARK FOUNTAIN. 

Sydney Eye Hospital. 

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 again and glowing in the dark the building will be enhanced with purple black 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. 

5. MOPOKE: “WHO SAID HELL COULD NOT BE FUN.” FIRE IN THE DOMAIN. 

The Domain. 

Where fire arts meet live piano. 

Picture this... Walking along from Sydney Hospital you can see two giant white structures glowing in the night. In between a white piano is shining through the night. Welcome to Fire in the Domain. 

Once inside the garden is a playground of fire artists twirling the flames to the sound of the piano. Sometimes a cello or a saxophone may join the party. 

In the garden large rugs & lounger pillows provide a space to chill and enjoy the performers. Meanwhile in the background flaming cooking stations are serving up “flambé” desserts and a bar is creating smoky drinks that will warm up the night in the garden. 

6. THE DICHOTOMY OF THE OWL. PARTY AND CHILL. 

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 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 original heritage 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 and will create a unique backdrop contrasting with the glowing art installation. 

Inside the Library Mitchell’s reading room will stay open late on Saturday to reveal its beauty to the silent curious. Discover Sydney’s best-kept secret rooftop bar – The newly renovated Library Bar. Astronomy panel spoken word poetry and readings under the moonlight cocktails and finger food. Just like the Mopoke enjoy the panoramic views from above. 

Host or Publisher BBR Agency