Families will have more low-cost entertainment options in their local communities as the NSW Government brings main streets to life for free festivals, markets, food and cultural events.

After the success of last year’s 135 events, attended by over one million people, the NSW Government is extending the Open Streets program to support free-entry street events across three years from 2025 to 2028.

Lismore City Council has created two significant street events in the last ten years that have attracted large crowds to the CBD.

The first Eat The Street food festival was in 2015, and the Music From The Heart flood anniversary concert had four stages on each of the CBD block streets in 2023. Events like these will now have longer-term funding certainty, allowing the event organisers to build momentum with audiences and find cost and planning efficiencies.

(Music From The Heart on Molesworth Street March 2023)

The new $14.65 million Open Streets round will offer successful councils up to $350,000 in funding over three years to deliver at least one free street-based event each year.

The expansion of the program comes after an evaluation of the 2024 events showed significant economic and cultural benefits for local communities. The evaluation found an estimated:

• 1200 local businesses extended their trading hours
• Over one million people attended the free street events
• Local businesses reported an average 70 per cent increase in sales during the events
• Over 240 streets were temporarily pedestrianised, transforming over 750,000m2 of roads into community space
• More than 12,000 workers were engaged, including over 5,000 from the creative sector.

The Open Streets program is part of the Government’s wider agenda to deal with the cost of living and build better, more vibrant communities across NSW.

Applications for the competitive grants open on 7 February and close 14 March 2025.

Click here for more information on Open Streets. 

Chris Minns, Premier of NSW, said, “We want New South Wales to be an exciting, vibrant place that attracts people to live, work and play. 

“We know families across the state are doing it tough, but that shouldn’t mean people can’t go out into their communities and enjoy themselves.

“I’ve seen these events in action in my own community with the Hurstville Lunar New Year celebrations attracting over 50,000 people each year and injecting a huge amount of colour and fun into the main street. 

“Not only do these events bring people together for some low-cost fun, they also boost hundreds of local businesses, stimulating local economics and supporting jobs.”

Jenny Aitchison, Acting Minister for Roads, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads said, “Our main streets are about so much more than transport, they are vital public spaces for business, connection communities and fun. Open Streets is about encouraging the full activation of these important public spaces. 

“It's important for our communities to come together and feel united right across NSW. We’re proud to support and continue to invest in vibrant and welcoming streets that foster safety, inclusivity, connection, culture and joy.

“Great streets can improve mental and physical wellbeing, foster public life and equity, support local jobs and small businesses, showcase local content and local supply chains, and allow us to connect with others and our environment.”