Christmas in July Festival 2026

Opal

You can use an Opal card for all modes of public transport in Sydney and surrounding regions, including metro, trains, buses, ferries and light rail.

Remember to top up your Opal card before you travel to avoid waiting in line at top-up machines. You can top up your card online or at an Opal retailer.

More ways to pay

If you have a contactless-enabled American Express, Mastercard or Visa debit or credit card, or a linked device, you can use it to pay for your travel by tapping on and tapping off at Opal card readers. Available on all public transport, contactless payments are another way to pay on the Opal network. Adult Opal fare pricing applies and you will receive Opal benefits, including daily and weekly fare caps.

Sydney Metro services are high-frequency, driverless trains running between Sydney’s north-west and south-west via the city. 

The M1 Metro North West & Bankstown Line operates turn up-and-go Metro services between Tallawong, Chatswood and Sydenham from early morning until late. 

The closest Metro station to The Rocks is Barangaroo, which is approximately 12-minutes walking distance away. 

Weekend Trackwork – Saturday 18 July & Sunday 19 July 

• Metro services will not run between Tallawong and Sydenham. 
• Buses replace services between Tallawong and Chatswood only. 
• For travel to and from Waterloo use local buses or trains from Redfern. 
• On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July, you can use trains between Epping or Chatswood, the City and Sydenham 

For Metro service disruption information, check travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

The closest station to get you to and from the event is Circular Quay, where services run regularly each day. Alternatively, Wynyard and Martin Place stations are also within short walking distance of the event site.  

Please note that metro services also do not run on Saturday 18 to Sunday 19 July. For travel in the city, use trains or buses instead and plan ahead using the Trip Planner. 

Trackwork

Planned trackwork is taking place throughout the event that may affect how you travel. Plan ahead using the Trip Planner. 

Weekday – Friday 17 July 

• T1 Western Line: Buses replace trains between Richmond and Clarendon. You may need to catch an earlier bus to ensure you meet your train connection at Clarendon. Trains run between Clarendon and the City, some to a changed timetable. 
• T5 Cumberland Line: Buses replace trains between Richmond and Clarendon. You may need to catch an earlier bus to ensure you meet you train connection at Clarendon. Trains run between Clarendon and Liverpool or Leppington, some to a changed timetable. 
• South Coast Line: The 13:16 Bomaderry to Kiama service runs 30 minutes earlier than the normal timetable, leaving Bomaderry at 12:46. A replacement bus service leaves Bomaderry at 13:16, stopping all stations to Kiama, then express to Wollongong. The 14:31 Bomaderry to Berry service runs 10 minutes later than the normal timetable, leaving Bomaderry at 14:41. 

Weekend – Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July 

• M1 Metro North West & Bankstown Line:  Metro services do not run between Tallawong and Sydenham. Buses replace services between Tallawong and Chatswood only. For travel to and from Waterloo use local buses or trains from Redfern. Use trains between Epping or Chatswood, the City and Sydenham. 
• T1 North Shore Line: Sydney Metro trackwork may affect how you travel. 
• T1 Western Line: Buses replace trains between Penrith, Richmond and Granville. Trains run to a changed timetable between Granville and the City. Sydney Metro trackwork may also affect how you travel. 
• T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line: Sydney Metro trackwork may affect how you travel. 
• T5 Cumberland Line: Buses replace trains between Richmond and Granville. T2 Leppington & Inner West Line trains run between Leppington, Granville & the City. 
• T8 Airport & South Line: On Saturday from 9am to 3pm, trains may run to a changed timetable due to trackwork between Revesby and Turrella. On Sunday from 8.40am to 3pm, buses replace the all-stations trains between Wolli Creek and Revesby. Express trains continue to run but do not stop at stations between Padstow and Turrella. 
• T9 Northern Line: Sydney Metro trackwork may affect how you travel. 
• Blue Mountains Line: Buses replace trains between Penrith and Granville. T1 Western Line trains run between Granville and the City. Trains from Penrith to Blue Mountains Line stations run up to 45 minutes later than the normal timetable. Most Bathurst trains run between Bathurst and Lithgow only, some to a changed timetable. The 07:40 Bathurst to Central and 17:51 Central to Bathurst services run between Bathurst and Central, to a changed timetable. 
• Central Coast & Newcastle Line: Sydney Metro trackwork may affect how you travel. For travel to T1 North Shore Line stations change at Hornsby, not Epping.   
• South Coast Line: Buses replace trains between Bomaderry and Wollongong. Trains run between Port Kembla, Wollongong and Bondi Junction, some to a changed timetable. Buses do not run to the train timetable. If connection with trains at Wollongong you may need to catch an earlier bus to ensure you meet your train connection. Sydney Metro trackwork may also affect how you travel. 

Trackwork is carried out on an ongoing basis to maintain the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the Sydney Trains network. Trackwork may affect how you travel so allow plenty of extra travel time and plan ahead. Check travel alerts and trackwork or use the Trip Planner.

Plenty of buses run to Circular Quay or nearby Wynyard and Martin Place transport hubs to get within walking distance of the festival. Plan your trip using the Trip Planner. 

For bus service disruption information check travel alerts or use the Trip Planner.

Ferry services are a popular way to travel to Circular Quay, particularly on weekends. Keep this is mind if you are planning to catch a ferry service. Allow extra travel time or consider the alternative transport options available, including buses, trains and light rail services. 

For Ferry service disruption information, check travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

L1 Dulwich Hill Line 

L1 Dulwich Hill Line light rail services run between Central Station (Grand Concourse) and Dulwich Hill via Darling Harbour and the Inner West. Services run regularly from 5am to 1am daily. Plan your trip using the Trip Planner. 

At Central, connect with L2 or L3 Line light rail services to Circular Quay. Alternatively, change for a train to Circular Quay on the City Circle. 

L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford Lines 

Trackwork Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 July:  

• L2 and L3 light rail services will not run along the entire line. Passengers should use trains between Circular Quay and Central. Buses replace light rail services between Central Chalmers Street and Junior Kingsford or Randwick. Read the news story for more information. Plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Catch an L2 or L3 Line light rail service to Circular Quay to get to the event. Alternatively, change for a train to Circular Quay on the City Circle. 

L4 Westmead and Carlingford Line 

L4 Westmead and Carlingford Line light rail services run between Carlingford and Westmead via Parramatta CBD. Services run regularly from 5am to 1am daily. Plan your trip using the Trip Planner. 

Alight at Parramatta Square and connect with a train service to Central from Parramatta Station. From Central, catch an L2 or L3 Line light rail service to Circular Quay to get to the event. Alternatively, change for a train to Circular Quay on the City Circle. 

Passengers are reminded that trams can’t stop quickly or easily – so please stop, listen and look around for trams and use designated pedestrian crossings.  

For maps and service frequencies see light rail service information. For light rail service disruption information, check travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Traffic will be heavier than usual on roads in the city and around The Rocks and Circular Quay, particularly during the evening peak. Allow additional travel time.  

Trams are running in the CBD so pedestrians are reminded to exercise caution around the tram tracks and cross at designated pedestrian crossings.  

For the latest traffic information visit Live Traffic NSW or download a real-time traffic app.

The closest taxi rank is on Harrington St and Argyle St. 

For details of taxi networks servicing the Sydney area, visit transport operators.

If you plan to drive and park, remember to allow extra time and get there early. There are a number of car parks within short walking distance of the event: 

All available car park options can be found on the Wilson Parking, Secure Parking and City of Sydney – Transport & parking pages. Parking fees apply. 

Accessible trips are shown in the Trip Planner with the wheelchair icon. You can select "accessible services only" in the Options to ensure you only see accessible services. Only trip plans with accessible train platforms, ferry wharves and buses will be presented. See accessible travel or download a transport app (select the "Accessibility" filter).