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 – Saturday18 July, and Sunday 12 and 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 Sunday 12 July, trackwork also affects trains in the City between Central and Wynyard and the City Circle.
• 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 trains do note run on the City Circle, or between Central and Wynyard, from 10.40pm Friday 10 July until first service Monday 13 July. Buses also replace Inner West trains between Strathfield and Central, and Metro services also do not run on Sunday 12 & Saturday 18 to Sunday 19 July. For travel in the city, use light rail 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 10 July 

• City Circle: From 10.40pm, trains do not run on the City Circle, or between Central and Wynyard. For travel around the City use T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra trains, light rail or local buses. L2 and L3 light rail services run between Central and Circular Quay. Trackwork also affects trains on other lines. 
• T1 North Shore Line: From 11pm, trains run between Berowra and Wynyard only, to a changed timetable. Trains do not run between Wynyard and Central, or on the City Circle. Change at Wynyard for light rail or local buses to continue your journey.  
• T1 Western Line: From 11pm, trains do to a changed timetable and stopping pattern between Penrith and Central, platforms 1-14 only, making extra stops at Homebush, Flemington and Burwood. Richmond trains run to a changed timetable and stopping pattern between Richmond and Leppington. 
• T2 Leppington & Inner West Line: From 10.40pm, buses replace Inner West trains between Strathfield and Central. Trains run to a changed timetable and stopping pattern between Leppington and Olympic Park via Granville. Change at Lidcombe to continue your journey. The last Inner West train leaves Central at 22:26, arriving Ashfield at 22:44. 
• T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line: From 10.40pm, buses replace Inner West trains between Strathfield and Central. Trains run to a changed timetable and stopping pattern between Liverpool and Lidcombe only. Change at Lidcombe to continue your journey. 
• T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line: From 10.40pm, some trains make extra stops at St Peters and Erskineville. 
• T8 Airport & South Line: From 10.40pm, trains via the Airport start and end at Central. T8 trains do not run between Sydenham and the City. T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra trains run between Sydenham and Bondi Junction, making extra stops at St Peters and Erskineville. 
• T9 Northern Line: From 11pm, trains run to a changed timetable between Hornsby and Central, platforms 1-14 only. 

Weekend – Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July 

• M1 Metro North West & Bankstown Line: On Sunday, 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. Trackwork also affects trains in the City. For travel between Epping or Chatswood and Sydenham use: T9 trains between Epping and Central or T1 North Shore trains between Chatswood and Wynyard; L2 or L3 light rail services between Wynyard and Central or T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra trains between Martin Place and Sydenham. 
• City Circle: Trains do not run on the City Circle, or between Central and Wynyard. For travel around the City use T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra trains, light rail or local buses. L2 and L3 light rail services run between Central and Circular Quay. Trackwork also affects trains on other lines. On Sunday, Sydney Metro trackwork may also affect how you travel 
• T1 North Shore Line: Trains run between Berowra and Wynyard only, to a changed timetable. Trains do not run between Wynyard and Central, or on the City Circle. Change at Wynyard for light rail or local buses to continue your journey. On Sunday, Sydney Metro trackwork may also affect how you travel 
• T1 Western Line: Trains run to a changed timetable and stopping pattern between: Richmond and Liverpool; and Penrith and Central, platforms 1-14 only, making extra stops at Homebush, Flemington and Burwood. City Circle trackwork may also affect how you travel. On Sunday Sydney Metro trackwork may also affect how you travel.
• T2 Leppington & Inner West Line: Buses replace Inner West trains between Strathfield and Central. Express trains continue to run. Trains run to a changed timetable between Leppington and Olympic Park via Granville and between Leppington and Lidcombe via Regents Park only. Change at Lidcombe to continue your journey. City Circle trackwork may also affect how you travel. On Sunday Sydney Metro trackwork may also affect how you travel.
• T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line: Buses replace Inner West trains between Strathfield and Central. Express trains continue to run. Trains run to a changed timetable between Leppington and Lidcombe only. Change at Lidcombe to continue your journey. On Sunday, Sydney Metro trackwork may also affect how you travel 
• T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line: All Cronulla and some Waterfall trains make extra stops at St Peters and Erskineville. Extra trains run between Hurstville and Bondi Junction. City Circle trackwork may also affect how you travel. On Sunday Sydney Metro trackwork may also affect how you travel.
• T5 Cumberland Line: Early morning and late night trains run to a changed timetable and stopping pattern between Richmond and Liverpool only. You may need to change trains at Liverpool to continue your journey. Extra trains run between Richmond and Liverpool. 
• T6 Lidcombe & Bankstown Line: Trains run to a changed timetable and reduced frequency, every 30 minutes 
• T8 Airport & South Line: Buses replace trains between Macarthur and Glenfield. Trains run to a changed timetable between Leppington, Glenfield and Sydenham, and between Revesby and Central via the Airport. Change at: Revesby for trains to Central via the Airport or at Sydenham for T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra trains towards Bondi Junction. T8 trains do not run between Sydenham and the City. Some T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra trains make extra stops at St Peters and Erskineville. City Circle trackwork may also affect how you travel. On Sunday Sydney Metro trackwork may also affect how you travel.
• T9 Northern Line: Trains run to a changed timetable between Hornsby and Central, platforms 1-14 only. City Circle and Sydney Metro trackwork may also affect how you travel 
• Blue Mountains Line: The 06:08 Bathurst to Central and the 15:05 Central to Bathurst trains will run between Bathurst and Lithgow only. You may need to change trains at Lithgow to continue your journey 
• Central Coast & Newcastle Line: City Circle trackwork may also affect how you travel. On Sunday Sydney Metro trackwork may also affect how you travel. For travel to T1 North Shore Line stations change at Hornsby, not Epping. 
• South Coast Line: City Circle trackwork may also affect how you travel. On Sunday Sydney Metro trackwork may also affect how you travel.  On Saturday from 7.30am to 11.30am, at Waterfall and Helensburgh, all trains leave from platform 1. From 12pm to 4pm, at Helensburgh and Waterfall, all trains leave from platform 2. On Sunday from 7.30am to 11.30am, at Helensburgh and Otford, all trains leave from platform 1. From 12pm to 4pm, at Otford and Helensburgh, all trains leave from platform 2.   
• Southern Highlands Line: Buses replace trains between Goulburn, Moss Vale and Glenfield.  T8 Airport & South Line trains run between Glenfield and Sydenham and between Revesby and Central via the Airport. 

Weekend 2 - Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July

Please check back closer to the event for more details

• 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 

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. 

Please note that trains will not run on the City Circle on Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 July. Plan ahead using the Trip Planner.  

L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford Lines 

L2 Randwick light rail services run between Circular Quay and Randwick via Central Station (Chalmers Street) and L3 Kingsford line services run between Circular Quay and Juniors Kingsford via Central Station (Chalmers Street). Services run regularly from 5am to 1am daily, plan your trip using the Trip Planner. 

Catch an L2 or L3 Line light rail service to Circular Quay to get to the event.  

Please note that trains will not run on the City Circle on Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 July. Plan ahead using the Trip Planner.

On Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 July from 7am to 7pm, extra L2 and L3 light rail services run between Circular Quay and Randwick or Juniors Kingsford while metro and City Circle trackwork takes place 

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. 

Please note that trains will not run on the City Circle on Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 July. Plan ahead using the Trip Planner.

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).