Sydney Town Hall has been a major landmark in the heart of the city centre for over 130 years and a much-loved public venue.
Built between 1868 and 1889 from local Sydney sandstone quarried in Pyrmont, it occupies the site which was once the old Sydney burial ground.
The building played a key role in projecting the confidence and ambition of Sydney in the 19th century, expressed in its architecture and ornamentation. Today, it is the backdrop for celebrating Sydney’s vibrant multicultural communities and welcomes performers of all ages and backgrounds to its stage. High above the street, even in this digital age, its magnificent turret clock still keeps the city on time.
Join us on Saturday 9 March for a day of fun and free activities for all ages, as we present our first open day since 2016. Here’s everything we have planned.
Grand Organ recital
Organist Titus Grenyer will perform an accessible and deeply musical tribute to Sydney Town Hall on the grand organ. The instrument was installed in 1890 and labelled the world’s finest concert organ when it was unveiled. It was once the largest organ in the world with nearly 9000 pipes and a unique 64 foot pedal.
No bookings required
Saturday 9 March from 10:30am to 11:30am
Tours
Learn more about the history of this significant Sydney icon and some of the many ways it has been used for the enjoyment of the people of Sydney.
Due to overwhelming interest we have made changes to the tour format to ensure greater participation and the best possible experience for patrons. You will now be able to explore the building with the help of our knowledgeable staff.
No bookings required
Drop in from 10:30am to 3:00pm
Art, craft and robots
Let the artistic spirit of the historic building ignite your imagination to create personalised greeting cards, 3D models, badges and more at this free drop-in event.
No bookings required
Saturday 9 March from 10am to 3:30pm
Comic storytelling workshop and performance
Delve into visual narrative as you create your own brief autobiographical comic story inspired by Sydney Town Hall followed by a laughter-filled performance in Centennial Hall.
Bookings essential
Workshop: 10:30am to 11:30am
Performance: 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Sydney’s lady mayoresses showcase
Learn about Lady Mayoresses with curator Margaret Betteridge, featuring items from the City’s Civic Collection associated with former mayoresses.
Bookings essential
Saturday 9 March from 11:15am to 11:45am
Sing-along
Step into the limelight and sing on the iconic stage at Centennial Hall. Whether you're a budding talent or simply love to sing for fun, celebrate your love for music in a spectacular venue steeped in history.
No bookings required
Saturday 9 March from 2:30pm to 4pm
Storytime sessions
Come and celebrate with a special storytime in the Treasury Room. Together, we’ll enjoy stories, rhymes and actions suitable for children 3 to 5 years along with their families, friends and carers. There’ll also be an Auslan-interpreted session suitable for deaf and hearing children.
Bookings essential
10:30am to 11am
11:30am to 12pm (Auslan)
Explore the full program of events.
Published 27 February 2024, updated 28 March 2024
