Lights On At the Biennale of Sydney’s Big Opening Night

The 25th Biennale of Sydney – a celebration of contemporary art with a special focus on First Nations creatives – runs from March 14 to June 14 across five historic sites, museums and gallery spaces.

Showcasing 83 artists and collectives from 37 countries, this year’s festival is titled Rememory, inviting participants to revisit, reconstruct and reclaim histories that have been erased or overlooked. And one lucky Broadsheet Access member will get the chance to soak it all up at the biennale’s opening night party on Friday March 13.

Artistic director Hoor Al Qasimi has curated plenty of exhibitions, workshops, performances, artist talks and live music events in collaboration with local communities – including a giant sculpture-slash-functioning-clay-oven turning out Peruvian food, a performance centred around a large vat of tabbouleh, and an Irish-Palestinian baking workshop.

Kicking off proceedings on March 13 is the biennale’s opening night celebration Lights On at White Bay Power Station – an opportunity to view visual art collected for the festival and groove to a dynamic line-up of contemporary music acts, including First Nations experimental ensemble Hand to Earth, R&B vocalist Niecy Blues, Middle Eastern-inspired music producer DJ Haram and Afro-Brazilian collective Inbraza Baile.

Log in or join Access today for your chance to win a double pass to the Biennale of Sydney’s opening night celebrations.

Entries open Friday March 6, 2026. Winners will be drawn Monday March 9, 2026.