As Sydney shakes off winter and leans into longer days and golden evenings, there’s a familiar feeling in the air: summer is coming, and with it, the irresistible pull of live music outdoors. In 2025–26, one of the city’s most magical summer rituals returns – Sunset Sessions at Cockatoo Island / Wareamah – and it’s shaping up to be another season of unforgettable Harbour-side moments.
Set against sweeping views of Sydney Harbour, Sunset Sessions transforms the lawn of the historic Biloela House into a relaxed, open-air concert space where music, history and sunset skies collide. Running on Saturdays from 10 January to 4 April 2026 (with the exception of 7 March), this much-loved contemporary music series is the perfect excuse to slow down, spread out a picnic rug and let the weekend unfold.
A summer soundtrack, curated to perfection
Presented by the Harbour Trust, Sunset Sessions has become a sell-out staple of Sydney’s summer calendar – and for good reason. The carefully curated program champions a diverse mix of local and emerging musicians, spanning genres and styles that suit both laid-back listening and gentle dancing as the sun dips below the skyline.
This year’s line-up already promises something special, with artists including Skyscraper Stan, Lady Lyon, Charlie Collins, Mia Lovelock, Immy Owusu, Dom Diaz, Bella Amor, Mina Siale, PA777IENCE and Lucienne, with more names still to be announced. Whether you’re discovering your next favourite artist or catching a familiar voice in a truly unique setting, Sunset Sessions offers a fresh way to experience live music in Sydney.
Picnic vibes with Harbour views
One of the joys of Sunset Sessions is its effortless, come-as-you-are atmosphere. Gates open early so you can settle in, grab a drink, and soak up the setting before the music begins. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase at Biloela House, or you can pre-order online when you buy your tickets – easy, breezy, and designed for maximum relaxation.
As the city skyline glows and ferries glide past, the lawn becomes a shared space of quiet excitement and collective calm. It’s the kind of evening that reminds you why Sydney summers are so special.
Dates, times and tickets – what you need to know
Sunset Sessions runs from Saturday 10 January to Saturday 4 April 2026.
- For shows between 10 January and 14 March, doors open at 5pm and close at 8pm.
- For shows between 21 March and 4 April, doors open at 4pm and close at 7pm.
Tickets are $38 per person, with children 12 and under free, making it an easy win for couples, friends and families alike. As always, demand is high, so booking ahead is strongly recommended.
Turn a concert into an island escape
What truly sets Sunset Sessions apart is its location. Cockatoo Island / Wareamah isn’t just a venue – it’s a destination. Just a short ferry ride from Circular Quay (and accessible by water taxi or private boat via Camber Wharf), the island offers a rare chance to feel worlds away without leaving the city.
Better still, Cockatoo Island is the only island in Sydney Harbour where you can stay overnight. From glamping-style camping packages and BYO tent sites to apartments and historic houses with private outdoor entertaining spaces, there’s accommodation to suit every kind of summer escape. Come for the music, stay for the stars, and wake up to harbour views that feel like a holiday – because they are.
A place layered with history and culture
Beyond the music and the views, Cockatoo Island / Wareamah is a place of deep cultural and historical significance. Located in the heart of Sydney Harbour, the island connects to the waterways and homelands of the Wallumedegal, Wangal, Cammeraygal and Gadigal peoples, who know it as Wareamah.
In 2010, parts of the island were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property. It remains one of the most intact examples of convict transportation and colonial expansion through convict labour, with over 80 colonial and industrial assets still visible today. Its maritime and defence history is woven into every building, pathway and shoreline.
Today, Cockatoo Island has evolved into a vibrant contemporary arts and live performance destination, hosting major cultural events, music festivals and artist-led experiences that bring new life to its historic spaces.
Looking to the future
Guiding this transformation is the Cockatoo Island / Wareamah Master Plan, developed by the Harbour Trust to conserve the island’s rich heritage while activating it with new visitor experiences, adaptive reuse and staged transformation over time. In recognition of this thoughtful approach, the Master Plan was awarded the 2024 National Landscape Architecture Award for Cultural Heritage – a testament to the island’s ongoing story and its place in Australia’s cultural landscape.
Your summer plans, sorted
Whether you’re a live music lover, a history buff, a picnic enthusiast or someone simply chasing a beautiful Sydney evening, Sunset Sessions delivers it all in one unforgettable experience. Add in Harbour views, an iconic location and the option to stay overnight, and you’ve got a summer highlight that’s hard to beat.
Sunset Sessions runs Saturdays from 10 January to 4 April 2026 (no show on 7 March). For the full line-up, ticket bookings and accommodation options, visit cockatooisland.gov.au – and get ready to watch the sun set to the sound of live music, right in the heart of Sydney Harbour.