Cristal Palace is an open-air extravaganza of aerial acrobatics, dance and unbelievable circus feats at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt.
Free for all and perfect for families, Cristal Palace dazzles with three shows on the June long weekend.
Created by acclaimed French outdoor theatre company Transe Express, Cristal Palace makes its Australian debut after mesmerising audiences across Europe and the UK.
This event is presented by Vivid Sydney in partnership with Sydney Opera House.
Cristal Palace takes place at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt with three free shows over the June long weekend:
- Friday 5 June, 7.30-8.40pm
- Saturday 6 June, 7.30-8.40pm
- Sunday 7 June, 7.30-8.40pm
Cristal Palace goes for approximately 70 minutes, scheduled from 7.30-8.40pm on 5-7 June. Event duration is a guide and may be subject to change.
The Sydney Opera House Forecourt will open its security entrance from 6pm.
Vivid Sydney advises arriving early, as this is an un-ticketed, free event. If the Forecourt reaches capacity, the Opera House will not accept more patrons.
Cristal Palace is a free event, and you do not need to register for tickets in advance.
However, entry is subject to capacity. Vivid Sydney recommends arriving early to ensure a spot.
Cristal Palace is for all-ages, though children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times.
While an-all ages show, Cristal Palace contains content that could be considered inappropriate for some audiences. Please use your discretion.
Yes prams and strollers are permitted as long as they don't impact the experience of fellow spectators.
Medical Posts and Volunteer Ambassadors at Information Booths located on Vivid Sydney Light Walk offer wristbands to parents and guardians of children to put contact details on in case their child becomes lost.
The closest Information Booth to the Sydney Opera House is at Alfred and George Street, close to Circular Quay Station.
It is also a good idea to give your child a card with your contact details or to write a contact number on your child’s arm.
Vivid Sydney volunteers and security personnel will be briefed to look out for lost children and will contact parents wherever possible and the NSW Police Force if necessary.
Cristal Palace spectators are welcome to bring food, however BYO alcohol is not permitted. Drinking water will be accessible on site and ticket holders may bring a reusable water bottle. Please note that no glass containers or metal bottles are permitted.
Yes. Two food trucks will operate from 5pm-10pm in the Forecourt: Emmys Turkish Gozleme and Shorty’s Greek Style Street Food. They will also sell non-alcoholic drinks.
There will be no alcohol sold at the Forecourt at Cristal Palace’s shows.
Opera House’s nearby Opera Bar and Midden will be open, but you cannot bring food or drinks purchased there into the Forecourt.
Cristal Palace features roaming performers and musicians throughout the crowd. If you would prefer to avoid audience interaction, we recommend watching from the Monumental Steps.
Access to the Forecourt is via a security checkpoint at the precinct entry near the bottom of Macquarie Street. Signage will be in place to direct you on the day.
Vivid Sydney is best accessed via public transport, and Cristal Palace is no exception.
Located in Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House is accessible via Train, Light Rail, Metro, Ferry and Bus, with detailed information on our transport page. For the latest advice and information, visit the Transport NSW website.
Please plan ahead and allow plenty of extra travel time when arriving for Cristal Palace, keeping in mind altered services, road closures and Circular Quay’s crowds during Vivid Sydney.
While Vivid Sydney strongly recommends using public transport, The Sydney Opera House Car Park remains open during Vivid Sydney and available to use.
Operator Wilson Parking offers discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see the Wilson Parking website for details.
Visitors can also use a dedicated drop off and pick-up zone at the House’s security gate at the northern end of Macquarie Street. This is reserved for rideshares, taxis and people with accessibility requirements.
Sydney Opera House operates a free shuttle bus service for elderly and less-mobile patrons. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
During Vivid Sydney, the pickup and drop off location for the bus will be at Phillip Street (adjacent to the Justice and Police Museum). Find more information on their website.
During the day, an alternate buggy service is available from site entry at the bottom of Macquarie Street. The buggy is wheelchair accessible.
The Sydney Opera House Forecourt offers several Accessible Viewable Areas. To be directed towards an Area, please ask a Sydney Opera House team member.
Both Vivid Sydney and Sydney Opera House are committed to being accessible to all.
Sydney Opera House’s accessibility page has information on amenities, courtesy transport and other support for people of all abilities, as well as contact details for further information.
If you’d like to contact Vivid Sydney directly, please visit our accessibility page.
Cristal Palace follows the Sydney Opera House’s policies on prohibited items and condition of entries.
As a condition of entry into the venue, bag inspections and electronic screenings will be carried out at security checkpoints upon entry to the site. We strongly encourage patrons to leave bags at home and to avoid bringing any large items to the Opera House.
Non-glass water bottles are allowed, provided they aren’t larger than one litre. Free water stations are available on the Forecourt.
The following items are prohibited onsite:
- Alcohol
- Outside beverages or food
- Illegal substances
- Incendiary devices such as flares, fireworks and smoke bombs
- Glass items
- Knives and any sharp items
- Lasers
- Any items that may cause a public nuisance
- Any items that can be used as a weapon
- Any items which look like a weapon, including replicas and toys
- Unauthorised advertising material or flyers
- Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- Musical instruments which can cause a public nuisance such as vuvuzelas, drums or any amplified music
- Large umbrellas (bigger than 125cm in diameter)
- Sunshades and tent structures
- Portable seating, including camping or beach chairs
- Any other item that in the opinion of Opera House security could cause harm or public nuisance
Ticketholders and visitors have the option to leave with their prohibited items should they not wish to forfeit them in accordance with the above conditions of entry.
All confiscated and prohibited items will be disposed of and will not be held or stored. Possession of unlawful items will be reported immediately to NSW Police.
Security staff will monitor patrons for RSA and refuse entry to any intoxicated persons in accordance with the Liquor Act 2007.
Of course! We want you to remember Cristal Palace, so please feel free to use personal, pocket-sized cameras and phones to capture the show. Professional cameras cannot be used.
However, for the safety of Cristal Palace’s acrobats and artists, flash photography is prohibited.
Cristal Palace is a general admission standing event, though you can choose to sit on the Forecourt’s Monumental Steps.
Picnic rugs, chairs and umbrellas are all prohibited items and will be confiscated upon entry are not held or stored for you.
If you plan to sit on the Monumental Steps, you are welcome to bring a cushion for comfort, maximum size is 40cm x 40cm and maximum width is 5cm. Cushions should be held when standing or dancing.
There is no cloaking facility on the Forecourt. Please check conditions of entry (above) for more information about what cannot be brought into the event and leave these items at home.
No. The Sydney Opera House, including the Forecourt, is a smoke-free site. This includes cigarettes, vapes, e-cigarettes, cigars and water pipe tobacco smoking.
Pets aren’t allowed at the Sydney Opera House and its venues including the Forecourt.
Assistance animals trained to assist people with disabilities are welcome at Sydney Opera House.
Yes, these are accessed under the steps after entry.
Yes, though they must not be larger than an A4 piece of paper. All bags will be checked on entry.
Please check conditions of entry for more information (above) about what can and cannot be brought into the event.
No. Vivid Sydney advises you to keep close to any personal belongings, as Cristal Palace is a public event.
If you have lost something within the Sydney Opera House precinct, please complete this form and Sydney Opera House will make every effort to locate your lost item. They will response to your enquiry as soon as possible.
There are no ATM facilities available on the forecourt. Please bring a credit or debit card for any on-site purchases to assist with swift transactions and alleviating queue times.
You can leave Cristal Palace at any point, through re-entry isn’t guaranteed and subject to capacity. For safety and security, you will also have to go through security checks again.
All Forecourt performances proceed in rain, however, due to the nature of the Cristal Palace performance, inclement weather may mean that the show cannot proceed.
In the case of inclement weather and conditions that could threaten the safety of performers and/or the audience, Cristal Palace may be cancelled.
If required, Vivid Sydney will make announcements on socials and website, and communicate with the Forecourt audience via signage and announcements.
Visitors are encouraged to check the weather and come prepared. There is no undercover spot in the public viewing area on the forecourt, and umbrellas are not permitted.
My question isn’t listed here. How do I get an answer?
First, be sure to check the Vivid Sydney Q&A, which covers the entire festival and includes even more information. For questions directed to the Sydney Opera House, please visit their contact page. If you need to contact Vivid Sydney, please visit our Contact Us page.
