January blues be gone! These concerts in Sydney are your antidote to that post-Christmas slump. This January, the city’s top venues are hosting a range of live music shows, from Sydney Festival to a run of Ludovico Einaudi concerts at Sydney Opera House, live jazz shows and more. 2026 is looking bright and Sydney’s kicking off the new year with these unmissable—and many free—concerts.
Sydney January 2026 concerts: festivals, live music tributes and free shows
Sydney Festival 2026
Sydney Festival marks its 50th anniversary with a festival from 8-25 January. Taking place across 40+ venues, this series of concerts features Hot Chip at Sydney Opera House, singer Emma Donovan at City Recital Hall and blues and gospel singers Kankawa Nagarra and Lonnie Holley at ACO On The Pier.
Sydney Symphony Orchestra will also be performing at Symphony Under the Stars—a classical concert featuring open-air orchestral performances with fireworks.
đź“ŤMultiple locations
🗓️8-25 January
Classical concerts by Candlelight
Candlelight’s ringing in 2026 with more enchanting classical tributes to even more iconic artists. From Vivaldi and Mozart to Coldplay and Fleetwood Mac, Candlelight leaves no genre unturned. This January, venues like the historic St Stephen’s Uniting Church and the iconic Sydney Masonic Centre are hosting these candlelit tributes to the legends of yesteryear as well as modern-day hitmakers.
Check out all upcoming Candlelight concerts in Sydney here.
Ludovico Einaudi at Sydney Opera House
From 23-29 January, Ludovico Einaudi brings a mini residency to Sydney Opera House to celebrate the release of his new album The Summer Portraits. The pianist will be performing works from the album alongside classics like those from Nomadland and Experience.
đź“ŤSydney Opera House
🗓️23-29 January
The Jazz Room
The Jazz Room brings 1920s New Orleans to life through a 60-minute show, mixing enduring jazz standards with live improv against a moody street-bar backdrop. This January, there are multiple shows grooving in Sydney: concerts dedicated to NOLA jazz and blues and a tribute to Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong.
Australia Day Live Concert
Australia Day Live Concert is set against the iconic backdrop of Sydney Opera House and features live music, lights and fireworks. It’s taking place on 26 January from 7:30pm – 9:30pm at Sydney Opera House Forecourt. Tickets are free, limited and released on Wednesday 14 January 2026. If you miss out on tickets, you can watch it live on ABC TV and ABC iView.
đź“ŤSydney Opera House Forecourt
🗓️26 January
Blak Powerhouse
Blak Powerhouse is back on January 26 at Manning House in Gadigal Country. You’ll catch killer live music from Mi-Kaisha, Ziggy Ramo, Birdz & Fred Leone, 3% and BARKAA, plus panel yarns, DJ Soju Gang in Nooky’s backyard, Blak markets, short films, and food trucks—it’s We Are Warriors’ fifth birthday bash too. Come early for the full vibe of positivity and First Nations creativity, all free and unmissable.
đź“ŤManning House
🗓️January 26