Sydney's extraordinary new six-hectare foreshore park, Barangaroo Reserve, will come to life in September for the first instalment of the Barangaroo Welcome Celebration, a three-month program of free music, art, talks, family events, and giant picnics overlooking Sydney Harbour.

The Barangaroo Delivery Authority, on behalf of the NSW Government, with Gill Minervini, the Welcome Celebration Creative Director, will begin the 12 weekends of programming with the September Giant Picnic on Sunday, 6 September.

Minervini, said: “The Welcome Celebration is for everyone to come together in this unique location to enjoy the very best our city has to offer and to be part of a new chapter in the story of this exceptionally special place. We are thrilled to deliver a lively and diverse program of arts, talks and entertainment as well as curated picnic food from the best NSW has to offer to suit all tastes and ages.”

Each month of spring at Barangaroo Reserve celebrates a different theme – stone, sea and sky – to honour the history of the place, its people and their aspirations.

The naturalistic cove, foreshore and the Cutaway, the massive cultural space built inside the headland that can house up to 5,000 people, will be a vibrant hub of activity every weekend with one newly commissioned art installation each month, live music, talks, site tours, workshops and picnic-style food across the month. 

The September Giant Picnic is co-curated by Rhoda Roberts (Ceremonies & Indigenous Program Director) and Kristy Pinder (Program Manager – Entertainment).

Beginning at 10.00am on 6 September with the Welcome Walk, the September Giant Picnic will explore the theme of 'Stone' and shine a spotlight on the Indigenous foundations of Barangaroo as well as the contemporary communities.

In September the Cutaway space will house a large-scale sculptural installation by contemporary artist Brook Andrew entitled Stone – The Weight of History, The Mark of Time. It is the first artwork to be exhibited in the space.

The September Giant Picnic will begin with the moving BarangarooWelcome Walk from Hickson Road followed by the Opening Fire Ceremony and Welcome to Country featuring traditional song and dance. Registrations are essential at www.barangaroo.sydney.

Rhoda Roberts said: “Barangaroo was an important figure in our history and we are looking forward to honouring and sharing stories about her, the Gadigal and the ancestors who inhabited and shaped the Sydney area.”

Food Curator Alex Herbert will bring together some of the country's best food producers and chefs to create extra special Giant Picnic events on the first Sunday of each month, including the unforgettable 'Stone' themed picnic experiences on 6 September.

Open-air kitchens will be aglow with flame and stone with picnic fare available for purchase from Clayton Donovan, Aria Catering, Christine Manfield collaborating with Miss Lilly's Kitchen, Bourke Street Bakery, Martin Boetz of Cooks Co-Op, Josh Niland of Fratelli Fresh/Cafe Nice and Paul Allum of Bread & Butter Project.

A special Dusk Ceremony will be held at 5.30pm as a tribute to the powerful Cammeraygal woman, Barangaroo before amagnificent6pm fireworks display directed by Fortunato Foti.

The September Celebration will continue in the early evening with the BarangarooWelcome Party (6.30pm-8.30pm) in the Cutaway featuring music from winner of Song of the Year at the 2015 National Indigenous Music Awards, Thelma Plum, and electro Australian earth music outfit OKA and DJ Richard Weiss as well as amazing dance pieces from eXclesior and NAISDA Dance Group. Delicious food will be available for purchase alongside drinks from Young Henrys, Batlow Cider Co. and Lowe Wines. The Welcome Party is a free event, but registrations are essential at www.barangaroo.sydney.

In addition to this, September visitors will also enjoy additional free performances by some of Australia's leading contemporary musicians and entertainers, including Casey Donovan and Pirra (September 6), Marcus Corowa (September 13, 26), Leah Flanagan (September 12, 20, 27) and Koomurri Dancers (September 12, 19 & 26).

Additional talks, tours, food, entertainment, music, activities and events will take place on the remaining weekends in September and food trucks, stalls and bars will serve picnic-style fare to suit all tastes and ages, inviting visitors to relax on blankets and deck chairs.

To see the full event program, transport information and to register for special events, please visit www.barangaroo.sydney. Discover a new view of Sydney with #welcomebarangaroo #barangaroo

EVENT DETAILS

September Giant Picnic: Sunday, 6 September at 10am-8.30pm

September additional activity:Sa turday and Sunday 12-13, 19-20, and 26-27 September at 11am-5pm

October Giant Picnic: Sunday, 4 October at 11am-5pm

October additional activity: Saturday and Sunday 10-11, 17-18, and 24-25 October at 11am-5pm

November Giant Picnic: Sunday, 1 November at 11am-5pm

November additional activity: Saturday and Sunday 7-8, 14-15, and 21-22 November at 11am-5pm