Taking place from November 7-29, the Powerhouse Parramatta Opening Festival will feature a veteran astronaut, an acclaimed industrial designer, performances by local Western Sydney acts, and several First Nations creatives.

Powerhouse Parramatta's Opening Festival program features 179 events ranging across First Nations culture; space, science, technology and transport; design, architecture, music, food and film.

Sixty-five per cent of the opening program events are free, and all people under sixteen years old will receive free entry for all exhibitions.

The Museum will open seven days a week, and during the opening festival the museum will stay open until 9pm on Thursday to Sunday. Mondays to Wednesday the museum will open 10am to 5pm.

Developed in collaboration with Western Sydney communities and running across November, audiences will enjoy programs featuring leading Australian and international innovators, thinkers, creatives and artists, sharing new works, bold ideas, and immersive contemporary experiences.

"November is going to be one big month-long celebration in Parramatta, as people explore the new Powerhouse, its free programs, beautiful and thoughtfully designed community collaborations and ceremonies, and late-night opening four nights a week," said Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis.

"The opening signals to Australia, and the world that Western Sydney is home to a bold new contemporary cultural destination."

Rory Gardiner, Powerhouse Parramatta Construction, May 2026. (Image: Rory Gardiner)

First Nations talent is in the spotlight, with various Indigenous creatives featured in the festival.

Through dance, song and storytelling, Jannawi Dance Clan and collaborators will officially welcome audiences to Country and to the Powerhouse Parramatta site.

For the first time outside of the Torres Strait Islands, 44 male dancers and eight singers and musicians from Badu Island will perform a story dance inspired by childhood memories of watching World War II fighter planes taking off from Ngurapai (Horn Island).

Respected Gamilaroi Elder, cookbook author and founder of Yaama Barrgay Catering, Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo OAM, and Ngemba Weilwan woman Sharon Winsor, founder of native food and botanicals venture Indigiearth, join Julie Gibbs for a discussion shaped by shared knowledge, connection and cultural continuity.

"This expansive Opening Program offers 179 opportunities to come and explore the new museum, the bold ideas, the brilliant creativity of Western Sydney," said Minister for the Arts, John Graham.

"It's a great way to ease pressure on the budget as the majority of events are free.

"Opening late Thursday through Sunday during the Opening Festival will allow communities across Sydney time to come and explore the museum and its exhibitions; listen to great talks, performances; or simply enjoy the waterfront, gardens and summer evenings."

Powerhouse Interim chief executive, Abbie Galvin said the event is a celebration of local Western Sydney communities, industries in the applied arts and sciences, and education.

"The Powerhouse Parramatta Opening Festival Program is a celebration of local Western Sydney communities, industries in the applied arts and sciences, and education," she said.

"The team have worked so hard to deliver this extraordinary program. It's full of passion for Western Sydney, for science, creativity, and culture.

"I would like to thank the whole team, and over 1,200 collaborators who are contributing to this twenty-three-day celebration."

Powerhouse Parramatta opening festival runs from the 7th - 29th of November.

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