On The Steps Concert Series Returns to Sydney Opera House Forecourt this December
Key Takeaways
On The Steps returns to the Sydney Opera House Forecourt this December for its fifth consecutive year, with a line-up featuring Rise Against, James Blake, DMA’S, Wolf Alice, Dizzee Rascal, Dylan Gossett, Spacey Jane and The Amity Affliction, with more still to be announced.
The first announcement will see nine shows take over the Forecourt from 1 to 12 December, bringing a mix of international and Australian artists to one of Sydney’s most iconic outdoor stages.
Following the NSW Government’s increase to outdoor event capacity for major concerts on the Forecourt, more fans will be able to attend this year, with additional tickets also released for previously sold out shows, including Spacey Jane.
On The Steps will once again support Support Act, raising funds for the music industry charity and its Aus Music T-Shirt Day campaign throughout October and November.
Back bigger, bolder and better than ever, On The Steps returns to the Sydney Opera House Forecourt this December, bringing the first release line-up of contemporary music's biggest names to one of the world's most breathtaking outdoor stages for an unforgettable summer on Sydney Harbour.
Now in its fifth consecutive year, the much-loved Live Nation concert series has firmly cemented itself as one of Sydney's most anticipated summer events. Today, new tickets were released following the NSW Government’s increase to outdoor event capacity for major concerts on the Forecourt, including Spacey Jane’s two previously sold out shows.
This year's first announcement of On The Steps shows run from Tuesday, 1 December to Saturday, 12 December, and will bring music fans together for 9 unforgettable evenings of world-class performances set against one of the most iconic backdrops in the world.
The 2026 season launches with an extraordinary collection of internationally acclaimed artists and Australia's most celebrated talent, delivering a vibrant mix of genres and live performances that will set the soundtrack to Sydney's summer.
The first round of artists for On The Steps includes American punk rockers Rise Against kicking things off on 1 December, bringing their explosive live energy with Dropkick Murphys. They’ll be followed on 2 December by Mercury Prize-winner and critically acclaimed electronic artist James Blake, renowned for his genre-defying blend of electronic, soul and R&B.
On 3 December, hometown heroes DMA’S will take to the stage, bringing their stadium-sized choruses to On The Steps, supported by Automatic. 4 December, acclaimed British alternative rockers Wolf Alice arrive fresh from their 2026 BRIT Award win for Group of the Year, joined by local favourites Folk Bitch Trio and Swapmeet.
“Bassline Junkie” Dizzee Rascal will headline on 5 December, joined by a stacked supporting bill featuring Example, ArrDee and Swaglord Savannah.
The series continues with multi-platinum country singer-songwriter Dylan Gossett on 6 December, Triple J darlings and homegrown indie stars Spacey Jane will play two highly anticipated shows on 10 and 11 December, supported by Telenova and Armlock. Rounding out the first announcement, Australian post-hardcore heavyweights The Amity Affliction will take to the Forecourt on 12 December.
This year’s On The Steps series comes at an exciting time for Sydney’s live music scene, heralding a new era for live music at the Sydney Opera House. Following recent NSW Government changes increasing outdoor event capacity to up to 7,000 people for major concerts, more fans than ever can experience live music on the iconic Forecourt. The increased capacity has also unlocked more tickets to previously sold-out shows, including Spacey Jane, allowing more music lovers the chance to secure a spot at one of Australia’s most sought-after summer concert series.
On The Steps continues to raise funds for the music industry’s charity Support Act, and their Aus Music T- Shirt Day campaign throughout October and November. Support Act delivers vital crisis relief, mental health and wellbeing support to musicians, managers, crew, music workers and organisations across all genres of Australian music. More details will be announced soon.
Mike Ross, Promoter, Live Nation Australia, said: "On The Steps is always a privilege to deliver, and it’s incredible that in our fifth year we’re able to welcome more fans than ever to each show. We’re proud of this first release of acts playing the series, and are working on more shows to be announced in coming months.”
2026 marks Live Nation’s fifth year of presenting On The Steps, curated exclusively for the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, and more than 50,000 fans are expected to experience a show across the season.
Tickets for announced shows are on sale here: https://www.livenation.com.au/on-the-steps
ON THE STEPS FIRST LINE UP ANNOUNCE
1 December - Rise Against (w/ Dropkick Murphys)
2 December - James Blake (support TBA)
3 December - DMA’S (w/ Automatic)
4 December - Wolf Alice (w/ Folk Bitch Trio and Swapmeet)
5 December - Dizzee Rascal (w/ Example, ArrDee and Swaglord Savannah)
6 December - Dylan Gossett (w/ The Jack WharffBand)
10 December - Spacey Jane (w/ Telenova and Armlock)
1 December - Spacey Jane (w/ Telenova and Armlock)
12 December - The Amity Affliction (support TBA)
Plus more to be announced in the coming months.