Australia Day in NYC 2020

This year Australia Day falls on Sunday, January 26th, 2020, and with a plethora of Aussie-owned establishments across the five boroughs of New York and beyond, there are more ways than ever before to celebrate Australia Day in NYC in 2020. 

Scroll through our 2020 AWNY guide to Australia Day in NYC for festivities researched by AWNY volunteer, Aimee Hocking.

With celebrations including concerts, sports and fitness, and food, drinks and coffee, there is bound to be something near you! If you spot anything missing, let us know in the comments below. Many of these events are raising funds for Australia bushfire relief, so you’re also helping support fellow Aussies back home.

Your Australia Day in NYC starts here:

Events and Concerts

Thurs Jan 30: 2020 American Australian Arts Awards Dinner
Our parent organization, the American Australian Association are hosting The 2020 American Australian Arts Awards Dinner on Thursday January 30th, celebrating the incredible contributions made by Australians within entertainment and the arts. This year they are honoring Kylie Minogue, Peter Carey and Jacob Elordi. Proceeds from the Arts Awards will help support the Australian Red Cross for the Australian communities affected by the bushfires. To purchase tickets, please download the reservation form.

Fri Jan 24: Down Under Bomb at Benson’s NYC
Benson’s and Sloop Brewing Co. present, DDH Down Under Bomb + Fundraiser, featuring the Triple J Hottest 100 (from 8 pm), with Sloop Brewing Co. “Down Under Bomb” IPA on tap all night, plus $1 from every pint goes to Aussie Bushfire Relief. (181 Essex St, Manhattan)

Fri Jan 24: Bash for the Bush
Come along for a night of dancing, bevs, beats, laughs and eats at “The Jungle”. Celebrate the Australian spirit and raise money for a few smaller grass roots organizations – BlazeAid, & Fire Relief Fund for First Nations Communities aiding Indigenous Australians affected by the fires. Art & photography silent auction, stand-up comedy and raffle prizes from big name sponsors such as Delta Airlines, YSL, Hinge, Overthrow New York, Hoxton Hotel & more. Food and drink from Aussie talent. Buy tickets here. (The Jungle, South Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

Fri Jan 24: Australian Day Party at The Hairy Lemon
Join the party at this East Village sports bar, supporting the NSW Rural Fire Service with a donation made for every drink served. There will be pies, pints, fairy bread and sausage rolls. The fun starts from 2pm onwards. For more info: https://www.instagram.com/p/B7nE-WNHYTB/ (28 Avenue B, East Village)

Sat Jan 25: Oz Day NYC Bushfire Fundraiser by The Australian Community
The Australian Community will again be hosting its annual #OzDayNYC Black Tie Awards to recognize Australians who have donated their time and talent to assisting our nonprofit organization in its charitable mission. It will also be raising money to send aid for the Australian Bush Fires. For more info, see the Facebook event. (Battery Place)

Sun Jan 26: Australian Bushfire Benefit Concert & Reception
A time and space for Australians in NYC to come together on Australia Day and help those back home. Australian performers, currently studying in New York (Manhattan School of Music, Mannes School of Music, and Julliard School) include: Amber Evans, William Shi , Dan Le, Alex Yau, Yvette Keong, Frances Key & vocal ensemble: from Aussie Song (winner of the NY Summerfest 2019). Every dollar goes to the Australian Red Cross for Bushfire Relief. There is a sliding scale ticket price to allow you to pay what you like. NYC-based Australian artist Cathy Condon has donated a painting, Terra Australis, to be auctioned at the reception. Buy tickets here.

Sun Jan 26: Bluestone Lane, Bowery Cafe
Bluestone Lane, at its Bowery Cafe location, is hosting an Australia Day Fundraiser & raffle at 3pm, tickets $35 for beer, food and wine. 100% of ticket, raffle and auction sales are being donated to the Australian Red Cross. This fundraiser is also being held at other locations including Philadelphia and New Jersey. Buy tickets here.

Sun Jan 26: Aussie Music Festival NYC
Join four Australian Songwriters, Karen Jacobsen, Tracey Yarad, MiG Ayesa, and Natchie for an afternoon of everything Australian. Buy tickets here. (Soapbox Gallery, Brooklyn)

Sun Jan 26: True Blue: An Aussie Night Out
Sit back and relax as a killer lineup of Aussie comedians serve up a taste of home. With a chock-a-block night of fairy bread tutorials, slang-offs, music and comedy, comedian Jess Fuchs and her mates will take you to the other side of the globe and teach you a little bit about the place they call home. Buy tickets here. (Caveat, 21 A Clinton St, New York)

Sun Jan 26: With Love From Brooklyn – Australian Bushfire Benefit
Come along to a benefit event at Rule of Thirds within A/D/O in Greenpoint. With Love From Brooklyn is a curated night of local bands, DJs, good booze and an array of incredible raffle prizes up for grabs! 100% of bar and raffle ticket sales will be donated to Australian wildlife and relief efforts. Learn more at our GoFundMe Page. Get tickets here. (Rule of Thirds, Greenpoint, Brooklyn)

Sat Jan 25 – Sun Jan 26: Hottest 100 and 200 at Benson’s NYC
It’s Aussie Week at Benson’s NYC. $1 from every Cooper’s goes to Aussie Bushfire Relief. All weekend there is Cooper’s Ale on draft, a sausage sizzle, fairy bread, chicken schnitzel dinner special. On Sun Jan 26 there’s the Triple J Hottest 100 (12-8pm), Hottest 200 (8pm onwards), a meat tray raffle. (181 Essex St, Manhattan)

Sport and Fitness

Fri Jan 24 and Fri Jan 31: Yoga at Humming Puppy
Aussie-owned yoga studio in Chelsea are hosting two donation based yoga classes with all proceeds going to the WWF Bushfire Emergency Fund and the Australian Red Cross. The classes will be open level focusing on the yogic philosophy of seva (selfless service) and will be led by Aussie yogi Katey Lewis. Cost is a $10 donation when booking online, additional donations will be accepted in studio with funds being donated to WWF-Australia and Red Cross Australia. The two classes at Fri Jan 24 and Fri Jan 31 both at 7:30pm. See more here.

Sun Jan 26: Dingos Charity Softball Game
Local softball team the Dingoes are hosting a charity game on January 26 from 12 noon to 2pm. $60 entry fee (and you get a match day t-shirt) with all donations going to the RFS, Red Cross Australia and WIRES. Good Thanks, Two Hands, Banter and Supermoon will be providing delicious food and coffee. See @dingoessoftball on Instagram for more.

Sun Jan 26: Squash Tournament Fundraiser
Come along for squash tournament fundraiser for the Australian bush fires. It’s at the Chevy Chase Athletic Club, Jan 26 Sunday. Cost is $35 with all the money going to the fundraiser. Taste some authentic Australian fare including meat pies, fairy bread, Tim Tams, vegemite sandwiches and more. To register for the tournament or to donate, go to https://aussienicksquash.com/product/general-purchase/ and in the notes write donation or registration.

Sun Jan 26: Charity Yoga Class at YES Studio
Join YES Studio YES Studio in Ridgewood, for a donation based Vinyasa Flow on Sunday 26th of Jan @ 3.30pm. All proceeds are going to the Australian Red Cross and Wildlife Victoria.

Sun Jan 26: Sweat For a Cause at Barry’s Bootcamp
Get fit for a good cause at Barry’s Bootcamp, January 26, $38. Proceeds go to the Red Cross Australia. Find tickets here.

Sun Jan 26, 12:30pm: Dancebody Class for Bushfire Relief
Sneak a workout in before you begin the day’s festivities in earnest. Genevieve Hall is teaching a fun dance cardio workout with all proceeds going to The Australian Red Cross for bushfire relief. https://www.dancebody.com/schedule/. The class is $20 and you can resister here or on the mindbody app. (DanceBody NoMad, 1158 Broadway, 4th fl, Manhattan)

Bars, Restaurants and Coffee Shops

Sun Jan 26: Eat Your Heart Out
An initiative by Aussies Abroad, various coffee shops and restaurants around town will be combining Australia Day with bushfire relief fundraisers donating their profits. See details on the image below.

Sat Jan 25: Hole in the Wall Hole Murray Hill
From 5pm. $10 door entry and first beer or wine on us! There’s live music, a silent auction & raffle to raise fund for Red Cross Bushfire Appeal, sausage sizzle & burgers until 8pm or until sold out, sausage rolls, fairy bread, Triple J Hottest 100, Four Pillars Negronis, Dizzy’s 200 run innings on the big screen. (445 E35th St, Murray Hill)

Sun Jan 26: The Australian NYC Takes Over The Liberty NYC
The Australian NYC is currently closed for renovations so it will be “taking over” The Liberty NYC for the day. The Triple J Hottest 100 will be playing and also raffling off items to raise money for the wildfires. The party starts at 3! They’re having a drag brunch beforehand as well in case anyone wants to join earlier. (29 W 35th St, New York)

Sun Jan 26: The Craftsman
On the UWS, The Craftsman will have with Coopers beer, jaffles and Triple J’s Hottest 100 tunes, we’ll be raising much needed funds for the RSPCA New South Wales in support of their amazing work during the current horrific bushfires. (3155 Broadway at 125th St, New York)

Sun Jan 26: Sonnyboy
Sonnyboy will be offering a set menu Aussie dinner feast including Golden Gaytime dessert – yum! Book via Resy, 6pm + 8:30pm reservations available. Proceeds from wine sales going towards those affected by the bushfires back home! 

Sun Jan 26: Bourke St Bakery
Will have limited edition wagyu meat pies for $9 with all proceeds going to wildfire relief. Also snap up some tasty vegemite-cheesy scrolls, raspberry cream lamingtons – full list at https://www.bourkestreetbakery.com/australiaday-specials. (15 E 28th St, NoMad)

Sun Jan 26: Banter
Will be serving up some Aussie classics like sausage rolls across the Banter locations. (169 Sullivan St, Greenwich Village and 643 Hudson Street, West Village)

Sun Jan 26: Black Fox Coffee Co
This year we are focusing on the bushfires, so 100% of our profits from Australia Day will be donated to WIRES wildlife fund. (Financial District)

Other Events

In previous years, the following NYC establishments have hosted Australia Day events. At the time of writing this post, we had not received any information for 2020 plans. It’s worth checking with them directly, in case they are hosting an Australia Day event.

• Abbotsford Road Coffee
• Bensons
• DUB Pies
• Dudleys
• Hutch & Waldo Coffee
• The Thirsty Koala
• Two Hands
• The Thirsty Koala
• Saltwater Coffee
• Wattle Cafe

Get together with your mates for your own Australia Day celebration, at an Aussie coffee shop in New York, or an Aussie-owned bar and restaurant.