The Big Busk 2026
The Big Busk is Sydney Youth Orchestras’ annual fundraising event, bringing live music to some of Sydney’s most iconic locations while raising vital funds to support the next generation of young musicians.
On Saturday 19 September, our talented ensembles will perform across the city, sharing their passion for music with the community.
Choose the ensemble you’d like to support by clicking the button below and help keep the music playing.
Thank you for your support!
Frequently Asked Questions
For musicians
SYO is a not-for-profit organisation that relies on donations to provide our programs.
Check SYOnline each Friday for updates on The Big Busk, with challenges, the leaderboard and information on your performances on 19 September!
The Big Busk 2026 is going national!
What started with 500 young musicians busking on the streets of Sydney in 2017 has grown into a national movement. This year, the Australian Network of Youth Orchestras (ANYO) is proud to announce that more than 2,000 young musicians will take to public spaces across the country in the biggest Big Busk in the event’s history.
Now in its tenth year, the Big Busk will span two dates and five cities: Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland on Saturday 19 September, followed by Tasmania and Adelaide on Saturday 14 November.
The Big Busk was founded by Sydney Youth Orchestras (SYO) in 2017 as a way of bringing orchestral music out of the concert hall and into the everyday lives of Australians. Adelaide joined the movement in 2024, Melbourne in 2025, and this year Queensland and Tasmania step up for the first time — marking a milestone moment for ANYO and for youth orchestras nationwide.
Every dollar raised through the Big Busk goes directly back into the work of Australia’s state youth orchestras — funding the purchase of music and instruments, and supporting the operational infrastructure that makes world-class training accessible to young musicians, including those in regional and remote communities.
Big Busk 2026 — Key Facts:
- 19 September: Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland
- 14 November: Tasmania and Adelaide
- 2,000+ musicians performing across five cities
- All donations support music, instruments and organisational infrastructure
- Presented by the Australian Network of Youth Orchestras (ANYO)
About the Australian Network of Youth Orchestras (ANYO)
ANYO is the national network connecting Australia’s state youth orchestras, established to foster collaboration, shared advocacy and expanded opportunity for young musicians across the country. Member organisations include Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne / Queensland / Tasmania Youth Orchestras.
