Above: ‘Assembly’ blends dance, theater, and operatic performance.

Sydney will break into song and dance when the annual Sydney Festival opens January 7. A celebration of music, art, and performance, the three-week festival offers some 80 events involving 1,000-plus artists from Australia and around the world. The festival kicks off with a day of free events in the city’s streets and parks, including an 8-hour dance marathon fueled by the tunes of DJ Norman Jay. This year’s program promises to impress through its diversity, with events ranging from indigenous art exhibitions to contemporary dance. Among the musicians on hand are rock diva PJ Harvey, Faith No More’s Mike Patton, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zinner.

For a full schedule of events, visit sydneyfestival.org.au.