2002–2010: Establishment and growth The inaugural Field Day was held on January 1, 2002. It was conceived as a "smart alternative" to the high-intensity parties of New Year's Eve, focusing on a mix of electronic, house, and indie-dance music. The festival saw rapid growth throughout the 2000s, being voted the "Best Event" in New South Wales in the annual
InTheMix 50 poll in both 2007 and 2008.
2021–2025: Challenges and COVID-19 For the first time since its inception, the 2021 edition of Field Day was cancelled due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. The festival returned in 2022 with a reduced capacity and a focus on domestic talent. The 2024 edition saw a significant police presence, with 25 people charged with drug offences and 91 detected in possession of illicit substances. Despite these challenges, the event remained one of the few large-scale Australian festivals to continue operating through the industry-wide downturn of 2024–2025.
2026: 25th Anniversary and "CAMP GROUND" In 2026, Field Day celebrated its 25th anniversary. To mark the milestone, the festival introduced a new stage titled
CAMP GROUND, specifically dedicated to Sydney's queer talent and curated by members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The anniversary lineup featured headliners
Carl Cox and
Jamie Jones performing both solo and back-to-back sets, alongside
The Presets,
Patrick Topping, and
Deborah De Luca. == Location ==