The rabbits are an installation artwork by Amanda Parer called ‘Intrude’, brought in to anchor the three-day Nights on Crown event, a push by council to enliven the city’s heart during the coldest, darkest time of year. 

They are to be flanked by a full program of musical performances, dancers, food stalls and a pop-up bar for the duration of their stay on lower Crown Street. 

Read more: 8 Wollongong eateries you need to know about

Sofia Gibson, city centre activation manager, said the event was intended to help more people see the mall as a community space. 

“It’s the first time we’ve tried something like this,” she said. “The event is around changing the landscape of the lower mall, and how people see the mall, and having fun in the city centre,” she said. 

“For me, it is about asking people to come into the city centre and re-re-imagine it.” 

Council has encouraged area eateries to stay open and make special offers as part of the event. 

Thursday’s dance performances unfolded from shop fronts, with dancers from Austinmer Dance Theatre acting as mannequins, only to burst into movement while children looked on through the glass and mimicked them.

Aaron Curnow from Spunk Records and Jeb Taylor from Music Farmers have curated a changing line-up of live music, including a performance from Ballarat-based “old world songbird” Freya Josephine Hollick, 7.50pm Friday. The event runs Friday and Saturday nights, 5-10pm.