McDonald's Australia Celebrates McHappy Day with First-Ever Music Festival at Haberfield Restaurant to Support Ronald McDonald House Australia

Annual charity campaign returns on November 14, 2026, featuring exclusive DJ sets from Stace Cadet and Yolanda Be Cool, with $2 from every Big Mac sold donated to help families with ill or injured children

SYDNEY, Nov. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — It’s finally here! Today is McHappy Day and communities across Australia will come together to spread joy and generosity in support of Ronald McDonald House Australia.

PLUS Macca’s Haberfield in Sydney’s Inner West will serve up burgers and beats for a BIG cause as it hosts Australia’s first-ever McHappy Day Festival – a free music festival with exclusive DJ sets from Aussie dance music favourites Stace Cadet and Yolanda Be Cool.

Before Stace Cadet and Yolanda Be Cool hit the decks from 2PM to 4PM, festival goers can enjoy family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon including face painting, balloon artists, temporary tattoos and an appearance from Grimace. It’s a party with purpose, with every donation helping Ronald McDonald House Australia.

Whether it’s grabbing a Big Mac with a bigger purpose, picking up this year’s McHappy Day merch or making a donation, every contribution made today helps Ronald McDonald House Australia continue providing comfort, care and connection for families when it matters most.

Here’s how Aussies can give back today:

• Make your meal count – On McHappy Day, $2 from every Big Mac sold, whether purchased on its own or as part of a meal, will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Australia.
• Step up for a great cause – Pick up a pair of McHappy Day Silly Socks for $6.50 featuring fan-favourites Grimace and Hamburglar.
• Wear your support with pride – Grab this year’s McHappy Day stonewash Cool Cap for $9.95 and help families stay close when it matters most.
• Lend a Helping Hand – Purchase a Helping Hand for $2, $10 or $50 and add your message of support in restaurant or at home.
• Donate in just a few clicks – Visit mchappyday.org.au and help support families when they need it most.

Keep an eye out for star-studded and special appearances from Sydney Swans’ Brodie Grundy and Aussie Paralympian Rheed McCracken, who’ll be visiting the Haberfield restaurant to help spread the word and encourage support for Ronald McDonald House Australia.

Annabel Fribence, Chief Marketing Officer for McDonald’s Australia, said: "One of the things that makes McHappy Day so special is seeing Australians get behind a cause that has supported families for more than 35 years. It’s a day where small acts of generosity can make a real difference for families facing some of life’s toughest moments.

"Today’s all about getting involved however you can. Swing by your local Macca’s, grab a Big Mac with a bigger purpose, pick up some merch or make a donation and join us in helping families stay together when they need it most."

Barbara Ryan, Chief Executive Officer for Ronald McDonald House Australia, said: "McHappy Day is one of the most important days on our calendar, bringing Australians together each year to support families with ill or injured children.

When a child becomes ill or injured, families often face uncertainty, disruption and long periods away from home. Across Australia, Ronald McDonald House provides practical support, comfort and connection so families can focus on what matters most, being there for their child.

The impact of McHappy Day extends far beyond a single day. Funds raised help us support more than 89,000 families across Australia each year through our essential services.

We are incredibly grateful to every person who donates, volunteers, buys a Big Mac, picks up a pair of Silly Socks or a Cool Cap, or gets involved in any way. Together, you’re helping families stay close to the care their child needs and supporting them through some of the toughest times in their lives."

For more than three decades, McHappy Day has united Australians behind a common goal: helping families stay together when it matters most. Since 1991, the campaign has raised more than $83 million for Ronald McDonald House Australia, helping fund programs that support over 89,000 families each year.

Funds raised through McHappy Day help Ronald McDonald House across Australia provide a range of Programs to meet families’ needs, including Ronald McDonald Houses, Family Accommodation, Family Rooms, Family Hubs, Family Retreats, Hospitality Carts and the Learning Program, providing families with comfort, care and connection throughout their healthcare journey.

Want to get involved? Visit your local Macca’s today or head to  http://www.mchappyday.org.au/.

ENDS

McHappy Day Fast Facts

• McHappy Day is TODAY Saturday 14 November 2026.
• Aussies can support McHappy Day by:
  • Stepping up for smiles – Pick up Silly Socks for $6.50
  • Wearing their heart on their head – Grab a Cool Cap for $9.95
  • Lending a hand – Purchase Helping Hands for $2, $10 or $50
  • Clicking, tapping, donating – Head to mchappyday.org.au
  • Buying a Big Mac, with a BIGGER purpose – On McHappy Day (Saturday, 14 November), $2 from every Big Mac sold – on its own or in a meal – goes directly to Ronald McDonald House® Australia.

• Your donation helps provide a range of Ronald McDonald House Programs – including Houses, Family Accommodation, Family Rooms, Family Hubs, Family Retreats, Hospitality Carts and the Learning Program – providing families comfort, care and support when and where they need it most.

McHappy Day Festival Fast Facts

• Where: Macca’s Haberfield
• When: Saturday 14 November 2026
• Headline performances: Stace Cadet & Yolanda Be Cool, 2PM-4PM
• ️️Tickets: Free for all. No tickets needed, just show up. Entry is on a first come, first served basis.
• Festival activities: Face painting, balloon artists, temporary tattoos and an appearance from Grimace

About McDonald’s Australia   

Australia’s first McDonald’s restaurant opened in Yagoona, Sydney, in 1971. Today there are over 1,080 McDonald’s restaurants across Australia, approximately 85 percent of which are franchised and run by local businessmen and women. The organisation employs more than 115,000 people in restaurants and corporate offices Australia-wide and is one of the largest employers of youth in the country. McDonald’s spends over $60 million per annum on training and people development.    

For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com.au or McDonald’s social channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.    

About Ronald McDonald House Australia

Ronald McDonald House is an independent, nonprofit organisation that cares for families when they have children who are ill or injured. Through our national network of 11 independently operated Chapters and 57 Programs across Australia, we surround families with the resources, services and support they need, removing barriers so they can be at the heart of their child’s care and ensure the best possible health outcomes. For more information, visit ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.au

In 2025, Ronald McDonald House helped over 89,000 families across Australia stay together including:

• 19 Ronald McDonald Houses providing accommodation close to hospital for over 13,549 families.
• 18 Family Rooms within hospitals, giving more than 55,023 families a place to rest and recharge just steps from their child’s bedside.
• Learning Programs in every state and territory, supporting more than 1,600 students on any given week to catch up on missed education.
• 6 Family Retreats offering over 373 families the chance to take time out, unwind and reconnect.
• 12 Hospitality Carts in hospitals, delivering boredom busters, toiletries, snacks and comfort to more than 18,500 families right at their child’s bedside.

As an independent charity, Ronald McDonald House across Australia works in partnership with hospitals, communities and supporters across the country to deliver comfort, care and connection for families with children receiving hospital treatment.

For more information, visit www.ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.au/ or follow Ronald McDonald House Australia on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Youtube.