Spooky season is officially here. Halloween in Sydney is pretty exciting but exploring haunted sites and going on a ghost tour is not all there is to do in October. It’s also the season of outdoor movies, pretty floral displays, cultural festivities, and bustling markets. October also marks the return of the long-awaited Sculpture by the Sea exhibition and an all-new Alcotraz experience, which is sure to entertain. Check out the full list of things to do in Sydney this October.
Sway to the beats of Tame Impala on his Deadbeat Tour
Tame Impala is bringing the Deadbeat Tour to Sydney this October, with three huge shows at Afterpay Arena on 19, 20 and 21 October. Expect an immersive night of psychedelic sounds, stunning visuals and Kevin Parker’s iconic hits, with Australian electronic artist Ninajirachi joining as special guest.
Sing Along at Mamma Mia! The Musical in Sydney
PACA is bringing a new Pro‑Am production of Mamma Mia! to The Concourse in Chatswood, complete with ABBA hits, dazzling costumes and family-friendly fun. The season runs from 9–25 October 2026, and a waitlist is open for presale access.
Enjoy a seamless night out with discounted Uber rides to and from your Candlelight concert
We all love a good night out with live music and thousands of flickering candles. But let’s face it, figuring out parking or co-ordinating with public transport to get from A to B can be tiresome to say the least.
So, Candlelight has partnered with Uber to help the journey become part of the fun. After all, you can’t dissect the group chat, take a power nap or fix your glam if you’re driving, but you can in the back of an Uber! Check out Candlelight concerts nearby and book your ticket and your Uber today. You’ll receive an email with your discount code 24 hours before the concert!
Take a stroll near Sculpture by the Sea
Sydney’s popular Sculpture by the Sea exhibition is returning for its big 26th edition. There are over 90 stunning artworks to discover along the 2km Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk from October 16 to November 2. Get more details about it here.
Hit Parramatta Lanes 2026 for four nights of free food, music and art
Experience 80+ food vendors, 200+ music acts and hundreds of artists across Parramatta’s laneways from 21–24 October 2026 in Parramatta CBD, Sydney, bringing four nights of free food, music, large-scale art installations and performances across 21 locations with 500+ artists involved.
Taste your way through Eat Spain, Drink Spain Festival Australia
Bring Spain to Australia: tapas, paella, wines and exclusive offers all month long, with a nationwide celebration of Spanish food and drink across Australia to your calendar. Running from September 4 to October 4, 2026, it features themed dinners, masterclasses, paella weekends, tasting events and exclusive retail offers.
Get a fascinating look inside BODY WORLDS: Anatomy of Happiness Sydney
BODY WORLDS: The Anatomy of Happiness brings authentic plastinated human specimens to Sydney, blending science and art to reveal how our bodies function and how physical anatomy relates to emotional wellbeing.
Read more here.
Catch Anyma’s ÆDEN for a one-night-only show in Sydney
Add a futuristic party to your October calendar, Italian‑American electronic artist Anyma will bring his immersive ÆDEN live show to The Domain in Sydney for a one‑night‑only performance on 17 October 2026.
Spook your socks off at Ghost in the Rocks
The Rocks’ huge Halloween festival will return this month, and it promises to be a hoot with street parades, zombie discos, spooky markets, and a whole lot of fun across 4 days. It’s touted as Australia’s first and biggest Halloween festival, and the event will be held from October 29 to November 1. Get your tickets here.
Discover a windswept historic village with a dramatic timber jetty and quiet, uncrowded beaches. Head to Catherine Hill Bay—a small Lake Macquarie village about 90 minutes north of Sydney—for 19th-century miners’ cottages, a dramatic timber coal-loading jetty, quiet beaches for swimming and surfing, and nearby coastal walks with seasonal wildflowers.
A sparkling light and dance show is coming to Sydney inviting guests to experience the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty in a brand new light. Set to take over the Seymour Centre, the luminous show blends modern technology with classical ballet and it’s a feast for the eyes. Get your tickets.
Dance under the stars at Electro Merveilles — Grand Finale Sydney
For a big October send-off, French electronic series Electro Merveilles lands at Manning Bar Open-Air at the University of Sydney on Sunday 25 October 2026, with Tchami, Tigerlily, Alex Hosking, Mowgli May and Fred B Side on the lineup. The outdoor party runs from 3pm to 10pm, with tickets from $69.
Step into the wizarding world at Harry Potter™: The Exhibition
If you’re looking for a magical October outing in Sydney, Harry Potter™: The Exhibition invites fans into a richly detailed wizarding world at Paddington Pavilion, Sydney Olympic Park, with iconic settings, authentic props and costumes, interactive lessons and games, and plenty of photo moments throughout the experience. Visitors can test their QuidditchTM skills, pot a Mandrake, and explore behind-the-scenes filmmaking magic in a visit that takes around 60 to 90 minutes.
Ticket options include Timed, Flex and VIPentries, with VIP adding an audio guide, tote bag and expedited entry. The venue is wheelchair accessible, but strollers are not permitted inside, and guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian aged 16 or older. Open on most days with different hours depending on the day, it’s a spellbinding Sydney outing for Potter fans of all ages.
Read more here.
See the blooming flowers at Leura Gardens festival
The Leura Gardens Festival is returning over the October long weekend from October 2 to October 5. Walk through the lovely village of Leura and see flowers and a number of cool-climate plants in bloom across seven gardens, including Allawah, Leuralla and more.
Attend one of Sydney’s beautiful Candlelight concerts and get lost in a number of familiar tunes this October. Tickets are available for tribute shows to Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Hans Zimmer, and more.
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay
🕯️Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Adele
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Fleetwood Mac
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Ed Sheeran
🕯️Candlelight: Hans Zimmer’s Best Works
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift
🕯️Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
Spooky season is the perfect time to discover the dark side of Sydney, and there’s no better way to do it than one of the city’s popular ghost tours. Perfect for history buffs and ghost hunters, these ghost tours are held in some of the spookiest parts of town, including an abandoned gaol and a haunted island. Pick your favourite here.
Enjoy the starlit Night at the Barracks concerts
Night at the Barracks is hosting a series of concerts under the night sky featuring some incredible performers like The Cruel Sea & Magic Dirt, Jet and more. Located in the historic Barracks at North Head Sanctuary, the event will take place until October 3rd. Grab your tickets here.
Take a spring day trip to Tulip Time 2026 at Corbett Gardens
Tulip Time 2026 returns to Bowral’s Corbett Gardens featuring around 80,000 hand-planted tulips across sprawling displays, plus market stalls, live music, art and floral workshops. The festival runs from 11 September to 5 October 2026 with daily opening hours and ticketed entry.
Catch Post Malone live on The BIG ASS World Tour
Post Malone is bringing The BIG ASS World Tour back to Australia, with stadiums and festival dates across Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and other cities. He is scheduled to perform at ENGIE Stadium in Sydney on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Enjoy a cheeky night out with Magic Men
The Magic Men will be strutting their stuff every Saturday throughout October, and tickets are now on sale for the heart-racing spectacle. Don’t miss out on seeing Australia’s best male dancers doing their thing in this electrifying show. Get your tickets before they sell out.
The Old Government House in Parramatta is hosting ghostly night tours every month this year, and it’s guaranteed to give you the creeps. This month, the tour takes place on October 17 with snacks and hot drinks afterward. Find out more here.
Discover a sea of paper daisies near Sydney
A short 1-hour drive from Sydney will bring you to a field filled with delightful paper daisies at the Mount Annan Botanic Gardens. The stunning exhibition offers a kaleidoscope of colours and, best of all, entry is completely free. The colourful display is only around for a short period of time, don’t miss out. Find more info here.
Catch Noah Kahan Live: Arena Show at Qudos Bank Arena
Noah Kahan brings The Great Divide World Tour to Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on 2 October 2026, with Michael Marcagi supporting. Presales begin mid-April and general tickets go on sale 17 April at 1pm local time, with standard seats expected around AUD 113–130+.
The best part about spring is all the colourful flowers around town. If you’re keen to get your fix of cherry blossoms, there are a few spots in and around Sydney that should be top of your list. Find them here.
Make your boozy-escape at Alcotraz Sydney
Step into the world of Alcotraz Sydney for an immersive cocktail experience like no other. Don your jumpsuit, sneak past guards, and enjoy four expertly crafted cocktails in this prison-themed adventure. Grab your tickets here.
Hop on vintage steam trains and buses
The annual Transport Heritage Expo is returning for three days only over the October long weekend, and it’s bringing a special treat for Sydneysiders. The expo will feature heritage train, bus, and steamboat rides that will operate across Sydney from Central Station, along with tours of Central Station Clock Tower and tea in a 1960s carriage.
Catch Hilary Duff live at Qudos Bank Arena
Hilary Duff brings her first global headline tour in nearly two decades to Sydney as part of the lucky me tour, performing at Qudos Bank Arena on October 24, 2026. The Australian run also features support from La Roux (of Bulletproof fame).
Head out of town for a Jacaranda Festival
Grafton’s annual Jacaranda Festival is making its return from October 24 to November 2, and it’s totally worth getting out of town for. Expect blossoming jacaranda, markets, float parades, and much more. Read more about it here.
Check out Luna Park’s colourful Dream Circus
Luna Park’s captivating Dream Circus offers a mesmerizing blend of projections, holograms, and surround sound that will transport you to a whole new realm. This first-of-its-kind attraction is the perfect weekend adventure. Book your tickets here.
October in Sydney means spring in full bloom, with colourful gardens and flowers everywhere you look. Warmer, sunnier days make it perfect for coastal adventures, day trips and exploring beyond the city. Plus, there’s a packed calendar of shows, events and entertainment to keep your nights buzzing!
