Mums deserve the world, and Mother’s Day is a great opportunity to go the extra mile and show them some love. This year, ditch the flowers and do something a little special to mark the big day. Luckily enough, Sydney offers some great options for every budget and interest. There’s sweet treats, high teas, fancy spas and special set menus to choose from. Here are a few ideas for a memorable time with your mum over the Mother’s Day weekend.
1. Buy something special at the Barangaroo Artisan’s Market
The Artisan Market in Barangaroo is back on the Mother’s Day weekend with a diverse variety of stalls with locally sourced products including ceramics, prints, homewares, and jewellery. Also on the agenda: entertainment, gourmet treats, and live music to keep you entertained while you browse. It’s all happening this Saturday, May 1,0 from 10am to 3pm. Shop from over 70 excellent stalls and support local businesses while you’re at it. Find more info here.
2. See this illuminated dance performance
Make Mother’s Day unforgettable with We Call It Ballet in Sydney — a dazzling fusion of light and movement. This dreamy retelling of Sleeping Beauty features ballerinas gliding across the stage in radiant, LED-lit costumes, bringing the fairy tale to life in the most luminous way. Grab your tickets!
3. Go on a journey to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru offers a multi-sensory journey into the heart of ancient Peru. Featuring state-of-the-art multimedia displays, immersive projections, and a unique virtual reality experience complete with 360-degree motion chairs, this exhibition is ideal for mothers with a love of art, culture, and history Get your tickets.
3. Book a high tea at Novotel Parramatta
Treat your mum to a delicious high tea at Novotel Parramatta, complete with traditional scones with clotted cream and jam, beetroot and goat’s cheese arancini, and tasty finger sandwiches. There are a number of kid-friendly options available, including fairy bread, cheeseburger spring rolls, and mini cupcakes. Make a booking here.
4. Try an indulgent dinner at Ragazzi
A beloved CBD gem, Ragazzi is celebrating Mother’s Day with a thoughtfully curated set menu. Highlights include tuna crudo with apple and wasabi, Jerusalem artichoke ravioli with Pecorino and bitter honey, swordfish alla Milanese with vibrant salsa verde, and a rich chocolate tart served with crème fraîche. Book a table here.
5. Book a rejuvenating spa treatment
Did you know an authentic Japanese spa is hidden in the Blue Mountains? It’s the ideal day trip out of town with private buros, individual soaking tubs, and outdoor hot pools. There is also a herbal steam room on-site and a team room serving teas and healthy snacks. Plus, you get to spend quality time on the picturesque 2-hour drive. Start planning your trip here.
6. Enjoy a blissful spa session and high tea
This Mother’s Day, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour is offering a relaxing combination of a high tea buffet and a pampering spa session. Enjoy French pastries, finger sandwiches, and handcrafted desserts in a floral setting, or opt for a spa experience with massages, facials, and more. Find more details here.
7. Create a custom bouquet for Mother’s Day
If you want to do something different this Mother’s Day, head to Four Hundred Bar & Kitchen in North Sydney and enjoy bottomless margs and spritzes alongside Mexican share plates. You can also visit the florist at the flower bar and create a custom bouquet for your mum for $50. Book your spot here.
8. Take your mum to a Candlelight Concert
Show your mum how much she means to you with a gift card to a Candlelight Concert. There are many concerts to choose from, in various iconic venues in Sydney, and each performs classical renditions of different music genres. The venues are all filled with thousands of glimmering candles, creating an enchanting atmosphere that will take your breath away. This is the perfect way for your mom to unwind and enjoy an evening of music. Purchase a gift card here.
9. Enjoy a Mother’s Day High Tea at The Grounds
Enjoy a delicious high-tea menu at the most Instagrammable restaurant in the world. If you’re planning to spend some quality time with mum surrounded by picture-perfect florals and freshly baked goods, head here over the weekend. There will be a selection of sweet and savoury bites, and there is even a menu for the little ones who would like to join in on the fun. Book a table here.
10. Try something different with Dining in the Dark
Why not try something a little different from your average dinner plans, and gift your mum the experience of Dining In The Dark. Beast&Co offers special sessions where guests can enjoy their meal with a twist. They are blindfolded! This unique way to dine allows your senses of taste and smell to be heightened, and you can experience your food in a whole new way. Reserve a table here.
11. Spend the day at The Rocks
There are plenty of excellent places to dine in Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood, from a high-tea buffet at Shangri-La Sydney to a bespoke five-course menu overlooking the Sydney Harbour at Altitude. After your meal, make a beeline to The Rocks’ weekend market and buy your mum a souvenir to mark the day. See everything that’s happening at The Rocks on Mother’s Day here.
12. Check out the immersive Horizon of Khufu exhibition
Horizon of Khufu offers a one-of-a-kind virtual expedition into the heart of Ancient Egypt—no passport required. Using state-of-the-art VR technology, this immersive experience transports you to the foot of the Great Pyramids and beyond right here in Sydney. It’s leaving town soon, so don’t miss out — get your tickets.
13. Catch a show in town
Does your mum love live theatre? You’ll be spoilt for choice in Sydney. Musicals playing in town in May 2025 include Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular at the ICC Sydney Theatre, Annie at the Capitol Theatre, and MJ the Musical at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.
14. Go on a family adventure with Stranger Things
If your mum’s the adventurous type, Stranger Things: The Experience at Luna Park is the perfect way to shake things up for Mother’s Day. Dive into the mysteries of Hawkins Lab in a thrilling, immersive setting, and once you manage to escape the Upside Down, stick around for a retro 80s-themed hub packed with delicious food, cocktails, photo ops, and more. Grab your tickets.
15. Book lunch at Little Pearl
Little Pearl in Manly is doing their bit to make your mum’s day extra special on May 11. On offer are hawker-style dishes like pork belly noodles, papaya slaw, seafood massaman curry, and more. The menu includes a delicious spritz on arrival, and desserts include yuzu and mango tiramisu. Plus, expect a stacked drinks menu of cocktails, wines, tap beers, and more. Check out the menu and book a seat here.
16. Shop at the Finders Keepers Market
If your mum’s a shopping enthusiast, the Finders Keepers market will be back in town from May 2-4. Discover over 200 stalls offering everything from design, ceramics, jewellery, and more. With local DJs, bars, hot food, coffee, and sweet treats, it’s an experience for all the senses. Local DJs will be spinning tunes, and the market will also include bars, hot food, coffee, and sweet treats. Book your tickets here.
17. Head to a First Nation’s Mother’s Day celebration
Enjoy a free celebration at Damulay Ngurang, located at Walumil Lawns in Barangaroo. Expect interactive Aboriginal dance performances, weaving workshops, native flora crown-making workshops, and storytelling sessions in this special event on Sunday, May 11, from 9.30am to 12pm. Get more information here.
18. Dine in style at Manly Pavilion
Book a breezy three-course luncheon on May 11 from 12.30pm to 3.30pm and celebrate the day with a glass or bottle of Chandon Blanc de Blancs or a refreshing garden spritz at Manly Pavilion flanked by gorgeous water views of Manly Cove and Sydney Harbour. There will also be a photographer at the venue so you can take a complimentary photo to take home. Find more information here.
19. Celebrate Mother’s Day at The Butler
Dig into a curated lunch or an a la carte feast on Sunday, May 11 at The Butler in Potts Point. The special $85pp banquet menu features a stacked list of dishes including scallop crudo, pan roasted Humpty Doo barramundi and coal grilled achiote spatchcock and more. The a la carte menu will be available to order for lunch and dinner. Book here.
20. Enjoy a special Mother’s Day seafood buffet
PARKROYAL Parramatta is hosting a special Mother’s Day Seafood Buffet Lunch on Sunday, May 11 from 12.30pm to 3pm. Indulge in a delicious spread featuring fresh prawns, Sydney rock oysters on ice, grilled octopus, vibrant calamari salads with chili and lime, and marinated New Zealand green-lip mussels. Reserve your table here.
21. Plan a road trip to a small town near Sydney
If you and your mum love a bit of adventure, we have a list of beautiful country towns just two hours away from Sydney. From the historical village of Berrima to the quaint town of Leura in the Blue Mountains, Sydneysiders are spoilt for choice. With plenty of options to eat and drink, markets, and wineries to explore, this is the perfect gift for the mum who loves a bit of spontaneous fun.
22. Have an indulgent high tea at G&Tea
Did you know The Star Sydney has a hidden tea room called G&Tea? With a lovely high tea offering both sweet and savoury options and lush botanical interiors to boot, this is the ideal way to spend quality time together. G&Tea’s extensive menu also offers some fine gin cocktails. Find more info here.
23. Pack a picnic to this lovely autumn garden
The leaves are turning in Nooroo Garden, and it looks absolutely delightful. The picturesque Mount Wilson spot is perfect if you’re looking to get out of the city and spend a day in nature. Mother’s Day is also the perfect time to visit, as you can expect the trees to be bursting with colour. Find all the information, including opening hours here.
24. Plan an autumn road trip
A spontaneous road trip is the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day because time spent together is the best gift of all. There are plenty of options around town, especially in autumn — from the Blue Mountains to charming small towns in the Snowy Valleys — hit the road and take your pick with our autumn road trips guide.