19 Totally Awesome Things To Do In Sydney This Weekend
Check out our top picks of things to do over the weekend, from new dining spots, immersive exhibitions and more.
Ria Lawrence - Staff Writer
December is here and there’s heaps on around town to welcome the most wonderful time of the year in style. Highlights for this sunny weekend include the opening of a new art gallery, immersive exhibitions and light shows. If you’re looking to get out and about and make the most of this weekend, check out our comprehensive guide and get cracking.
1. Check out Sydney’s new modern art gallery
Sydney Modern by the Art Gallery of New South Wales is primed to be the city’s most significant cultural development in the last 50 years. It officially opens to the public this weekend. Find ‘art terraces’ and courtyards, a decommissioned Second World War naval fuel bunker, a gallery of time-based art and heaps more.
2. Grab something fun at The Other Art Fair
The Other Art Fair is back, once again with a stellar line-up of artworks, interactive exhibitions, DJ sets, food and drink trucks and late-night art sessions for art aficionados. This year, over 100 artists will be exhibiting their works along with tattoo sessions and fully-stocked bars.
3. Enjoy dinner and a show at a Broadway-themed diner
The team behind Karen’s Diner is bringing a new concept to town. This time without rude waiters and a lot of singing and dancing. At the Broadway Diner, you can expect singing waitstaff, burgers, shakes and lots of Instagrammable spaces.
4. Shop from these excellent Christmas markets
Get all your Christmas shopping done under one roof at these Christmas markets in Sydney. Whether you’re on the hunt for holiday decorations, festive treats, special crafts or customised gifts, you’re bound to find them in one of these excellent spots.
5. Visit The Rocks’ glittery Christmas village
The Rocks has received a major glow-up for Christmas with a miniature Christmas village, sparkling trees, snow globes, markets and more. There’s also a Christmas market to shop from, Santa photos every Saturday and 12 Feasts of Christmas to enjoy.
6. Wander through this multisensory Gucci exhibition
The Gucci Garden Archetypes exhibition has finally made its Australian premiere at Powerhouse. Filled with colourful themed spaces and intricate world-building of Gucci campaigns, it’s a must-see.
7. Dine at this new Italian cafe
La Bottega is a sunny new cafe with outdoor seating, classic Italian food and an easy, casual atmosphere perfect for the summer. With warmer days upon us, this breezy new spot is the ideal place for a lazy weekend brunch.
8. Explore the new Carla Zampatti exhibition
One of Australian fashion’s most coveted names is being honoured with a retrospective exhibition at the Powerhouse. The Carla Zampatti retrospective exhibition spans over five decades and features some of Zampatti’s signature designs.
9. Enjoy an evening of champagne and magic
A Magical Soirée, by Bruce Glen combines fantastic stories with fascinating magic tricks to leave audiences in awe and wonder inside a heritage building. Grab your tickets here.
10. Get teary-eyed with Come From Away
Tony and Olivier award-winning musical, Come From Away is currently playing in Sydney. This production follows the real-life journey of 7,000 air passengers, who were grounded in Canada after the tragic events of September 11.
11. Twirl around with Cinderella
The long-awaited Tony Award-winning Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is currently on at the Sydney Lyric Theatre and is an absolute delight for the old and young alike. See it before it leaves and grab your tickets here.
12. See this informative shark exhibition
Sharks is a new exhibition at the Australian Museum with eleven life-size shark models on display. Plus there will be free talks and photography workshops at the exhibition too.
13. Watch this thrilling production of The Tempest
A crew of sailors are shipwrecked due to a dreadful storm. Washing ashore, they find themselves on an island ruled by the powerful sorcerer Prospero, portrayed by Richard Roxburgh. The enigmatic story of shipwreck, magic, revenge and betrayal is largely considered one of of Shakespeare’s best works.
14. Shop at the Martin Place Christmas Market
This much-awaited Christmas market comes to town this weekend and it’s packed to the rafters with holiday goodness, food and festive decorations. Taking over Martin Place this month, the Christmas market is bringing yummy treats, homewares, festive products and lots of holiday cheer to the heart of the CBD. It’s on this Saturday, December 3 from 11am-8pm.
15. Chow down on these festive dumplings
Din Tai Fung has brought another colourful creation to town, this time in the form of festive mochi xiao long bao’s. Expect chocolate truffle enveloped in a thin layer of mochi, wrapped within their signature dumpling pastry.
16. Glitter up for Moulin Rouge! The Musical
If you’re planning to watch Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis this weekend, don’t forget to watch the transformation of his original Moulin Rouge film on stage. The Musical is currently playing at the Capitol Theatre in the city and it’s all about the drama you can handle in one evening.
17. Go stargazing with an astrophysicist as your guide
If you enjoy learning about the night sky, the stars and everything in between you’ll want to check out this event in the Blue Mountains. With an astrophysicist guiding you, get answers to some of your most sought-after questions on this dreamy guided tour. Grab your tickets here.
18. Explore this vibrant new exhibition at the MCA
Korean sculptor and installation artist Do Ho Suh is currently showcasing his large-scale sculptures and architectural installations in Sydney. See a number of striking art pieces that you can walk through, around and within at this unique exhibition.
19. Watch a movie under the stars with Moonlight Cinema
Moonlight Cinema is back for another round of alfresco movies this summer. This weekend watch Top Gun: Maverick and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 at Centennial Park. Grab your tickets via the Moonlight Cinema website.