The festive season is finally here and Sydney is ready to put on a show with dazzling light displays, Christmas markets and holiday cheer. November in Sydney means street parties, art exhibitions, immersive dining experiences and the beginnings of Christmas festivities. Whether you’re a foodie, art lover or music buff, this is the perfect month to be out and about in Sydney. Get in the spirit of the season with all the brilliant events and experiences the city has to offer. Here are some of the best things happening in Sydney this month.
1. Shop from the Martin Place Christmas Markets
The festive season is kicking off in style with the return of the popular Martin Place Christmas Markets. Shop for Christmas goods, toys, accessories, clothes and feast on festive treats this November and December. The markets will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 24-26 then every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until December 23 from 11am to 8pm. Get more info here.
2. Attend a blockbuster Egyptian exhibition
The giant Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition is coming to Sydney with 181 priceless artefacts from ancient Egypt. It has also been confirmed that the coffin of one of the most powerful Egyptian Pharaohs, Ramses the Great, will be travelling to Sydney in a rare loan to the city. See it at the Australian Museum in Sydney from November 18 to May 19, 2024. Get more details here.
3. Watch a movie under the stars in Bondi
Sunset Cinema is launching in Bondi this November with six weeks of movies, food and fun lined up. The program includes new blockbusters like Barbie and The program includes new blockbusters like Barbie along with Christmas classics for the holiday season. Get your tickets.
4. Feel enchanted by the Beauty and the Beast musical
Disney’s Beauty And The Beast Musical is currently delighting both young and old musical lovers at the Capitol Theatre. Expect stunning new sets, costume designs and state-of-the-art technology breathing new life into the classic tale. The musical features a stellar all-Australian cast and tickets are now on sale. Grab them here.
5. Enjoy the last of Sculpture by the Sea
Sydney’s iconic Sculpture by the Sea exhibition wraps up its 2023 edition on November 6. There are over 100 impressive artworks to discover along the 2km Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk. Don’t miss out. Get more details about Sculpture by the Sea.
6. Check out this Christmas Lights Spectacular
Drive out of town for an amazing Christmas light display in the Hunter Valley Gardens. Over 4 million lights will be on display throughout the festive season from November 3 to January 28, 024. Get your tickets.
7. See Wicked at the Sydney Lyric Theatre
Wicked the Musical has returned to Sydney for its 20th anniversary. One of Broadway’s biggest blockbusters has taken over the Emerald City in style and tickets are available throughout November. Get your tickets.
8. Have a fun day out at Sparkling Sydney
Sparkling Sydney is returning on Sunday, November 26 for a day of food, live music, wine and good times. The event will take place at Pirrama Park with gorgeous harbour views to boot and entry is completely free. Read all about it.
9. Fill your bags at this beachside Christmas market
The Cronulla Christmas markets will be back on November 18 and 19 with a variety of Christmas goods, gifts and homewares, fashion and more along with a hot food experience right outside the beach. Get more information here.
10. Don’t miss this mega Kandinsky Exhibition
Art lovers can look forward to a huge exhibition with the works of celebrated artist Wassily Kandinsky being showcased at the Art Gallery of NSW from November 4, 2023 to March 10, 2024. Get the details here.
11. Be dazzled by a Candlelight Concert
Attend one of Sydney’s beautiful Candlelight concerts and get lost in a number of familiar tunes this November. Tickets are available to tribute shows to Taylor Swift, Joe Hisaishi, Queen and more.
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift at the SMC
🕯️Candlelight: Hans Zimmer’s Best Works & More
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Joe Hisaishi
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to David Bowie
🕯️Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons St. Stephen’s Uniting Church
🕯️Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen at The SMC
🕯️Candlelight: Magical Movie Soundtracks at The SMC
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Timeless Composers
12. See the dazzling Tina Turner Musical
The brilliant Tina Turner musical is continuing to dazzle theatregoers in Sydney. The musical premiered in London in 2018 to widespread critical and commercial acclaim; it tells the story of the singer’s humble beginnings in Tennessee to her meteoric rise to global fame and a comeback story like no other. Grab your tickets here.
13. Enjoy live music in a heritage-listed building
Live at the Great is bringing the music of renowned pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk to The Great Synagogue this November. Enjoy an evening of classical music at one of Sydney’s most beautiful buildings. Get your tickets.
14. Amplify your taste buds with Dining in the Dark
Have you ever had dinner blindfolded? At the unique Dining in the Dark experience, you can look forward to a delicious 3-course menu at Italian restaurant Capriccio Osteria, in complete darkness. Get tickets here.
15. Enjoy a night out with Blanc de Blanc Encore
Blanc de Blanc features acrobats, cabaret and heaps of cheeky fun. The adults-only experience will transport you to 1920s Paris with an indulgent dose of acrobatic artistry and risqué revelry. It’s playing until December 17, grab your tickets here.
16. Grab Breakfast with the Koalas
Enjoy breakfast surrounded by cute koalas and other Aussie animals at Wild Life Sydney Zoo this November. This special experience also includes a guided tour of the zoo and photo opportunities. Get your tickets.
17. Go on a wine safari at Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo’s Roar and Snore glamping experience is getting an upgrade for the silly season with gourmet food and wine, delicious canapes, local wildlife and stunning harbour views. Dates are only available for 2 days on November 29 and December 13. Get more info here.
18. Go hunting for ghosts at the Royal Botanic Garden
Have you ever been to the Royal Botanic Garden after hours? Now’s your chance. At their Ghostly Garden tour, you’ll get the chance to discover grottos and corners of the garden ponds and hear creepy stories from the past. Grab your tickets here.
19. Catch a free movie at The Rocks’ outdoor cinema
The Rocks’ Laneway Cinema has returned for its spring-summer season with a host of exciting, and free, movie screenings for all. Expect bean bags, deck chairs and titles like School of Rock and Mamma Mia this November. Read all about it here.
20. Shop at the Blak Markets
Blak Markets, the indigenous arts market is back on November 11 and 12 with 20 stalls featuring the works of First Nations makers, artists, and small businesses. Shop for traditional tools, gifts, home decor and more in Tallawoladah Lawn at The Rocks.
21. Watch 20,000 plants on display at the Royal Botanic Garden
The Royal Botanic Garden is hosting a massive exhibition called ‘Love Your Nature’ with over 20,000 plants on display and the Southern Hemisphere’s largest living green wall. Catch it at The Calyx from 10am to 4pm every day. Get more info here.
22. Enjoy dinner and a show at The Magician’s Cabaret
The Magician’s Cabaret is super popular for its extravagant shows and excellent dinners. There’s no other show in Sydney quite like The Underground Burlesque Experience or La Belle Rose—Sydney’s longest-running cabaret show.
23. Get free dance lessons at Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is hosting free dance sessions every second Friday. Watch dancers battling it out, impromptu dance sessions and DJs mixing tunes until November 25. More info here.
24. Discover a white sand beach near Sydney
Looking to beat the heat and escape the city for a bit? There are a number of untouched white sand beaches a short drive from Sydney that are perfect to cool off on a hot summer’s day. From Hyams to Chinamans Beach, take your pick here.
25. Explore the Blue Mountains with an astrophysicist
Walking through the Blue Mountains never gets old. On this guided tour, you’ll be accompanied by an astrophysicist who will answer all your questions. Get all the details plus tickets here.
26. Take part in a traditional tea ceremony
Drink a variety of exotic teas and learn all about them at this intricate and tailored tea ceremony by Altitude Teas which includes a traditional tea ceremony, over 30 varieties of teas to sample and a sound bath meditation. Get your tickets.
27. Go hunting for Jacaranda
Jacaranda season is here and there’s only a short window of opportunity this November to enjoy the lilac blooms. Check them out at some of our favourite locations around Sydney including:
💜 Kirribilli
💜 Lavendar Bay
💜 Royal Botanic Garden
💜 The University of Sydney
💜 Circular Quay
28. Head to the Chinatown Night Markets
Chinatown’s popular Friday Night Markets are one of the best spots to get your late-night shopping done with local designers and vendors setting up shop and a number of street foof stalls. They take place every Friday from 4pm to 11pm. Get more info here.
29. Take a family tour at the Sydney Observatory
Sydney Observatory is organising family tours throughout the month of November where kids and adults can learn more about archealogy and also explore the observatory building. Book your spots here.
30. Experience luxury and magic at this charming event
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.