There’s always something going on in the Harbour City even in the shortest month of the year. February 2026 is all about romance, art, outdoor movies, and festive celebrations. Highlights include the immersive Balloon Story experience, Cockatoo Island’s Sunset Sessions, open-air cinemas and plenty of outdoor adventures. This is also the final month of summer so we suggest heading out and taking advantage of the sunny weather while you still can. Here is everything you can eat, drink, and do in Sydney this month.
1. Celebrate the Lunar New Year
In celebration of the Year of the Horse, Sydney’s streets are about to host a variety of spectacular shows, delicious feasts, and traditional activities. The opening street party of the Sydney Lunar Festival will kick off on January 29 in Haymarket with lion dances, live performances, food, and more. Find out everything that’s happening here. Plus, Darling Harbour is hosting a huge extravaganza from February 17 – March 1. Enjoy dragon boat races, jet pack water shows, lion dancing, traditional tea ceremonies and a lot of delicious food. Get more info here.
2. Step inside a Balloon Wonderland in Sydney
Balloon Story has landed in Sydney, filling Fever Pavilion with a playful maze of more than 400,000 balloons. Expect colourful, larger-than-life installations made from natural latex, interactive moments for kids and grown-ups, and plenty of Instagram-worthy scenes. It’s bright, imaginative and tailor-made for a fun family outing.
3. Check out this new walking trail in Sydney
The GreenWay is a 6km shared walking and cycling trail that’s perfect for a summer wander. Expect river views, tunnels, leafy parklands and playgrounds, plus a handful of cafes along the route for a quick refuel. Read more about the trail here.
4. Book a Bridgerton-themed concert
Sydney’s popular Candlelight Concerts will host an exclusive Bridgerton-themed soiree that promise to transport you to the Regency era. Sydney Masonic Centre will be lit up with thousands of candles for this dreamy event. Visitors can expect classic tunes and modern pop numbers. Join the waitlist here.
5. Catch the thrilling cabaret, Late Night Vice
Late Night Vice is a no-phones, no-boundaries, after-hours playground designed for those who crave something a little more mysterious. In the heart of Surry Hills, you can expect to find a two-hour fever dream that’s an intimate collision of cabaret, live music and provocative storytelling. Expect intoxicating performances, jaw-dropping stunts and just the right amount of trouble. Get your tickets here.
6. Vibe to live music at Cockatoo Island
The dreamy Sunset Sessions are back at Cockatoo Island with intimate live gigs planned every Saturday until April 5. Along with outdoor music sessions, guests can enjoy gorgeous views of the harbour, food and refreshments, and accommodation services on-site. Read more here.
7. Explore an underground playground at the Art Gallery of NSW
Beneath the Art Gallery of NSW, artist Mike Hewson has transformed the Tank into a surreal, interactive playground. The Key’s Under the Mat blends art and play with climbable structures, splash zones and unexpected communal spaces, all free to explore. Read more about it here.
8. Shop at the Maroubra Beach Market
Maroubra Beach Markets is a monthly event at Broadarrow Reserve, held on the first Saturday of the month from 8am to 2pm. The market brings together food stalls, local makers and hot eats, with live music, entertainment and workshops running across the day. Find more information here.
9. Enjoy Sunset Sessions at Q Station
Head to the Glasshouse, Q Station Manly, and enjoy a laid-back summer afternoon with live music, refreshing drinks, tasty food, and beautiful sunset views over Sydney Harbour. February sessions are now available, book here.
10. See Pretty Woman live on stage
Pretty Woman: The Musical is now playing at Sydney’s Theatre Royal, bringing the iconic romance to the stage with original music by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance and starring Samantha Jade in her stage debut, for a slick, feel-good night out. Get your tickets here.
11. Experience the magic of a Candlelight Concert
Sydney’s beautiful Candlelight concerts are perfect for a dreamy Valentine’s Day evening. Revisit the music of Hans Zimmer, Joe Hisaishi, and more in a romantic candlelit setting.
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA
🕯️Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
🕯️Candlelight: Hans Zimmer’s Best Works
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to The Beatles
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Fleetwood Mac
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to The Beatles
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Fleetwood Mac
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Fred Again
🕯️Candlelight Jazz & Soul: Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin and More
12. Get comfy with the Mov’in outdoor bed cinema
It’s the season of outdoor movies and one to have on your radar takes place on a makeshift beach in Barangaroo featuring 280 tons of white sand and 120 queen-size beds. Guests can also enjoy the movie without any disruptions courtesy of noise-cancelling headphones with food and drinks served bedside. Get more info here.
13. Enjoy live music with Twilight at Taronga
A visit to Taronga Zoo is going to be even more memorable this February with performances by The Paper Kites and Emma Memma. You’ll also be able to catch Spiderbait and DMA’s before the month is out, with the promise of even more to come in March. Find more information here.
14. Catch screenings on the water with Westpac Open Air cinema
That iconic screen is rising from the water once again before it wraps up its 2025 season. The program includes the Oscar-nominated Hamnet, mega-hit Wicked: For Good, and classics like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Find the full program and ticket details here.
15. Join a VR adventure at the Horizon of Khufu exhibition
Ancient Egypt awaits at Horizon of Khufu, which blends cutting-edge reseach from Harvard Egyptologists with hi-tech VR to open a window into the past. It’s open at Olympic Park, and having experienced it for ourselves, we can highly recommend booking a visit!
16. Relish a bush tucker experience at the Royal Botanic Garden
For an experience that blends culture and food, make your way to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. You’ll join a First Nations guide for a walk through the gardens, sampling native ingredients along the way, before sitting down at Botanic House for a shared lunch inspired by Indigenous flavours and created by Luke Nguyen for just $105. Book a spot here.
17. Book a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner
Looking for a last-minute Valentine’s Day plan? Sydney is full of amazing romantic restaurants perfect for a memorable evening. From intimate fine dining venues to waterside spots and cozy hidden gems, make your celebrations extra special with our list of top spots to dine on Valentine’s Day.
18. Catch the Mardi Gras Parade
The Mardi Gras Parade returns on Saturday, February 28 taking over Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Moore Park Road in a powerful celebration. Expect a dazzling procession of up to 200 floats, more than 12,000 marchers and endless amount of fun. Find all the details here.
19. Culture up with Art After Hours at AGNSW
In case you didn’t know, the Art Gallery of New South Wales stays open late every Wednesday until 10pm. You can also get a free shuttle bus every 20 minutes from 7pm to 10pm from the art gallery to public transport at Town Hall, Wynyard and Martin Place. Check out what’s on at the AGNSW here.
20. Plan a movie night under the stars
Moonlight Cinema is one of the most exciting outdoor events of the year. Their February lineup is all about romance. Watch screenings of Jurassic Park, Mamma Mia, and The Notebook among others. Check out their website for more.
21. Head to the Chinatown Night Market
The Chinatown Night Market is back with food stalls and lanterns lined across Haymarket. Enjoy your favourite Asian street eats in the buzzy suburb of Haymarket this February.
22. Learn the art of making Turkish mosaic lamps
Want to stay in and beat the heat? Art Masterclass is conducting Turkish mosaic lamp workshops here in Sydney. Participants will receive all the necessary materials and instructions in the Turkish mosaic lamp workshops so all you need to do is show up and get crafty. Get your tickets here.
23. Watch a free movie at Laneway Cinema
It’s true, we love a free movie in Sydney. Even better if it’s out in the open. The Rocks’ Laneway Cinema is hosting a bunch of movies on Atherden St complete with cosy bean bags and comfy deck chairs. Find the full February program here.
24. Enjoy outdoor movie screenings at Sunset Cinema
The Sunset Cinema has returned with an excellent line-up of movies from fresh blockbusters to old classics and family favourites. And there are heaps of lovely titles for Valentine’s Day. Read more here
25. Go on a dreamy couple’s skywalk
Take your love to new heights at Sydney Tower Eye’s Skywalk sessions this Valentine’s Day. Taking lovebirds 268 metres above the city, the 45-minute tour features a bird’s eye view of Sydney’s icons including Sydney Harbour, Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Hyde Park.
26. Have a happy Galentine’s Day at Woollahra Hotel
Spending Valentine’s Day with your besties can be pretty special too. Settle in for a long, sunny terrace session and enjoy a mix of Pan-Asian plates and delicious dessert. There are drink packages available if you want to make an afternoon of it, or stay on into the evening as resident DJs take over. Book a spot here.