Ahh January, a time of new beginnings and quickly-shattered resolutions. Spending less time on TikTok and taking up running? That’s all yours to work out. Planning the best things to do in Sydney in January 2025? Fear not, that’s why Secret Sydney is here. With summer in full swing, there’s plenty to do in Australia’s greatest city — and we’ve picked out a taste of the best events and happenings around town, just for you. Everything from outdoor film screenings to musical treats to newly-opened beaches is listed here, so go out and grab summer by the horns!
1. Dive into Sydney Festival’s eclectic programme of events
There’s only four whole days of January you’ll need to kill before Sydney Festival hits town once more, ready to cure any New Year blues. We’ll preview some of the juiciest events throughout our January guide, but you can see the full festival guide here!
2. Take an epic trip to Machu Picchu
The Australian Museum‘s gold-filled exhibition, ‘Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru‘, is one of the most spectacular museum exhibitions to hit Sydney in a while. Escape the summer heat this month and dive into an immersive journey that traces the history of glorious ancient empires through artefacts, VR, and more. You can book your tickets here.
3. Catch the premiere of a stunning Lord of the Rings musical
It’s a good time to be a Lord of the Rings fan, with a new animated film in cinemas and the arrival of an epic new stage production at The State Theatre. The critically-acclaimed production features a book and lyrics by Shaun McKenna (Maddie, La Cava) and Matthew Warchus (Groundhog Day), and music from Academy Award winner A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire), Tony Award winner Christopher Nightingale (Matilda the Musical), and the Finnish folk band Värttinä. It’s an incredible new spin on a beloved tale, and you can see it from January 7. See more here.
4. Challenge the epic Squid Game: The Experience at Luna Park
Squid Game: The Experience has landed in Sydney, and as you’ll most likely have binged season 2 by the time the new year rolls around, January is the ideal time to pit your wits against the fiendish challenges seen in the show. Reckon you can survive a heart-pounding game of Red Light Green Light? Grab tickets here and you can find out…
5. Uncover a thrilling mystery with A Model Murder
Scandal, murder, and mystery take the stage at this thrilling reenactment of a classic Sydney murder trial at Darlinghurst Courthouse, as this immersive play puts you in the heart of the story. It’s a particularly juicy event from the Sydney Festival lineup, and you can find out more here.
6. Witness the tale of Cinderella in an enchanting new way
Coming to Sydney after successful stints at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the Royal Opera House in London, this stunning interpretation of Cinderella is one of the summer’s biggest draws at the Sydney Opera House. Check it out here.
7. Enjoy the Sunset Sessions at Cockatoo Island
Cockatoo Island is slated for some major redevelopments in future, but one thing that you’ll be able to enjoy this month is the return of the popular Sunset Sessions. Taking place every Saturday from January 11, you can catch music from Father’s Favourite, Surely Shirley (both Jan 11), Sarah Sykes, Azure Ryder (both Jan 18), Dyagula, and Maanyung (both Jan 25). Here‘s how to book.
8. Experience the magic of a Candlelight Concert
Watch Sydney’s beautiful Candlelight Concerts and get lost in a number of familiar tunes this January, with a whole slate of enchanting concerts we think you’ll love:
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift (Jan 10 & 24)
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Fleetwood Mac (Jan 10)
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to A.R. Rahman (Jan 11)
🕯️Candlelight: Rings & Dragons (Jan 11)
🕯️Candlelight: Hans Zimmer’s Best Works & More (Jan 18)
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Joe Hisaishi (Jan 24)
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Metallica (Jan 25)
🕯️Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen (Jan 25)
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay (Jan 31)
You can see all of Sydney’s Candlelight Concerts for 2025 here.
9. 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 now at Olympic Park, and having experienced it for ourselves, we can highly recommend booking a visit! Tickets are on sale here.
10. Watch screenings on the water with the return of Westpac Open Air cinema
That iconic screen is rising from the water once again come January, and the opening few weeks bring an incredible helping of movie magic. Films are screening from January 9 right through to February 18, with Robbie Williams biopic Better Man, Timothee Chalamet’s turn as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, and We Live In Time (famed for that viral horse) all in the initial slate of screenings. Here’s your full guide to Westpac Open Air Cinema.
11. Step back in time at Dinos Alive
Transport yourself to the age of the dinosaurs, and see towering giants and ferocious predators at the immersive Dinos Alive experience. It’s an ideal day out for the school holidays, or for adults who just love dinosaurs! Tickets are available here.
12. Head to the newly reopened Shark Beach for a dip
Don’t let the name put you off: Shark Beach at Nielsen Park was one of the most popular spots for a dip in the Eastern Suburbs before a three-year long closure. Now open again just in time for summer, you’ll find serene, protected waters and plenty of spots to relax and catch some rays. Read all about it here.
13. Check out the Lune flagship store in Martin Place
We’ve been waiting a while for Lune‘s much anticipated touchdown in Sydney, and having visited — and spent an inordinate amount of money on pastries — we can tell you it’s well worth the hype. Brave the queue and get something yummy, New Year’s diets be damned!
14. Split your side laughing with movies under the stars
The Rocks‘ super charming outdoor cinema needs no introduction. The cinema hosts weekly movie nights at the beautiful cobblestone laneway of Atherden Street. This January, they’re going all in on the comedy, screening Hot Fuzz (Jan 15), Clueless (Jan 22), and Casper (Jan 29) whilst raising money for Support Act with donations in exchange for your ticket. Films start at 7.30pm, with tickets released on the Monday of the week before the screening, and you can book them here.
15. Take in a landmark Cao Fei exhibition at AGNSW
Sydney is pretty blessed with excellent art exhibitions right now, and one we’re most keen to see is Cao Fei: My City is Yours (欢迎登陆). Blending video installations, virtual reality, and a cityscape designed in concert with an architectural firm, it’s a hypnotic look at the future of urban landscapes. Here‘s what you need to know, and head along on Wednesday January 8 & 15 for hip-hop sets as part of Sydney Festival’s Art Up Late.
16. Stock up on fresh produce at a summer market
Every Sunday from 8am-2pm, growers and producers of Aussie fruit, veg, and more gather at the Manly Fresh Produce Market to sell their wares to Sydney’s ever-growing community of foodies. They’ll be taking the Christmas and New Year weekends off for a well-earned break, so January marks the grand return of this culinary heaven.
17. Get your cinema fix quick at Flickerfest
Like your cinema short and snappy? Flickerfest is the place for you! Returning to Bondi Beach between January 17-26 for its 34th edition, this excellent festival has been showcasing the best in short films ever since beginning in a high school way back in 1991. Today, it’s one of the world’s most important short film festivals, and and excellent way to spend your January evenings. See more here.
18. Plot the ultimate date night at Sydney Symphony Under the Stars
We’ve already touched on the mighty Sydney Festival, but free open-air concerts put together by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra deserve their own entry. Joseph Tawadros will perform original works on the oud, whilst the orchestra will play Tchaikovsky ahead of the fireworks finale. Find it in Parramatta Park on January 18, and don’t forget to pack a picnic!
19. Grab this cheap yet indulgent sandwich
Splash in Petersham have crafted one hell of a sandwich with just three humble ingredients: toasted white bread, butter, and crispy chips. Nothing fancy, but get your chops around this and you won’t be complaining – especially since it’ll cost you just $8.
20. Be flummoxed by an epic Penn & Teller show
Embarking on a globetrotting tour to celebrate 50 years of their famed magic double act, Penn & Teller will fill the Sydney Opera House for eight shows in January. Between January 11-18, you can be wowed by head-scratching tricks, as an iconic duo take over an iconic location. The final tickets are available here.
21. Attend an Australian-first exhibition of Julie Mehretu paintings
Part of the Sydney International Art Series, along with the aforementioned Cao Fei show and the Magritte celebration at AGNSW, you’ll find this show at the Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s Sydney’s first chance to see Julie Mehretu‘s powerful, message-filled paintings up close, so don’t miss your shot. The MCA will also partake in Art Up Late, with special events taking place on January 8, 15, and 22 – find out more here.
22. Experience a memorable night of music at Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden
Another Sydney Festival highlight, the likes of NoSax NoClar, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ VOX and Chamber Singers, William Barton and Véronique Serret are performing at Sydney’s most beautiful garden. The blend of music and views is sure to be intoxicating, and you can find out more here.
23. Keep the holiday spirit going with the Hunter Valley spectacular
If the post-Christmas blues are hitting you hard, you don’t have to let go of the holiday festivities just yet. The Hunter Valley Christmas Lights Spectacular will continue to delight visitors until Sunday, January 26 complete with three million twinkling lights, rides and innumerable photo ops. Grab your tickets while you still can.
24. Enjoy an alfresco movie night with Moonlight Cinema
Moonlight Cinema is one of the most exciting outdoor events of the year and it’s back in town for its summer season right now. Film lovers will find heaps of new releases and old classics in their January lineup. On the list this month are Moana 2, Gladiator 2, Wicked, The Princess Diaries, Shrek, Anora, and many more. Check out their website for more.
25. Dine at Surry Hills’ luxe new Greek restaurant
Olympus is a recent opening from the team behind The Apollo in Potts Point, and it’s one you’re likely to see on foodie Instagrams a lot in the coming weeks. Part of that is no doubt due to the huge bougainvillea tree that dominates the dining area, but the menu of considered Greek cooking – including mezes, pita pies, and a wide range of meat and seafood dishes – is a big draw. It aims to evoke the classic tavernas of Greece, and it’s well worth checking out if you can nab a reservation this month.
26. Have a cheeky night out with Magic Men Australia
Magic Men are Australia’s best male dancers and their shows serve up a heart-racing and sweat-inducing spectacle. From the performers in their eye-catching costumes to the waiters, who will be serving you a glass of sparkling on arrival, this is one live show that is not for the prudish. Grab your tickets here.
27. Escape the city to explore more of NSW
Summer road trips might be the perfect antidote to an overstimulating Christmas season, and we’ve covered a few in-state gems that you can explore across a long, lazy weekend away. Our most recent escape guides focus on historic Goulborn, tranquil coastal town South West Rocks, the magnificent Jervis Bay, and the azure waters of Nambucca Heads. Road trip, anyone?