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 2024? 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 night markets is listed here, so go out and grab summer by the horns!
1. Dive into Sydney Festival’s eclectic programme of events (Jan 5-28)
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. Highlights in 2024 include sunset yoga, an opera performed aboard a historic lightship, and a giant multicoloured art installation dubbed Hi-Vis. Get inspired here!
2. Catch Australia’s huge touring Banksy art exhibition arriving in Sydney
After successful runs in Brisbane and Adelaide, the Art of Banksy: “Without Limits” arrives in Sydney for the first time in January 2024. A museum-quality exhibition that boasts over 160 Banksy artworks, as well as multiple themed installations, it’s a captivating look at the career of one of the world’s most elusive artists. You can find it at Sydney Town Hall from January 24, and tickets are available here.
3. Hang with Ratty and Mr Toad at the Royal Botanic Garden (Jan 5-28)
20 years of The Wind in the Willows hasn’t dimmed the appeal of this enchanting outdoor show, back for another season in January 2024. The family-friendly production takes place on the riverbanks of the RBG, and the interactive elements of the show will delight little ones and adults alike.
4. Head to the first Inner West Night Market of the year (Jan 5)
Returning to town on the first Friday of every month, the inaugural Inner West Night Market of 2024 is taking place on January 5, in Marrickville’s Fraser Park. Entry is free and pets are welcome if they’re on leashes, making it a fab Friday out for humans and doggos alike.
5. See Gremlins in the graveyard at this spooky film screening (Jan 6)
Halloween isn’t the end of spooky szn, especially when there are Gremlins on the loose at Camperdown Cemetery in Newtown. Haus of Horror bring you this unsettling yet unforgettable film night, and our advice remains simple: don’t get them wet, don’t expose them to sunlight, and don’t feed them after midnight. More here.
6. Gasp at a giant floating octopus taking over Barangaroo
Not a horror film premise, but a fascinating window in Māori mythology. Te Wheke-a-Muturangi is the name of the fascinating sculpture created by Māori artist Lisa Reihana, and you’ll be able to see it emerging from the waters around Barangaroo as part of Sydney Festival. Get the details here!
7. 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.
8-9. 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 pair of enchanting concerts we think you’ll love:
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Joe Hisaishi (Jan 18)
🕯️Candlelight Jazz & Soul: Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin and More at SMC (Jan 20)
You can see all of Sydney’s Candlelight Concerts for 2024 here.
10. Catch screenings on the water with the return of Westpac Open Air cinema (from Jan 10)
That iconic screen is rising from the water once again come January, and the opening few weeks bring an incredible helping of movie magic; Past Lives, Pretty Woman, Poor Things, and Priscilla are amongst the films screening in January. And that’s just the P’s! Here’s your full guide to Westpac Open Air Cinema.
11. See the splendour of Ancient Egypt at Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs
This incredible interactive display is an Australian-first exhibition featuring objects and treasures from museums and historical sites across Egypt, now at the Australian Museum until May 2024. It’s one of the absolute jewels of Sydney’s cultural calendar this year, featuring 181 priceless artefacts and ornate golden treasures, making it a pretty unmissable event for even casual museum-goers. Find out more here.
12. Watch your favourite movies under the stars (Jan 10-31)
The Rocks’ super charming outdoor cinema needs no introduction. The free for all cinema hosts weekly movie nights at the beautiful cobblestone laneway of Atherden Street. This January they’re screening Little Miss Sunshine, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and more fan favourites every Wednesday from January 10, with films starting at 7.30pm.
13. Enjoy the Sunset Sessions at Cockatoo Island (Jan 13, 20, 27)
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. Music comes from the likes of Sunny Reyne, Ruby Jackson, Anieszka, and Leah Senior in the January lineup, and you can bet it’ll be a suitably suave night out.
14. Catch the end of Salote Tawale’s Carriageworks exhibition
Departing Carriageworks on January 28, this month is your final chance to see the powerful exploration of memory from Australian–Fijian artist Salote Tawale. I remember you takes the form of a fourteen-metre-long raft, painting, sculptures, and even karaoke, all in the attempt to interrogate the subjectivity of experience and memory.
15. Get your cinema fix quick at Flickerfest (Jan 19-28)
Like your cinema short and snappy? Flickerfest is the place for you! Returning to Bondi Beach for its 33rd 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.
16. Plot the ultimate date night at Sydney Symphony Under the Stars (Jan 20)
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. Featuring the incredible sitar skills of Anoushka Shankar and the didgeridoo tunes of William Barton (with support from Aunty Delmae Barton and Véronique Serret), the show promises a pretty unforgettable night of music. Find it in Parramatta Park on January 20, and don’t forget to pack a picnic!
17. Have a Parisian-inspired picnic with So Frenchy, So Chic (Jan 20)
The city’s most beloved French music festival is returning this summer. So Frenchy, So Chic marks its 13th year in Sydney and Melbourne with a huge celebration of all things French. Expect food, fine wine, music and more when the party arrives in Sydney’s Centennial Park later this month.
18. Observe Australia Day (Jan 26)
You may choose to spend the day with your close friends, you may choose to attend a vigil or protest; however you spend this Australia Day, make it count. Our suggestion? Head to Powerhouse Ultimo for Blak Powerhouse, a one-day event hosted by We Are Warriors that aims “to turn a day of sorrow into one of power and positivity” with music, dance, food, talks, and workshops. Check it out here.
19. Spoil yourself with a fancy glamping experience (until Jan 27)
Mayfield Garden is back with a cosy glamping experience to help you welcome 2024 in style. Recharge and relax in the glamping tents located by Mayfield’s Obelisk Pond, fitted with several luxury furnishings until January 27, 2024. It’s also quite the view to wake up to.
20. Keep the holiday spirit going with the Hunter Valley spectacular (until Jan 28)
If the post-Christmas psychosis is 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 January 28 complete with three million twinkling lights, rides and innumerable photo ops. Grab your tickets while you still can.
21. 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 The Parent Trap, Barbie, Napoleon, Saltburn, Sydney-set Anyone But You, and The Devil Wears Prada. Check out their website for more.
22. Take your shot at the Pixar Putt mini golf experience
The beloved mini-golf sensation, Pixar Putt, is coming back to Sydney for the summer holidays. This open-air experience at Pier Street Underpass is made up of interactive putt-putt holes, inspired by the stories and characters from some of Pixar’s most iconic films. Pixar Putt will take over Darling Harbour until February 4.
23. Be spellbound with 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 La Belle Rose—Sydney’s longest-running cabaret show. Grab your tickets before they sell out.
24. 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.
25. Be mesmerised by this intimate magic show
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.
26. Hop aboard a Veuve Clicquot harbour cruise
Picture this: Sydney Harbour shimmering under the summer sun, a flute of bubbly in hand, and beats by some of Sydney’s hottest DJs filling the air. Oh, and you’re on a luxury superyacht. That’s the scene awaiting you at Veuve Clicquot in the Sun onboard The Jackson. Your ticket to this luxe afternoon includes four hours aboard the three-level yacht as it cruises around the harbour, two flutes of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label NV, canapes, an oyster bar and gelato on the decks to finish. You can also purchase Veuve Clicquot by the glass, bottle or magnum, and there’ll be margaritas and espresso martinis on tap if you need a break from the bubbles. Head to the website to lock in your tickets.