Autumn is here and it has a lot to offer. Immersive experiences, markets and art shows are just some of the many exciting happenings in the city this March. Highlights include the 24th Biennale of Sydney, the return of West Side Story on Sydney Harbour and the popular foodie event Ramadan Nights Market. There’s still plenty of sun and beach vibes to enjoy in the coming weeks so get out there and make the most of it while it lasts. Here are some exciting things to do this March in Sydney.
1. Catch the sensational production of West Side Story
It’s that time of the year again. Handa Opera is back with a sparkling production and this time it’s one Sydney is all too familiar with. West Side Story will make a dazzling return to the iconic floating stage with Sydney’s skyline in the background, food and drink options on-site and rousing fireworks displays. Don’t miss out, book your tickets here before they sell out.
2. Explore the Art of Banksy
The popular Banksy exhibition is currently on display at Sydney Town Hall giving art lovers the unique opportunity to explore over 160 of the artists’ excellent works up close. The exhibition features pieces sourced from over 40 collectors worldwide. It won’t stick around for long so get your tickets before they sell out.
3. Eat your heart out at the Lakemba Night Markets
The Ramadan Nights Markets is returning from March 9 to April 8 with 65 stalls serving delicious food from Indonesia, Burma, India, Lebanon and more. The markets will be held from 6pm to 3am just a few minutes from Lakemba station. Find all the details here.
4. Head to the 24th Biennale of Sydney
Australia’s largest contemporary art event will return from March 9 to June 10 across a number of locations in Sydney. The theme of the Biennale of Sydney is Ten Thousand Suns and it will be completely free to explore. Get the details here.
5. Try Dining in the Dark
Looking for something unique to do this March? Try Dining in the Dark, the unique foodie experience where guests can enjoy a secret 3-course menu complete with dessert, blindfolded. Three menu options are available namely meat, seafood and vegetarian.
Book your tickets for Dining in the Dark at Capriccio Osteria or
Snag a table at Beast&Co.
6. March with pride at the Mardi Gras Parade
Hundreds and thousands of people will descend upon the streets on Saturday, March 2 at Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade for the 46th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. The marchers will walk from Hyde Park to Moore Park with Dykes on Bikes, the First Nations Community Float and the 78ers leading the way. Find more information here.
7. Get All Shook Up at Elvis: A Musical Revolution
Elvis: A Musical Revolution celebrates the extraordinary life of the King of Rock n Roll, Elvis Presley. Enjoy Presley’s celebrated musical repertoire with 40 iconic songs including Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel and more in this brand-new production. Tickets are on sale now, get them here.
8. Have a blast at The Rocky Horror Show
The Rocky Horror Show is returning to Australia for an encore tour this March. After a fantastic 50th-anniversary celebration just last year, the fabulous musical will be back at the Theatre Royal Sydney so get ready to do the time warp again. Book your tickets here
9. Catch Little Mermaid with a live orchestra
The Willoughby Symphony Orchestra is set to host another magical evening of live music this March and this one promises to be unforgettable for Disney fans. Watch The Little Mermaid with the band performing the soundtrack live at The Concourse Concert Hall on March 9 at 7pm and March 10 at 2pm. Get your tickets.
10. Experience the magic of a Candlelight Concert
Attend one of Sydney’s beautiful Candlelight concerts and get lost in a number of familiar tunes this March. Tickets are available to tribute shows to Hans Zimmer, Amy Winehouse and more.
🕯️Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons St. Stephen’s Uniting Church
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay at the SMC
🕯️Candlelight: Hans Zimmer’s Best Works at SMC
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Elton John at St. Stephen’s Uniting Church
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Whitney Houston
🕯️Candlelight Jazz & Soul: Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin and More at SMC
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Queen
11. Enjoy the final month of Moonlight Cinema
Moonlight Cinema wraps up its 2023 season this March. But before it goes, there are heaps of movies to enjoy at Centennial Park. Watch Killers of the Flower Moon, Anatomy of a Fall, Poor Things and Oppenheimer to celebrate awards season alongside a screening of the original Mean Girls. Grab your tickets via the Moonlight Cinema website.
11. Don’t miss out on The Lehman Trilogy
Five-time Tony Award Winning and the globally acclaimed production of The Lehman Trilogy is making its way to Sydney this March. The show follows the lives of three immigrant brothers, their investment firm and its eventual downfall. It will play in Sydney for a limited season at Theatre Royal Sydney until March 24. Get your tickets here.
12. Attend a live music session at Cockatoo Island
Sunset Sessions at Cockatoo Island is currently entertaining Sydneysiders with live music gigs by the harbour. Every Saturday, you can enjoy tailored music sessions by local artists against the Sydney harbour with food and beverage options available on-site. Find the full line-up for March here.
13. Go hunting for autumn colours
The season of autumn is approaching across the landscape of Sydney and NSW which means the streets will soon transform into a cacophony of colours. From the Blue Mountains to the Auburn Botanic Gardens, check out some of the best places to see autumn leaves around town here.
14. Get lost in music at Twilight at Taronga
A visit to Taronga Zoo is going to get even more memorable this March, with many exciting musical acts lined up. You’ll be able to catch Daryl Braithwaite, Kate Miller-Heidke, and Kasey Chambers & Busby Marou before the month is out before it wraps up its 2023 season on March 11.
15. Get cultured at the Kandinsky exhibition
A number of world-renowned artists are currently presenting their works in the Harbour City. Among them is acclaimed Russian painter, Wassily Kandinsky best known for his vibrant, abstract artworks. See some of his most famous works at the Art Gallery of New South Wales until March 2024. Get your tickets.
16. Get spooked on a ghostly garden tour
If you’re a fan of the supernatural, you’ll want to keep the Royal Botanic Garden’s Ghostly Garden Tours on your radar. With exclusive after-hours access to the garden and creepy stories of yesteryears, this exclusive storytelling event is not for the faint of heart. They’ve opened up two sessions on March 8 and 22. Grab your tickets here before they sell out.
17. Feel the heat at Magic Men live
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. Get your tickets.
18. Book your tickets for the Mardi Gras Film Festival
Queer Screen 31st Mardi Gras Film Festival is bringing a series of movies to spotlight the LGBTQIA+ experience including comedies, documentaries, dramas and more. The event will take place from February 15 to 29. Get more information and tickets here.
19. Watch your favourite movies under the stars
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 March they’re screening Back to the Future, Groundhog, The Princess Bride and more fan favourites every Wednesday at 7pm.
20. Shop from this twilight gourmet market
Eat Drink Nights is a monthly event that takes place at Wentworth Point and features food and drink from around the world, live entertainment and more. It takes place on the first Friday of each month from 5pm to 9.30pm. Get more information here.
21. 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.
22. Step back in time with Gatsby at the Opera House
Gatsby at The Green Light is a cabaret variety show that has taken over the Sydney Opera House for the summer. Inspired by Fitzgerald’s classic, the show promises a memorable evening with burlesque, dance, and circus performances and a glittering bar stage. It’s on until March 24; book your tickets here.
23. Shop from the Sydney Vegan Market
The Sydney Vegan Market returns on Sunday, March 17 with over 100 stalls, entertainment, free yoga and strength classes, live music and an exclusive kids tent. Entry is free and the event will take place at The Entertainment Quarter from 9am to 4pm. Get more information here.
24. Get comfy with the Mov’in outdoor bed cinema
It’s the season of outdoor movies and a new one to keep on your radar is taking place on a makeshift beach in Barangaroo featuring 280 tons of white sand and 150 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.
25. Catch the AFL Opening Round
The Toyota AFL Premiership season will kick off with an “opening round” for the first time in AFL history. Four matches are set to take place across Queensland and New South Wales beginning on March 7 at the Sydney Olympic Park. Get the details here.
26. Enjoy free Latin dancing at Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is hosting a fun and free new dance program called Latin Nights by the Bay throughout March. The event is open to all ages and skill levels and will take place at Druitt Landing, Cockle Bay Wharf on March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Darling Harbour will also be hosting Sydney’s ultimate 1v1 open dance battles through March. Find more information here.
27. Attend this thought-provoking new exhibition
The White Rabbit Gallery is currently hosting A Blueprint for Ruins across the gallery’s four floors by Artist Hu Weiyi. The exhibition puts the spotlight on rapid urbanisation and the subsequent loss of humanity because of it. It’s free to visit and you can catch it until May 5. Read all about it here.
28. Go on one of NSW’s most scenic drives
Waterfall Way is a lovely NSW road trip that goes through picturesque towns, ancient rainforests and some seriously dreamy waterfalls. Plan a road trip while the weather is still warm and there’s a long weekend on the horizon.
29. Get tickets to the smash-hit & Juliet
& Juliet flips the script on the greatest love story ever told imagining what would’ve happened if Juliet got a second chance at life and love. If you missed this poptastic rendition of the classic, it’s currently playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre until June 2. Get your tickets here.
30. Head to Sydney Observatory for a late-night tour
Go on an intimate guided tour presented right under the stars at the Sydney Observatory. Learn more about the heritage site once you step inside the observatory’s domes, see sweeping views of Sydney’s skyline and view objects far and wide through a telescope. Book a tour here.
31. Check out this hidden observation deck in the CBD
Did you know there’s an observation deck about 249 metres above street level at Crown Sydney? You can catch a bird’s eye view of Sydney and all its world-famous attractions completely free of cost. Book a guided tour here.
32. Enjoy 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.