The first month of autumn is here and it has a lot to offer. Swanky new restaurants, hidden gems and Sydney WorldPride events are just some of the many exciting happenings in the city this March. The fabulous line-up of events also includes musicals, art exhibitions and live music so there’s something for everyone. And while the weather is cooling down, there’s still plenty of sun and beach vibes to enjoy in the coming weeks. Here are some exciting things to do this March in Sydney.
SEE ALSO: 9 Picture-Perfect Towns Less Than 2 Hours From Sydney
1. Celebrate Equinox in the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are bringing in the autumn season with a giant festival of food, music, stargazing and so much more. Events and experiences include ghost tours, Lebanese feasts, fireside storytelling, masquerade balls and sunset music sessions. It’s the perfect excuse to drive out of the city to one of NSW’s most picturesque spots. There’s a host of free and ticketed events to choose from, head here for the full line-up.
2. Solve a murder at the Old Government House
Solving a murder mystery is always a fun time, especially with close friends and family. In this immersive murder mystery experience, the 19th-century Old Government House in Sydney is the scene of a chilling crime and you will need to don your detective’s hat to get to the bottom of the mystery. Grab your tickets for this thrilling experience here.
3. Have a blast at The Rocky Horror Show
The Rocky Horror Show is turning 50 in 2023 and to mark the occasion, it’s hitting the road for a worldwide tour. The Australian tour kicked off global celebrations at the Theatre Royal Sydney in February with more shows planned throughout March. Book your tickets here.
4. Dress up for Handa Opera’s Madama Butterfly
It’s that time of the year again. Handa Opera is back with a sparkling production and this time it’s one Sydney’s all too familiar with. Madama Butterfly 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, snag your tickets here before they sell out.
5. Thrill your senses with Teleport: enLIGHTenment
Teleport: enLIGHTenment is an interactive experience that combines elements of art, technology and storytelling. Enjoy captivating visual and audio effects, take memorable photographs against striking backdrops and see the many exciting installations on display.
6. Take part in a South Korea-themed trivia night
If South Korea has been living rent-free in your holiday fantasies for some time now, listen up. Activity and adventure discovery platform, Klook, is hosting a South Korea-themed trivia night at Honey Pocha on March 14 in partnership with Korea Tourism Organization Sydney. The unbelievable prize of two return flights to Seoul is enough to get anyone brushing up on their knowledge. But with 2 Korail passes and 2 tickets to Lotte World up for grabs for second and third place, the stakes are seriously high! And whether or not you’re triumphant, tickets include a delectable Korean meal before the trivia begins. So everyone’s a winner right? Book your spot now.
7. Spice things up at the Sydney Chilli Festival
Think you can handle spice? Put it to the test at the Sydney Chilli Festival in Parramatta’s Albion Hotel on March 4. The day is dedicated to all things hot and spicy with chilli cocktails, chilli chocolates and hundreds of chilli sauces on the menu along with a chilli challenge where you can go head-to-head with fellow chilli lovers. Check out their events page for more details.
8. Enjoy an outdoor movie sesh with Moonlight Cinema
Moonlight Cinema wraps up its 2023 season this March. But before it goes, there’s heaps of movies to enjoy at Centennial Park. Watch Mean Girls on March 7, learn the Way of Water on March 3 and plan a girl’s night out for The Devil Wears Prada on March 14. Other titles include Top Gun: Maverick, The Whale and Cocaine Bear. Grab your tickets via the Moonlight Cinema website.
9. Dig out your brightest outfit for Frocks on the Rocks
The Rocks is glamming up for WorldPride by bringing back Frocks on The Rocks for its boldest edition yet. First Fleet Park is where the action will go down complete with a glitzy fashion show, a glam station and market stalls to shop from. Find all the information here.
10. Get your fill of chicken at Belles Hot Chicken’s flagship restaurant
Sydneysiders are no strangers to Belles Hot Chicken. The Nashville-style chicken makers are now opening a flagship restaurant in the heart of the city with harbour views, permanent DJ decks and lots of fried chicken. The 130-seat restaurant in Circular Quay will open its doors on March 3.
11. Book a table at the world’s best restaurant
Former world’s best restaurant Mirazur is making its way to Sydney for a three-week residency with a new food and beverage menu. The culinary experience will take over The Gantry from March 10-31 with chef and owner, Mauro Colagreco at the helm. Book a spot here to avoid missing out.
12. Grab $10 tacos and margaritas at Mejico
Mejico is celebrating its 10th birthday in style. Expect 10 days of $10 Herradura Margaritas and Tacos until March 4 along with a selection of Mejico’s most popular dishes and drinks which will make a comeback exclusively for the event. It’s also hosting a huge birthday bash on March 4 with a live DJ, face painters and free tequila tastings. Grab your tickets here.
SEE ALSO: 20 Super Instagrammable Cafés You Need To Visit In Sydney
13. Take part in Sydney WorldPride festivities
Sydney WorldPride is far from over with many exciting events lined up in the coming days. Upcoming events include:
- Choir Boy, Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
- Queer Screen’s 30th Mardi Gras Film Festival
- Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Hayes Theatre
- OXTRAVAGANZA
- Pride Amplified
Find the full line-up of events here before WorldPride wraps up on March 5.
14. 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.
15. Get lost in music at Twilight at Taronga
A visit to Taronga Zoo is going to get even more memorable this March, with a number of 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.
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 10 and 24. 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.
18. Take a trip to the 90s with the Unpopular exhibition
‘Unpopular’ is the current cultural offering that has taken over Powerhouse and it’s a must-visit for music lovers. The exhibition spotlights the never-before-seen archive of music mogul Stephen Pavlovic with behind-the-scenes footage of brands like Nirvana and Beastie Boys. It’s on until June 4, 2023.
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 Legally Blonde, Clueless, Thelma and Louise and more fan favourites every Wednesday at 7.30pm.
20. Head to Sydney Observatory for stargazing, bites and booze
Powerhouse has announced a new monthly program presented right under the stars. Get fresh perspectives from leading astronomers while enjoying music, food and drinks from leading NSW producers. This month, observe Earth Hour on March 25 at the Sydney Observatory.
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 The Underground Burlesque Experience or La Belle Rose—Sydney’s longest-running cabaret show. Grab your tickets before they sell out.
22. Grab a cocktail at this new Mexican-inspired bar
The Maybe Sammy crew has opened a vibrant new bar in Paddington and it’s bringing the colour and flavour of Mexican bars to town. Dubbed El Primo Sanchez, expect disco vibes, a mini two-person karaoke booth and even a “Press for Tequila” button at this groovy new spot.
SEE ALSO: 12 Delightful Places To Have High Tea In Sydney
23-27 Experience the magic of a Candlelight Concert
Watch Sydney’s beautiful Candlelight concerts and get lost in a number of familiar tunes this March. Grab tickets to tribute shows to Hans Zimmer, Amy Winehouse and more.
🕯️Candlelight Orchestra: Best of Joe Hisaishi
🕯️Candlelight: Hans Zimmer’s Best Works at SMC
🕯️Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at The Grand Lodge, SMC
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Amy Winehouse at The Hayden Orpheum
🕯️Candlelight Central Coast: A Tribute to Queen
Find more dazzling Candlelight Concerts here.
28. Fill your bags at this twilight gourmet market
Eat Drink Nights is a twilight gourmet market held at Wentworth Point with food, drinks and lots of entertainment under one roof. The market will set up shop on March 3 and 31 this month. Learn more here.
29. Watch the Backstreet Boys live
The Backstreet Boys are coming back to Australia for the first time since 2015 for a larger-than-life tour you won’t want to miss. They will play in Sydney on March 5 at the Qudos Bank Arena and you can expect nostalgic hits like ‘Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) and ‘As Long As You Love Me’ on the setlist. Tickets are still on sale and you can grab yours here.
30. See life-sized sharks up close
For some family fun, head down to the Australian Museum and see life-sized shark models, attend an after-dark talk and tour series and take part in clay sculpting workshops and photography workshops. The season has been extended due to popular demand and you can grab some tickets here.
31. 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 and witness the beauty of the world heritage site after dark. Get all the details plus tickets 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.