The flowers are blooming, the days are longer and it’s finally time to shed those winter coats and emerge from hibernation. The city comes to life in September with markets, theatre shows, outdoor events, gorgeous coastal walks, and great weather. It really is one of the best months to be out and about in Sydney. Highlights include the return of Tulip Time, the Horizon of Khufu experience, and Cabramatta’s Moon Festival. We’ve zeroed in on the best events you should add to your calendar to make the most of your time in Sydney. Here are some exciting things to do this September in Sydney.
1. Take a trip to ancient Egypt with Horizon of Khufu
A brand new VR experience is coming to Sydney this September and it promises to transport visitors to Ancient Egypt. Thanks to cutting-edge technology, you can step back in time and relive the reign of King Khufu, see giant pyramids up close, and learn more about the golden age of Egypt. The interactive experience kicks off in September. Get your tickets.
2. Shop at Carriageworks’ spring market
The annual Carriageworks Spring Seasonal market is returning in September for one day only with fresh produce, cheese, cooking demonstrations, and lots of fresh-cut flowers. Entry to the market is free and guests can also take part in live talks, workshops and more. Find more info here.
3. Check out Sydney Fringe
400 dazzling acts will take over four precincts in the city when Sydney Fringe returns from September 1 to 30. Expect a stacked list of performances across theatre, music, talks, and much more at this diverse and inclusive event. Find more information and get your tickets here.
4. Check out this dreamy Lavender Lane
The Grounds of Alexandria is back with its brand new installation and it’s a purple paradise. Dubbed Lavender Lane, the super Instgrammable display features a laneway decked out with pink and purple flowers, themed food, and drinks in the colour purple, and even a mirrored tunnel. Read all about it here.
5. Head to the vibrant Cabramatta Moon Festival
The beloved Cabramatta Moon Festival will return for its 2024 edition this September with a day of celebrations on the cards. Taking place on September 17, visitors can expect lion dancing, fireworks, food and entertainment along with the popular lantern parade at Cabramatta Town Centre.
Read all about the Cabramatta Moon Festival.
6. See over 80,000 tulips bloom at Tulip Time
Bowral’s popular annual festival, Tulip Time, is back for spring with thousands of vibrant tulips, after-dark activities, garden parties, and wholesome fun for all. Set to take place from September 12 to 30, the vibrant event will transform Corbett Gardens in the Southern Highlands into a floral paradise. Read all about it here.
7. Have a fun time at Lite Brite
Lite-Brite: Worlds of Wonder is an immersive new event that has taken over Luna Park with a limited number of tickets available for September. Travel through three dreamy worlds filled with thousands of colourful lights at this immersive event. Get your tickets before they sell out.
8. See this giant paper daisy display near Sydney
Mount Annan’s Instagram-famous paper daisy display is back. The largest paper daisy display in Eastern Australia, visitors can enjoy pink, white, and yellow paper daisies at the open-air Connection Gardens throughout the month of September. The gardens are a short and easy hour-long drive from Sydney and entry is completely free. Read more about this photogenic display here.
9. Discover the Back to Black exhibition
Black is back like it never went away. The one colour that effortlessly oozes style and drama is getting its moment of fame at Old Government House’s new major exhibition Back to Black. Tracing the different meanings and cultural significance of the colour black across a century, the exhibition runs until November 10. Find opening hours and book your tickets here.
10. Grab a drink at Opera Bar’s all-day rosé event
Soak up the sun at Opera Bar’s Rosé All Day party from September 6-15. There’s a fabulous pink-themed menu, heaps of rosé drinks to choose from, and harbour views for days. There’s also roving entertainment and live music. Head here for all the details.
11. Get your tickets for Carousel
Celebrated Australian performers Anna O’Byrne and Marina Prior are set to take to the stage for a stunning concert production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. The concert will take over the State Theatre this September. Find more information here.
12. Book a spot at the Catflix Cat Cinema
Catmosphere, the resident cafe for all things cat is now hosting a cinema dedicated entirely to feline lovers. The cat cinema will host screenings of classics like The Devil Wears Prada, Space Jam, and How to Train Your Dragon throughout September in their cat lounge and guests can enjoy the movies while cuddling with adorable rescue cats. Make a booking here.
13. 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 September. Tickets are available to tribute shows to Pink Floyd, Coldplay, Joe Hisaishi and more.
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Queen
🕯️Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons St. Stephen’s Uniting Church
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Ludovico Einaudi
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Joe Hisaishi
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Timeless Composers
🕯️Candlelight: Hans Zimmer’s Best Works & More
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Jay Chou
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Video Games
🕯️Candlelight: 80’s Rock Anthems
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Bollywood & Tollywood
🕯️Candlelight: Rings & Dragons
14. See cherry blossoms in and around Sydney
The best part about spring is all the colourful flowers around town. If you’re keen to get your fix of cherry blossoms, there are a few spots in and around Sydney that should be top of your list. Find them here.
15. Experience Dining in the Dark
Ever wondered what it’s like to dine in complete darkness? If science is to be believed, it can elevate your dining experience to a whole other level of deliciousness. A sensational new experience called Dining in the Dark is putting this to the test with a blindfold and a surprise menu for guests.
Make your reservation for Dining in the Dark here.
16. Get saxy at the Manly Jazz Festival
Australia’s longest-running jazz festival — Manly Jazz, is set to take over Manly’s streets, laneways, and pubs for three days from September 20-22. The event will feature 70 stellar acts including Hot Potato Band, Soul Roots Revival Band, and more. Find more information here.
17. Enjoy the starlit Night at the Barracks concerts
Night at the Barracks is returning for a series of concerts under the night sky featuring some incredible performers like Icehouse, The Presets, Pete Murray and more. Located in the historic Barracks at North Head Sanctuary, the event will take place from September 13 to October 6. Grab your tickets here.
18. Plan a date night at the Great Synagogue
Live at The Great music concerts promise an evening for the books under the star-studded ceiling of heritage-listed Great Synagogue and with some of Australia’s most talented artists performing. A stellar show is planned in September featuring music by Ravel, Brahms, Gershwin, Kats-Chernin, and Klezmer — grab your tickets.
19. Get your fill of Nihonshu at the Sake Festival
A festival dedicated to all things sake is coming to Sydney this September with more than 200 free sake to taste, Japanese food stalls, and free seminars and food pairing sessions. It’s in town for two days only on September 28 and 29. Get more information and ticket details here.
20. Catch Hamilton at the Sydney Lyric Theatre
Hamilton is playing Sydney for a strictly limited season this September so don’t throw away your shot if you’ve previously missed out on seeing the multi-award winning musical live. Hamilton will play at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in this one city-only run so don’t miss out. Get your tickets on the musical’s website.
21. Be spellbound at The Bamboozle Room
The Bamboozle Room is super popular for its extravagant shows and excellent dinners. At Talk and Tease, guests will be delighted with modern and traditional burlesque, cabaret, comedy, and a scrumptious two-course dinner. Grab your tickets before they sell out.
22. Shop at a harbourside spring market
The Watsons Bay Market is returning, this time for a spring edition with 150 excellent stalls to shop from. Mosey around and pick up a variety of steals across craft, jewellery, photography, toys, homewares, and more, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy stunning harbour views all around. It’s happening on September 15 from 10am to 4pm and you can find all the details here.
23. Go on a ghostly candlelit tour
Love getting spooked? The Old Government House in Parramatta is hosting ghostly night tours every month this year and it’s guaranteed to give you the creeps. This month the tour takes place on September 20 with snacks and hot drinks afterward. Read all about it here.
24. Head out of town for Sakura Matsuri
Did you know the southern hemisphere’s largest Japanese garden is right here in NSW? Nestled in the laidback town of Cowra, the sprawling space is a must-visit if you’re looking for a relaxing getaway. They’re even hosting a cherry blossom festival called Sakura Matsuri this September and it promises to be well worth the drive out of Sydney. Read all about it here.
25. 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.