The best things to do in Sydney this weekend (October 24-25)

Experience 80+ food vendors, 200+ music acts and hundreds of artists across Parramatta. Parramatta Lanes returns 21–24 October 2026 in Parramatta CBD, Sydney, offering four nights of free food, music, large-scale art installations and performances across 21 locations with 500+ artists involved.

If you’re after a fascinating (and slightly confronting) exhibition to add to your weekend plans, BODY WORLDS: The Anatomy of Happiness is a travelling exhibition at The Rocks in Sydney that uses real human specimens preserved by plastination to explore how anatomy shapes thoughts, emotions and relationships. The show includes whole-body plastinates, organ displays and interactive exhibits that examine brain, heart, reproduction and the science behind happiness.

French electronic series Electro Merveilles comes to Manning Bar Open-Air at the University of Sydney on Sunday 25 October 2026, featuring Tchami, Tigerlily, Alex Hosking, Mowgli May and Fred B Side. The outdoor party runs from 3pm to 10pm with tickets from $69.

Hilary Duff brings her first global headline tour in nearly two decades to Sydney as part of the lucky me tour, performing at Qudos Bank Arena on October 24, 2026. The Australian run features support from La Roux; general tickets go on sale at 1pm on February 20, with multiple presales starting from February 17.

The Gymea Village Festival takes over Gymea Bay Road on Sunday, October 25, 2026, bringing 250+ market stalls, international street food, live music and free kids’ activities. Entry is free and the festival runs 9:00–16:00 with more than 50,000 visitors expected.

If you’re planning your next big night out beyond this weekend, PACA is bringing a new Pro‑Am production of Mamma Mia! to The Concourse in Chatswood, featuring ABBA hits, dazzling costumes and family-friendly fun. The season runs from 9–25 October 2026 and a waitlist is open for presale access.

Sydney-based Provider Store has teamed up with The Galeries for a limited-time fragrance pop-up featuring three bespoke candles inspired by retailers Incu, Books Kinokuniya and Salomon. Each hand-poured candle features a different scent, from the woody notes of cedar and sandalwood to Japanese hinoki and amber, housed in a reusable ceramic vessel. Visitors can explore and sample all three fragrances at the Japanese-inspired market stall on the ground floor, next to Incu. Those spending $300 across The Galeries in a single day can also take home a complimentary 295ml candle of their choice, with up to five receipts accepted. The pop-up runs until October 25.

The Norton Street Italian Festa returns to Leichhardt on Sunday 25 October 2026 for its 40th anniversary, featuring more than 100 food, drink and market stalls, expanded live music, family activities and a classic car display. The free outdoor festival runs 10:00–17:00 along Norton Street and at Pioneers Memorial Park.

The historic Alexandra Hotel in Leura has completed a $1 million makeover that restores its 26-metre heritage balcony, renews gardens and adds a new playground, while refreshing interiors and maintaining its Edwardian charm. The hotel now offers family-friendly grounds, a renovated Front Bar and Redfern Bistro, and sweeping Blue Mountains views from the restored balcony.

La Ronde—from the creators of Blanc de Blanc and LIMBO—delivers an intoxicating circus-music-comedy fusion at The Grand Electric, Surry Hills, now playing for the bold and curious.

Lose yourself in world-class aerialists, live bands, raw comedy and provocative headliners blending spectacle with seduction—a 90-minute (with interval) immersive journey featuring strobe lights, haze and mild nudity (15+ only).

Courtyard bar opens one hour early; tickets from $75 via Fever—check show times and surrender to the extraordinary.

Book here.

Cape Solander in Kamay Botany Bay National Park is one of Sydney’s best land-based whale-watching spots, where migrating humpbacks can pass within about 200 metres of the cliffs. The park is open daily (7am–7:30pm) and ranger-led ‘Whales and Wildflowers’ walks run on selected dates later this September and in October.

Ettalong Beach is a low‑key Central Coast village offering calm estuary paddling, a quirky Galleria with Cinema Paradiso, coastal walks in Bouddi National Park and an ambitious waterfront dining scene. It’s easily reached by a scenic 30‑minute vintage timber ferry from Palm Beach, making it an ideal M1‑free day trip or weekend escape.

Head inside the southeast pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, where this multi-level interactive museum explores the bridge’s construction, the 1,400 workers who built it and original artifacts — before finishing at an open-air Sky House observation deck reached by roughly 200 heritage steps.

Super Mercato, a Mediterranean-inspired superfood grocer, has opened inside the Cosmo Shopping Centre in Double Bay offering fresh produce, an Eat-Now deli, pantry goods, prepared meals and home delivery. Members can access exclusive pricing and delivery perks from $14 a month.

Ashe is an 80-seat Southeast Asian grill from Bentley Restaurant Group in Sydney CBD, led by executive chef Khanh Nguyen, serving bold Vietnamese, Thai and Malaysian flavours paired with premium Australian produce. The menu centres on a clay oven and grill and features share-style plates, wood-fired items and tropical desserts.

We can all agree, every night out would be improved by removing the part where you have to co-ordinate parking or public transport to get there and back.

And Candlelight has partnered with Uber to answer our prayers – Candlelight concertgoers now have the freedom to relax and do what they want with their journey, with discounted Uber rides to and from the concert. The fun starts when you step out your front door! Book your Candlelight concert and Uber ride today. You’ll receive an email with your discount code 24 hours before the concert!

Greenwich Baths reopens on Saturday 26 September, offering a shark-netted harbour pool with extended summer hours, a junior swim program and a poolside café. The historic Greenwich Point enclosure provides lap lanes, calm family areas and on-site amenities.

Central Tilba is a beautifully preserved 19th-century village on the NSW South Coast, with heritage timber buildings, artisan shops, cafes and nearby walks including the Bellbrook Farm Loop and the Gulaga Mountain Walk. It’s reachable from Sydney (about 354 km, ~4h43 drive) and buses take around eight hours with fares from about $45.

This 23km one-way track through Brisbane Water National Park runs from remote Wondabyne Station to Patonga Beach, best attempted as a two-day Grade 4 hike with rainforest, waterfalls, rocky ridgelines and coastal heath. Spring (September–November) is the recommended season for wildflowers, cooler temperatures and improved waterfall flows.

Western Sydney now has a dedicated Red Bull Gaming Hub for gamers, creators and students.

Game Square has opened the 550-square-metre Red Bull Gaming Hub inside the Octagon Building at 110 George Street, Parramatta, offering high-performance gaming PCs, premium console lounges, streaming studios and flexible event spaces for tournaments, workshops and community programs.

Read more here.

For an easy weekend culture hit, drop into the newly opened The Photographic Gallery on Foster Street, Surry Hills, which is dedicated to contemporary photography and programming for established and emerging artists.

Aenza, a 50-seat Japanese wine bar from Joy Liu, opened on 5th August 2026 at the Oxford & Foley development on Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. The venue features an open kitchen, a menu blending Japanese flavours with Australian ingredients, and a wine-forward drinks list with 120 bottles and 38+ by the glass.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition opens at Paddington Pavilion, Sydney Olympic Park, immersing fans in authentic props, costumes, and magical spaces like the Great Hall, Hagrid’s Hut, and Forbidden Forest.

Brew potions, pot a Mandrake, practice Quidditch skills, and capture iconic photo moments with original film artifacts from Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts — the 60–90-minute adventure awaits with tickets from $33 (VIP $58).

Book your visit here.

Book by November 30, 2026 and get up to $750 off your flight to Alice Springs!

Tourism Central Australia and NT Now launched the ‘Fly Free to Alice’ campaign offering up to $750 travel credit per person when you book a qualifying package before November 30, 2026. Eligible trips are for travel between August 1, 2026 and January 31, 2027, and packages start from AUD 1,049 per person (twin share).

If you’re looking for an educational Sydney experience with a pint in hand, Taps & Tales at Customs House Bar is an easy weekend pick. Set in the heart of Circular Quay, it brings the long history of Customs House Bar to life through curated beer tasting and storytelling.

Guests can trace the venue’s roots back to 1846, hear stories from Macquarie Place and the harbourfront, and enjoy a tasting of the signature CHB Lager alongside the bar’s preserved heritage features. It’s a relaxed way to drink in a slice of Sydney history while discovering one of the city’s most iconic hospitality venues.

The sessions run every Wednesday (11:15am) and Saturday (14:15pm).

Step aboard Sydney’s only submarine immersive escape experience and face a legendary Kraken in this steampunk underwater adventure. Running throughout July, this 60-minute escape room puts you inside a failing vessel as Captain Nemo’s mission spirals into chaos.

Work together to solve puzzles and repair malfunctioning machinery before time runs out. The tension builds as the creature closes in, turning every moment into a race for survival. Perfect for groups looking for a cinematic, high-intensity challenge.

Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. And as the music soars, Pride Rock emerges from the mist. Disney’s THE LION KING makes its triumphant return to Sydney, opening at the Capitol Theatre from April 18, 2026, for a strictly limited season.

Seen by over 120 million people worldwide, this Tony Award®-winning Best Musical dazzles with awe-inspiring visuals, unforgettable Elton John and Tim Rice songs, and groundbreaking puppetry that brings the Serengeti to life.

Directed by visionary Julie Taymor and choreographed by Garth Fagan, the production tells Simba’s timeless tale of hope, adventure and the circle of life—a spectacle that has captivated audiences for decades.

Curtains Jazz Club is turning Moore Park into a nightly jazz hub, with live sets seven nights a week from 5pm until late. The stage becomes a rotating showcase for Sydney’s finest players with seasoned locals, up‑and‑coming talent and genre‑bending new‑gen acts. They explore the full spectrum of jazz, from classic swing and bebop to spiritual modal runs, Latin spice, Brazilian sway and soul‑soaked funk.

Sets lean into improvisation while still tipping a hat to the greats, so even if you’re not a hardcore jazz head, the vibe is easy to lean into with a drink in hand. Best of all, there’s no cover or no dress code: just a proper, low‑barrier night out where the music does the talking.

Enjoy an enchanting evening of live music by Candlelight in a beautiful, intimate setting. Experience the magic of captivating melodies, surrounded by the warm glow of candlelight, for an unforgettable musical experience.

Hidden beside Nam A grocer in Haymarket, Pop & Sips is a tiny walk-up that’s easy to miss but worth seeking out. The specialty here is Southern Thai tea finished with a thick layer of lightly sweetened soft cream, creating a drink that’s equal parts refreshing and indulgent. Matcha, hojicha and dark chocolate drinks are also on the menu, all available with the signature topping. Grab one to go while exploring Chinatown or browsing the nearby shops.

If you’re heading south this weekend, Meadow is a new all-day music room, bar and bistro in Cronulla serving European-leaning share plates and larger mains, alongside a wine-focused drinks list of around 120–150 bottles. Stick around as the music program shifts from vinyl and live jazz to DJ sets into the night.

The Oriana has newly opened inside the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay, a four-level venue featuring a harbourfront Beer Garden, The Oriana Pub, a restaurant and an events Harbour Room. The venue launches alongside Vivid Sydney with a Four Pillars pop-up bar, live music and a Vivid set menu at its Level 2 restaurant.

A new weekend escape from Sydney, chef Alex Prichard is opening Sara Dining inside Moraea Farm as part of the Linnaeus Collection in Berry, NSW — a produce-led restaurant focused on garden-driven, seasonal cooking.

Bookings are available from 29th April and the venue will sit within a restored workshop, pairing accommodation and dining for a farm-to-table experience.

Step into a world of fantasy at The Wizard’s Chamber, an immersive escape room at Escape This Sydney CBD. Set inside a mysterious Headmaster’s sanctum, your team has 60 minutes to uncover the recipe for a dangerous immortality elixir before dark sorcerers seize it.

Designed as Australia’s highest-rated magic-themed escape room series, this cinematic adventure blends enchanting sets, spell-casting puzzles, and collaborative challenges. With a 6/10 difficulty rating, it’s ideal for first-time escapers, families, birthdays, and groups of friends looking for a magical August activity. This acitivty has sessions everyday.

Meet Dunkin — the three-month-old King penguin named after the Sydney Kings. If you’re after a cute new crowd-pleaser this weekend, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium has revealed Dunkin, a fluffy three-month-old King penguin chick on display in the Sub-Antarctic exhibit, drawing crowds and a visit from Sydney Kings players Tyler Robertson and Keli Leaupepe.

Read more here.

Sydney hospitality legend Paola Toppi — architect behind icons like Machiavelli and Bar M — has quietly launched Pasta Shop, a breezy 35-seat pasta diner in Potts Point at the former Sonora corner of Bayswater Road and Ward Avenue.

Ditching white tablecloths for walnut timber tables, terracotta accents and a lively open layout flowing into a leafy courtyard, this spot embraces drop-in dining over fine-dining formality.

A street-facing takeaway window reveals chefs crafting fresh pasta plates at pace—perfect for Potts Point’s neighbourhood vibe.

Read more here.

The 200‑metre Deepwater Pump Track is now open with free entry for riders of all ages. If you’re after an active, family-friendly outing this weekend, the new more-than-200-metre pump and jump track at Deepwater Park in Milperra has officially opened. It features three riding zones for juniors, novices and experts, alongside upgraded park amenities. Entry is free and no bookings are required.

See more here.

Sydney’s hidden honky-tonk gem, Shady Pines Saloon, delivers free live country music every Thursday from 9pm and Sunday from 7pm, packed with foot-stompin’ honky-tonk, classic country and high-energy vibes from local and touring artists.

This low-lit cowboy dive serves specialty whiskeys, craft beers, sarsaparilla and free peanut shells on the floor—arrive early for walk-ins only (no reservations), open daily 4pm–2am.

Every Saturday from 6pm, Babylon Nights transforms Babylon Rooftop on Pitt Street into one of Sydney’s most atmospheric after-dark destinations—a lush, open-air escape inspired by the mystique of Arabian Nights.

Music drives the evening, with rotating DJs setting the pulse until late, while live performers—from belly dancers to fire twirlers—ignite the rooftop with bursts of energy and movement. As night falls, the terrace evolves: early hours are for mezze and cocktails, before the tempo shifts and the space opens into a vibrant late-night celebration.

Grounded in Levantine dining, Babylon’s menu moves from shared mezze to wood-grilled dishes spanning Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq. Groups can elevate their night with a $150 VIP table, including prosecco, mezze and a round of shots. Entry is free, walk-ins are welcome.

Pickleball has officially gone rooftop in Sydney, with House of Pickle now open on the ICC Sydney Event Deck in Darling Harbour — a skyline-backed social sport destination with eight premium courts, a rooftop bar and a laid-back vibe designed for beginners, regulars and competitive players alike.

Since launching on January 10, 2026, the venue has become part of House of Pickle’s fast-growing national network, which also includes sites in Frenchs Forest, Tuggerah, Albion Park, Wollongong and Alexandria, with more expansion on the way.

Open daily, the Darling Harbour venue is built for easy sessions before work, at lunch, after hours or into the evening, and it also caters to corporate leagues and team events, positioning pickleball as both a social game and a workplace wellness activity.

Read more on House of Pickle Darling Harbour here.

Banksy Limitless is an immersive art exhibition that pushes the anonymous artist’s work beyond traditional walls and into a bold, multi-sensory experience. Deeply rooted in social commentary and global culture, the exhibition brings together Banksy’s most iconic imagery while expanding it through new formats and large-scale installations.

Visitors can explore a series of striking features, including a groundbreaking hologram installation that reimagines Banksy in a completely new way. The exhibition also showcases never-before-seen immersive installations and an evocative collection of sculptures that transform familiar works into powerful three-dimensional pieces.

One of the highlights is a detailed recreation of the Walled Off Hotel lobby, offering a glimpse into one of Banksy’s most politically charged and thought-provoking creations. Tickets can be found here.

Sydney’s biggest screen is going interstellar this weekend. IMAX Darling Harbour is blasting off with Project Hail Mary or The Odessey, the new sci‑fi blockbuster based on Andy Weir’s bestselling novel and filmed specifically for IMAX’s towering aspect ratio.

Starring Ryan Gosling as a lone school‑teacher‑turned‑astronaut who wakes up light years from Earth with no memory and one job—save the dying sun—the film turns the cosmos into a swirling, neon fever dream. If you want a weekend escape that feels like being shot through a wormhole, book a session at Sydney IMAX and let Project Hail Mary do the rest.

Kaboo Studio at Bondi Junction brings Sydney’s messiest 1-hour thrill: splash paint under ponchos and googles to craft your own 16″x 20″ canvas masterpiece—yours to take home in a custom no-drip box (you can even customise cushions, tees and mugs). With all ages welcome, just cover up and aim wild with your neon bullets. Book your slot today!

The Entertainment Quarter is back in market mode, turning Moore Park into a midweek and weekend ritual for Sydney foodies and browsers alike. Now in its 24th year, EQ Markets lines the precinct every Wednesday and Saturday from 8am to 2pm, with stallholders slinging everything from farm‑fresh veg and still‑warm sourdough to small‑batch condiments and patisserie‑level sweets.

Shoppers can chat directly with growers and makers, then wander on to racks of local fashion, homewares and art from independent designers. It’s one of those bring‑the‑dog, bring‑the‑kids kind of outings, with plenty of space, fresh air and kid‑friendly distractions built in.