Sunset cinemas, boat shows, street parties and foodie pop-ups? Count us in. Sydney is set for a huge weekend, and here are our top picks.
This weekend, I’ll be heading to Messinaville in Marrickville for their Messina Eats pop-up, which sees Melbourne Mexican faves Frankie’s Tortas & Tacos serving up their most popular dishes (I’ve got my eye on the chocoflan churros). I’d also highly recommend catching the Australian Ballet’s stunning new triple bill, Prism, at the Sydney Opera House before it wraps up on Saturday. I’ll definitely be popping down to Carriageworks for a browse around the Finders Keepers Markets, with a stop at their bustling Farmers Market, of course. From there, I’ll head over to Sydney Streets for their Glebe Point Road takeover and enjoy a day of free live music and roving entertainment. For a perfectly wholesome Sunday, I’ll be heading to the Sunset Cinemas at Bondi Pavilion (which kicks off this Thursday).
Read on for our full list of the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.
Sydney Staples
1. Sydney Streets: Glebe Point Road
Sydney Streets is back, transforming some of our favourite neighbourhoods (Pyrmont, Darlinghurst, Redfern, Glebe and Potts Point) into lively hubs celebrating local businesses, community spirit and good times. This weekend sees Glebe Point Road’s takeover with alfresco dining, roving entertainment, kids’ activities and live music. Make a day of it with a visit to the popular Glebe Markets at Glebe Public School, then wander over to one of the many buzzing cafés nearby for a coffee and some people-watching.
Where: Glebe Point Road, Glebe.
When: November 15, 11am-8pm.
Price: Free.
2. Sydney International On-Water Boat Show
Darling Harbour is set to be jam-packed with an impressive display of the latest and greatest in boating innovation this weekend. The Sydney International On-Water Boat Show sees the harbour turn into the ultimate marine playground, where guests can stroll down a purpose-built marina on Cockle Bay and admire cutting-edge watercraft. Onshore, the excitement continues across Palm Grove, Tumbalong Boulevard and Tumbalong Park, where the new Discover Boating Festival Hub will bring together interactive activations, live entertainment, gourmet food and wine and hands-on product experiences.
Where: Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour.
When: November 13-16, 10am-7pm on Thursday-Saturday, 10am-6pm on Sunday.
Price: General admission from $33.
3. Sunset Cinema at Bondi Pavilion
You know it’s summer when Sydney starts hosting outdoor cinemas across the city. Set right next to one of the most famous beaches in the world, the Sunset Cinema series at Bondi will show family favourite classics like Love Actually, Mamma Mia! and Hook, as well as new releases Regretting You, Freakier Friday and even the highly-anticipated Wicked: For Good. Celebrating a special occasion? Treat yourself to a VIP experience in the Fever-Tree Lounge. Get front-row seats with premium Bean Loungers and bottomless popcorn, plus a complimentary G&T or Fever-Tree soda.
The Sunset Cinema opens this Thursday— click here to see the full program and to book your tickets.
Where: Dolphin Court, Bondi Beach.
When: November 13 to December 20.
Price: Children’s tickets cost $16, adult costs $29.
4. North Sydney Streets in Kirribilli
North Sydney Council will close Broughton Street and the surrounding area to traffic this Sunday, creating a space for a community day filled with free, fun activities. A major highlight of the day will be the closure of Burton Street Tunnel, which will be turned into a pop-up roller skating rink, complete with music and skating instructors to help everyone find their rhythm. The program will also feature local entertainers, including performances from the Sydney Street Choir and Neutral Bay’s Hummingbird Adult Pop Choir, alongside roving entertainers, street theatre and various acoustic sets.
Where: Broughton Street, Burton Street Tunnel and surrounds, Kirribilli.
When: Sunday, November 16, 12pm-5pm.
Price: Free entry.
Where to eat and sip
5. Messina Eats: Frankie’s Tortas & Tacos
Gelato institution Messina is back with another round of Messina Eats: the beloved pop-up series where the ice cream legends team up with an iconic eatery to serve their signature dishes straight from the Messina HQ car park. They’ll be flying in Frankie’s Tortas & Tacos all the way from Melbourne, dishing up mouthwatering street eats, including carnitas tacos ($28), beef tacos ($30), pollo torta ($23) and chocoflan churros ($15). Head to Marrickville this Friday or Saturday to sample tacos from Melbourne’s favourite Mexican spot, and decide for yourself whether they beat Sydney’s best.
Where: 1 Rich Street, Marrickville, NSW 2204.
When: November 14 & 15, 12pm until late (or sold out).
Price: Free entry, food prices vary from $14-$30.
6. One Year of Beers at Felons Manly
Manly’s favourite harbourside brewery, Felons, is celebrating “One Year of Beers” this Sunday with a community birthday bash and the official launch of its new beer garden and playground. Locals and visitors alike are invited to enjoy a day of art, music and family fun by the water, with free kids’ face painting, DJs on the jetty and a giant Felons beer-can birthday cake. There will also be a live surfboard painting by talented local artists, which will then be auctioned via silent auction to raise funds for the Lifeline Classic. Head down to Manly Wharf for a day of cold brews and relaxed fun.
Where: Felons Manly, East Esplanade, Manly Wharf.
When: Sunday, November 16, 2025, 11am-close.
Price: Free entry.
7. Konbini-style takeover at Goros
Surry Hill’s late-night party venue Goros is celebrating its 11th birthday with a five-week Konbini takeover from November 5 until December 6. The venue has transformed into a neon-lit, Japanese convenience store-inspired playground, where guests can enjoy grab-and-go snacks, Konbini-style dishes, funky cocktails with sake, yuzu and cold brew. Try the viral strawberry sando, or indulge in a Bento Box, featuring a choice of Karaage, Pork Katsu, or Teriyaki Tofu.
Guests can also dive into interactive experiences throughout the takeover, receiving a scratch card with every Hyoketsu Slushie purchase for a chance to win instant prizes. Book one of their iconic karaoke rooms for the whole experience, with Friday sessions starting at $10 per person, and Saturday sessions going for $15 per person.
Where: 84/86 Mary St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
When: Konbini takeover running until December 6, 2025.
Price: Free entry.
8. Bottomless fries at the Winery
Surry Hills’ favourite laneway bar, The Winery, is offering up the ultimate Friday deal so that you can start your weekend right. From 12pm-9pm every Friday, guests who purchase any bottle of wine can get unlimited fries on the house all day long. They recommend grabbing a spot in their garden for the perfect al fresco Friday vibes, so you can sip, snack and enjoy the sunny weather (finger’s crossed).
Where: 285A Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
When: Every Friday, 12pm-9pm.
Price: Enjoy free bottomless fries with any bottle of wine purchase.
Shopping and Markets
9. Finders Keepers Market
Beloved institution, The Finders Keepers Market, returns to Carriageworks this weekend. As always, the large-scale event is the ultimate collection of Australia’s best and brightest designers, including indie labels ready to showcase their latest projects. The design market is always such a big shopping event for Sydney’s well-dressed that organisers make a full day of it with live local DJs, fresh food stalls, pop-up bars and more shopping than you could ask for.
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: Friday, 14 November, until Sunday, 16 November.
Price: From $8.
10. Heffron Park Markets
Heffron Park Markets take place every third Sunday of the month, bringing fun to Bunnerong Road in Maroubra. Maintaining the fun stalls and community appeal of the Maroubra Beach Markets experience just a few streets away, the Heffron Park Markets are even more convenient, thanks to free parking nearby. Expect quality stalls, great coffee and a fantastic atmosphere at this buzzing monthly event.
Where: 417-439 Bunnerong Road, Maroubra NSW 2035.
When: Sunday, November 16, from 8am-2pm.
Price: Free entry.
Gigs and Concerts
11. Metallica at Accor Stadium
Get ready, Sydney, Metallica is coming to town! Just a week after Oasis performed a stunning comeback show at the Accor Stadium, the legendary heavy metal titans are set to follow suit. They’ll be taking their record-breaking M72 World Tour Down Under, with stops in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Auckland. Expect an electrifying night with all their hit tracks, as well as the infamous “Snake Pit” stage layout, which pushes the pit area right out into the crowd. Evanescence and Suicidal Tendencies will be joining the iconic band, making this the most unmissable gig in Sydney’s metal calendar.
Where: Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park.
When: Saturday, November 15, at 5pm.
Price: Only Premium Reserve left ($568.20), however, look out for resellers on Tixel.
12. Pixies at Hordern Pavilion
Alt-rock legends Pixies will be performing at the Hordern Pavilion for two consecutive nights this Thursday and Friday. They’re shaking things up in Sydney, spotlighting fan-favourite albums Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde on their first night, before treating fans to a cross-catalogue set featuring tracks from their reclaimed new album, The Night The Zombies Came, on the second night.
Where: The Hordern Pavilion, 1 Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021.
When: November 13 and 14.
Price: Tickets from $112.05.
What’s on in Theatre
13. Prism by the Australian Ballet
Billed by the Australian Ballet as “an ambitious contemporary ballet unlike any other”, Prism unites three distinct artistic visions in one unforgettable program. Guests will experience three short works from internationally renowned choreographers Jerome Robbins and William Forsythe, alongside multi-award-winning Australian choreographer and dancer Stephanie Lake. Featuring breathtaking dances set to the music of Philip Glass, James Blake and J.S. Bach (reimagined by Peter Brikmanis), Prism promises a bold and electrifying experience.
You can read all about the new triple bill here.
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House.
When: November 7-15, 2025.
Price: Adult tickets start at $70, tickets for ages 30 and under start at $66.
14. Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical
The Sydney Fringe Festival may be over; however, wacky and wonderful theatre is here to stay. Enter Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical. Written by award-winning music director and composer Steven Kramer, this comedy explores the life of Phar Lap, Australia’s most famous racehorse, in what Kramer calls “the true underdog story”.
Kramer is on a mission to prove that Australia doesn’t need to rely on theatre imports — he wrote Phar Lap: The Musical as proof that Aussie theatre can stand proudly on its own. Independent venue Hayes Theatre in Potts Point hosted the debut of the new musical comedy last week, with Joel Granger taking on the role of Phar Lap. Audiences may recognise Granger from Australian productions of The Book of Mormon, Hairspray and West Side Story. He also recently starred as Benny Southstreet alongside Cody Simpson in Guys and Dolls with Opera Australia, proving that while the venue may be intimate, the talent is top-tier.
Where: Hayes Theatre, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point.
When: October 17-November 22.
Price: From $60 per person.
15. Back to the Future: The Musical
When it opened in London, Back to the Future: The Musical quickly became a success story, scooping up the Best New Musical award at the Laurence Olivier and What’s On Stage awards. It also swiftly transferred to Broadway. Now, the musical is dazzling Sydneysiders at the Lyric Theatre, with breathtaking visuals and a real flying DeLorean.
The exciting cast lineup includes Tony Award-winning actor Roger Bart, who will reprise the role of Doc Brown, having impressed audiences in both the West End and Broadway. Starring opposite him as Marty McFly will be Axel Duffy, a rising star from Brisbane. You can read our review of the new production here.
When: Friday, September 26, until Sunday, December 28, 2025.
Where: Sydney Lyric Theatre, 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
Price: From $89.
16. The Book of Mormon
Regarded by many as one of the funniest (and most outrageous) musicals of all time, The Book of Mormon was written by the masterminds behind South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The musical tells the story of two young missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: “perfect” Elder Kevin Price and socially-awkward Elder Arnold Cunningham.
Kevin hopes his mission will take him to sunny Orlando, Florida, but instead, the mismatched pair are sent to a remote village in Uganda. The result is chaos, comedy and a lot of outrageous satire. We won’t spoil the show, but if you want to find out more, read our review here.
When: Showing until Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Where: Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell Street, Haymarket NSW 2000.
Tickets: From $69 per person.
READ MORE: The Book of Mormon is back in Sydney — here’s everything you need to know
Art Exhibitions and Galleries
17. Ocean Photographer of the Year Exhibition
The premier exhibition of the Ocean Photographer of the Year opened at the Australian National Maritime Museum last week, showcasing a striking collection of winning and finalist images from over 15,000 global entries. Featuring 112 breathtaking images that celebrate our ocean’s beauty and spotlight the importance of marine conservation, the exhibition brings awareness to the climate crisis impacting our natural world. From tiny baby pufferfish to majestic humpback whales, the display aims to celebrate the brilliance and diversity of ocean life, with Sydney being the first city in the world to show the full collection of images on display.
Where: Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour, NSW 2000.
When: From Thursday, November 6, 2025.
Price: Special exhibition tickets start at $25 per adult.
18. Dangerously Modern
This brand-new exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW celebrates the remarkable women artists who overcame social barriers to forge international careers beyond Australia. This exciting exhibition is the first to celebrate the vital role of Australian women in shaping international modernism, featuring iconic figures like Margaret Preston, Nora Heysen and Grace Cossington Smith, as well as the under-recognised Agnes Goodsir, Justine Kong Sing and Helen Stewart. The exhibition will show more than 200 works, expanding visitors’ understanding of modern art movements, including realism, impressionism, post-impressionism, cubism and abstraction.
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: October 11- February 15, 2026.
Price: Adult tickets: $35, Youth: $18.
19. Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under the Mat
New Zealand-born, Sydney-based artist Mike Hewson is next in a long line of artists aching to take over The Art Gallery of NSW’s unique, subterranean Nelson Packer Tank space, turning the industrial bunker into a concrete jungle with a park, play space, construction site, and a communal area framed by sculptural works.
Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under The Mat opened last Saturday, and is the current talk of the art world. It marks the artist’s first solo presentation in an art museum, a platform to heighten his unique approach to what an all-ages playground looks like. Visitors are encouraged to meet, dwell, play, make, perform and explore while interacting with the park’s various features. You can even do a load of laundry or take a shower in the space!
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney.
When: From October 4, 2025.
Price: Free.
20. Ricky Swallow, Bent Forms
Who would’ve thought that what was missing from your shot of the Opera House was a giant bent stainless steel spoon? Ricky Swallow’s commission for the MCA’s Loti Smorgon Sculpture Terrace sees four huge spoons dotted across the lookout. They were created by Swallow from scaled-up wax prints of actual teaspoons, which he bent into various shapes. Head to the terrace and enjoy panoramic views of Sydney’s iconic harbour as you check out the wacky pieces of art by Swallow. If you loved Sculpture by the Sea, this exhibition is also worth a visit.
Where: Loti Smorgon Sculpture Terrace, MCA, 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000.
When: Showing until July 20, 2026.
Price: Admission from $20.
