This guide rounds up the best things to do in Sydney this September, covering everything from theatre, comedy and live music to food festivals, art exhibitions, wellness experiences and sporting events. Whether you’re looking for a free day out, something to book in advance or a new cultural experience, we’ve pulled together the top events and activities happening across the city this month.
Spring has officially arrived, bringing plenty of reasons to get out and explore Sydney.
Sydney Fringe Festival will bring weird and wacky theatre to venues across the city, while Australasia’s premier art fair, Sydney Contemporary, celebrates its 10th anniversary with more than 100 exhibitors and 500 artists.
For outdoor fun, head to Bondi to see kites soar across the sky at the colourful Festival of the Winds, or join Barangaroo’s month-long program of free and low-cost wellness experiences.
Sydney’s stages are packed this September, with Heathers: The Musical and My Fair Lady opening their Sydney seasons, while The Lion King and Fiddler on the Roof continue their runs. There’s plenty of comedy on the calendar, too, with Aaron Chen, Bill Bailey and Aziz Ansari bringing their latest shows to the city.
It doesn’t stop there, with Japanese street food and native ingredients at Carriageworks, the Manly Jazz Festival, major art exhibitions and the Australian Fitness Expo all bringing plenty of action to the city. Read on for our full list of the best things to do in Sydney this September.
Things to do in Sydney in September
Our top picks
Sydney Fringe Festival
The Sydney Fringe Festival is so much more than a mix of theatre, visual arts, music and comedy. This open-format, relentlessly inclusive arts festival is an outsized celebration of creativity, expression and storytelling. With shows covering every topic imaginable, from a one-woman show about cooking sensation Nigella Lawson to a musical adaptation of George Orwell’s gloomy dystopian novel, 1984, it’s not one to miss.
Where: Across the city.
When: September 1-30.
Price: Ticket prices vary by event.
Sydney Contemporary
It’s a big year for Sydney Contemporary, Australasia’s premier art fair, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary edition. This year will be its biggest edition yet, bringing together more than 100 exhibitors and 500 artists, alongside a packed program of installations, performances, public art activations and talks.
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: September 3-6.
Price: Tickets start at $45.
Festival of the Winds
Who wouldn’t want to run along Bondi Beach with the breeze in their hair and colourful kites soaring overhead? Enter Festival of the Winds, Australia’s most anticipated kite flying event on Bondi Beach. Celebrating its 48th year, this free aerial spectacle is always a highlight on Sydney’s September calendar.
Where: Bondi Beach.
When: September 13.
Price: Free.
Barangaroo You Wellness Month
Barangaroo is encouraging Sydneysiders to put themselves first this month with the return of Barangaroo You Wellness Month, bringing a program of free and low-cost movement, mindfulness and wellness experiences to the bustling, urban suburb.
Kicking things off is The Great Exhale, a free group meditation and wellness gathering on the Barangaroo foreshore, led by mindfulness expert Tom Cronin. Designed to offer a shared moment of calm before the workday begins, it’s the perfect excuse to slow down, breathe deeply and reset.
The program continues with Yoga on Country, offering free weekly yoga sessions on Stargazer Lawn, and Barangaroo Bootcamp, a free HYROX-style outdoor training session at Hickson Park every Saturday. For something a little more relaxing, Cedar & Salt is bringing a wood-fired, Nordic-inspired sauna and cold plunge experience to Barangaroo, with sessions starting from $30. You can check out the full program here.
Where: Locations across Barangaroo, including Barangaroo Reserve, Barangaroo South and Marrinawi Cove.
When: September 1-30.
Price: Prices range per event, with the majority being low-cost or free.
Theatre and dance
Heathers: The Musical
Based on the iconic film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, Heathers: The Musical is deliciously dark and hilarious, with a cult-favourite soundtrack that has made it a hit with musical theatre fans. The musical will play at Rooty Hill’s Coliseum Theatre from August 26 to 29 before moving to the Roslyn Packer Theatre from September 1 to 19.
Where: Roslyn Packer Theatre, 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay NSW 2000.
When: September 1-19.
Price: Tickets from $69.90.
My Fair Lady
Opera Australia celebrates 70 years of My Fair Lady since its glorious Broadway debut this September. Catch the beloved story of Eliza Doolittle’s transformation from Cockney flower girl to society lady, featuring charming classics including ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?’ and ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’.
Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: September 10-October 31.
Price: Tickets from $89.
The Elevator
Sharp, funny and fearless new Australian comedy The Elevator will make its world premiere this September. This no-fluff office satire is a whirlwind of laughs and truth bombs as CEO Margot returns from mat leave, ready to face the fallout from her company’s PR nightmare.
Where: Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli NSW 2061.
When: September 18-October 18.
Price: Tickets from $90.
CURRENT
Sydney Dance Company presents CURRENT, bringing audiences up close to contemporary dance in the intimate Neilson Studio at The Wharf. The program features three world premieres by Raghav Handa, Jenni Large and Azzam Mohamed, alongside the Australian premiere of Rafael Bonachela’s acclaimed duet E2 7SD.
Where: Neilson Studio, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Wharf 4, 5/15 Hickson Rd, Dawes Point NSW 2000.
When: September 3-20.
Price: Tickets from $35.
The Lion King
The blockbuster musical The Lion King continues its run in the Harbour City. The original Australian production of The Lion King premiered at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney in October 2003, returned for a second run in 2013, and is now back at the iconic venue 13 years later.
You can read our review of the stunning show here.
Where: Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket NSW 2000.
When: Until October 4, 2026.
Price: From $165.
Fiddler on the Roof
The beloved 1964 musical is running until October 3 at the Theatre Royal, following its sold-out season in London, where it set the record for the best-selling musical of all time at the Barbican Theatre and won three Olivier Awards, including Best Musical Revival.
The story is set in the tiny village of Anatevka in 1905, where milkman Tevye (Troy Sussman) lives his life by their proud traditions. For his five daughters, this means a visit from the matchmaker, played by Sigrid Thornton. As each daughter challenges his beliefs, against the backdrop of a changing world, Tevye struggles to embrace the unfamiliar as anti-semitic pressures increase in the region.
You can read our review of the show here.
Where: Theatre Royal, 108 King St, Sydney 2000.
When: Until October 3.
Price: Adult tickets from $89.
Table Top Shakespeare
For the first time, the award-winning company Forced Entertainment bring their take on Shakespeare’s greatest hits to Sydney. Over one week, six performers condense a selection of Shakespeare’s plays, narrating a different work each night around a kitchen table and using everyday household objects. A vase for the prince. A bottle of Dettol for the nurse. Salt and pepper for the king and queen. It’s the immortal storytelling of The Bard, stripped back and seasoned to perfection.
Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: September 22-27.
Price: $75.
Comedy
Aaron Chen
Hilariously deadpan comedian Aaron Chen brings his brand-new stand-up show, Technology, to the State Theatre this September. Expect surreal humour, awkward delivery and the kind of escalating absurdity that has made him a fan favourite.
Where: State Theatre, 49 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: September 8-11, October 7-8.
Price: Tickets from $71.10.
Aziz Ansari
Emmy-winning actor, writer, director and comedian Aziz Ansari brings his The Hypothetical Tour to the Sydney Opera House this September. Expect sharp observations on a whole host of topics, from modern dating to cultural identity, delivered with his signature wit.
Where: Concert Hall, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: September 28.
Price: Tickets from $79.90.
Bill Bailey
Beloved British comedian Bill Bailey returns with his new stand-up show Vaudevillean, bringing his signature surreal humour and musical comedy to the State Theatre and Rooty Hill Coliseum Theatre. Inspired by the golden age of variety entertainment, the show promises inventive comedy, dazzling music and plenty of joyous escapism.
Where: State Theatre, 49 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000 and Coliseum Theatre, 33 Railway St, Rooty Hill NSW 2766.
When: September 28-30 (State Theatre) and October 1 (Coliseum Theatre).
Price: Tickets from $102.
Gigs and concerts
Ashnikko
US pop provocateur Ashnikko returns to Australian shores for her Smoochies tour this September. Her distinct hybrid-pop sound refused to cater to the male gaze with her second album, Smoochies, pushing back with its absurd, sometimes grotesque, sexy and chaotic reflection on the threats facing femmes and marginalised communities.
Where: Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown NSW 2042.
When: September 19 and 20.
Price: From $99.90.
Kodaline
Irish rock band Kodaline will play their final Sydney show at Enmore Theatre in early September, as part of their Farewell Tour. After a decade together, the band have made the difficult decision to say goodbye, but not before heading back into the studio to record their fifth album as Kodaline. Don’t miss your last chance to see the band perform live!
Where: Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown NSW 2042.
When: September 3.
Price: Tickets from $90.
Jason Derulo
Jason Derulo is bringing his The Last Dance Tour to Sydney this September. The global pop superstar is known for hits including “Talk Dirty” and “Savage Love”, as well as his high-energy live performances and infectious dance anthems. If you’re after a night of big hits, impressive choreography and plenty of pop spectacle, this is one to add to your calendar.
Where: Afterpay Arena, 19 Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127.
When: September 19.
Price: Tickets from $112.05.
Manly Jazz Festival
Australia’s longest-running jazz festival returns to Manly with almost 100 acts performing across four stages and in more than 12 venues in and around the beachside suburb. From the Corso and beachfront to pubs, breweries and churches, there’s a dynamic and diverse program to cater to all jazz fans, whether you’re a traditionalist or enjoy the evolving nature of the musical genre. And if you’re coming from the city side, make sure you catch the ferry for the full experience.
Where: Manly Beach and Manly Corso.
When: September 18-20.
Price: Free.
Where to eat and sip
Australian Native Food Festival
Curated by proud Weilwan woman, North West NSW local and Indigiearth founder Sharon Winsor, the Australian Native Food Festival is returning to Carriageworks for a celebration of native ingredients and Indigenous food culture. Expect vibrant market stalls, live cooking demonstrations and special appearances from some familiar faces, all showcasing the rich knowledge, traditions and culinary excellence of First Nations Australia.
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: September 26-27.
Price: Free entry.
Japan StrEAT Party
A four-day celebration of Japanese food, drink, culture and entertainment will sweep through Carriageworks this September, perfect for everyone from sushi and anime lovers to those who are simply curious to explore a different side of Japan. Peruse the stalls, enjoy live performances and take part in traditional and contemporary cultural experiences, which will be staged throughout the precinct.
Where: Carriageworks; 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: September 24-27.
Price: Free entry.
Johnnie Walker B-Sides at Rekōdo
Boogie to a new beat this September at B-Sides, a new Thursday night series from whisky legends Johnnie Walker, hosted at Rekōdo, Barangaroo House. Running across three Thursdays, the event will feature live vinyl DJ sets, alongside Japanese-inspired bites and a special Johnnie Walker Black Label cocktail menu.
Running from 6pm to 10pm, the event is free to attend, though we’d recommend making a night of it with their $95pp shared banquet featuring dishes such as kingfish sashimi, whisky-aged miso beef tartare and Murray cod.
Where: Rekōdo, Barangaroo House, Level 1/35 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000.
When: September 3 and 10, 6pm-10pm.
Price: Free entry, bookings encouraged.
Grape, Grain and Graze Festival
Head to this one-day-only festival at Sydney Showground’s Howie Pavilion to discover, celebrate and taste award-winning wines, beers, ciders, spirits and fine food. You’ll meet the makers behind Sydney Royal medal-winning products and sample and shop directly from the producers.
You’ll be kept entertained with live music from local talent, while wine tasting tokens, spirit and beer masterclasses and more offer plenty of ways to elevate your day. See the full range of available add-ons here.
Where: Howie Pavilion, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.
When: September 19, 2pm-7pm.
Price: General admission starts at $128.25.
Art exhibitions
Brett Whiteley: Coming Home
The Brett Whiteley Studio has officially reopened after two years of renovations that meant the iconic space was closed to the public. Located in the celebrated artist’s final home and studio in Surry Hills, the gallery offers an intimate and unfiltered encounter with the life and practice of Brett Whiteley.
The studio has reopened with a new exhibition, titled Brett Whiteley: Coming Home, showcasing ambitious works produced by the artist in the 1970s. Offering an array of 80 paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, prints, photographs and sketchbooks, the works showcase the energy and variety of Whiteley’s practice following his return to Australia after a decade of living and working abroad.
Where: Brett Whiteley Studio, 2 Raper St, Surry Hills, NSW 2010.
When: Open Thursday to Sunday, 10am-4pm.
Price: Free entry.
Margaret Olley: Australian Intimiste
The National Art School is celebrating the legacy of one of its own, displaying more than 60 of Margaret Olley’s artworks. The exhibition is drawn from public and private collections of the beloved artist’s work from throughout her six-decade career since graduating from the NAS.
Also featured is a selection of works by her National Art School friends, teachers and peers, including Jean Bellette, Margaret Cilento, Douglas Dundas, Russell Drysdale, Frank Medworth, David Strachan and Tony Tuckson among
others. It also includes Sir William Dobell’s famous 1948 Archibald Prize-winning portrait of Olley.
Where: National Art School, 156 Forbes St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
When: Until October 24, 2026
Price: Free
Avatar: Forms of Vishnu
This ambitious exhibition is the largest presentation of South and Southeast Asian art shown at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in over 20 years, and the first Australian exhibition devoted to the Hindu deity Vishnu. It brings together more than 200 works, both historical and contemporary, ranging from ancient sculptures, textiles, and paintings to photography and installation.
Some of the extraordinary works in the exhibition include a sixth-century Cambodian sculpture of a horse-headed avatar of Vishu, paintings from 1594 illustrating India’s great Ramayana and Mahabharata epics, and new pieces made especially for the exhibition, including a pair of large paintings by Desmond Lazaro.
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Until October 5, 2026.
Price: Adult tickets from $35.
Black Myth
Sydney’s White Rabbit Gallery, which showcases one of the world’s most significant collections of Chinese contemporary art, is located on a hidden backstreet in Chippendale. The gallery presents two exhibitions each year, and its current exhibition, titled Black Myth, will show until November 8.
Black Myth draws inspiration from the viral Chinese video game, Black Myth: Wukong, which is a modern retelling of the legendary novel Journey to the West. An epic fantasy, teeming with spirits, demons, ghosts, mythical beasts, gods, and immortals, it follows the monk Tang Sanzang and his three unlikely disciples as they undertake a pilgrimage from China to India.
The best part? Entry to White Rabbit Art Gallery is completely free.
Where: White Rabbit Art Gallery, 30 Balfour St, Chippendale NSW 2008.
When: Until November 8, 2026.
Price: Free.
Tony Albert: Not a Souvenir
One of Australia’s most exciting young Indigenous artists of today, Tony Albert’s new exhibition at the MCA brings together his work across sculpture, photography, installation, painting, and assemblage alongside major new commissions.
Tony Albert: Not a Souvenir introduces a new word (one the artist himself coined): Aboriginalia. It refers to the mass-produced kitsch featuring stereotypical and often racist depictions of Aboriginal peoples. Albert (Girramay, Kuku Yalanji, Yidindji people) has been amassing a huge collection of these uncomfortable souvenirs since he was a child, and his new exhibition reclaims the kitsch to celebrate cultural pride and survival instead.
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art, 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000.
When: Until October 19.
Price: Tickets from $28.
Body Worlds: The Anatomy of Happiness
Want to discover the fascinating facts behind the human body? This globally acclaimed exhibition explores how the body works, bringing real specimens and interactive displays to Sydney for an educational experience that’s as fascinating as it is fun. Seen in more than 175 cities by over 58 million visitors, it’s finally Sydney’s turn to get up close with the human body at Body World: The Anatomy of Happiness.
Where: 155 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000.
When: September 17-April 4.
Price: Tickets from $37.
Sporting events
Spring Racing Carnival
Giddy up and get yourself trackside for any one of the major race meetings throughout spring. The Australian Turf Club will host two Carnival events in September, including Sydney Surf to Turf Day on September 19 and Yulong Golden Rose Day on September 26. It’s a great excuse to dress up fancy, enjoy live entertainment and cheer on your chosen horse.
Where: Royal Randwick Racecourse and Rosehill Gardens.
When: September 19-November 7.
Price: Varies by event.
The Australian Fitness Expo
Australia’s biggest fitness festival, the Australian Fitness Expo, is returning to Sydney this September, taking over ICC Sydney from September 11–13. Expect three days of high-energy competitions, celebrity athletes, free workouts, fitness challenges and more than 150 health and wellness brands, with everything from strongman and powerlifting to CrossFit and street workouts on the program.
Even if you’re not a gym junkie, there’ll be plenty to see, shop and try, with show-only deals, giveaways and seriously impressive feats of strength and endurance.
Where: ICC, 14 Darling Dr, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: September 11-13.
Price: Tickets from $20.
