Whether you’re after a night of stand-up, a deep dive into contemporary art or a dose of nostalgia from the wizarding world, there’s plenty happening across Sydney this weekend.
Looking for a laugh this weekend? It’s your last chance to catch the Sydney Comedy Festival before it wraps on Sunday, while the Sydney Writers’ Festival kicks off a huge week of conversations and storytelling with more than 250 writers and over 200 events across the city.
Meanwhile, Australian Fashion Week returns with runway shows, talks and the hotly anticipated Vogue Vintage Market at the Overseas Passenger Terminal on Friday. Great Southern Nights continues to light up venues across Sydney with gigs and curated pub trails, with this Saturday’s route taking live music lovers through the groovy venues on Newtown and Enmore.
Elsewhere, the magic of Harry Potter arrives in Sydney Olympic Park, while the latest Archibald Prize exhibition offers one of the country’s biggest annual celebrations of Australian art.
Read on to start planning your perfect weekend in Sydney.
Things to do in Sydney this weekend
The Big Sydney Events
LAST CHANCE: Sydney Comedy Festival
It’s the final weekend of the Sydney Comedy Festival, with the city-wide celebration of stand-up, sketch and improv wrapping up on Sunday. From major international headliners to emerging local talent, there’s still plenty of chances to catch a laugh before the curtain falls.
Get the last laugh at the End of Festival Gala, which takes place at Enmore Theatre on Sunday. Tickets start at $59.90, and the evening program features a carefully curated line-up of the top festival comedians. Renowned comedian Dave Hughes (seen on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here and Taskmaster) will also be taking to the stage at the Factory Theatre this Saturday and Sunday, giving you the opportunity to see one of Australia’s best stand-up comedians in the flesh.
Where: Citywide.
When: April 13-May 17.
Price: Ticket prices vary, with some shows free.
Australian Fashion Week: Vogue Vintage Market
This year, Australian Fashion Week (AFW) will take place at the Museum of Contemporary Art, featuring runway shows, talks, workshops, activations and more. While AFW is an invitation-only industry event, the 2026 edition will feature plenty of opportunities for Sydneysiders and visitors to attend shows, talks and workshops.
A highlight at this year’s Fashion Week, the Vogue Vintage Market, takes place at the Overground Passenger Terminal on Friday. This exciting market will open for one day only, offering visitors exclusive access to pre-loved. archival, vintage and designer pieces, curated through a Vogue lens. Teaming up with eBay, friends of Vogue and Aussie designers have curated a very special selection to help guests find their own rare fashion look.
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art, 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000.
When: May 15, from 11am.
Price: Tickets start at $49.
Great Southern Nights
Great Southern Nights is a NSW Government initiative launched in 2020 to support the state’s live music, entertainment and hospitality sectors and this year’s program features more than 300 gigs across the state.
One of the standout features of Great Southern Nights is its Gig Trails, where pubs, bars and venues team up to create curated routes of live music, drinks and dining. On May 16, Newtown and Enmore will host a special live music trail, with gigs set to light up the area’s most iconic venues, including The Duke of Enmore, Hive Bar, Young Henry’s and more.. You can check out the full Great Southern Nights program here.
Where: Great Southern Nights hosts gigs all over NSW.
When: May 1-17.
Price: Some shows are free with an RSVP, while others are ticketed.
Sydney Writers’ Festival
This weekend sees the Sydney Writers’ Festival kick off across the city, with more than 200 events events and over 250 writers coming together for a celebration of storytelling, ideas and conversation.
Beginning its week-long program this Sunday, the festival kicks off with talks about Literary Legacies at the State Library of NSW, deep-dives into Patrick Radden Keefe’s internationally bestselling story Say Nothing and After Bondi, where writers reflect on grief, solidarity and resilience following the 2025 Bondi attack.
You can check out the full program here.
Where: Main hub: Carriageworks (245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh), other key venues include Sydney Town Hall, State Library of NSW, and community libraries.
When: May 17-24.
Price: Tickets generally range from $25 to $75.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition
The highly anticipated tour of Harry Potter: The Exhibition arrives in Sydney this week, premiering at Paddington Pavilion in Sydney Olympic Park on May 14, and it’s set to be an absolute must-see for all Potterheads.
Visitors can step behind the scenes of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts universes, exploring iconic moments, characters, settings and creatures alongside authentic props, original costumes and immersive galleries inspired by the films and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This exhibition is definitely a must-see for witches, wizards and devoted Muggles alike.
Where: Paddington Pavilion at Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127.
When: Opens May 14.
Price: Tickets start at $33.
Art Exhibitions
The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes Exhibition
Presented by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Archibald Prize, Wynne Prize and Sulman Prize offer a vivid snapshot of contemporary Australian art and culture. The Archibald Prize, the country’s most prestigious portrait award, recognises outstanding depictions of notable figures from the worlds of music, journalism, media, stage and screen.
One of the country’s most anticipated exhibitions, this year’s annual showcase runs until August 16. You can explore the winning works, and discover the stories behind the artists, subjects and portraits here.
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Naala Nura building, lower level 2.
When: May 9-August 16.
Price: Adult tickets start at $30.
Biennale of Sydney 25th Anniversary
Renowned for providing a platform for bold ideas and boundary-pushing art, the Biennale of Sydney is a celebration of creativity, showcasing innovative works from artists around the world. It is renowned for commissioning and presenting extraordinary works from Australia and across the globe, having showcased more than 2400 national and international artists from over 130 countries.
Its 25th edition is titled Rememory and is inspired by celebrated author Toni Morrison, exploring the intersection of memory and history as a means of revisiting, reconstructing, and reclaiming histories that have been erased or repressed.
Where: White Bay Power Station, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney, Campbelltown Arts Centre, and Penrith Regional Gallery.
When: March 14-June 14, 2026.
Banksy Limitless
This immersive exhibition is making its way over from London after a successful debut, bringing the voice of one of the most influential figures in contemporary culture Down Under.
Banksy Limitless is an immersive art exhibition presenting a bold journey through the street-art icon’s ideas, imagery and legacy. Running from the beginning of April until the end of May, this multi-sensory exhibition is not one to miss.
Where: 155 George St, The Rocks, 2000.
When: April 3- May 31.
Price: From $42 per person.
LAST CHANCE: The Hooligans
White Rabbit Gallery is home to one of the world’s most significant collections of contemporary Chinese art. Its bold new exhibition, The Hooligans, runs until May, pushing boundaries with striking and unconventional works.
The Hooligans explores how Chinese artists learned to think beyond imposed boundaries in the face of relentless restrictions, using a variety of media to celebrate speaking up, daring to defy and refusing to cooperate. Exhibitions at White Rabbit Gallery are free to enter, so if you’re looking to peruse a gallery without breaking the bank, White Rabbit should be top of your list.
Where: White Rabbit Art Gallery, 30 Balfour Street, Chippendale, NSW 2000.
When: Friday, 19 December-May 17, 2026.
Price: Free entry.
Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under the Mat
New Zealand-born, Sydney-based artist Mike Hewson has transformed 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.
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: Running until August 23, 2026.
Price: Free.
Event Horizon
Conceptual artist Michaela Gleave brings a transcendental display of works to Woolloomooloo’s Artspace with her first major solo Australian exhibition. In physics, an ‘event horizon’ is the boundary around a black hole, marking a threshold beyond which information cannot return to an external observer.
Using energy fields and physical materials such as mist, sound waves, atmospheric conditions, glitter, recycled timber, and inflatable objects, Michaela invites visitors to heighten their awareness of their own process of perception and to explore new ways of seeing and feeling.
Where: Artspace, 43–51 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011.
When: March 6-June 7.
Price: Free.
Gigs and Concerts
Peking Duck
This Hordern Pavilion gig marks a landmark Sydney homecoming for Peking Duck, as the band debuts brand-new music plus a new live show with epic in-the-round production.
The electronic duo is made up of Reuben Styles and Adam Hyde, who also perform under the name Keli Holiday and are behind the smash-hit “Dancing2”. They’ll both be bringing that signature Peking Duck energy to Hordern Pavilion for their special, one-night-only show.
Where: Hordern Pavilion, Gate C/3 Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021.
When: May 15.
Price: From $74.99.
Split Enz
Following the cancellation of Bluesfest, where they were due to headline, legendary Kiwi band Split Enz are finally making their way to the TikTok Entertainment Centre for two shows set to be well worth the wait.
With an enormous catalogue of hits like “I Got You”, “Six Months in a Leaky Boat” and “History Never Repeats”, expect a joyous singalong coupled with the theatrical flair and stage presence that have made them crowd favourites. Sister act Vika & Linda will open both shows.
Where: TikTok Entertainment Centre, 2/14 Darling Dr, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: May 18 and 19.
Price: From $99.90
Young Franco
Aussie DJ and record producer Young Franco will spin on home turf this weekend, with a special set at the ivy. Known for his feel-good, genre blurring tracks like “Wake Up”, “Sing It Back” and “Lose Control”, the electronic artist is set to bring high energy to one of Sydney’s biggest nightclubs on Saturday.
Where: ivy Sydney, 330 George St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: May 16 at 9pm.
Price: Tickets from $21.66.
What’s on in Theatre
The Lion King
In very exciting news for Sydney’s theatre fanatics, blockbuster musical The Lion King has returned to the Harbour City. The original Australian production of The Lion King premiered at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney in October 2003, returning for a second run 10 years later in 2013, and is now back again 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: April 18-August 9, 2026.
Price: From $165.
Anastasia
Since its Broadway debut in 2017, Anastasia has captivated sold-out audiences and collected more than 15 major international awards, and it has now finally made its debut Down Under.
Rising star Georgina Hopson will lead the cast as Anya, alongside international stage sensation Robert Tripolino as Dmitry. Showbiz legend Rhonda Burchmore will take to the stage as Countess Lily, with Australian theatre royalty Nancye Hayes AM as the Dowager Empress.
Where: Sydney Lyric Theatre, Pyrmont.
When: April-July 19.
Price: Tickets from $69.90.
84 Charing Cross Road
Adapted from Helene Hanff’s beloved non-fiction book, 84 Charing Cross Road comes to life on stage at Ensemble Theatre for a limited season. The story follows a sharp-tongued New York writer and a reserved London bookseller who begin a correspondence over their shared love of rare books, only to discover an unexpected lifelong friendship.
Where: Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli NSW 2061.
When: May 1-June 13.
Price: Adult tickets start at $95.
An Iliad
A weary, sharp-tongued poet (played by international star David Wenham) takes the stage at Wharf 1 Theatre to retell the story of the Trojan War, a tale he has carried across centuries of human conflict.
In Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare’s powerful adaptation of Homer’s epic, the ancient myth is reimagined as an intimate, urgent reflection on war, division, and humanity’s enduring cycles of violence.
Where: Wharf 1 Theatre, The Wharf, Wharf 4/5/15 Hickson Rd, Dawes Point NSW 2000.
When: April 13-June 21, 2026.
Price: Tickets from $79.
LAST CHANCE: The River
It’s your last chance to catch Miranda Otto onstage with Sydney Theatre Company in The River, a haunting and intimate drama by acclaimed playwright Jez Butterworth. Set in a remote cliffside cabin, the play follows a fisherman (Ewen Leslie) and a woman whose romantic weekend begins to unravel as unsettling truths emerge.
Directed by Margaret Thanos and co-starring Andrea Demetriades, the production blends poetry and mystery to explore love, intimacy, and human connection.
Where: Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: April 13-May 16.
Price: Tickets from $59.
Steel Magnolias
Before Steel Magnolias was a movie that made you laugh and cry it was a play – and it’s going to make you laugh and cry all over again. In this dazzling new production, an extraordinary ensemble of local talent led by Lisa McCune, Belinda Giblin, Debra Lawrance, Mandy Bishop, Jessica Redmayne and Lotte Beckett unite to bring the heart of a small Southern town to Sydney audiences.
Set in Truvy’s beauty salon, these local women come together to share their joys and struggles – plus a little neighbourly gossip – but when tragedy strikes, it is in these same four walls that they find comfort, support and the unbreakable bonds of friendship.
Where: Theatre Royal Sydney, 108 King Street, Sydney (beneath 25 Martin Place).
When: May 13 – May 30.
Price: From $59.
The Pirates of Penzance
Potts Points’ Hayes Theatre is known for bringing incredible, homegrown Aussie productions to the stage, and now, for the first time ever, one of its landmark musicals is headed to Pyrmont’s Foundry Theatre. The Pirates of Penzance is a fast-paced, immersive revival of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic, where just five performers take on the roles of pirates, lovers, sisters, major-generals, and many, many more.
This show had a sold-out extended season at the Hayes in 2025, so be sure to catch it at The Foundry before it wraps up the season.
Where: Foundry Theatre, inside the Sydney Lyric, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont.
When: May 12-June 7.
Price: Tickets from $59.90 per person (transaction fees apply).
Where to Eat and Sip
Ananas
Opening its doors last week on May 7, French brasserie Ananas returns to The Rocks, settling in just next door to its original Argyle Street address. Its previous iteration earned a coveted hat in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide, and that same calibre of dining is set to return, this time in a refined, upgraded space. Très bien!
Head to the old Argyle precinct this weekend to check out the newly reopened restaurant and judge for yourself whether it’s French plates are still worthy of a hat.
Where: Argyle Stores, 18a Argyle St, The Rocks NSW 2000.
When: Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12-2:30mpm, 6-9:45pm.
Dr. Goodes
Not much is known about Dr. Goodes, the venue that will replace the former El Primo Sanchez site on the Paddo side of Oxford Street. They seem to be going to be the mantra “disco, pizza, cocktails”, though, which sounds good to us. Although it’s technically not a restaurant, and instead labelled a “boogie lounge”, the presence of pizza makes it a worthy addition to this list, and we can’t wait to see what they do with the coveted space.
Where: 27-33 Oxford Street, Paddington, NSW 2021.
When: Open all weekend long.
Price: Free entry.
Mezcal May at Cantina OK!
Self-described “Micro Mezcal Mecca” Cantina OK! serve Sydneysiders world-renowned margaritas and cocktails with hand-shaved ice and hand-pressed limes. This May, the MUCHO Group bar is serving up its rare agave spirits for a fraction of the usual price, with a trio of hand-selected mezcals available for just $10 each all month long.
We can’t wait to try their ‘Bondi Beach’ Mezcal, which has been discounted from $28 to $10, transported from San Luis Amatlán in southwestern Mexico.
Where: Council Pl, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: All of May.
Price: $10 each for the Mezcal.
Sport & Events
Sydney Swans v Collingwood
Round 10 of the AFL is a special one, kicking off the Indigenous Round – Sir Doug Nicholls Round and Friday night will be a blockbuster at the SCG when the Sydney Swans take on Collingwood in the annual Marn Grook. The Swans go into the clash sitting on top of the ladder while Collingwood will be hoping to bust into the Top 8 with a win. There’s plenty to play for so expect a tough game from the players and a vocal one from the fans. Gates open at 5pm
Where: Sydney Cricket Ground, 4 Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021.
When: May 15, Ball up at 7.30pm.
Price: Varies, tickets through Ticketmaster.
Bikes and Bulls
Take two of the most dangerous sports and combine them together in one arena and you’ve got Bikes and Bulls. The toughest cowboys take on the baddest bulls while the greatest FMX (freestyle motocross) riders will be throwing down death-defying tricks and heartpounding action to get the adrenaline going. Bust out your boots and denim, flannies and hats, and strap yourself in.
Where: Qudos Bank Arena, 19 Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127.
When: May 16, 6.30pm.
Price: Tickets from $85.65 through Ticketek.
