If you’re wondering what to do in Sydney this weekend, the answer is: a lot. The city is well and truly embracing winter, with festivals, live music and sporting action filling the calendar.
Bastille Festival is taking over Circular Quay and The Rocks, bringing plenty of Champagne, cheese, crêpes and French flair to the harbour foreshore. It’s also your last chance to get festive at The Rocks’ Christmas in July Festival or take a spin around the beachside ice rink at Bondi Festival before both wrap up for another year.
Over in Marrickville, the brilliantly chaotic Beer, Footy & Food Festival is back for its 10th anniversary, combining craft beer, street food, suburban rugby league and, naturally, a streaker bullrush. And if free food is more your speed, you might want to set an early alarm: Wingstop is opening its new Chippendale store and giving the first ten people through the door free wings for an entire year. Yes, an entire year.
Whether you’re in the mood for a French feast, some festive cheer, live music or a questionable amount of chicken wings, we’ve rounded up the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.
Our top picks
Bastille Festival
The Bastille Festival returns to Sydney from Thursday, July 16, to Sunday, July 19, bringing a touch of France to The Rocks and Circular Quay, with a celebration of French cuisine, art and culture. There’ll be winter comfort food, including hot crêpes, plenty of cheese and even garlicky escargot. Toast to the French with authentic Champagne and beer, or spice up your life with a warming glass of mulled wine.
The full programme of live performances is yet to be released, so watch this space for more info.
Where: Circular Quay and The Rocks.
When: July 16–July 19, 10am–11pm.
Price: Free.
The Beer Footy and Food Festival
It’s the 10th anniversary of the Beer, Footy & Food Festival, which will take over Marrickville’s Henson Park this Saturday. Bringing together foodies, beer enthusiasts and footy fans, guests can sip craft brews and enjoy some real suburban rugby league as they enjoy grub from a variety of street food vendors.
This year’s main game will see the Newtown Jets face the Newcastle Knights, while Pro Wrestling Australia returns to deliver plenty of high-energy ringside action. The now-infamous Streaker Bullrush is also back — the festival’s most ridiculous and hilarious spectacle, where brave (or questionable) volunteers attempt to sprint across the field while avoiding a pursuing pack of security guards.
Where: Henson Park, 32 Centennial St, Marrickville NSW 2204.
When: July 18, 12pm.
Price: Adult tickets: $35.20; kids under 12 go free.
LAST CHANCE: Christmas in July Festival
While the Northern Hemisphere enjoys Christmas carols, markets and ice skating during December, Christmas looks a little different Down Under. But Sydneysiders never miss out. Christmas in July is the clever solution that brightens up the colder winter months in the Harbour City, bringing Christmas markets, mulled wine and falling snow.
This year, the Fire Pit Cinema will return, with private fire pits available for two to six people. Snuggle up under blankets, sip hot chocolate, toast marshmallows and enjoy classic Christmas movies, including Home Alone, Elf and The Holiday. Foodies can find melted raclette, bratwursts, schnitzels and sugar-dusted crêpes, among other comfort dishes, at the pop-up restaurants, too.
Where: The Rocks, Sydney 2000.
When: July 10-July 19.
Price: Free entry.
LAST CHANCE: Bondi Festival
Bondi Festival is back, serving up comedy, theatre, music and even a beachside ice rink. You might normally associate Bondi with summer, surfing and sun; however, the Bondi Festival is here to keep the famous suburb relevant through the winter months. The ice rink will be available throughout the festival, with tickets priced from $15 to $28 for a 45-minute session.
Where: Bondi Pavilion and surrounding areas.
When: Friday, July 3–Sunday, July 19.
Price: Price varies depending on the event.
School holiday activities
Darling Harbour Ice Rink
The Darling Harbour Ice Rink is back, giving Sydneysiders the chance to glide across an open-air rink just metres from the waterfront at Palm Grove. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or a complete beginner, there’s plenty of fun to be had. Grab a penguin skating aid if you’re not the most confident skater (or just cling onto your more confident mate!. It’s a festive, family-friendly way to embrace the winter chill in the heart of the city.
Where: Palm Grove Forecourt (outside IMAX Sydney), Shop 4, Ground Level/35 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: June 27-July 19.
Price: Tickets from $28.
Two-for-one tickets to Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires
Looking for a bloody good time these school holidays? The Australian Museum has you covered, thanks to its globally acclaimed, award-winning new exhibition, dedicated entirely to bloodsuckers. Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires is an immersive exhibition about bats, birds, and mites that want to suck your blood.
While it might test the nerves of the more squeamish visitors, the exhibition’s true draw is how it brings wildlife lovers face-to-face with nature’s most sophisticated micro-predators. What’s more, with two-for-one tickets available throughout the winter school holidays, there’s never been a better excuse to visit the museum.
Where: Australian Museum, 1 William St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010.
When: Offer available throughout school holidays.
Price: Adult tickets from $28; children’s tickets (4-15 years old) from $15.
You & Me and The Land of Lost Things
Bestselling author Andy Griffiths brings his brilliantly bonkers YOU & ME and The Land of Lost Things to the stage in a hilarious new theatrical adventure for young audiences. As the final stop of a national tour, get ready for action, imagination and extremely questionable navigation as colourful characters embark on a quest through a world of snapping turtles, flying socks, treasure-hungry pirates and a very anxious bull.
Where: Playhouse at the Sydney Opera House.
When: July 4-19.
Price: Tickets from $39.90.
Where to eat and sip
Score free wings at Chippendale’s new Wingstop
When Wingstop opened its first Australian location in Kings Cross, Sydney went wild, with hour-long queues snaking down the street. Now, the cult-favourite chicken chain is hoping to drum up the same hype for its new Chippendale store, offering the first ten people through the door free wings for an entire year.
The first 50 customers will also score exclusive Wingstop merch, with the first 300 customers getting six free wings. Time to get queuing!
Where: 28 Broadway, Chippendale NSW 2008.
When: July 17, from 11am.
Price: The first 300 customers get six free wings.
Winter Arbour at RAFI North Sydney
RAFI North Sydney is bringing back its Winter Arbour series after a sold-out debut in 2025. Transforming the one-hatted venue’s glass Arbour into an immersive winter dining destination, the experience promises stunning interiors and ambience inspired by the rugged beauty of Northern Australia, as well as a premium dining experience.
Together, Executive Chef Matias Cillóniz and Head Chef Keith Dsouza have curated a $128pp sharing banquet revolving around Wagyu and seasonal produce: think Wagyu tartare with horseradish, eschalot and quail egg; slow-braised Westholme Wagyu cheek with garlic chive kimchi and fermented black bean. Sign us up.
This year also marks the debut of the Chef’s Kitchen experience, an intimate private dining space for just 12 guests that’s available to book.
Where: 99 Mount St, North Sydney NSW 2060.
When: June 29-September 6.
Price: $128 per person.
Pints for schooner prices at Three Blue Ducks Rosebery
Three Blue Ducks is celebrating their new partnership with the Inner West beer legends Young Henry’s, serving pints for schooner prices all day (and on the following Sundays). As roast dinner season is officially underway, enjoy their fire-cooked Sunday Roast with generous gravy, nostalgic sides and even a veggie roast, so no one misses out. The Three Blue Ducks is widely regarded as serving one of the best roasts in Sydney, so don’t miss out!
Where: 1/85 Dunning Ave, Rosebery NSW 2018.
When: Sunday 5 July, from 11:30am-6pm.
Price: Sunday roasts start at $36.
$39 steak frites lunch special at 20 Chapel
Pop down to 20 Chapel in Marrickville on Friday, and you can secure a $39 steak frites, featuring a 250g Blackmore Wagyu eye of round steak, crispy fries and a choice of black pepper and curry leaf sauce or mushroom, onion and Marsala sauce. Widely regarded as one of the best steak restaurants in Sydney, this deal offers the ideal, budget-friendly way to try their fire-cooked produce.
Where: 20 Chapel St, Marrickville NSW 2204.
When: Available every Friday, 12pm-3pm.
Price: $39 for steak frites.
Gigs and concerts
Nocturne at Pier Pavilion
Barangaroo’s stunning Pier Pavilion is hosting a free four-week concert series until July 25, with talented local musicians performing contemporary chamber music and inventive classical interpretations every Friday and Saturday evening against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour.
This weekend, Enigma Quartet takes to the stage as it celebrates 20 years on Australia’s classical music scene. The quartet has performed and recorded with major contemporary artists, including Passenger, appearing on three of his albums, one of which features the global hit ‘Let Her Go’.
Where: 3 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000.
When: July 17 and 18 from 5:30pm.
Price: Free.
claire rousay at Elizabeth Bay House
As part of Museums of History NSW’s winter concert series, House/Music, historic houses and museums across Sydney are transforming into intimate live music venues.
This Friday, Canadian-American musician claire rousay takes to the stage at Elizabeth Bay House, famed for its grand interiors and sweeping harbour views. Arrive early to explore the historic setting, grab a drink from the pop-up bar by Redfern’s The Noble Hops, then settle in for the music.
Where: Elizabeth Bay House, 7 Onslow Avenue, Elizabeth Bay, NSW 2011.
When: July 17, 6pm-6:45pm, 8pm-8:45pm.
Price: Tickets from $55.
What’s on in theatre
The Lion King
In very exciting news for Sydney’s theatre fanatics, the 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, 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: April 18-August 9, 2026.
Price: From $165.
The Merry Widow
Franz Lehár’s beloved operetta arrives at the Sydney Opera House this July, inviting audiences to waltz into a world of glamour, romance and lavish parties. Visually spectacular and led by internationally acclaimed soprano Emma Pearson alongside beloved Australian star Julie Lea Goodwin, who will share the role of Hanna, the production is shaping up to be one of the highlights of Opera Australia’s 2026 season.
When: July 8-August 18.
Price: Tickets from $50.
LAST CHANCE: Mackenzie
What if Macbeth wasn’t a Scottish king consumed by ambition, but a Disney Channel-style 13-year-old child star desperate to be famous? That’s the gloriously chaotic premise behind Mackenzie, the new play from acclaimed Australian playwright Yve Blake, in partnership with Bell Shakespeare.
Described as a dark, camp and satirical reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Blake tells us that the production will transport the audience to the “golden era of Nickelodeon and Disney Channel.” Think Hannah Montana, High School Musical and Jojo Siwa colliding with one of Shakespeare’s bloodiest tragedies. You can check out our interview with Blake here.
Where: The Neilson Nutshell, 13A Hickson Rd, Dawes Point NSW 2000.
When: June 6-July 18.
Price: Adult tickets from $94, Under 18/Under 35 A-reserve tickets from $45 for Tuesday-Thursday performances.
Sporting events
Nations Championship
The Wallabies will face Italy in their third match of the 2026 Nations Championship, with kick-off set for 10:15pm AEST. Head to your local pub and catch all the action as the Wallabies try to win their first game of the tournament, after two disappointing losses against France and Ireland.
Where: Allianz Stadium, Driver Avenue, Moore Park, NSW 2021.
When: July 4, 11, 18.
NRL: Bulldogs vs West Tigers at Accor Stadium
The NRL Telstra Premiership is well past the halfway mark, with Round 20 kicking off this week. This Saturday, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will face the Wests Tigers at Accor Stadium, with tickets starting from just $35. If you’re looking for a live sporting clash to get excited about, head to Sydney Olympic Park and catch the action.
Where: Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW.
When: July 18 at 7:30pm.
Price: Tickets start at $35.
Art exhibitions and events
Avatar: Forms of Vishnu
This ambitious new exhibition will be 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. The exhibition will bring 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 included 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: June 20-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 next exhibition, titled Black Myth, is set to open on June 25, running 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: June 25-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 that brings together his work across sculpture, photography, installation, painting, and assemblage alongside major new commissions.
Tony Albert: Not a Souvenir introduces a new word to us (one that 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 instead celebrate cultural pride and survival.
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art, 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000.
When: May 21-October 19.
Price: Tickets from $28.
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.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition
The highly anticipated tour of Harry Potter: The Exhibition is currently showing at Paddington Pavilion in Sydney Olympic Park, and it’s 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-visit for witches, wizards and devoted Muggles alike.
Where: Paddington Pavilion at Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127.
When: Opens May 14 until October 2026.
Price: Tickets start at $33.
Banksy Limitless
This immersive exhibition made its way Down Under from London after a successful debut, bringing the voice of one of the most influential figures in contemporary culture.
Banksy Limitless is an immersive art exhibition presenting a bold journey through the street-art icon’s ideas, imagery and legacy. Running until the end of August, this multi-sensory exhibition is not one to miss.
Where: 155 George St, The Rocks, 2000.
When: April 3- August 30.
Price: From $42 per person.
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.
