Sydney’s long weekend lineup will be a reflective one for many, as Anzac Day approaches and the city comes together to honour and remember.
Commemorations across the city will unfold from Friday evening through to Saturday’s services and traditions. Be sure to pay your respects at one of the Dawn Services held across the city, honouring veterans past and present, before heading to a local pub for a traditional game of two-up — come in, spinner!
At the same time, it’s a big moment for the arts, with the official opening of The Lion King on Thursday, alongside a sweeping new production of Romeo and Juliet by the Australian Ballet.
The Sydney Comedy Festival continues into its second week, with headliner Tiffany Haddish putting on a show for two huge nights at the Enmore Theatre. They have a huge program, featuring big international comedy superstars to lesser-known (but equally funny) upcomers in the scene, so make sure to check out our list of the best of the fest and the top budget-friendly shows.
Read on for all our top recs for the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.
Things to do in Sydney
Sydney Staples
Anzac Day
There are many ways to mark Anzac Day, an annual day of remembrance honouring all who have served and sacrificed in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Across Sydney, Dawn Services are held in the early hours, bringing communities together to commemorate fallen soldiers and veterans.
Although there are Dawn Services held in most councils, the official NSW Dawn Service takes place at The Cenotaph, beginning at 4:20am and drawing thousands each year. The moving ceremony includes the recitation of the Ode of Remembrance, the sounding of the Last Post, a minute’s silence, the Reveille, and the laying of wreaths.
Anzac Day also marks the only day of the year when the traditional Aussie gambling game of two-up is legal in NSW. Played by soldiers during wartime, the game has become a way to honour the spirit and camaraderie of the ANZACs. Across the city, pubs set up their own two-up rings, bringing lively crowds keen to take part in the long-standing tradition. We’ve rounded up the best spots to join in here.
Where: Citywide.
When: April 25.
Watch Anzac Day March
More than 10,000 veterans, their families, and current members of the Australian Defence Force will take part in the Anzac Day March through Sydney’s CBD this Saturday. Both a solemn commemoration and a moment of collective pride, the march draws thousands of spectators who line the streets to honour those who have served and remember those who can no longer march.
Proceedings begin at 9am at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Martin Place, continuing through the city before concluding at Liverpool Street at around 12:30pm. Following the march, a commemorative service will be held beside the Pool of Remembrance at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park South at 12:30pm.
Where: The intersection of Elizabeth Street and Martin Place, continuing through the CBD.
When: Proceedings begin at 9am.
Lest We Forget Sunset Tribute
The annual Lest We Forget Sunset Tribute Concert takes place on the Friday before Anzac Day, presented by the Australian Remembrance Foundation, a charity dedicated to honouring and promoting ANZAC and remembrance traditions. Marking “the going down of the sun,” the moving ceremony features national anthems, an Acknowledgement of Country, a Procession of Drums, and the Legacy Torch of Remembrance, alongside the recitation of the Ode, the Last Post, and a minute’s silence.
Tickets are free, with attendees encouraged to donate to the RSL ANZAC Appeal in support of veterans and their families.
Where: Sydney Opera House Forecourt.
When: April 24, gates open 3:30pm, tribute commences at 5pm.
Price: Free event, but RSVP is essential.
The Anzac Day Cup
Each year on Anzac Day, the Sydney Roosters face off against the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the annual Anzac Day Cup. First introduced in 2002 to honour the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, the match has become one of the most significant fixtures on the NRL calendar, played in Sydney and screened in pubs across the city.
The day begins with a moving pre-match ceremony, featuring traditions such as the riderless horse tribute, Red Berets parachuting into the stadium, and the Anzac Trophy delivered by helicopter. The ceremony also includes a performance by the Australian Army Band, a reading of the Ode of Remembrance, and the sounding of the Last Post. Kick-off is at 4:30pm, with gates opening from 1:30pm.
Where: 40/44 Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021.
When: April 25, kick-off at 4pm.
Price: Tickets from $90.
Western Sydney Airport Fun Run
Lace up your sneakers, Western Sydney Airport’s runway is about to double as the city’s most unique fun run, no boarding pass required. This Sunday, Western Sydney International Airport will host a special charity run in support of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, giving participants the rare chance to race along the tarmac while getting a first look at Sydney’s newest airport.
The day kicks off with the 4km run at 7 am, a single, exhilarating stretch down the runway. At 8 am, the half-marathon takes off, sending runners on three full laps of the tarmac. The 14 km race follows at 9 am, with the 7 km starting at 10:30 am. The festivities wrap up with a relaxed community walk, running from 1 pm to 4:30 pm, which will see over 10,000 walkers flood the runway.
You might not be able to fly in just yet, but it’s a pretty iconic way to celebrate its arrival—and a very Sydney twist on your usual Sunday run, giving local run clubs a serious run for their money.
Where: Western Sydney Airport Runway.
When: April 26, from 6:30am-4pm.
Price: Entry started at $22 for the 4km, peaking at $110 for the half-marathon.
Sydney Comedy Festival
Get ready for five weeks of non-stop laughter as the 22nd annual Sydney Comedy Festival takes over the city with a host of international and emerging comedy legends. This year, Sydney Comedy Festival has been extended, running from April 13 to May 17, meaning there’s even more time to hit the town and check out some of the local, national and international talents that are guaranteed to make your belly ache with laughter.
As the Sydney Comedy Festival rolls into its second week, the laughs keep coming, with a packed lineup of talent taking to stages across the city. Tiffany Haddish headlines at the Enmore Theatre on Saturday and Sunday, while comedy showcases light up The Comedy Store. There’s even a Scottish Comedy Showcase at Darling Quarter Theatre, adding an international theme to this week’s program.
Where: Citywide.
When: April 13-May 17.
Price: Ticket prices vary, with some shows free.
Monster Truck Mania Live
Australia’s favourite monster trucks are rolling into Qudos Bank Arena this weekend for a high-octane afternoon of family-friendly thrills. Expect these larger-than-life machines to tear up the arena in an action-packed show, backed by a lineup of crowd-pleasing support acts, including a flame-throwing jet car and jaw-dropping freestyle FMX motocross.
Where: Qudos Bank Arena, 19 Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127.
When: April 25 and 26 at 1pm.
Price: Tickets from $64.85.
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 now back again to the iconic venue 13 years later.
The musical, which has won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, will officially open on April 18 for a strictly limited (but highly anticipated) season. The cast will star Aphiwe Nyezi as Simba, Emily Nkomo as Nala, Nick Afoa as Mufasa and Buyi Zama as Rafiki.
Click here to find out more about the upcoming production.
Where: Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket NSW 2000.
When: April 18-August 9, 2026.
Price: From $165.
Anastasia
Anastasia has played to sold-out audiences on Broadway since its premiere in 2017, and has appeared across Europe, Latin America, Japan and North America. More than 15 major international awards later, it’s finally coming Down Under, set to transform the Lyric Theatre from April 7.
The story follows Anya, a resilient young woman on a journey to uncover the mystery of her past as she is pursued by an army officer determined to silence her. Centred on themes of romance, family and home, the production is based on the wildly popular animated film, which was released in 1997. 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.
Romeo and Juliet
Watch one of the world’s greatest love stories come to life on the stage of the Joan Sutherland Theatre. Renowned dancer and choreographer John Cranko reimagined William Shakespeare’s iconic tale as a sweeping classical ballet, transforming the stage into medieval Verona and bringing themes of love, rivalry, and tragedy to life. Whether you’re a devoted ballet enthusiast or new to the art form, it’s a truly captivating production not to miss.
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: April 24-May 13.
Price: Tickets from $56.
Handa Opera The Phantom of the Opera
Handa Opera is celebrating two anniversaries this year. 2026 marks Opera Australia’s 70th season, and to celebrate, they’ll be putting on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global phenomenon The Phantom of the Opera, 40 years after it debuted on the West End. Taking place at Fleet Steps at Mrs Macquarie’s Point, Handa Opera is one of the most anticipated theatre events in Sydney’s calendar, thanks to its stunning backdrop, one-of-a-kind customisable floating stage, and a spectacular fireworks display over Sydney Harbour that lights up the night sky during each performance. For more on the 2026 Handa Opera extravaganza, click here.
Where: Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney.
When: March 27-May 3, 2026.
Price: From $108 plus $9.80 booking fee.
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.
Directed by Damien Ryan and staged with live music, the production offers a deeply personal and emotionally charged plea for empathy and hope. Performances kick off on April 13 and will run until June 21.
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.
The River
Miranda Otto returns to the stage 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.
Cluedo The Play
Cluedo, the iconic whodunnit that has long captivated audiences on the tabletop and on screen (including the 1985 film from Paramount Pictures), has arrived on stage in Sydney. When six intriguing guests gather at Boddy Manor, secrets unravel, and murder is on the menu, with the audience invited to piece together the mystery. Packed with sharp wit, twists, and theatrical flair, Cluedo delivers a laugh-out-loud night of suspense that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Where: 108 King St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Playing until May 10.
Price: Tickets from $69.90.
My Brilliant Career
Playing at the Roslyn Packer Theatre from March 21 to May 3, My Brilliant Career offers a bold new take on Miles Franklin’s classic novel, featuring a live soundtrack that fuses pub rock, contemporary pop, and the spirited sounds of a bush band. One of Melbourne’s most in-demand tickets of 2024, this production will have its Sydney premiere in March, starring the talented Kala Gare as Sybylla Melvyn, the intelligent and ambitious young woman who refuses to conform to the idea that her greatest achievement should be finding a wealthy husband.
Where: 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay NSW 2000.
When: March 21-May 3, 2026.
Price: From $85 per adult, Under 30s tickets for $55.
The Prom at Teatro at the Italian Forum
Broadway smash hit production The Prom has made its way to Leichhardt’s Teatro, a 300-seat, up-and-coming arts hub located in the Italian Forum. The Prom follows a group of four eccentric Broadway stars who are on the hunt for a new stage. When they hear of trouble brewing around a small-town prom, they decide to put a spotlight on the issue (as well as themselves) as they champion a student who wants to take her girlfriend to prom. When they clash with conservative parents, their mission evolves into a heartfelt effort that ultimately unites the community through love and acceptance.
You can read our review of The Prom here.
Where: Teatro at the Italian Forum, Norton St, Leichhardt NSW 2040.
When: Running until April 26, 2026.
Price: Tickets from $85 (plus booking fee).
Gigs and Concerts
Parasite: Live in Concert
Parasite, the Academy Award-winning Best Picture and one of the most celebrated films of the century, is renowned for its haunting score by composer Jung Jae-il. This April, the Sydney Opera House will host a spectacular two-night concert, with Jung Jae-il himself on piano, conducting a 41-piece orchestra and performing the film’s iconic music live.
This is a rare chance to experience his work in an entirely new way, live in concert rather than behind a screen. The South Korean composer was also behind the score for Squid Games, more proof that he has an incredible talent for building anticipation, fear and unease through his compositions.
Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: April 24 and 25, 2026.
Price: From $79.90.
Masayoshi Takanaka
Legendary Japanese guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka takes to the stage at the International Convention Centre Sydney this Friday, fresh off a run of sold-out shows in Los Angeles. Bringing his signature surf-infused fusion sound to Sydney as part of his first-ever world tour, this is a rare chance to see Takanaka in action, complete with his iconic surfboard guitar, newly restored and returning to the stage for the first time in over a decade.
Where: International Convention Centre, 14 Darling Drive, Darling Harbour.
When: April 24 at 8pm.
Price: From $150.
Art Exhibitions and Events
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 celebrated 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. This year, the Biennale will expand its reach across five major exhibition sites: 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, giving access to the exhibition to visitors all over Sydney. You can read our official guide to the Biennale of Sydney here.
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. Described as “provocative and deeply relevant”, the exhibition encourages audiences to engage with Banky’s art and consider the questions that he poses to society. Running from the beginning of April until the end of March, 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.
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 gallery introduced the concept as an exploration of the term “Hooligans,” explaining: “Rabble-rousers, riffraff, scoundrels, and criminals. Troublemakers, wanderers, deviants, misfits. They’ve gone by many names — but to the Chinese state, they were once known simply as The Hooligans.“
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.
LAST CHANCE: Data Dreams: Art and AI
The first of its kind in a major Australian Museum, the new exhibition at the MCA, Data Dreams: Art and AI, considers artificial intelligence and its impact on contemporary life through the work of 10 visionary artists. Presented as part of the Sydney International Art Series 2025-26, this Aussie premiere explores how AI is transforming the way we live, think and create, focusing on a range of concerns, including the relationship between technology and power, and how algorithms and datasets are influencing our worldviews.
Where: Galleries Level 3, MCA, 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000.
When: November 21, 2025- April 27, 2026.
Price: Adult tickets are $35, Concession $28. Under 18s go free.
Ocean Photographer of the Year Exhibition
The premier exhibition of the Ocean Photographer of the Year is currently on at the Australian National Maritime Museum, showcasing a striking collection of winning and finalist images from over 15,000 global entries. Featuring 112 breathtaking images that celebrate the beauty of our ocean and highlight the importance of marine conservation, the exhibition raises awareness about the climate crisis affecting 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: Running until May 3, 2026.
Price: Special exhibition tickets start at $25 per adult.
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.
The Key’s Under The Mat is the current talk of the art world, marking Mike Hewson’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: 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. Using light, sound, performance, and chromatic experiments, she explores the nature of reality and highlights questions of movement, time, and bodily experience. 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.
