Sydney is serving up a weekend packed with excitement, flavour and culture, whether you’re a sports fanatic, a dedicated foodie or simply looking for something different to do.
Football fever continues to sweep the city as the Socceroos take on the USA in a crucial FIFA World Cup clash, with fans expected to gather at live sites, pubs and bars across Sydney to cheer on the green and gold. It may be a 5am start, but that won’t stop enthusiastic Socceroo fans.
If a slower start to the weekend is more your style, the Good Food & Wine Show returns to the ICC, bringing together hundreds of producers, wineries and artisan food makers for three days of tastings, demonstrations and culinary inspiration, including the debut of the new Baker’s Alley precinct.
For those seeking a cultural day trip, the Art Gallery of NSW will be unveiling an anticipated new exhibition titled Avatar: Forms of Vishnu. Bringing together more than 200 historical and contemporary works inspired by one of Hinduism’s most revered deities, the landmark exhibition will feature ancient sculptures, rare paintings, textiles, photography and large-scale installations.
Whether you’re looking for sport, food, music or culture, here are the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.
Things to do in Sydney this weekend
Our top picks
FIFA World Cup
After the Socceroos’ blockbuster win against Turkey last weekend, it’s time for them to don their gold and green once again and take on the USA. Since the States are hosting and will have home turf advantage, the Socceroos will need all your support (even if it is coming from the other side of the world). This week’s game kicks off at 5am Sydney time, so set those alarms and get ready to celebrate another Socceroos win (we hope) with a coffee in hand.
Soccer fans will be able to catch all the action around Sydney, with the NSW government and various councils setting up free live fan zones with big screens streaming the game. Pubs throughout Sydney will also be screening all the action, with venues like the Sackville Hotel, Cheers Bar, The Erko and Coogee Bay Hotel gearing up to show the big weekend of sport.
Where: Tumbalong Park and throughout the city.
When: FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19. The Socceroos will play on Saturday, June 20 at 5am.
Price: Free.
Good Food & Wine Show
Sip, sample, and shop your way around the country’s longest-running consumer food and wine event. Catch live cooking demonstrations, explore the hundreds of wines being showcased and try artisan products as you peruse the huge foodie fair. This year, they’re introducing a new dedicated bakery precinct, called “Baker’s Alley”, as well as a hands-on Cooking School.
Baker’s Alley will bring together 10 of Australia’s most popular independent bakeries for the Sydney show. Each baker will create an exclusive baked masterpiece available only at the show. You can see the full program and purchase your tickets here.
Where: ICC.
When: 19-21 June 2026 at the ICC
Price: Single-day tickets from $49.95, multi-day from $99.95
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.
Sporting events
Greater Western Giants v Carlton
The Giants will go into this Round 14 match with a distinct home-ground advantage (they are notoriously tough to beat at Engie Stadium), while Carlton looks to settle for the second half of the season following the departure of its coach.
Where: Engie Stadium, Olympic Park.
When: June 20, 2026, at 4:15pm.
Price: From $27.
Rugby League
This weekend, there are local derbies, old club rivalries and interstate teams coming to visit at matches taking place at major stadiums and smaller local grounds. On Saturday, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will take on the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Accor Stadium, while the Sydney Roosters will play the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
For all the details, go to nrl.com for the fixtures list.
Where: Accor Stadium, Leichhardt Oval, Allianz Stadium.
When: June 8, 11, 14, 20, 21.
Price: Varies.
Art galleries and museums
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 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.
Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard
Discover mysterious and unique Viking-age treasures at this fascinating exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum. This display offers a rare glimpse into the Galloway Hoard, a collection of Viking-age objects buried around AD 900. Containing over five kilograms of silver, gold and other materials, this exhibition explores who buried the hoard, their stories, the world of Viking-age Europe, and the cutting-edge conservation and research now revealing its secrets.
Where: Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray St, Darling Harbour, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: May 28-October 11, 2026.
Price: Tickets from $35.
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 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 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.
Sistine Chapel Exhibition: Revelations
This exhibition will use monumental projections to recreate the interior of the Sistine Chapel in a purpose-built structure outside the landmark St Mary’s Cathedral.
Sistine Chapel Exhibition: Revelations is part of the growing trend of “immersive experiences”, using cutting-edge digital technology to project ultra-high resolution images of the world’s most recognised artworks to audiences, while the priceless pieces stay safely under lock and key.
Where: St Mary’s Cathedral forecourt, College St, Sydney
When: Until July 19, 2026
Price: From $50.
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.
Theatre and performances
Hair
If you love all things ’60s (bell-bottoms, fringe, long hair and a free-spirited attitude), head to Theatre Royal this weekend to see the musical Hair take to the stage.
Back for a strictly limited season, this iconic tribal rock musical brings the vibrant counterculture of New York’s hippie movement to life on stage. Exploring themes of identity, community, social change, and the pursuit of peace, Hair remains as powerful and relevant today as it was when it first captivated audiences. You can read our review of the show here.
Where: Theatre Royal, 108 King St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: June 6-July 12.
Price: Preview performance tickets start at $69.
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.
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, 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.
LAST CHANCE: Tootsie
Another Broadway musical to make its highly anticipated Australian premiere at Teatro at the Italian Forum is the feel-good Tootsie, described by The New York Post as “Broadway’s funniest new musical”.
Based on the 1982 film, Tootsie tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a brilliant but notoriously difficult actor whose bad reputation is preventing him from finding work in New York City. In an effort to fund his own play, he dresses in drag and adopts a female persona, Dorothy Michaels, to audition for a role in a Broadway musical.
The story then centres on the challenges of maintaining this charade while he falls in love with his co-star, Julie Nichols.
Where: 23 Norton St, Leichhardt NSW 2040.
When: May 26-June 21.
Price: Tickets start at $75.
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.
LAST CHANCE: 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.
Where to eat and sip
Taste the Music Festival
This weekend will see the inaugural Taste the Music Festival take over Leichhardt’s Little Italy precinct, in a celebration of community spirit, food and music.
Festival-goers can enjoy discounted Aperol spritzes, fresh cannolis and handmade pasta from iconic local venues, including Aperitivo Pizza Pasta, Moretti Ristorante and La Botte D’Oro, while jazz performances, DJs, roving entertainers and emerging musicians bring the streets to life.
Round out your festival experience with the Broadway musical Tootsie at Teatro at the Italian Forum. It’s your last chance to see the production, so start with a pizza and an Aperol before taking your seat for the show.
Where: Little Italy, Norton St, Leichhardt NSW 2040.
When: June 19, 11am-10pm, June 20, 5pm-10pm.
Price: Free entry.
$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.
Save up to 50% off at SRG venues
This June, Sydney Restaurant Group is rolling out up to 50% off dining across its portfolio of Sydney venues. Running for two months, the promotion will see restaurants including Ripples Chowder Bay, Ormeggio at The Spit and NOI Petersham offering discounted set menus, with many venues also welcoming diners to BYO.
From Balmain and Summer Hill to Manly and Cronulla, SRG runs some of the most iconic (and aesthetic) restaurants across the city. Venues including Ripples Little Manly, Summer Salt and Ormeggio at The Spit have become favourites for their waterfront settings, breezy coastal interiors and unmistakable European summer energy. You can find out more here.
Where: Available at select Sydney Restaurant Group venues.
When: Throughout June.
Price: Save up to 50% off with set menus at SRG.
Gigs and concerts
Dave
Acclaimed British artist and songwriter Dave will embark on his long-awaited Australian arena tour in June 2026, marking his first headline tour since the release of his last album, We’re All Alone in This Together, in 2021. Famous for his hits like ‘Sprinter’, ‘Thiago Silva’, ‘Funky Friday’ and ‘Samantha’, Dave’s huge Aussie following will no doubt be ecstatic at his return.
Where: Qudos Bank Arena, 19 Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park.
When: June 20.
Price: Tickets from $112.05.
Mental As Anything
It’s a mix of the old and the new as legendary Aussie band Mental As Anything make an historic comeback with this 2026 tour as OG founding members Peter O’Doherty and Reg Mombassa reunite and lead a new lineup to perform once again under the Mentals banner. The tour marks the band’s 50th anniversary, and with 25 Top 40 hits to their name, expect to sing along to all your faves – as well as get hit with some new surprises.
Where: Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Road, Newtown.
When: June 19, 2026.
Price: From $89 via Ticketek.
Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony
For four days straight, Beethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony will be performed at the Sydney Opera House’s Concert Hall. Returning after a Sydney debut in 2024 that “brought the house down”, conductor Anja Bihlmaier leads this rich, century-spanning program.
Moving from introspection and suspense to exhilaration and light, this concert showcases music’s enduring power to captivate, uplift and inspire. Don’t miss this chance to experience one of classical music’s most thrilling works.
Where: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: June 17-20. At 8pm every day apart from June 18, which takes place at 1:30pm.
Price: Tickets start at $50.
