Looking for ways to make the most of the long weekend? We’ve rounded up the biggest and best happenings across Sydney, from must-see theatre and live music to Vivid Sydney highlights, sporting clashes and cultural events.
While Vivid Sydney may have cancelled its much-anticipated drone show, the festival is still lighting up the city with its spectacular Light Walk, immersive installations and a stacked lineup of live performances, including exclusive sets from Alison Wonderland, Ella Mai and Saint Levant. We’re particularly excited about Cristal Palace, three free shows featuring acrobatics, trapeze artists and clowning on the Sydney Harbour Foreshore.
Film lovers can dive into the 73rd Sydney Film Festival, which kicks off this week with hundreds of screenings from around the world, while theatre fans have plenty to celebrate with the highly anticipated previews of Mackenzie, a darkly funny, Disney Channel-inspired reimagining of Macbeth from acclaimed playwright Yve Blake.
Any foodies should drop by the Oyster in the House event at Shellhouse, which celebrates NSW Semillon and oysters with plenty of opportunities to taste and sample your way through the state’s best. Beer lovers should drop by the Australian Heritage Hotel to score free beer samples from one of Sydney’s favourite breweries, Young Henry’s.
Whether you’re chasing culture, a great night out, family-friendly entertainment or simply an excuse to get out of the house, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of the upcoming long weekend.
Things to do in Sydney this long weekend
Our top picks
Sydney Film Festival
The 73rd Sydney Film Festival lands with 248 films from 81 countries across 12 days, which is a lot to get your head around! It opens at the State Theatre on June 3 and runs across the city until June 14. You can check out our official guide and round-up here.
The Cannes contingent is strong this year, with 19 films coming from that festival. And then there’s the new strand Sartorial: Fashion on Film, featuring seven films on the fashion-cinema relationship, including Marc by Sofia, Sofia Coppola’s first doco on Marc Jacobs.
Where: Across the city.
When: June 3-14.
Price: Tickets start at $27.50.
Cristal Palace at Vivid Sydney
With three shows scheduled over the June long weekend, Cristal Palace will feature an open-air extravaganza of aerial acrobatics, dance and belief-defying circus feats. A talented ensemble of 29 performers will dazzle crowds with hoop acts, clowning, aerial trapeze and silk artists.
The Foreshore will be reimagined as a baroque ballroom, complete with a gigantic chandelier overhanging the stage and an airborne wind orchestra. The show is completely free to watch, simply rock up on June 5, 6 or 7 at 7:30pm and prepare to be amazed.
Where: Sydney Opera House Foreshore.
When: June 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30pm.
Price: Free.
Sheltering by Bangarra Dance Company
For two weeks only, Australia’s leading First Nations dance company will present a program of three powerful works: Keeping Grounded, Brown Boys, and Sheoak, which honour the past while looking to the future.
Under artistic director Frances Rings, Sheltering draws together these three works, which reflect not only different eras of Bangarra’s 36-year legacy but also remind us of the spirit at the heart of Indigenous worldviews and the enduring connections between people, land, and spirit.
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House.
When: June 3 to 13.
Price: From $64.
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, which will premiere with Bell Shakespeare on June 11, but you can head to preview shows on June 6, 7, 9 and 10.
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.
Free Young Henry’s Beer Tasting
One of Sydney’s favourite independent breweries, Young Henrys, is pouring free tastings this Sunday at The Australian Heritage Hotel in The Rocks. Join the Young Henrys team to sample a range of their signature brews while soaking up the atmosphere of one of Sydney’s oldest and most iconic pubs. It’s the perfect excuse to spend a Sunday afternoon discovering new favourites in a historic setting.
Where: 100 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, NSW 2000.
When: June 7 at 2pm.
Price: Free.
Theatre and musicals
Hair
If you love all things ’60s (bell-bottoms, fringe, long hair and a free-spirited attitude), head to Theatre Royal this Saturday to see a preview performance of Hair.
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.
Where: Theatre Royal, 108 King St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: June 6-July 12.
Price: Preview performance tickets start at $69.
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.
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.
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: 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).
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.
Gigs and concerts
Ella Mai
Grammy-winning RnB powerhouse Ella Mai brings her smooth vocals to Carriageworks this Friday, off the back of a sold-out global tour and the release of her latest album Do You Still Love Me?. The British singer-songwriter heads to Carriageworks as part of Vivid Sydney 2026’s music program and will be supported by artist KAIIT.
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: June 5 at 7pm.
Price: Tickets from $109.
Saint Levant
At just 25 years old, Saint Levant has enamoured audiences worldwide with his distinct blend of RnB, wowing crowds at Coachella and across North America and Europe. He’ll bring his trilingual love songs to Sydney for the first time this weekend, serenading lucky ticketholders at City Recital Hall. Both shows have sold out, so make sure to keep an eye on Tixel to purchase tickets on resale.
Where: City Recital Hall, 2 Angel Place, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: June 6 and 7, 7pm-11pm.
Price: Tickets are sold out but keep an eye on Tixel for resale.
Alison Wonderland
Another Vivid Sydney exclusive, Sydney-born electronic music star Alison Wonderland returns to her roots with the Wonderland Warehouse Project on Saturday. Channelling the raw, rebellious spirit of the warehouse parties that launched her career, the one-night-only event brings together a powerhouse lineup featuring Anna Lunoe, Airwolf Paradise, Katayanagi Twins and Prophecy Girl for an unforgettable night of dance music in Carriagework’s cavernous venue.
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: June 6 at 5pm.
Price: Tickets from $79.
Sporting events
Sydney Swans vs St Kilda
The 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership continues this weekend as the Sydney Swans take on St. Kilda at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Kicking off at 3:15pm, the match is a chance to get behind the Swans as they look to secure a home-ground win. Grab a schooner, throw on your red and white scarf and settle in for an afternoon of footy.
Where: SCG, 4 Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021.
When: June 7 at 3:15pm.
Price: From $29 via Ticketmaster.
West Tigers vs Penrith Panthers
Rugby league action returns to CommBank Stadium this weekend as the Wests Tigers face off against the Penrith Panthers in a blockbuster Telstra Premiership clash. With tickets starting from just $20, it’s an affordable day out for league fans and casual spectators alike. Round up your mates, grab a pre-game schooner and head west for what promises to be a cracking game.
Where: Commbank Stadium, 11-13 O’Connell St, Parramatta NSW 2150.
When: June 7 at 2pm.
Price: Tickets from $20.
Art exhibitions
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.
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.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition
The highly anticipated tour of Harry Potter: The Exhibition premiered at Paddington Pavilion in Sydney Olympic Park last week, confirming its status as 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 until October 2026.
Price: Tickets start at $33.
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.
LAST CHANCE: 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.
Where to eat and sip
Save up to 50% off at SRG venues
From June 1, 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.
Oysters in the House
This Vivid Sydney food and wine festival will take over Shell House for one day only this Sunday, celebrating two of NSW’s most iconic culinary staples: Sydney Rock Oysters and NSW Semillon. Oyster farmers from across NSW (including Shoalhaven, Port Stephens and the Clyde River) will come together to offer samples from across the state, all under one roof.
Tickets include festival entry, unlimited wine tasting, six oyster tokens and the Oyster 101 Compendium. There will also be a pop-up martini bar from Archie Rose inside the Clocktower Bar, as well as a one-day-only special snack menu featuring a Fried Oyster Po Boy with Jalapeño salsa and coriander.
Where: 37 Margaret St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: June 7, 12pm-7pm.
Price: $50 plus booking fee.
