Sydney is leaning into winter in a big way this weekend, with everything from a must-win Socceroos World Cup clash and waterfront ice skating to blockbuster art exhibitions and world-class theatre.
The Socceroos face their biggest test of the tournament this weekend, taking on Paraguay in a must-win FIFA World Cup clash. A victory would see Australia progress to the knockout stages, making this one of the most important sporting moments of the year so far.
Winter officially arrives in Darling Harbour this Saturday with the return of the city’s open-air ice rink. Over in Manly, the final days of Rise Festival will bring light installations, live music, markets and a giant Ferris wheel to the beachfront.
Art lovers have plenty to look forward to, with the Incognito Art Show opening at Carriageworks and major exhibitions continuing across the city, including the recently opened Avatar: Forms of Vishnu and White Rabbit Gallery’s new exhibition, Black Myth.
Meanwhile, Sydney’s stages are packed with must-see performances, from Sydney Dance Company’s ambitious new triple bill Engine at the Opera House to comedy hit A Succulent Chinese Musical?! at Marrickville’s Flight Path Theatre.
Here are all the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.
Things to do in Sydney this weekend
Our top picks
Incognito Art Show
The Incognito Art Show will return to Sydney this June, finding a new home at Carriageworks. Offering over 20,000 original artworks for just $100 each, the fun of the Incognito Art Show is that the artist behind each piece remains anonymous. Buyers will choose art that they love and connect with, no matter who created it. You may have picked up a piece by an Archibald finalist, or from someone completely unknown!
All profits from the Incognito Art Show 2026 will help fund professional development programs for artists with disabilities, including Studio A in North Sydney, The Art Factory in Wagga Wagga and Access Arts in Brisbane.
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: June 27-July 5.
Price: Every piece of art costs $100.
FIFA World Cup
It’s time for the Socceroos to put on their green and gold once again as they face Paraguay in a must-win clash after a tough defeat to the United States. The stakes couldn’t be higher: a victory would see Australia progress to the knockout stages, keeping their World Cup dream alive. Kick-off is at 12pm Sydney time, so clear your lunch break and get ready to cheer on the Aussies.
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.
Engine at Sydney Opera House
Sydney Dance Company returns to the Sydney Opera House with Engine, a dynamic triple bill showcasing the power and versatility of contemporary dance through works by Rafael Bonachela, Fran Díaz and Melanie Lane.
The program includes three different performances: the world premiere of Bonachela’s The Journey Itself Is Home, set to a score by Grammy Award-winning composer Bryce Dessner; the Australian debut of Díaz’s The Mass Ornament and the Sydney return of Lane’s acclaimed Love Lock.
Sydney Dance Company is also introducing an exciting new $35 ticket tier for under-25s in a bid to attract younger audiences to the show.
Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: June 24-July 12, 2026.
Price: Adult tickets from $55, under-25s from $35.
Darling Harbour Ice Rink
The Darling Harbour Ice Rink returns this Saturday, 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.
Rise Manly
Presented by Northern Beaches Council, Rise Manly is a “winter event series”, bringing music, light, culture and community to the Northern Beaches suburb.
Nine days of large-scale light installations, roving performances, family-friendly activities, night markets and late-night trading will begin this Friday, June 19. The Corso and Manly’s laneways will be buzzing with live performances, artworks and more, as local shops, restaurants, bars, fitness and wellness businesses team up to present this 10-day party. There’s even a Ferris Wheel located on the Manly Beachfront!
Where: Various Manly venues.
When: Friday, June 19, until Sunday, June 28.
Price: Mostly free to attend, some ticketed events.
Go whale watching
The annual migration north of humpback whales is one of the natural wonders of the city – matched only by their return south with calves in tow. Scientists have predicted a record season of more than 40,000 whales will pass by the eastern seaboard between May and November. You can pay for a cruise (departing from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour) or grab some binoculars and head out for free to one of the vantage points at North Head, Cape Solander or even the Bondi to Coogee cliff path.
Where: Coastal vantage points and cruises depart Circular Quay and Darling Harbour.
When: Through to November.
Price: Free from shore. Cruises start from about $89.
Art galleries and museums
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 this Thursday, 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.
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. You can read more about the exhibition here.
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: June 20-October 5, 2026.
Price: Adult tickets from $35.
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 celebrate cultural pride and survival instead.
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.
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.
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.
A Succulent Chinese Musical?!
Written by Rick Butler and Kate Stewart, this hilarious musical follows the notorious car thief, factory burglar and serial prison escapee Jack Karlson, who is best known for his world-famous meme: “What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?”
After earning rave reviews at the Sydney Fringe Festival, this delightfully absurd “very serious theatre work” brings Karl’s larger-than-life story to the Flight Path Theatre in Marrickville.
Where: Flight Path Theatre, 9b/142 Addison Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204.
When: June 17-June 27.
Price: From $42.
Garry Starr: Classic Penguins
Fresh from a sell-out season in London’s West End and smash-hit Australian and UK tours, Garry Starr arrives at Carriageworks to bring his audience on a literary adventure. He’s hell-bent on saving books from extinction by performing every Penguin Classic novel ever written, in just one hour, and, at times, without any clothes on. He’ll be wearing flippers, though!
Garry Starr’s show won Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2025, Best Comedy at Adelaide Fringe 2025, and Best Comedy at Fringe World 2025, making it one of the most celebrated comedy hits on the international festival circuit, and therefore, not one to miss.
Where: 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: June 16-July 5.
Price: Tickets from $54.
Where to eat and sip
Super 44 by MUCHO Group
Just down the road from their cult-favourite Inner West martini bar, Bar Planet, the MUCHO Group team is preparing to open a new venue dedicated to fruit-forward margaritas. Named Super 44, the bar will serve up what the team describes as “fun, fresh, psychedelic drinks” in a space inspired by traditional Mexican cantinas and old-world European tavernas.
With a 2am licence on Fridays and Saturdays, Super 44 is shaping up to be one of Newtown’s hottest new late-night spots for margaritas and good times.
Where: 44 Enmore Road, Newtown, NSW 2042.
When: Opens Friday, June 26.
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
LOUDER at the Sydney Opera House
Live orchestra meets acrobatics in LOUDER, a performance by Gravity & Other Myths, one of Australia’s most acclaimed circus companies. They’ll be bringing their high-flying acrobatics to the stage in collaboration with the Brandenburger Symphoniker and conductor Sarah-Grace Williams with The Metropolitan Orchestra.
Whether you love the circus, classical music, or both, this high-energy, joyful show is not one to miss.
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: June 25-28, 2026.
Price: Tickets from $79.
