2026 promises to be a year of culture, sport, music and unforgettable spectacle across Sydney, characterised by exciting new openings, the arrival of international stars and theatre productions, plus the return of some of our favourite Sydney events.
We’ve rounded up the top events of 2026 so you can plan, book and get excited for everything Sydney has in store this year. Highlights include the opening of Western Sydney Airport, the debut of the sleek new Sydney Fish Market, the return of The Lion King to the Capitol Theatre, and the 25th anniversary of the Biennale of Sydney. Read on to lock in an unforgettable year ahead.
Sydney’s top events in 2026
January
1. Sydney Fish Market Opening
After decades of planning, the brand-new Sydney Fish Market at Blackwattle Bay will officially open its doors on January 19. The $836 million redeveloped fish market has been transformed into a full-day dining and leisure precinct, combining the drama of a working market with sunset cocktails, cooking classes, and harbour views. Set beside the ANZAC Bridge and minutes from the CBD, the new market anchors Sydney’s Bays Precinct, replacing the ageing Pyrmont site with a sustainable, design-forward destination. The new hub encourages movement: start with breakfast on the terrace, wander the retail arcade, join a cooking demo, then wind down with champagne and oysters as the sunset reflects off the ANZAC Bridge.
For more information on the redevelopment, click here.
Where: Corner Pyrmont Bridge Rd &, Bank St, Pyrmont NSW 2009.
When: January 19, 2026.
2. Sydney Festival
January marks the return of Sydney Festival, the ultimate citywide cultural takeover, which kicks off on the 8th and runs until January 25th. The festival will feature two weeks of trailblazing theatre, music, dance, installation, and all kinds of bold and bonkers live performances that embrace the art of summer in Sydney. Highlights of the program include the heartwarming roller skating-centred play Mama Does Derby, the street shutdown slash movie set extravaganza Live on Hickson Road: Efectos Especiales and the kaleidoscopic Irish variety show, WAKE.
Where: Citywide.
When: January 8 to January 25, 2026.
February
3. Mardi Gras
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival is one of the city’s most iconic events, best known for its vibrant, loud and proud annual parade, which this year will take place on Saturday, February 28. The 48th edition of Sydney Mardi Gras will be titled ECSTATICA and is “an act of euphoric rebellion… a collision of glamour, grit, and raw joy that burns brighter when we stand together.” Sydney will be transformed into a pulsating party scene for two weeks from February 16 until March 3, featuring a program jam-packed with theatre, dance parties, cabaret and comedy nights. For our top tips for planning your perfect Mardi Gras, plus the 12 best events of Mardi Gras 2026, click here.
Where: Citywide.
When: February 16- March 3, 2026.
4. TropFest
It’s been six years since Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival, last championed homegrown filmmakers in Sydney, so we’re thrilled to see it finally return after a long hiatus. Returning with “a new era of creativity, diversity, and innovation”, the festival’s main event is a free outdoor event in Centennial Park, where aspiring filmmakers will be in the running for a host of major prizes, including a share of $100,000. When creating their short films, entrants must include the Tropfest Signature Item (TSI), which proves that their film was made specifically for the festival. This year, the TSI is an hourglass, due to its symbolism of time, creativity and magic, and the finalists of the competition will have their films screened at the Centennial Park event.
Where: Live event hosted at Centennial Park.
When: February 22, 2026.
5. Ed Sheeran
British singer-songwriter and multi-award-winning artist Ed Sheeran will tour Australia in early 2026. His Sydney set is taking place at Accor Stadium on February 13 and February 14, aka making his concert the ultimate Valentine’s Day present to your partner. Ed last played in Australia in 2023, when he made headlines for repeatedly breaking Australian concert attendance records. More than 200,000 fans travelled to Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia’s largest stadium, to catch his 2023 shows, so there’s no doubt his arrival in Sydney is on every Sheerio’s radar.
For more info on how you can secure tickets, click here.
Where: Accor Stadium.
When: Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14, 2026.
March
6. Biennale of Sydney 25th Anniversary
One of Australia’s leading contemporary art events, the Biennale of Sydney returns for a major milestone: its 25th anniversary. Renowned for providing a platform for bold ideas and boundary-pushing art, the Biennale 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 will be titled Rememory, and is set to be presented completely free to the public from March 14 to June 14. The title Rememory 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.
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.
7. Handa Opera 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 by Fleet Steps at Mrs Macquries 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 spectacular nightly fireworks display. For more on the 2026 Handa Opera extravaganza, click here.
Where: Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney.
When: March 27-May 3, 2026.
8. CAKE PICNIC
NO CAKE, NO ENTRY is the rule for CAKE PICNIC, a community-focused baking event which will take place at the Royal Botanic Gardens in 2026. Welcoming 500 guests, CAKE PICNIC is set to become Sydney’s most elaborate community cake gathering, promising to be a treat for the taste buds but also an amazing place to meet fellow bakers. The event is in partnership with KitchenAid, and will coincide with the reveal of their sixth colour of the year. Attendees will also get a goodie bag to take home, however the popularity of the event means that it sold out pretty much immediately, so any keen bakers who missed out will have to wait until next year.
Where: Tarpeian Lawn, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Saturday, March 28, 9am-11am.
9. AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup takes place every four years, with national teams belonging to the Asian Football Confederation battling it out to take the trophy. This year, Australia will host the tournament across five venues in three host cities, with matches set to take place at Sydney’s Western Sydney Stadium and Accor Stadium. Competing teams include Australia, Japan, China PR, Korea Republic, IR Iran, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, Philippines and DPR Korea. You can purchase your tickets for the cup here.
Where: Matches played across Australia, with Western Sydney Stadium and Accor Stadium hosting matches in Sydney.
When: March 1-21, 2026.
April
10. Royal Easter Show
Australia’s largest and most exciting annual ticketed event for families, the Sydney Royal Easter Show, returns to Sydney Showground in Olympic Park from April 2 to April 13. Since it first began in 1823, the Sydney Royal Easter Show has been used as a form of edutainment for people of all ages, finding purpose by highlighting the very best of NSW agriculture and primary industries. The show is typically fashioned as a celebration of modern Australian culture, informed by rural traditions while also blending in elements of an amusement park and fair, interactive animal shows, and showcases for award-winning local produce. Plus, who could forget the iconic woodchopping competitions, huge variety of showbags, fireworks display and cow milking stations?!
Where: Sydney Showground, Grand Parade, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127.
When: April 2-April 13, 2026.
11. The Lion King
In very exciting news for Sydney’s theatre fanatics, blockbuster musical The Lion King will return to the Harbour City in April. The original Australian production of The Lion King premiered at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney in October 2003, returning for a second run ten years later in December 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 antcipated) 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.
May
12. Vivid Sydney
Australia’s largest annual festival of light, music, ideas and food returns on May 22, 2026, transforming the city into a dazzling display of creativity until June 13. Sydney’s usually renowned for beaches and sunshine, so Vivid’s presence in the winter months attempts to light up the city in a different way, although it also includes everything from high-energy performances at the city’s most iconic venues to foodie pop-ups with international global chefs (we’re looking at you, Nigella Lawson). Last year’s Vivid theme was “Dream”, and although the theme for 2026 hasn’t been confirmed, the festival is still looking for creatives to make the festival as bright and brilliant as it was in 2025.
Where: Citywide.
When: May 22-June 13, 2026.
June
13. Sydney Film Festival
We don’t know too much about the 2026 edition of the Sydney Film Festival, except that it will be running from June 3 to June 14. We also know that 2025 was the highest selling Festival in its history, welcoming over 150,000 attendees over 12 days, screening 242 films and hosting 448 screenings and events. There’s no doubt they’ll try and break these records in 2026, so watch this space for more information on its 73rd edition.
Where: Citywide.
When: June 3-June 14, 2026.
July
14. Sydney Super Cup
The 2026 Sydney Super Cup is set to be a very exciting tournament for soccer fans, as it was announced recently that Sydney will play host to two of the biggest teams in world football: Premier League sides Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur. The four-team tournament will be staged in Sydney at Accor Stadium and Allianz Stadium, with the two London teams taking on Sydne FC and Western Sydney Wanderers FC, before facing off against each other in an exciting ‘London Derby’, with the game bound to draw in plenty of local, national and international interest.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism and Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said, “Sydney has kicked another goal as Australia’s home of football, with two of the world’s best clubs coming to compete in the Sydney Super Cup 2026.” For more information and to secure your tickets, click here.
Where: Accor Stadium and Allianz Stadium.
When: July 29-August 5, 2026.
August
15. City2Surf
The world’s largest fun run, Voltaren City2Surf, returns on August 9, 2026, promising a day of excitement for participants and spectators alike, and continuing its tradition of being one of Sydney’s most beloved annual events. The iconic event begins in Sydney’s CBD and ends right on Bondi Beach (hence the name “City2Surf”). Take it from someone who managed to complete it in 2025— it’s worth signing up! There’s no better feeling than getting to the top of Heartbreak Hill and looking back at the stunning harbour view, or than crossing the finish line and heading to one of Bondi’s booming bars for a celebratory schooner. Registration typically opens four months before the run, but you can sign up to the mailing list here to stay up-to-date with any majort announcements.
Where: Start line at Hype Park, finish line at Bondi Beach.
When: August 9, 2026.
16. Sydney Marathon
Last year was a big deal for the Sydney Marathon, as it marked the first race since being crowned the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major. As Sydneysiders continue to obsess over running culture and run clubs take over as the main form of socialising in the city, there’s no doubt that the 2026 Sydney Marathon will be equally, if not more, popular than 2025. Even if running a marathon sounds like the worst time ever to you, you can still get in the spirit by supporting the tens of thousands of runners taking part, and making the most of the many food and drinks deals that pop up all over the CBD, The Rocks and Circular Quay.
Where: Citywide.
When: Sunday, 30 August 2026.
September
17. Sydney Fringe Festival
The largest independent arts festival in NSW, Sydney Fringe Festival, brings over 450 events across 70 venues across Greater Sydney. Weird, wacky, bonkers, heartfelt, hilarious— there’s a show for everyone at the Fringe Festival, with tickets being much cheaper than the other large blockbuster theatre events in Sydney. Highlights of last year’s Festival included blasphemous satire Nun Slut, the hilarious Scientology: The Musical and A Succulent Chinese Musical?!, which centred around the viral Aussie meme. This year’s festival will take place from September 1 to September 30 and will take place at various locations across Sydney.
Where: Citywide.
When: September 1-September 30, 2026.
18. Sydney Contemporary
Australasia’s premier art fair, Sydney Contemporary, will return to Carriageworks for the first week of Spring, running for three nights from September 3 to 6. They’ll showcase works from over 100 galleries and 500 artists, while also putting on thought-provoking panel discussions, large-scale installations, experimental live performances and more. Whether you’re a seasoned art lover or just love wandering round galleries, this is one to mark on your calendar.
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: September 3-6, 2026.
October
19. Sculpture by the Sea
Sculpture by the Sea has been confirmed to return to the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk on October 16 for two exciting weeks. Despite uncertainties around whether the 2025 edition would go ahead due to financial concerns, the event was confirmed last minute and was a great success, drawing both locals and visitors to the iconic beaches. Last year featured dolphins leaping out of toasters, giant lizards and beautiful bonsai trees, so we’re looking forward to seeing what weird, wacky and stunning sculptures will line the coastal walk in 2026.
Where: Bondi to Tamarama Coastal Walk.
When: October 16-November 2, 2026.
20. Olivia Dean
2025 was a huge year for Olivia Dean, but 2026 is set to be the year for the powerhouse artist, with two headline shows at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena set to take place on Friday, October 9 and Saturday October 10. The “Man I Need” and “Nice to Each Other” singer performed an iconic sold-out concert at the Fleet Steps in November 2025, with some fans hiring boats on the harbour to just be able to hear her sing. Her Qudos Bank Arena shows are therefore a big deal to Sydneysiders, and something to look forward to this year.
Where: Qudos Bank Arena, 19 Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127.
When: October 9 and October 10, 2026.
November
21. Rugby League World Cup Semi-Final
Sydney will play host to a very exciting Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) Semi-Final double-header in November 2026, as two men’s and two women’s teams battle it out for a coveted spot in the RLWC 2026 finals. Although the RLWC takes place in October and November, this double-header is not one to miss. The games will take place at Allianz Stadiu on Sunday November 8, with tickets from $39 for adults and $109 for families. The competing teams battling it out for the win are Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands, England, Samoa, Lebanon, Tonga, PNG and France.
Where: Allianz Stadium, 40/44 Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021.
When: November 8, 2026.
December
22. Sydney to Hobart
Although December brings a whole host of exciting festive events to Sydney, the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race remains a firm favourite for all those involved. Taking place annually on Boxing Day, this year’s Sydney to Hobart will mark the races 81st anniversary, with over 1000 sailors on more than 100 yachts expected to sail the 628 nautical miles to Hobart from Sydney Harbour.
Where: Start line in Sydney Harbour.
When: December 26, 2026.
Late 2026
23. Western Sydney Airport opening
Although exact dates haven’t been confirmed, Western Sydney’s new 24-hour airport is expected to welcome its first domestic, international and air cargo services in late 2026. Four airlines have confirmed their plans to operate out of WSI: Qantas, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand, though the latter won’t arrive until 2027. It’s a huge leap forward for Western Sydney, labelled a “once-in-a-lifetime project”, according to construction firm Multiplex’s Regional Managing Director David Ghannoum, and “has created a new world-class gateway to Sydney for domestic and international travellers. Located 44 kilometres from the CBD, the new airport in Badgerys Creek looks out over the surrounding Blue Mountains.
Where: Luddenham and Badgerys Creek, NSW 2745
When: Late 2026.
24. Powerhouse Parramatta opening
A hugely exciting new addition to Sydney’s cultural scene, Powerhouse Parramatta is set to open in late 2026, making it the largest cultural development in Sydney since the Sydney Opera House. The $1.3 billion development will open in late 2026 with ‘Task Eternal’ as its first major exhibition, which is pitched as an “expansive and immersive” exhibition, using various cutting-edge technologies and large-scale works to trace humanity’s persistence in defying gravity, taking flight, and exploring the vastness that exists far beyond our planet. We can’t wait to check out the new museum, which will also become the first major cultural institution to be established in Western Sydney.
Where: 34/47 Phillip St, Parramatta NSW 2150.
When: Late 2026.
