From sunset gigs on the harbour to outdoor cinemas, blockbuster concerts and must-see exhibitions, Sydney is bursting with events that define summer in the city.
Editor’s Pick
With January drawing to a close, now’s the moment to soak up every last long, sun-soaked summer day in Sydney.
What am I most excited about this weekend? Definitely Peggy Gou’s return to Sydney, where she’ll be spinning up a storm at the huge Carriageworks precinct. That’s Saturday night sorted. During the day, I’m tempted to head to Woollahra Hotel for their Tennis on the Terrace pop-up to watch the finals of the Australian Open as it comes to a climactic close. For a wholesome Sunday vibe, I’ll head to the Watsons Bay Summer Market to browse its 150 stalls in the sunshine, before settling in for a picnic at nearby Camp Cove, or sampling something gourmet from one of the many food stalls on offer.
Things to do in Sydney this weekend
- Editor’s Pick
- Sydney Staples
- Sport events and activations
- Art Exhibitions and Galleries
- What’s on in Theatre
- Gigs and Concerts
Sydney Staples
1. Sunset Sessions at Cockatoo Island
Cockatoo Island returns with its popular Sunset Sessions, running from January through April and showcasing a lineup of talented musicians on its Biloela Lawn stage every Saturday. You can enjoy the low-key performances from the comfort of your picnic blanket as the sun sets over the picturesque Sydney Harbour. Tickets cost $38 per person, with children 12 and under welcome for free with a paying adult. To get to the famous island, simply hop on the F3 and F8 public ferries from Circular Quay or Barangaroo.
This weekend sees talented soul musician Bella Amor and Sydney-based singer-songwriter Mina-Siale take to the stage for two incredible sets.
Where: Cockatoo Island.
When: Saturdays from January 10 until April 4, 2026.
Price: Adult tickets: $38 per person.
2. Watsons Bay Summer Market
Held at the sunny Robertson Park, just a short walk from the waterfront, this beloved 150-stall strong market is an annual festival that celebrates the start of spring in Sydney, Expect to find a great variety of small stallholders, featuring products across food, fashion, art, craft, jewellery, photography, toys, pet gear, accessories, homewares, plants, eco stalls and plenty more. Peruse the stalls, snack on some food samples and soak in the sunshine at this Eastern suburb’s staple market.
Where: 22 Military Road, Watsons Bay NSW 2030.
When: February 1, 2026, 10am-4pm
Price: Free entry.
3. Flickerfest
Sydney’s beloved short film festival, Flickerfest, has been lighting up Bondi Beach for its 35th edition, showcasing an exciting program of 200 exceptional shorts, handpicked from a record-breaking 3700-plus entries. Various categories include FlickerUp, featuring shorts from filmmakers 18 and under, Rainbow Shorts, highlighting amazing LGBTQI+ films, a First Nations showcase and more. For an evening of bellyaching laughter, head to the 9pm Short Laughs Comedy 2 on Saturday, January 31, for a selection of comedy shorts from Australia and across the world. For romantics, don’t miss the LoveBites Shorts screening on Friday, January 30 at 9pm, where filmmakers explore the twists and turns of modern relationships.
The 10-day event will present its curated selection under the stars and in the theatre at the Bondi Pavilion, with the official closing night awards, screening and after party taking place on Sunday, February 1. Here, Flickerfest fans can applaud the filmmakers at the Awards Ceremony and enjoy a selection of the award-winning films.
Where: Bondi Beach (Bondi Pavilion indoor theatre).
When: January 23 to February 1, 2026.
Price: A standard single-session ticket goes for $25.
4. The World’s Most Beautiful Cinema
The Westpac Open Air Cinema is often labelled the world’s most beautiful, thanks to its prime location, perched on Mrs Macquaries Point, in front of the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge view. This weekend, you can still get tickets for their feel-good Friday film, Mamma Mia, plus the Oscar-nominated Sentimental Value on Saturday and The History of Sound on Sunday.
The stunning cinema will continue showcasing a curated mix of classic favourites, indie smashes and exciting new releases through to February 24, so book your tickets now and get excited for not just the movie, but the unbeatable backdrop too. You can check out the full program for the cinema here.
Where: Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Running from Friday, January 9, until Tuesday, February 24.
Price: From $40.
Sport Events and Activations
5. Sydney Derby Double Header
This Saturday is a big one for soccer fans, with the Sydney Derby Double Header kicking off at Moore Park’s Allianz Stadium. The game will see Sydney FC take on Western Sydney Wanderers FC in a grudge match 14 years in the making. The women’s game will begin at 5pm, before the men take to the pitch at 7:35pm. Tickets start at $40, so head down to Moore Park this weekend to witness Australia’s biggest football rivalry live in action.
Where: Allianz Stadium, 40/44 Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021.
When: January 31, women kick off at 5pm, men kick off at 7:35pm.
Price: Tickets from $40.
6. Woollahra Hotel’s AO Tennis on The Terrace
If you love tennis but left it too late to book a flight to Melbourne, head to the Woollahra Hotel instead. Their summer activation, Tennis on the Terrace (in partnership with Piper-Heidsieck and Balter), brings the Australian Open atmosphere to Sydney, complete with champagne on ice, deck chairs, strawberries and cream, and every match screened live. All the Grand Slam vibes, none of the airfare.
Where: 116 Queen St, Woollahra NSW 2025.
When: January 12-February 1, 2026.
Price: Free entry.
7. Play pickleball at South Eveleigh
Pickleball is the latest craze sweeping Sydney, and South Eveleigh has popped up its very own court in the heart of the precinct, inviting Sydneysiders to drop by and learn how to play the fast-growing sport. Innovation Plaza has transformed into a Pickleball hub, with beginner lessons available on Wednesdays from 3:30pm-7:30pm and Saturdays from 7:30am- 12:30pm. Outside of lesson times, the court will be open for free casual play, giving visitors the perfect opportunity to perfect their pickleball technique.
Where: South Eveleigh, Innovation Plaza (near BrewDog).
When: January 6 until February 1, 2026, courts open daily from 7:30am-7:30pm.
Price: $10 per person, maximum 4 players per session.
Gigs and Concerts
8. Peggy Gou at Carriageworks
Easily one of the biggest DJs in the world, South Korean DJ and singer-songwriter Peggy Gou will be bringing her boundary-breaking sound to Carriageworks this weekend, joined by the talented Mimi J, Ayebatonye and Bryson Hill. Fans of It Makes You Forget (Itgehane) and (It Goes Like) Nanana can expect that kind of high-energy vibe throughout her set, in what Carriageworks call “music that is open-ended, genre-fluid and instinctively human.”
Where: 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: January 31, doors open at 5pm.
Price: Tickets from $119.90.
9. Renee Rapp at Hordern Pavilion
Gen-Z icon and critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Reneé Rapp will head Down Under this January for a series of first-ever Australian headline shows. Showcasing material from her sophomore album BITE ME, Reneé is sure to put on an incredible show as she enters an exciting new chapter in her career. The “I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone” and “Tummy Hurts” singer has sold out her two nights at Hordern Pavilion; however, tickets may be available to purchase on resale platforms like Tixel.
Where: Hordern Pavilion, 1 Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021.
When: January 29 and 30, 2026.
Price: Tickets from $122.24.
10. Ocean Alley at The Domain
Globally renowned rockers Ocean Alley are returning home this weekend (the band is originally from Sydney’s Northern Beaches) for their biggest Australian headline show to date. Joined by special guests Nothing But Thieves, Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Ruby Fields, the band will be performing tracks from their fifth album Love Balloon. With over one billion streams to their name, the ‘Confidence’ singers are sure to draw a crowd at The Domain, packing the concert with both longtime fans and new converts alike.
Where: Phillip Precinct, The Domain Sydney.
When: January 31, 2026 at 5:30pm.
Price: From $159.90.
Art Exhibitions and Galleries
11. The Hooligans at White Rabbit Art Gallery
White Rabbit Art Gallery in Chippendale is home to one of the world’s most significant collections of contemporary Chinese art. It recently reopened with a bold new exhibition, titled The Hooligans, which will run until May next year. The new exhibition has been introduced by the gallery as exploring the term “Hooligans”, with its summary stating, “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.
12. Encounter by Ron Mueck
Internationally celebrated artist Ron Mueck returns to Australia with a major new exhibition. Encounter is the largest exhibition by the artist ever to be presented in Australia, and comprises sculptures drawn from across the globe. If Mueck’s recent exhibition in Seoul is anything to go by, where 100,000 people visited in just 20 days, Encounter is set to draw huge numbers in Sydney. Of the 15 sculptures featured in the exhibition, nine are making their Australian debut, with one never-before-seen work, Havoc, commissioned especially for Sydney.
Mueck is known for his hyperrealistic sculptures, which range from minute to massive, conveying themes that explore our relationship with the world, including birth, death, alienation and togetherness. We had a first look at the exhibition last week, and you can check out our review of the incredible works here.
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Naala Badu, Lower Level 2, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: December 6, 2025- April 12, 2026.
Price: Adult tickets: $35, Youth: $18.
13. Data Dreams: Art and AI at the MCA
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. You can buy your tickets here.
14. Ocean Photographer of the Year Exhibition
The premier exhibition of the Ocean Photographer of the Year opened at the Australian National Maritime Museum last week, 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.
15. Ricky Swallow, Bent Forms
Who would’ve thought that what was missing from your shot of the Opera House was a giant bent stainless steel spoon? Ricky Swallow’s commission for the MCA’s Loti Smorgon Sculpture Terrace sees four huge spoons dotted across the lookout. They were created by Swallow from scaled-up wax prints of actual teaspoons, which he bent into various shapes. Head to the terrace and enjoy panoramic views of Sydney’s iconic harbour as you check out the wacky pieces of art by Swallow. If you loved Sculpture by the Sea, this exhibition is also worth a visit.
Where: Loti Smorgon Sculpture Terrace, MCA, 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000.
When: Showing until July 20, 2026.
Price: Admission from $20.
16. Dangerously Modern
This brand-new exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW celebrates the remarkable women artists who overcame social barriers to forge international careers beyond Australia. This exciting exhibition is the first to celebrate the vital role of Australian women in shaping international modernism, featuring iconic figures like Margaret Preston, Nora Heysen and Grace Cossington Smith, as well as the under-recognised Agnes Goodsir, Justine Kong Sing and Helen Stewart. The exhibition will show more than 200 works, expanding visitors’ understanding of modern art movements, including realism, impressionism, post-impressionism, cubism and abstraction.
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Running until February 15, 2026.
Price: Adult tickets: $35, Youth: $18.
17. Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under the Mat
New Zealand-born, Sydney-based artist Mike Hewson is next in a long line of artists aching to take over 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.
What’s on in Theatre
18. Hänsel and Gretel at the Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is declaring this production of Hänsel and Gretel “an operatic feast” that is “grand, gripping and deliciously dark”. The whimsical production from acclaimed director Elijah Moshinsky is based on the original Grimms’ fairytale, packing in plenty of humour and heart to balance out its dark undertones. Perfect for people who are yet to see an opera, Hänsel and Gretel is a vibrant, surreal and enchanting production.
Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: January 27 to February 28, 2026.
Price: Tickets from $79.
19. Gatsby at the Green Light
After the sell-out success of its premiere season, GATSBY at the Green Light will return for a sultry stint at the Sydney Opera House this weekend. Transforming the Studio into a 1920s-inspired club, the show revolves around cabaret, outlandish performances and all the glitz and glamour of the Roaring Twenties.
Despite being inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic novel, the show doesn’t follow the storyline exactly; instead, it immerses audiences in the dazzling world of Gatsby’s legendary parties. Think debauchery, sensuality and opulence. The show will feature ARIA Award-nominated artist Odette, who will sing soulful tunes as performers spin, twirl and fly through the air. Canadian circus artist Spencer Craig, who specialises in aerial loop, will be hosting the show as charismatic yet mysterious Gatsby. Soaring by his side will be daring Caitlin Thomson-Moylan, who will play his eternal (but doomed) love Daisy.
Where: The Studio at Sydney Opera House.
When: From December 13, 2025, until March 28, 2026.
Price: From $59 plus booking fee.
20. Barbra: The Greatest Star
The Hayes Theatre in Potts Point is back with an exciting new tribute show, dedicated to the iconic Barbra Streisand. The show is a collaboration between powerhouse director and performer Brittanie Shipway and three other incredible vocalists, Tana Laga’aia, Laura Murphy and Stellar Perry, as well as a live three-piece band. Expect new perspectives on songs you love, a few surprises along the way and a show that celebrates Barbra Streisand’s legendary humour and ground-breaking impact on music and culture.
Where: Hayes Theatre, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point NSW 2011.
When: January 21- February 14, 2026.
Price: Tickets from $55.
21. Putting It Together at the Foundry Theatre
If you think a Stephen Sondheim revue is all clever lyrics, champagne wit and polished showbiz sophistication, Putting It Together will happily give you that, and then pull the rug out from under you. Now playing at the Foundry Theatre in Pyrmont, this glamorous cocktail-party musical revue is a dazzling celebration of Sondheim’s greatest work, brought to life by a cast that reads like a roll call of Australian stage royalty. Not convinced? Read our review of the show here for more on why you should see the show.
Where: 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009.
When: 6 January-15 February 2026.
Price: Tickets from $69.90.
22. Madama Butterfly by Opera Australia
Back by popular demand, this must-see production of Puccini’s famous opera features some of the world’s best singers as well as emerging Australian stars. Elaborate staging includes a real moat dotted with floating candles, Japanese paper screens and colourful costumes. The audience will be transported to Nagasaki, where they’ll follow the story of Cio-Cio San, a young woman who falls in love and marries Pinkerton, a US Navy lieutenant. In doing so, she gives up her family and life as she knows it, only to be brutally betrayed by Pinkerton, which leads to her ultimate demise.
Head to the iconic Sydney Opera House to witness a production that has earned its place as one of the most-loved and widely performed operas of all time.
Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Showing until March 25, 2026.
Price: From $79.
