October in Sydney is serving up everything under the sun: big sports fixtures, a variety of festivals, new theatre productions and plenty of iconic Sydney events (or “Sydney Staples”). This month, you’ll catch me wandering the Bondi to Tamarama boardwalk (in search of this year’s Sharknana) in Sculpture by the Sea, heading to the Sydney Opera House to watch the powerful musical RENT and celebrating Halloween in the Rocks at this year’s spooky edition of Ghost Festival. I also have to shout out Oktoberfest in the Gardens at The Domain, which is ranked among the top five Oktoberfest celebrations outside Munich. Grab your Lederhosen and get ready to celebrate with some proper German bier.
Read on for 22 handpicked events happening across our city this October, and start filling up your calendar with unforgettable experiences.
Sydney Staples
1. Sculpture by the Sea
Sculpture by the Sea is one of Sydney’s premier springtime activities, turning the iconic Bondi to Tamarama cliff walk into a string of site-specific art installations. It’s one of the world’s most unique and picturesque outdoor galleries, bringing together art from around the world and representing dozens of countries. In 2025, the world’s largest free outdoor sculpture exhibition will run from Friday, October 17, to Monday, November 3.
The 2km long sculpture walk will feature around 100 works by artists from across the world, all positioned against one of Sydney’s prettiest pockets for a fusion of art and nature that’s only propped up for two weeks each year. Sculpture by the Sea recently revealed it needs to raise $200,000 to bring the iconic walk to life this year, so here’s hoping the event still goes ahead.
Where: Bondi to Tamarama walk.
When: Friday, October 17 to November 3.
Price: Free.
READ MORE: Sculpture by the Sea 2025: How to make the most of the art walk
2. Taronga After Dark
We all felt Taronga Zoo’s absence at Vivid Sydney this year, so what better way to make up for it than to invite visitors to explore the Zoo after sunset this October? From 5:30pm to 9pm, guests can stroll lantern-lit trails, be enchanted by magical Mermaid Shows, a Sunset Seals for the Wild presentation, enjoy firepits, a food truck village, acoustic music and the Wildlife Cinema, and even climb the Wild Ropes course illuminated at night.
Where: Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088.
When: Friday, October 3 to Saturday, October 12.
Price: Adults: $41, Children: $36, Concession: $37.80, Children under 3: Free.
3. South by Southwest (SXSW)
South by Southwest (SXSW) celebrated the convergence of tech, film, education and culture with an array of conferences and festivals. Sydney’s creativity will be unlocked at this year’s multi-factor iteration, which will connect innovators across business, health, marketing and creative industries.
Learn from the brightest minds and global leading companies at the four-day Tech & Innovation Festival, which will feature a diverse mix of exhibits, interactive activations, and product demonstrations. Connect with emerging and established music industry talent from Australia and the APAC region through workshops, meetings and mentoring, before heading to the iconic music showcase in Chippendale. Or, if you’re obsessed with all things film, head to SXSW Sydney Screen Festival to discover your next favourite movie.
When: Monday, October 13- Sunday, October 19, 2025
Where: Various locations
Tickets: Ticket prices vary, check here: sxswsydney.com
READ MORE: SXSW Sydney Screen program locks in Bruce Springsteen biopic premiere
4. Oktoberfest in the Gardens
Named as one of the top five Oktoberfest celebrations outside of Munich, Oktoberfest in the Gardens is a touring carnivalesque celebration of beer, entertainment and sing-alongs. This year, Oktoberfest in the Gardens will once again transform The Domain into an epic scene of Bavarian-style bier tents, rides and live music from traditional Oompah bands to a rotating roster of DJs. For a good eight hours, Sydney will become a sub for Munich’s wildest yearly celebration, pitching a similar sense of style with an expected crowd of more than 20,000 expected to snap up tickets well before the event.
Oktoberfest in the Gardens is always sold out well before the event rolls around, which this year is Saturday, October 25. You’ll want to lock down your tickets early, especially if you’re going as part of a big group.
Where: The Domain, Sydney.
When: Saturday, October 25 from 12pm.
Price: From $89.90 from oktoberfestinthegardens.com.au
5. Sydney Ceramics Market
Sydney Ceramics Market returns to Carriageworks for its fourth year, showcasing over 150 creative ceramicists from across NSW and ACT. See the work of emerging artists as well as seasoned practitioners with decades of experience, and explore an incredible selection of handcrafted ceramics across the two days. Whether you’re after striking sculptural pieces or beautifully crafted tableware, there will be something for every taste. You’ll even have the chance to get your hands dirty with live wheel-throwing demonstrations with your pick of unique clays and specialist ceramic tools.
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: Saturday, October 17, 10am-5pm, Sunday, October 18, 10am-4pm.
Price: Tickets start at $8.
6. Maple Social Club Rooftop Pool Party
If sunrise runs, coffees and pastries are more your vibe than late nights and morning hangovers, Maple Social Club has you covered. The events experts are hosting a pool party at the Old Clare Hotel— happening every first weekend through Spring. The debut event was a hit, drawing Sydneysiders to the rooftop pool for an afternoon of dancing, fun and good vibes. Make sure to RSVP to the crew at Maple Social Club for full details.
Where: The Old Clare Hotel, 1 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008.
When: Saturday, October 4, 2pm-5pm.
Price: Free entry.
Sport
7. NRL and NRLW Grand Final
The biggest day on the rugby league calendar is locked in for Sunday, October 5, as the NRL and NRLW Grand Finals come to Sydney’s Accor Stadium. The NRLW decider kicks off at 3:55pm, followed by an exciting performance from Teddy Swims at 6:30pm. Then, at 7:30pm, the NRL Grand Final begins as the Brisbane Broncos face off against Sydney’s own Penrith Panthers.
Where: Accor Stadium, Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127.
When: Sunday, October 5.
Price: Tickets available from $209.
8. ICF Slalom World Championship
The last time the ICF Slalom World Championship was held in Sydney was 20 years ago. This October, it returns to Penrith Whitewater Stadium, ready to welcome more than 300 athletes from 50 nations, including Australian Olympic gold medalists Jessica and Noemie Fox, as well as Paris Olympians Tim Anderson and Tristan Carter. Across six days, competitors will go head-to-head to crown the Canoe Slalom (C1, K1 and Kayak Cross) world champions. Grab your tickets and witness the thrilling return of this spectacular sporting event to Sydney.
Want to make a day of it? Consult our guide to the perfect day in Penrith.
Where: Penrith Whitewater Stadium, McCarthys Lane, Cranebrook NSW 2749.
When: Monday, September 29- Saturday, October 4.
Price: Adult tickets start at $30.
Culture
9. Darling Square Moon Festival
The Moon Festival (also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival) is one of the most celebrated holidays in China and across parts of Asia. Rooted in ancient Chinese customs, the festival began as a way to express gratitude and encourage a fruitful harvest for the coming year.
Darling Square will celebrate the Moon Festival from Saturday, with a two-week program honouring family, friends and gratitude. The festival will feature hundreds of glowing lanterns, illuminated lion dancing, live music and free family-friendly activities, including mooncake clay-making, lantern painting and a scavenger hunt. Participating food and dining outlets will offer themed treats and special deals, including limited-edition desserts, banquet menus and seafood towers. Illuminated lion dancing will run on Saturday 27 September, 4 and 11 October at 6:30pm, with live music showing every Friday and Saturday from 6-9pm.
Where: Darling Square, 35 Tumbalong Bvd, Haymarket NSW 2000.
When: Darling Square: September 27 – October 12.
Price: Free entry.
READ MORE: Sydney gets a double header with two massive Moon Festivals this weekend
10. Stargazer Cinema at Barangaroo Reserve
Stargazer Cinema invites you to sit beneath the stars at Barangaroo Reserve and experience the power of First Nations storytelling. A platform for emerging First Nations filmmakers around Australia, this eight-week outdoor cinema series features moving dramas to bold contemporary stories. With the stars overhead and the Sydney Harbour as the cinema’s backdrop, Stargazer Cinema is located in one of the city’s most desirable locations. Grab your popcorn and a picnic rug and head down to Barangaroo to experience the richness, resilience and creativity of First Nations culture.
Where: Barangaroo Reserve, Barangaro, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Every Thursday at 6pm to 9pm from October 2 until November 20.
Price: Free.
11. Crows Nest Fest 2025
Crows Nest will host its annual festival in October, with this year set to be the biggest one yet. Over 200 market stalls featuring gourmet food, wine, art, fashion, and more will line the streets, with non-stop live performances taking place on the Big Music Stage. Roving entertainers will pop up with surprise acts all day, while local pups compete for fun prizes at Canine Capers by Pet Medical. You can also expect live painting battles, a bustling food truck alley and DJs spinning all day long: the perfect recipe for a jam-packed celebration of their theme, “connection, culture and creativity”.
Where: Willoughby Road (and cross streets), Clarke Street, and Hume Street, Crows Nest.
When: Sunday, October 19, 10am-5pm.
Price: Free.
12. Ghost Festival
After a successful debut last year, The Rocks Ghost Festival is back for another year of spooky soirees and haunted hangs, launching the historic neighbourhood into an immersive four-day horror festival.
From October 30, Ghost Festival 2025 reshapes The Rocks with themed feasts, spooky storytelling and terrifying interactive experiences. All types of zombies, vampires and other ghoulish creatures will be let loose, roaming the cobblestone streets, while tentacles fly from buildings and dark alleyways are brought to life with roaming performances. The Rocks was once a place of crime and corruption, so there’s plenty of stories to unearth, giving the whole thing a real sense of place.
Where: The Rocks, Sydney.
When: Thursday, October 30-Sunday, November 2, 2025.
Price: Free entry.
Theatre
13. Back to the Future: The Musical
When it opened in London, Back to the Future: The Musical quickly became a success story, scooping up the Best New Musical award at the Laurence Olivier and What’s On Stage awards. It also swiftly transferred to Broadway. Now, the musical is ready to dazzle Aussie audiences as it makes its debut at the Sydney Lyric Theatre on September 26.
The exciting cast lineup includes Tony Award-winning actor Roger Bart, who will reprise the role of Doc Brown, having impressed audiences in both the West End and Broadway. Starring opposite him as Marty McFly will be Axel Duffy, a rising star from Brisbane.
When: Friday, September 26, until Sunday, December 28, 2025.
Where: Sydney Lyric Theatre, 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
Price: From $89.
14. Rent at the Sydney Opera House
The Broadway sensation Rent will make its Sydney Opera House debut at the Joan Sutherland Theatre this Saturday, running until the 1st of November. Bringing the energy of New York’s East Village to life, Jonathan Larson’s multi-Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical tackles love, loss, friendship and resilience, inspired by Puccini’s iconic opera, La Bohème. Its five-week season in Sydney features a talented cast from hit shows including Hamilton, The Rocky Horror Show and & Juliet.
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Saturday, September 27- November 1.
Price: Tickets start at $49.
READ MORE: Hit Broadway show RENT is coming to Sydney this week — here’s everything you need to know
15. The Book of Mormon
Regarded by many as one of the funniest (and most outrageous) musicals of all time, The Book of Mormon was written by the masterminds behind South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The musical tells the story of two young missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: “perfect” Elder Kevin Price and socially-awkward Elder Arnold Cunningham.
Kevin hopes his mission will take him to sunny Orlando, Florida, but instead, the mismatched pair are sent to a remote village in Uganda. The result is chaos, comedy and a lot of outrageous satire. We won’t spoil the show, but if you want to find out more, read our review here.
When: Now showing until Sunday, November 30, 2025. Shows take place on most Tuesdays–Thursdays 7pm, Fridays 7:30pm, Saturdays 2pm & 7:30pm and Sundays 1pm & 6:30pm.
Where: Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell Street, Haymarket NSW 2000.
Tickets: From $69 per person.
READ MORE: The Book of Mormon is back in Sydney — here’s everything you need to know
Music
16. James Blunt at Qudos Bank Arena
Following a successful national 2024 tour, James Blunt is back to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his debut album Back to Bedlam, which he will play in its entirety alongside all his other classic hits. Promising to deliver “an unforgettable show”, fans will be able to hear number one singles, including “You’re Beautiful” and “Goodbye My Lover”, as well as other notable tracks “High” and “Wisemen”. Blunt is also bound to bring his signature cheekiness and hilarious commentary to the show, making it an unforgettable evening.
Where: Qudos Bank Arena, 19 Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127.
When: Saturday, October 25 at 7pm.
Price: Tickets start at $109.90.
17. Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl
Sydney Swifties, rejoice! No, the ERAS tour isn’t returning; however, T-Swift is gearing up to drop her 12th studio album, and to celebrate, Event Cinemas across Sydney will be hosting The Official Release Party of a Showgirl. Guests can see the exclusive world premiere of the music video, “The Fate of Ophelia”, along with behind-the-scenes footage, brand new lyric videos and Taylor’s personal reflections on songs from her new studio album, The Life of a Showgirl.
Where: Bondi Junction, Drive-In Blacktown, Castle Hill, Burwood, Campbelltown, Ed Square, George Street, Hornsby, Hurstville, Liverpool, Macquarie, Miranda, Parramatta, Top Ryde City,
When: Only in cinemas October 4-5.
Price: Adult tickets from $24, Child: $17.80, Student: $19.40.
Kids
18. Monster Jump Parramatta
Australia’s biggest inflatable obstacle course lands in Parramatta Park this weekend. Perfect for kids, teens and adults, the 280-metre inflatable obstacle course includes over 30 thrilling challenges, promising non-stop fun for families. A two-hour obstacle course pass goes for $30, or opt for a family two-hour pass (which grants four people access) for $110. Not keen about tackling the course? Good news — entry is free for spectators.
Where: Parramatta Park, The Crescent Byrnes Ave, Parramatta NSW 2150
When: September 27- October 12, 2025, 10am- 4pm.
Price: From $30 per person.
READ MORE: What’s on for the 2025 spring school holidays in Sydney?
19. Transport Heritage Expo
The award-winning Transport Heritage Expo will bring Sydney’s transport history to life this October, celebrating 170 years of the NSW railways with three days of unique experiences. Enjoy a one-hour steam train ride from Central Station on either the Locomotive 3526 or join former Sydney Suburban locomotive 3001, which will make its much-anticipated main line return following restoration in 2023.
Visitors can also experience a Lavendar Bay Electric Train Ride, departing Central Station and heading through Sydney’s Inner West to Ashfield before making an express return through the city’s underground, over the iconic Harbour Bridge and into Lavendar Bay. Other exciting opportunities include the Hydro Aurora High Tea (think delicate pastries, warm scones and delicate finger sandwiches) or opt for a vintage bus ride.
Where: Most journeys leave from Central Station.
When: October 4-6.
Price: Prices vary, but train rides start from $20 for adults, $10 for children.
20. Become a Keeper for a Day at Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo has a jam-packed schedule this school holiday, with adorable new arrivals and exciting experiences including the Wildlife Express Train ride, Wild Ropes Treetop Adventures and Taronga After Dark.
The “Keepers for a Day” program lets young animal lovers step behind the scenes at the zoo and live out their zookeeper dreams. The Junior Keeper experience (ages 8-11) runs from 9am-2:30pm for $170, while the Cadet Keeper program (ages 12-17) runs from 8:15am to 2pm for $190. Each budding keeper will get a participant shirt and a parent can enjoy same-day zoo entry.
Where: Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088.
When: Junior Keeper experience runs from 9am-2:30pm, Cadet Keeper program runs from 8:15am to 2pm.
Price: Junior Keeper experience: $170, Cadet Keeper experience: $190.
21. RELICS: A New World Rises
We recently visited the Australian Museum to get a sneak peek at the new exhibition, RELICS: A New World Rises, and we can confirm it’s a definite must-visit. Combining the fun of LEGO with “more mature and contemporary themes”, the exhibit explores the consequences of our consumerist actions by housing the figurines in dilapidated cars, old furniture and even a broken down jetski.
Perfect for all ages, from kids to adults and grandparents, this immersive experience is described as “equal parts nostalgic and thought-provoking”, as the mini figurines create educational art that appeals to all ages. You’ll even get the opportunity to explore your creative side in the interactive build area, where you can create and display your own model using LEGO® bricks.
Where: The Australian Museum, 1 William St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010.
When: Runs Saturday, August 14, until January 27, 2026.
Price: Adult tickets cost $29, Children tickets cost $19, Children aged 3 and younger go free.
22. Play! Kids Festival at The Pavilion
South Sydney’s biggest performing arts festival for kids returns with five action-packed days of shows, workshops, and creative activities. The star attraction is ARIA Award-winner Emma Memma’s Dance Island Party, featuring her signature AUSLAN-integrated choreography that gets every kid (and parent) moving. But that’s just the beginning ; watch in wonder as Earth’s massive puppet marine creatures bring the ocean to life in Shark Dive, or feel the rhythm with Junkyard Beats’ award-winning percussion extravaganza.
Between shows, kids can dive into age-appropriate dance workshops, art sessions, and free storytime sessions running throughout each day. The genius Play! Pass lets families experience multiple events for just $50, making it perfect for kids who want to try everything and parents who love a good value deal.
Where: 30 Eton St, Sutherland.
When: October 1-5, activities from 8:45am.
Price: Shows from $29, full day access from $50.
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