17 Things to Do in Sydney in Winter for an Unforgettable Season

Sometimes it can be difficult to feel inspired in Sydney in the winter. Suddenly, that dip in Bondi and that long coastal walk don’t look quite so appealing. But don’t book that flight to Bali just yet. Here are some of the best activities to do these next few months, to help you fight the colder weather.

Winter in Sydney is the time for exploration. The city has plenty of surprising hidden gems, from world-renowned light shows, chic bathhouses, funky free jazz sessions and even a festival celebrating all things French. Read on to discover all the best things to do in Sydney in winter.

1. Vivid Sydney

Now in its 15th year, Vivid Sydney is in full swing, once again transforming the city into a dazzling celebration of light, music, ideas and food. As the city slips into earlier nights thanks to the end of daylight saving, Vivid is back to light it up, featuring world-famous projections, thought-provoking installations and on-the-pulse programming.

This year, over 75% of the multi-arts festival this year is free, so head down to one of the five zones in and around Sydney CBD to check out all the action.

When: May 23-June 14
Where: Vivid is kept to five zones: Circular Quay and the Rocks, Martin Place, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour and the Goods Line and Inner City.
Price: Some events are ticketed but 75% of the festival is free.

READ MORE: Vivid Sydney 2025 Guide: Dates, Light Walk, Events & Tips

2. Warm up by an open fire in a pub

There’s nothing better in winter than getting cosy in an old-fashioned pub and warming your hands next to a crackling fire. Luckily for us, Sydney has an abundance of toasty taverns, from the rustic Lord Dudley in Woollahra to the funky Glebe Hotel. Other great locations for a hot toddy and roaring fire include the Duke of Clarence, the Old Fitz, the Cricketer’s Arms and the Hero of Waterloo.

3. Experience the Sydney cherry blossom season

Step into the magic of cherry blossom season, and no, you don’t have to catch a plane to Japan– there are plenty of places to see the blossoms bloom right here in Sydney. Head to Leura, a suburb in the Blue Mountains, which is known to turn into a pink, fluffy dreamscape during blossom season.

Other locations to see the stunning flowers include Katoomba, the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden and the Auburn Botanic Gardens, which hosts the annual Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival in August.

4. Find independent shows and new venues

Now that it’s too cold to bask in the sun at Bondi, it’s time to be adventurous and exploit all those hidden gems in the city. Check out independent theatres like the Hayes in Potts Point, where you’ll find a dynamic lineup of original productions and rising stars taking the stage.

Enjoy low-key music in the intimate Utzen room at the Sydney Opera House, or head to the City Recital Hall and enjoy their specially curated program of contemporary music performances.

5. Celebrate Christmas in July

If you’re used to relying on Christmas festivities to brighten up the cold Winter months, then Christmas in July is your perfect mid-year pickup. Don a Santa’s hat and get friends and family together for gift-giving and festive feasting.

For those who normally spend Christmas in the Northern hemisphere, and therefore aren’t used to sunshine and surf on the holiday, this is your time to shine.

6. Go skiing

Some people are quite surprised to learn that you can hit the slopes in Australia. Plan a weekend away in Perisher or Thredbo, approximately a five and a half hour drive from Sydney CBD. Although the ski resorts are much smaller than those in the Northern Hemisphere, peak season can provide reliable snow cover, and there’s always the promise of pumping après ski.

7. Take a dip in a heated pool

Winter doesn’t mean you have to give up swimming for the next three months– outdoor dips are still on the table! The Prince Alfred in Surry Hills can get super busy in the summer, so winter is the perfect time to head down and avoid the crowds. For $7.70, you can spend the day at the 50-metre long pool, without needing to book. Another great outdoor pool is the Victoria Park Pool in Camperdown, where entry also costs $7.70.

If you’d rather stick to an indoor pool during the winter months, there are also plenty of options, including the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre in Ultimo, the Des Renford Aquatic Centre in Maroubra, the Cook and Phillip Park Aquatic Centre in the CBD and the Olympic Park Aquatic Centre in Olympic Park.

8. Go to the movies

Sydney Film Festival kicks off on June 4, running for a thrilling 11 days and presenting 201 films from 70 countries. The citywide celebration of cinema takes place at venues all across the Harbour City, as cinephiles admire the best Australian releases on the big screen.

Even after the film festival wraps up, Sydney is full of incredible cinemas worth exploring. The Golden Age cinema and bar in Surry Hills and Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Cremorne were both named two of the top 50 most beautiful cinemas in the world. If you don’t want to splash your cash, catch any movie before noon on Sunday at a HOYTS cinema for just $10.

9. Look out for migrating whales

In Sydney and along the NSW coastline, the whale season peaks around the end of June and throughout July. In October and November, whales are often seen closer to shore, taking their time as they return south with their newborns in tow. It’s not just humpback whales that you’re in with a chance of seeing— it’s common to also see southern right, orcas, minke, blue whales and dolphins across NSW.

If you’re lucky, you can spot whales on various coastal paths, including the Bondi to Coogee walk, or you can opt for a whale watching cruise, with lines such as Captain Cook Cruises, Fantasea Cruising and Go Whale Watching offering the chance to see the spectacular creatures.

Use the code ‘Stg15’ to take 15% off your whale watching Sydney cruise with Fantasea. This code is valid on all Whale Watching Sydney cruises until September 1, 2025.

READ MORE: Top tips for whale watching season in Sydney as experts share concerns

10. Party like a Parisian at Bastille Festival

Bonjour! The Bastille French Festival is back in Sydney from Thursday, July 17 to Sunday, July 20. All things France will take over the Rocks and Circular Quay, with a celebration of French cuisine, art and culture. There’ll be winter comfort food, including hot crêpes, plenty of cheese and even garlicky escargot. Toast to the French with authentic champagne and beer, or spice up your life with a warming glass of mulled wine.

The full programme of live performances is yet to be released, so watch this space for more info.

Where: Circular Quay and the Rocks.
When: July 17-July 20, 10am-11pm.

11. Find a warming, sweet treat

There’s nothing like a hot chocolate to keep you going through the winter months. Head to favourite Aussie chocolatier Koko Black to try their rich, velvety concoction, or go for the thick and creamy option at Rivareno. Kakawa in Darlinghurst, Black Star Pastry in Rosebery, and Coco Chocolate in Kirribilli also offer up full-bodied, delicious cups of cocoa.

If that’s not enough to cure your sweet treat cravings, Rivareno’s winter menu consists of all things delicious, including warm brioche stuffed with gelato, hot Belgian waffles, chocolate-loaded brownies, alcohol-free affogato and made-to-order crêpes. What more could you want?

12. Warm up at a bathhouse

Bathhouses are the chicest way to stay warm this winter, mixing ancient Roman self-care with modern-day wellness. Slow House is located just steps away from Bondi Beach, with one-time passes starting at $35 for a ninety-minute session. Here you can bathe in magnesium water, sweat in a Finnish salt sauna and brave an ice bath, all in one sitting.

Other popular bathhouses include Capybara Bathing in Surry Hills, the Skin Bar and Bathhouse in Rozelle, Ottoman Turkish Bath & Day Spa in Granville and Arisoo Korean Bathhouse & Spa in Chatswood and Paddington.

13. Scale new heights at an indoor climbing centre

Want to test out your upper body and core strength and take your workout to new heights? Head to an indoor climbing centre and strap into your harness. The Sydney Indoor Climbing Centre in St. Peters is home to 3700 square metres of climbing walls, making it the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest climbing gym. The climbing routes range in difficulty, catering for timid beginners to climbing pros. Casual entry costs $25, with the opportunity to rent out harnesses and climbing shoes.

Where: Sydney Indoor Climbing Centre, Unit 4C/1-7 Unwins Bridge Road. St Peters NSW 2044.
When: Opens Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Friday, 9:30am-10pm, Wednesday 6am-10pm, Saturday and Sunday 9:30am-9pm.
Price: From $25 for adults.

14. Stranger Things: The Experience

After successful runs in Europe and the US, Stranger Things: The Experience has come to Sydney’s favourite theme park. Luna Park has joined forces with Netflix and Fever to bring the world of Stranger Things to life, transforming the Crystal Palace into a fully immersive Hawkins Lab experience. The experience is a fully interactive, immersive adventure based on the wildly popular Netflix series.

Stranger Things: The Experience began on Friday, May 23, aligning with the launch of Vivid Sydney 2025. It will run throughout the 23-day light festival, with the possibility of extension. The whole experience takes around 45 minutes and is completely indoors, making it the perfect activity for those rainy Sydney days.

Where: Crystal Palace, Luna Park Sydney. 1 Olympic Dr, Milsons Point NSW 2061.
When: The experience opens on Friday, 23rd May 2025.
Tickets: Prices from $53 for general admission and from $81 for VIP.

READ MORE: Vivid just got Stranger: a first look at Luna Park’s new Stranger Things experience

15. Hone your dart-throwing skills

Boozy darts sounds like a risky game, but at La Di Darts in Kings Cross, cocktails and dartboards go hand in hand. You can relax in your own private booth (without the pressure of the crowds watching you throw) and sip on funky cocktails, such as peanut butter espresso martinis and spicy mango margaritas. You could also head to Flight Club in the Rocks, which has the same premise but a bigger emphasis on tasty sharing plates and large group events.

16. Catch a show

The Sydney Theatre scene is jam-packed full of incredible shows throughout the winter months. Sing along to all the best Michael Jackson hits at MJ The Musical, as it continues its stint at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. See Broadway legend Anthony Warlow reprise his role as Warbucks in Annie at the Capitol Theatre, with Greg Page (the yellow wiggle) making his theatre debut as President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Annie will eventually pass the baton to The Book of Mormon at the Capitol Theatre this Winter, with the boundary-pushing musical comedy starting on July 15. Grab your tickets now to see the multi-award-winning musical that promises big laughs and lots of fun.

READ MORE: Annie musical review: the new Sydney show really is different

17. Jazz sessions in The Rocks

Jazz Sessions in the Rocks is back, bringing the toe-tapping tunes of Australian jazz to Sydney. It’s free, funky, and in one of our favourite parts of Sydney’s CBD. Pop over to the Rocks Square after work (or for a pre- or post-dinner treat) and sip on a cocktail from Hickson House as you watch the live performances.

The jammin’ event is on every Thursday until the end of September, and features a lineup of talented jazz musicians, from bands to solo acts.

Where: The Rocks Square, Playfair St, The Rocks, NSW 2000.
When: Every Thursday, 6pm-8.30pm, April 3 to September 25.
Price: Free.