There’s no such thing as a quiet February in Sydney, and this weekend proves it. From the long-awaited return of Tropfest in Centennial Park to glittering Mardi Gras season kick-offs and Lunar New Year street parties, the city feels like one giant stage.
Things to do in Sydney this weekend
Editor’s Picks
I can’t wait for Tropfest’s huge return this Sunday. Not only is the outdoor spectacle completely free, but I’ll also be keeping my eyes peeled for Jury Director Margot Robbie, who’s currently in Sydney on the Wuthering Heights press tour. A world-class short film festival and a potential celebrity sighting? That feels like a pretty perfect Sunday plan.
Over on Bondi’s shoreline, UK cult favourite Mighty Hoopla makes its Sydney debut, so head over to the Eastern Suburbs for sequins, self-expression and a headline set from Kesha. Lunar New Year celebrations are in full swing, too. Expect lion dances lighting up Chinatown, jetpack acrobatics over Cockle Bay and late-night street feasts in Burwood, while the city’s stages and galleries are equally stacked: from blockbuster exhibitions at the Art Gallery of NSW and the MCA to harbourfront gigs at Twilight at Taronga.
Read on for our full list of 26 things to do in Sydney this weekend.
Sydney Staples
1. Tropfest
It’s been seven 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 this Sunday, 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. You can read our full guide to Tropfest here.
Where: Live event hosted at Centennial Park.
When: February 22, 2026.
Price: Entry to the event at Centennial Park is free of charge.
2. Mighty Hoopla
The UK’s cult festival Mighty Hoopla will take to the sands of Bondi Beach this Saturday, bringing with it pop superstar and icon Kesha as the headliner. The famous UK festival has been buzzing for almost a decade now, transforming London’s Brockwell Park into a hyperkinetic, multi-coloured dreamland of pop, pride and joy. That sets the perfect stage for Sydney’s queer community to celebrate in full force, with the festival hinged on the ideals of inclusivity and self-expression.
Joining Queen Kesha is a vibrant lineup featuring Becky Hill, Countless Luann, Jamelia, Jessica Mauboy and many more. Tickets are still available, so party in the sun on Sydney’s most iconic beach this Saturday and make it a weekend to remember.
Where: Bondi Beach
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Price: Tickets still available for $227.80.
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.”
Although it’s not quite parade time yet, 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.
Price: Some free events, some ticketed.
4. Lakemba Nights
Australia’s biggest Ramadan cultural celebration, Lakemba Nights, returns to Sydney this week, with the huge foodie festival preparing to welcome visitors from across the country. Coinciding with the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar, the award-winning after-dusk event has become one of the largest multicultural gatherings in Australia. Shining a light on Western Sydney’s rich community spirit, Lakemba Nights (formerly known as Ramadan Night Markets) brings together a vibrant melting pot of flavours in one bustling precinct, celebrating Iftar and the nightly breaking of the fast during Ramadan.
This year, the iconic event will feature around 60 businesses from Lakemba and beyond that will transform Haldon Street into a global bazaar, with a variety of food stalls and trucks dishing up exotic cuisines. You can read our guide to Lakemba Nights here.
Where: Haldon Street and The Boulevarde, Lakemba.
When: Thursday 19 February to Sunday 15 March, 6pm-2am every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.
Price: Free entry.
For more information, click here.
5. Twilight at Taronga Summer Concert Series
The world’s most beautiful zoo knows how to throw a great event, and the Twilight at Taronga concert series is no exception. Set against the zoo’s iconic harbour backdrop, this annual summer tradition brings world-class live music to Sydney for five consecutive weekends. This weekend, Aussie singer-songwriter Xavier Rudd takes the stage for three unmissable performances.
Where: Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088.
When: February 6 until March 7.
Price: Tickets start at $67.15.
Book your tickets here
6. Water Lantern Festival
This weekend will see Mount Annan’s Botanic Garden lit up with glowing lanterns for their iconic Water Lantern festival. This unforgettable experience brings visitors to the waterside, encouraging them to write messages of love, inspiration, hope and remembrance on the lanterns, before releasing them onto the water and watching them glow under the night sky. And eco-warriors, fear not! The lanterns are made from biodegradable, eco-friendly materials, and after the event, the Botanic Gardens team carefully retrieves every lantern and cleans the surrounding area
Where: Lakeside Lawn, Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan.
When: February 21-22, 2026.
Price: From $39.99.
7. Cockatoo Island Audio Tours
Once a gaol and later a working shipyard, Cockatoo Island is steeped in history, and now you can dive into its layered past through one of three immersive audio tours. Journey through the island’s golden maritime era in How to Build a Ship, hear gritty tales of jail life in Cockatoo’s Convicts or learn about the development of the land in Sandstone to Steel. From convict tales to dockyard drama and remarkable craftsmanship, these audio tours let you explore the island at your own pace, at just $10 per person. You can find out more about the brand new audio tours here.
Where: Cockatoo Island,
When: Available every day during daylight hours.
Price: $10 per audio tour.
Lunar New Year Celebrations
8. Lion dances and cultural performances in Chinatown
The lion dance is one of the most recognisable aspects of Chinese New Year, performed to symbolise power and wisdom while also bringing good fortune and chasing away evil spirits. Typically held as one of the most important traditions each year, lion dances are said to bring good luck and prosperity. You can catch plenty of lion dances across Sydney over Lunar New Year, however some of the biggest and brightest spectacles will take place in Haymarket’s Chinatown, as community performers bring colour, music and movement to the streets.
Various lion dances will take place on Hay Street and George Street this weekend, between 6pm and 6:45pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Hay Street, corner of Harbour Street and End of Campbell Street, near George Street.
When: February 20-March 1, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays from 6pm-6:45pm.
Price: Free.
9. Twilight Garden Party in the Chinese Garden of Friendship
The doors to the beautiful Chinese Garden of Friendship will open for one special night during Lunar New Year festivities, welcoming you to explore the peaceful oasis situated in the middle of the bustling CBD. The one-night-only event will blend heritage with contemporary flair for an unforgettable celebration of live music, cultural performances, DJ sets, dancers and traditional games (think Mahjong and Fish-Prawn-Crab). There will be drink and snack carts to keep you fed and hydrated, and plenty of celebrations to keep you entertained.
Where: Chinese Garden of Friendship, Pier Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Friday, February 20, 5pm-9pm.
Price: $12 for general admission.
10. Lunar New Year Jet Pack Shows
Darling Square is one of the major hubs of Lunar New Year 2026, with so many different events planned over the next few weeks. You can catch their iconic on-water jetpack show this Saturday, which will see entertainers in Lunar New Year-themed costumes soaring sky high over the waters of Cockle Bay. The aerial acrobats will execute breathtaking airborne maneuvers to celebrate the Year of the Horse with this very Aussie twist. Two shows will take place on Saturday, with the first kicking off at 4pm, and the second at 8:45pm, accompanied by a dazzling fireworks finale.
Where: Darling Square, NSW 2000.
When: February 21 at 4pm and 8:45pm.
Price: Free.
11. Lunar Extravaganza
The grand Centennial Hall at Sydney Town Hall will host the official Lunar Extravaganza on Saturday, February 21. Performance groups from Chinese, Korean, Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese communities will all be getting involved across two sessions on the day, filling the historic space with dance, music and song to welcome the Year of the Horse.
Participating performers in the show include the Australian Youth Chinese Orchestra, Siam Class Dance Studio, Sydney Jacaranda Performance Group and Today and Always Korean Dance Group. One of the City of Sydney’s most popular Lunar New Year events, the Lunar Extravaganza is completely free to attend. No bookings are required to attend either the 2pm or 5pm shows, but doors open 45 minutes before each start time, so arrive early to snag a good seat and settle in before the show begins.
Where: Centennial Hall, Sydney Town Hall, 483 George St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: February 21, 2pm-3:15pm, 5pm-6:15pm.
Price: Free.
12. Lunar New Year Street Party in Burwood
Burwood had a major moment in 2025, landing a spot as the 16th coolest suburb in the world according to Time Out, as well as earning a reputation as Sydney’s second (and maybe even coolest) Chinatown. Head to the inner west suburb on the night of February 21 to find one of the Lunar New Year’s major street festivals, dotted around Burwood Town Centre. This year, they’re expanding their celebrations to Burwood Road, Ford Lane, Clarendon Place, Chinatown, Emerald Square, and Unity Place.
Live music, performances, lion dancing, creative markets, kids’ activities, fireworks and dining at 50-plus local restaurants and eateries have all been squeezed into the program, set to kick off at 5pm and wrap up at 10pm.
Where: Burwood Town Centre, Burwood NSW 2134.
When: Saturday, February 21 at 5pm-10pm.
Price: Free.
13. Lunar New Year at the Sydney Fish Market
Celebrate Lunar New Year at the brand new Sydney Fish Market, which is hosting a huge community day on Friday, February 20. From 4pm-8pm, they’re celebrating the Year of the Horse with scheduled roving lion dancers, blessings of the retailers, free face painting for kids, colouring activities, free discovery tours and fishing line and bush string workshops. They’ll even be giving away free gelato to the first 500 kids in line. For the ultimate family-fun day out (and the chance to check out the Fish Market’s new building), start your weekend by heading down to Blackwattle Bay.
Where: 1 Bridge Rd, Glebe NSW 2037.
When: Friday, February 20, from 4pm-8pm.
Price: Free.
Concerts and Gigs
14. Twilight at Taronga Summer Concert Series
The world’s most beautiful zoo knows how to throw a great event, and the Twilight at Taronga concert series is no exception. Set against the zoo’s iconic harbour backdrop, this annual summer tradition brings world-class live music to Sydney for five consecutive weekends. This weekend, Aussie singer-songwriter Xavier Rudd takes the stage for three unmissable performances.
Where: Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088.
When: February 6 until March 7.
Price: Tickets start at $67.15.
Book your tickets here
15. Sunset Variations Summer Music Series
This Friday marks the return of Sunset Variations at Sydney Observatory, a Friday night live music series that brings together some incredible local talent to soundtrack Sydney’s golden hour. Offering sweeping views across the harbour, guests can arrive at sunset and settle onto the Observatory Lawn to enjoy genre-defying performances as the sky turns orange.
Where: Sydney Observatory, 1003 Upper Fort St, Millers Point NSW 2000.
When: Every Friday evening from January 30 to February 27.
Price: $10 per ticket.
16. 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.
Where: Cockatoo Island.
When: Saturdays from January 10 until April 4, 2026.
Price: Adult tickets: $38 per person.
Art Exhibitions and Galleries
17. LOVING at Qtopia Sydney
Qtopia, regarded as the home of queer history and culture in Sydney, is launching a new exhibition this week in association with the European Union Delegation to Australia. Titled LOVING, the display will showcase a photograph collection capturing intimate moments of Queer love between the 1850s and 1950s by American collectors and married couple, Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell.
The landmark exhibition draws from the extraordinary private collection of more than 4000 images of men in love, found at flea markets, auction houses, family albums and online collections from across the globe over a period of more than two decades. Mark the beginning of Mardi Gras in a meaningful way with a visit to this groundbreaking exhibition.
Where: The Loading Dock Theatre, 301 Forbes St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010.
When: From February 5, 2026.
Price: Tickets to Qtopia cost $15, concession is $10.
18. Super Nature
This free exhibition marks the start of the Art Gallery of NSW’s exciting 2026 calendar, exploring four thematic spaces: the intersections between people and the environment, the role of gardens as memorials, the wild nature that lives alongside (and sometimes within) us, plus the cultivation of nature for survival and sustenance.
Exciting new acquisitions will be shown for the first time, including four colourful paintings by Butcher Cherel Janangoo that tell of the medicinal properties of bush foods and their cultural significance to Gooniyandi people. New and exciting digital media will also be displayed, including teamLab’s computer-generated interactive animations Flowers and people – gold 2025 (pictured above), where flowers slowly bud, blossom, grow, and decay on digital screens.
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Nalla Nura building, Lower level 2.
When: February 7, 2026, February 2027.
Price: Free.
19. The Hooligans
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.
20. Encounter by Ron Mueck
Internationally celebrated artist Ron Mueck returns to Australia with a major new exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW. 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.
21. Data Dreams: Art and AI
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.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. Bent Forms, Ricky Swallow
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.
What’s on in Theatre
25. The Great Gatsby: A Jazz Ballet Odyssey
Not to be confused with the Sydney Opera House’s Gatsby at the Green Light, this production is a fusion of ballet, tap and jazz, reimagining F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless classic with all the 1920s flair you could dream of. World-class dancers have been directed and choreographed by Joel Burke to a score blending Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, James P. Johnson’s The Charleston, and bold new works by Emmy award-winning Jason Fernandez, as well as Dominic Cabusi. Head to the Capitol Theatre this February to be fully immersed in this glitzy dance spectacle.
Where: 13 Campbell St, Haymarket NSW 2000.
When: February 19- March 8.
Price: From $79.90.
26. Hänsel and Gretel
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. You can read our review of the production here.
Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: January 27 to February 28, 2026.
Price: Tickets from $79.
27. Madama Butterfly
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.
28. 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.
