The school holidays roll on this weekend, and it’s also your final chance to enjoy the city’s Easter festivities. Beyond that, a fresh wave of art exhibitions, cultural festivals and new spots to sip are popping up across Sydney.
The Sydney Royal Easter Show continues to entice visitors to Sydney Showground with its iconic schedule of traditional competitions (think woodchopping, rodeo challenges and “best in breed” dog shows), fairground food and adrenaline-racing carnival rides. This weekend marks your last chance to check it out before it wraps up for good on Sunday.
Make the most of the sunny forecast by checking out Taronga Zoo’s Harbour View Cinema, which will run for four evenings only, showing iconic films like Madagascar and Jurassic Park. If theatre’s more your thing, Anastasia will open at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in Pyrmont, brought to life by an impressive cast of theatre royalty.
Make sure you swing by the Art Gallery of New South Wales to catch Ron Mueck’s Encounter exhibition (a striking showcase of eerily lifelike sculptures) before it closes.
Continue for our curated list of Sydney’s biggest events, must-see shows and can’t-miss exhibitions happening this weekend.
Things to do in Sydney this weekend
- Sydney Staples
- School Holiday Highlights
- What’s on in Theatre?
- Where to Eat and Sip
- Art Exhibitions and Events
Sydney Staples
1. Sydney Royal Easter Show
Australia’s largest and most exciting annual ticketed event for families, the Sydney Royal Easter Show, returned to Sydney Showground in Olympic Park last Thursday. Since its inception in 1823, the Sydney Royal Easter Show has served as a form of edutainment for people of all ages, highlighting the very best of NSW agriculture and primary industries.
The show is typically a celebration of modern Australian culture, informed by rural traditions and blending elements of an amusement park and fair, interactive animal shows, and showcases of award-winning local produce. Plus, who could forget the iconic woodchopping competitions, huge variety of showbags, fireworks display and cow milking stations?! The show wraps up this Sunday, so make sure to head down to Sydney Showground this weekend to catch the final bit of Easter action.
On a budget? You can check out our report on the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show food prices here.
Where: Sydney Showground, Grand Parade, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127.
When: April 2-April 13, 2026.
Price: Tickets start at $47 for adults, $29 for children.
2. Taronga Harbour View Cinema
If there’s one place to roll out a picnic blanket, grab a bucket of popcorn and settle in for blockbuster favourites like Madagascar and Jurassic Park, it’s Taronga Zoo. This week will see the return of Sydney’s most scenic cinema, featuring four beloved movies lighting up Taronga’s iconic concert lawns. Things kick off on Thursday, April 9, with Madagascar, a pitch-perfect pick for a zoo-side screening. On Friday, April 10, A Minecraft Movie, starring Jack Black, takes over the big screen, followed by Jurassic Park on Saturday, April 11. The series wraps up with a special screening of Bridesmaids, bringing the laughs for a slightly more grown-up crowd.
Where: Taronga Zoo, Bradley’s Head, Mosman.
When: April 9-12, 2026.
Price: Tickets from $27.
3. Asia Live 2026
Haymarket is often lit up with neon street signs and bursts of colour (especially around Dixon Street); however, Asia Live is taking this to a whole new level. Large-scale installations will illuminate the streets, inviting visitors on a stunning cultural journey through Asia through various displays. The Sanctuary of Asia will feature iconic cultural symbols such as the Japanese Maneki Neko lucky cat, Indonesia’s Barong, Korea’s Magpie on Tiger, Singapore’s Merlion, and many more. The Flowers of Asia will represent different regions of the continent through huge floral symbolism, creating the perfect Insta-worthy shot.
Plan the perfect evening out before or after you explore Asia Live with our guide to Chinatown here.
Where: Dixon Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: April 3-April 19.
Price: Free.
4. Sydney Salsa Festival
This vibrant celebration of Latin music, dance and culture will be led by one of salsa’s most iconic orchestras. Featuring over nine hours of live salsa performances, the festival will kick off at 2pm with DJ El Padrino, wrapping up at 11:30pm with the headline act, El Grupo Niche. These salsa legends, hailing from Colombia, have more than four decades of history as a group, turning songs like Cali Pachanguero, Una Aventura, and Gotas de Lluvia into timeless anthems. Get ready to sway your hips to irresistible grooves all evening, and maybe even opt into some salsa lessons with Sydney Latin Flow, one of the city’s leading dance academies.
Where: Tumbalong Park, Harbour Street, Darling Harbour.
When: April 11, 2pm-11:30pm.
Price: Tickets from $129.
School Holiday Highlights
5. Entertainment Quarter’s Sydney Family Easter Show
Not to be mistaken with the larger Sydney Royal Easter Show, the Ingenia Holiday Parks Family Easter Show takes place at the Entertainment Quarter from April 2 to April 19. The show transforms the EQ into a vibrant Easter playground, offering live entertainment, showbags, rides, Easter egg hunts and hands-on activities for all ages.
The Ingenia Holiday Parks Family Easter Show is significantly cheaper than the Sydney Royal Easter Show, with tickets starting at $30 per adult and $15 per child (in comparison to $47 early bird adult passes to the Royal Easter Show and $29 tickets for children). If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly Easter Day out, which still includes all the usual Easter fun, this is a great, affordable option.
You can purchase your tickets to the event through the official link here.
Where: The Showring, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park.
When: April 2-19.
Price: Tickets start at $30 per adult and $15 per child.
6. Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires at Australian Museum
Looking for a bloody good time these school holidays? The Australian Museum has you covered, thanks to its globally acclaimed, award-winning new exhibition, dedicated entirely to bloodsuckers. Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires is an immersive exhibition all about the bats, birds and mites that want to suck your blood. Featuring more than 100 objects, specimens, large-scale models, digital interactives and installations, Bloodsuckers will offer an experience where science, pop culture and curiosity converge.
While it might test the nerves of the more squeamish visitors, the exhibition’s true draw is how it brings wildlife lovers face-to-face with nature’s most sophisticated micro-predators, leaving them with a surprising new appreciation for the tiny but highly evolved creatures.
Where: Australian Museum, 1 William St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010.
When: Opens April 2, 2026.
Price: Adult tickets from $28, children’s (4-15 years old) tickets from $15.
7. Kids go free at Featherdale Wildlife Park
Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park’s biggest family promotion of the year is back, offering free entry for kids (aged 3-15) with every full-paying adult. It’s the perfect budget-friendly day out during the school holidays and the Easter long weekend, with over 2000 Australian native animals just waiting to be discovered. The incredible wildlife park invites you to explore its seven acres of Australian bushland, and maybe even join one of their intimate animal encounters, from snapping selfies with quokkas to feeding the little penguins.
Where: Featherdale Wildlife Park, 217 Kildare Rd, Doonside NSW 2767.
When: Kids go free all month long in April.
Price: Adult tickets start at $49.
8. Cronulla Easter Market
Cronulla Easter Market will take place on April 12, after being rescheduled from March 28 and 29 due to high winds. Sprawling over the grassy Don Lucas Reserve, the two-day beachside market will showcase a variety of retailers from the Shire and across Sydney, celebrating a feeling of community and small businesses at the beachside location.
Where: Don Lucas Reserve.
When: April 12.
Price: Free entry.
What’s on in Theatre?
9. Anastasia
Anastasia has played to sold-out audiences on Broadway since its premiere in 2017, and has appeared across Europe, Latin America, Japan and North America. More than 15 major international awards later, it’s finally coming Down Under, set to transform the Lyric Theatre from April 7.
The story follows Anya, a resilient young woman on a journey to uncover the mystery of her past as she is pursued by an army officer determined to silence her. Centred on themes of romance, family and home, the production is based on the wildly popular animated film, which was released in 1997. Rising star Georgina Hopson will lead the cast as Anya, alongside international stage sensation Robert Tripolino as Dmitry. Showbiz legend Rhonda Burchmore will take to the stage as Countess Lily, with Australian theatre royalty Nancye Hayes AM as the Dowager Empress.
Where: Sydney Lyric Theatre, Pyrmont.
When: April 7- July 19.
Price: Tickets from $69.90.
10. 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 at Fleet Steps at Mrs Macquarie’s 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 a spectacular fireworks display over Sydney Harbour that lights up the night sky during each performance. For more on the 2026 Handa Opera extravaganza, click here.
Where: Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney.
When: March 27-May 3, 2026.
Price: From $108 plus $9.80 booking fee.
11. The Prom at Teatro at the Italian Forum
Broadway smash hit production The Prom has made its way to Leichhardt’s Teatro, a 300-seat, up-and-coming arts hub located in the Italian Forum. The Prom follows a group of four eccentric Broadway stars who are on the hunt for a new stage. When they hear of trouble brewing around a small-town prom, they decide to put a spotlight on the issue (as well as themselves) as they champion a student who wants to take her girlfriend to prom. When they clash with conservative parents, their mission evolves into a heartfelt effort that ultimately unites the community through love and acceptance.
You can read our review of The Prom here.
Where: Teatro at the Italian Forum, Norton St, Leichhardt NSW 2040.
When: Running until April 26, 2026.
Price: Tickets from $85 (plus booking fee).
12. My Brilliant Career
Playing at the Roslyn Packer Theatre from March 21 to May 3, My Brilliant Career offers a bold new take on Miles Franklin’s classic novel, featuring a live soundtrack that fuses pub rock, contemporary pop, and the spirited sounds of a bush band. One of Melbourne’s most in-demand tickets of 2024, this production will have its Sydney premiere in March, starring the talented Kala Gare as Sybylla Melvyn, the intelligent and ambitious young woman who refuses to conform to the idea that her greatest achievement should be finding a wealthy husband.
Where: 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay NSW 2000.
When: March 21-May 3, 2026.
Price: From $85 per adult, Under 30s tickets for $55.
Where to Eat and Sip
13. Wine and Cheese Fest 2026
The Wine and Cheese Fest has spent the last 13 years bringing boutique wines and artisan cheeses to Melbourne, but this Saturday, they’re ready for their Sydney debut. Celebrating the best of Australia’s produce and winemakers, the event features unlimited tastings, masterclasses, live music and a commemorative tote bag. You’ll meet the makers from across NSW and Victoria and have plenty of chances to find the next best thing to sip and snack on for your upcoming dinner party.
Where: Bay 25 & Elston Room, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: April 11, 12pm-8pm.
Price: Tickets from $49.
14. Check out the brand new Bar Bridge
Famous for their martinis, margs and addictive popcorn, hospo legends Mucho Group have opened up another bar in the Sydney CBD, located in a secretive but swanky underground location on Bridge Street. The new intimate bar serves up a variety of classic cocktails but champions innovative martinis at its core. From savoury Kimchi Martinis and bright and zesty Citron Martinis to their clean and classic Bridge Martini, this low-lit, funky spot should be top of your list for your next date night.
Where: 6 Bridge St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Open Tuesday-Saturday, 4pm-12am.
Art Exhibitions and Events
15. Biennale of Sydney 25th Anniversary
One of Australia’s leading contemporary art events, the Biennale of Sydney is back for a major milestone: its 25th anniversary. Renowned for providing a platform for bold ideas and boundary-pushing art, the Biennale is a celebration of creativity, showcasing innovative works from artists around the world. It 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 is titled Rememory and 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.
You can read our official guide to the Biennale of Sydney here.
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.
16. Banksy Limitless
This immersive exhibition is making its way over from London after a successful debut, bringing the voice of one of the most influential figures in contemporary culture Down Under. Banksy Limitless is an immersive art exhibition presenting a bold journey through the street-art icon’s ideas, imagery and legacy. Described as “provocative and deeply relevant”, the exhibition encourages audiences to engage with Banky’s art and consider the questions that he poses to society. Running from the beginning of April until the end of March, this multi-sensory exhibition is not one to miss.
Where: 155 George St, The Rocks, 2000.
When: April 3- May 31.
Price: From $42 per person.
17. The Hooligans
White Rabbit Gallery is home to one of the world’s most significant collections of contemporary Chinese art. Its bold new exhibition, The Hooligans, runs until May, pushing boundaries with striking and unconventional works. The gallery introduced the concept as an exploration of the term “Hooligans,” explaining: “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.
18. LAST CHANCE: 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. You can check out our review of the incredible exhibition 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.
19. 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.
20. Ocean Photographer of the Year Exhibition
The premier exhibition of the Ocean Photographer of the Year is currently on at the Australian National Maritime Museum, 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.
21. Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under the Mat
New Zealand-born, Sydney-based artist Mike Hewson has transformed 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.
22. ສູ້ສູ້ Sou Sou by Mechelle Bounpraseuth
This new interactive exhibition will bring plenty of colour to the Art Gallery of NSW’s Naala Nura building, as Mechelle Bounpraseuth displays her hand-built, glossy ceramics. The exhibition will feature newly commissioned works and large-scale ceramic sculptures paying homage to the family dinner table, with a special emphasis on fruit, especially the rare kind from her Lao parents’ homeland. Its title, ສູ້ສູ້ Sou Sou, is a Lao phrase of encouragement meaning ‘you can do it!’ or ‘stay strong!’, in reference to the exhibition’s emphasis on the role of young people in the continuation of culture.
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Naala Nura building, Lower Level 2.
When: March 14, 2026- February 2027.
Price: Free.
23. Event Horizon
Conceptual artist Michaela Gleave brings a transcendental display of works to Woolloomooloo’s Artspace with her first major solo Australian exhibition. Using light, sound, performance, and chromatic experiments, she explores the nature of reality and highlights questions of movement, time, and bodily experience. In physics, an ‘event horizon’ is the boundary around a black hole, marking a threshold beyond which information cannot return to an external observer.
Using energy fields and physical materials such as mist, sound waves, atmospheric conditions, glitter, recycled timber, and inflatable objects, Michaela invites visitors to heighten their awareness of their own process of perception and to explore new ways of seeing and feeling.
Where: Artspace, 43–51 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011.
When: March 6-June 7.
Price: Free.
