The best things to do in Sydney this weekend (April 25-27)

Excited for another long weekend but still not sure what to do? Here’s our list of the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.

Sadly, it looks like the gorgeous Easter weekend weather isn’t sticking around, but that’s even more reason to book a ticket to one of the many Sydney Comedy Festival shows to laugh through the pain (or rain). It’s the last weekend to enjoy the free family movie night in Parramatta, as well as ARTEXPRESS at the Art Gallery of NSW, which features artwork from the most talented student artists in Australia.

Second Life is back at Carriageworks, offering up vintage clothing stalls and plenty of delicious food trucks to keep you energised. If you want more of a family atmosphere (and your kids can’t accept that Easter is over), head to the Ingenia Holiday Parks Sydney Family Show for live Bluey experiences, a reptile show, an animal nursery and more.

Read on for the full list of events and make the most of the last long weekend until June!

Things to do in Sydney this weekend

Sydney Comedy Festival's Gala Night — Sydney Comedy Festival’s Gala Night (*Image supplied*)

1. Entertainment: Sydney Comedy Festival

NSW’s biggest comedy event has made its comeback, celebrating its 20th year. Gala nights have been taking place at venues across the city all week but the big-ticket night will bring the roof off at the Sydney Opera House on Friday. Featuring a line-up of international stars, Australian legends and next-big-things, the evening kicks off at 8pm and tickets start at $99.90. A few solitary cheap seats are left, but they’re selling out fast.

Other exciting shows include Titanique at the Grand Electric, with performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Great Laugh in the Park is the perfect family-friendly day out in Darling Harbour, and Best of the Fest will showcase an hour of popular local comedians at Factory Theatre.

Where: Citywide.
When: April 21 until May 18, 2025.
Price: Varies per show.

To see all the shows on offer, head to sydneycomedyfestival.com.au.

bushtucker — *Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tours at the Botanic Gardens. (Image via National Trust)*

2. Culture: Australian Heritage Festival

As the name suggests, the festival, hosted by the National Trust, is a celebration of Australia’s rich history and stories. Taking place in cities and regions across the country, events take place in urban and rural landscapes, museums and libraries, boats, trains and mysterious buildings too. This year’s festival brings more than 600 events and there’s no telling where they might turn up.

Celebrations of natural, cultural, and Indigenous heritage in Sydney will include Aboriginal Harbour Heritage Tours at the Royal Botanic Gardens, where guests are taken on a one-hour walk through the garden, led by a First Nations Guide (Friday and Saturday, 1pm-2pm; adults $32, children $21, concession $27). Mosman Library are putting on an exhibition about the area’s maritime history, and Dark Stories’ Sydney Crime History Tours uncover chilling stories of the city’s notorious crime scenes, heists and bloody turf wars (Friday-Sunday, adults $34 and children $25).

Where: Various locations in Sydney and regional NSW.
When: until May 18.
Price: Varies per event.

nationaltrust.com.au

hans zimmer sydney tickets — *The most famous film composer of all time, Hans Zimmer, will perform two massive shows in Sydney this weekend. (Image supplied)*

3. Concert: Hans Zimmer Live

Hans Zimmer will be blessing our ears this weekend at the Qudos Bank Arena—if you’re lucky enough to snag a ticket, that is. His return to Sydney will include performances of favourite film scores such as Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, Interstellar and The Lion King. Zimmer spoke of his own excitement for his Australian shows, saying: “I’m thrilled to return to Australia with my wonderful band and excited to share this phenomenal show.”

If you missed out on the real deal, pre-book a ticket to the candlelight concert on May 24 so you don’t miss the magic again. Candlelight Concerts will bring Hans Zimmer’s music to life under the glow of candlelight at the Sydney Masonic Centre.

Where: Qudos Bank Arena.
When: Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 from 7pm.
Price: Tickets started from $119.

*Most Saturday nights, a free fireworks display lights up the skies above Darling Harbour. (Image: Shutterstock).*

4. Nightlife: Watch a free fireworks display

Lighting up the sky above Darling Harbour most Saturdays (though they’re taking a break for Vivid next month), this free fireworks display is a must for any Sydney visitor. Take a detour on your evening stroll or find a nearby table for alfresco drinks if the weather allows. With the harbour as a backdrop, it’s a great (and free) activity to brighten up your weekend.

Where: Cockle Bay Wharf, though the best viewing points are on the opposite side of Darling Harbour in Pyrmont.
When: Saturday, April 26 at 8:30pm. Subject to change and dependent on weather.
Price: Free.

second life markets carriageworks — *Go vintage shopping at Carriageworks this Sunday. (Image via Instagram @secondlifemarkets)*

5. Markets: Second Life Markets

Need a wardrobe upgrade? Second Life Markets returns to Carriageworks this Sunday, bringing curated racks of the best vintage clothing around. Local DJs will play tunes while you shop and over 120 stalls to check out.

Second Life has also organised food and drink trucks to keep you energised as you look through the different clothing stalls. Tickets vary depending on the time you enter but for the cheapest option, choose the 3pm entry.

Where: Blacksmith Workshop, Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: Sunday 27 April, 9:30am – 5pm.
Price: Tickets start from $5.69.

6. Family: Ingenia Holiday Parks Sydney Family Show

If your kids are mourning the nearing end of the school holidays and clamouring for another day out like the Easter Show, a visit to the Sydney Family Show will ease their pain—they can even pick up a show bag! From a live Bluey interactive experience, jaw-dropping dance and acrobatic shows and even a stunt bike show, to a petting zoo and classic fairground rides, the show offers non-stop fun for all the family.

As an added bonus, it’s significantly cheaper than the Sydney Royal Easter Show and also smaller so your step count will be lower and there’s no fear of missing anything.

Where: Entertainment Quarter Showring, 122 Lang Road, Moore Park NSW 2021.
When: Sunday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturdays 10am-5pm.
Price: $30 per adult (16+) and $15 per child (3-15 years).

sydneyfamilyshow.com.au

Books Kinokuniya is one of Sydney's best bookshops and is taking part in Global Book Week. — *Books Kinokuniya is one of the independent bookshops taking part in Global Book Week. (Image: Shutterstock).*

7. Creative: Global Book Crawl

If you’re an avid reader, head to a participating bookshop and take part in the Global Book Crawl. This worldwide celebration of independent bookshops and those who love them unites readers and writers alike. Across Sydney, there are 15 bookshops taking part in the crawl, from the inner west across to the eastern suburbs.

To get in on the action, pick up a passport from any of the participating bookshops and begin exploring the city’s independent bookshops. Find all the participating bookshops here.

Where: Participating bookshops.
When: Monday, April 21 until Sunday, April 27.
Price: Free.

Parramatta park cinema — *Watch a free movie in Parramatta this weekend. (Image via Instagram @atparramatta)*

8. Cinema: Free family movie night

This weekend is your last chance to head to the free family movie nights in Parramatta. During the school holidays, Parramatta Council has shown a variety of movies in parks across the suburb. On Saturday, a screening of The Wild Robot will be on in West Epping Park, and on Sunday, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will be on at F. S Garside Park.

There will be food stalls selling pizza, popcorn and more, but you’re also welcome to bring your own picnic. Beanbags and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure you arrive early and make use of the free workshops and live performances between 4pm and 6pm.

Where: West Epping Park (Saturday) and F.S Garside Park (Sunday).
When: until 27 April, 4 pm- 9pm.
Price: Free.

light display — *Scenic World’s Nocturnal runs until May 11, 2025. (Image: Scenic World)*

9. Out of town: Nocturnal at Scenic World

After selling out last year, Nocturnal at Scenic World is back, bringing light installations to a valley in the Blue Mountains. The enchanting Nocturnal brings the region its own version of Vivid, with light displays, holograms and dynamic light structures paired with ambient sounds to create an otherworldly forest walk.

This season has been extended by popular demand. To get the best experience, we recommend jumping on board Scenic World’s iconic Scenic Railway, which will be running on select evenings during the light walk.

Where: Violet St &, Cliff Dr, Katoomba, NSW 2780.
When: Thursday to Sunday until May 11.
Price: Adult from $54.90, child from $40.90

MJ The Musical in Sydney — *Catch MJ the Musical at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. (Image supplied)*

10. Theatre: MJ the Musical

MJ The Musical continues its stint at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. Head to Pyrmont to see the King of Pop’s famous choreography come to life in this thrilling musical biopic. Roman Banks has been highly acclaimed for his portrayal of MJ, as has Brisbane-based actor Liam Damons, who is making his professional theatre debut playing the star in his younger years.

Tickets range from $70 to $240, depending on selected seating. Don’t miss this unforgettable production, masterfully brought to life by an exceptional cast and creative team.

Get your tickets here.

Where: 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009.
When: selected dates until Sunday, August 3.
Price: From $70 to $240.

a girl stands in front of her artwork at ARTEXPRESS — *The talented Katie Martin, from Bulli High School, stands in front of her artwork. (Image via Instagram @artgalleryofnsw)*

11. Art: ARTEXPRESS 2025

This is your last chance to see this popular annual art exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW, which shines a spotlight on students artworks created for the art-making component of the HSC examination in Visual Arts in 2024.

The Art Gallery has been hosting ARTEXPRESS since 1989, championing student artists and providing a platform for up-and-coming young creatives. Media ranges across ceramics, graphic design and sculpture, as these young artists experiment with their style.

Where: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Naala Nura building, Lower level 2, Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: until 27 April 2025.
Price: Free.

12. Outdoor Fun: Alice in the Wonderland

The Australian Shakespeare Company is performing family-favourite Alice in Wonderland in the magical surrounding of the Royal Botanic Gardens. There’s singing, dancing and plenty of interactivity between the cast and audience to keep young theatregoers entertained throughout.

You’ll see classic and beloved characters, including the Cheshire Cat, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, the White Rabbit and, of course, the Mad Hatter. Introduce your children to live theatre in this colourful and creative outdoor production.

Where: Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Daily 10am to 4pm until Sunday, April 27.
Price: from $25.