Looking for the best things to do in Sydney this weekend? We’ve got you covered with our weekly guide to the most exciting events happening around town.
With both Valentine’s Day and the 47th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival set for this Friday, this weekend is going to be a big one for couples. There’s a bunch of romantic things to do around Sydney while also piling on the parties of Mardi Gras’ opening weekend, from Fair Day through to Queer Screen’s Mardi Gras Film Festival. You’ve also got a one-night-only restaurant concept where solo diners eat for free, the tail-end of acclaimed musical Wuthering Heights and the unique Sunset Variations series, which takes place atop one of Sydney’s most picturesque hills at the Sydney Observatory.
As always, take note of the below so you’ve got a plan in place when Friday rolls around.
Things to do in Sydney this Weekend

1. Dining: Sydney’s best Valentine’s Day menus
Hundreds of restaurants around Sydney are currently putting their finishing touches of their Valentine’s Day services. With the big day of love falling on a Friday, it should be a big night for couples as they celebrate the special occasion with indulgent set menus. If you haven’t got your booking sorted yet, and you don’t actually know where to stay, Sydney Travel Guide’s guide to the best Valentine’s Day dinners in Sydney should help you get that reservation locked in.
Some of the high-profile restaurants offering great Valentine’s Day menus this year include:
- a’Mare
- Bennelong
- Aria
- Chiswick
- Tilda Dining
- Arthur
- L’Heritage
- Pilu at Freshwater
And if you’re not able to celebrate on Valentine’s Day itself, shift the special occasion to a more convenient time for you and your partner and be sure to check out Sydney Travel’s Guide’s list on the city’s most romantic restaurants.
2. Film: 32nd Mardi Gras Film Festival
Set for the first week of the Sydney Mardi Gras festival, Sydney’s signature queer film festival returns with just under 150 of the world’s finest LGBTQI+ films spread across Event Cinemas George Street and Hurstville, Dendy Cinemas Newtown and Ritz Cinemas Randwick.
Highlights for this year include Layla, Amrou Al-Kadhi’s directorial debut following a non-binary, Palestinian drag queen who loses themselves in a tense relationship; I’m Your Venus, billed as a cathartic ode to Paris Is Burning icon Venus Xtravaganza; and Young Hearts, which centres around 14-year-old Elias who falls for his new neighbour Alexander in a coming-of-age love story.
Where: Event Cinemas George Street, Event Cinemas Hurstville, Dendy Cinemas Newtown, Ritz Cinemas
When: Friday, February 14 – Thursday, February 27
Price: From $10
3. Film: Antenna Documentary Film Festival
Now in its 13th year, the Antenna Documentary Film Festival has brought 50 diverse documentaries to the city with programming every night until February 16. Whether it’s a film based on an AI-generated script or a Sundance-winning documentary about a team of Amazon workers taking on their employer, the festival’s wide scope means endless hours of fascinating stories and of-the-moment filmmaking.
On Saturday alone there are 12 documentaries being screened back-to-back across the festival’s two main hubs, Dendy Newtown and The Ritz Cinema in Randwick. If edutainment is on the cards for this weekend, this one’s a no-brainer.
Where: Dendy Newtown + The Ritz Cinema Randwick
When: Until February 16
Price: From $25
4. Big Day Out: Mardi Gras Fair Day
One of the most anticipated Sydney Mardi Gras 2025 events is the welcome return of Fair Day. the long-held tradition for Mardi Gras took a year off last year due to the discovery of asbestos in Victoria Park’s Mulch.
We’re thankful it only took a year to correct the issue because Victoria Park will once again come to life with over 70,000 people expected to welcome back the beloved Mardi Gras event. And it’s bigger than ever this year, with a wider scope of diversity from a dynamic First Nations Circle to the traditional Doggywood pageant, Karaoke Cave, Drag King Games, Dolly Disco and the inaugural Trans Camp.
Several stages will be planted around Victoria Park but the main stage will shoulder most of the big-ticket action with a variety of artists and community groups, including Melissa Tkautz, the cast of hit musical Titanique, a special Sissy Ball showcase and sets from Royston Noell, Sumner and DJ Nate.
Where: Victoria Park; Parramatta Rd, Broadway NSW 2008
When: Sunday, February 16 from 10am
Price: Free
5. Theatre: Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen
The Sydney Opera House will be getting involved in the Sydney Mardi Gras this year by hosting this darkly comedic one-man show starring Tony and Olivier-nominated actor Samuel Barnett. The same producers who worked on stage shows for Baby Reindeer and Fleabag have lifted a story about a 36-year-old, perpetually single neurotic stand-up who finally meets Mr Right, before everything goes oh so very wrong.
As Barnett’s character grapples with his own paranoia and insecurities, audiences are taken on a journey through a dark spell that’s as funny as it is relatable.
Where: Playhouse Theatre; Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000
When: Friday, February 14 – Sunday, February 23
Price: $74.90
6. Theatre: Wuthering Heights
The classic tale of Wuthering Heights has been turned into a highly acclaimed production, currently playing until this weekend at Roslyn Packer Theatre in Walsh Bay. Emma Bronte’s celebrated gothic romance was lifted by director Emma Rice with stylish composition by Ian Ross and intricate, transportive costuming by Vicki Mortimer. With a penchant for world-building, guests are immersed in the atmosphere and sensibilities of the period piece, making Roslyn Packer an effective time capsule to the early 1800s.
Where: Roslyn Packer Theatre; 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay NSW 2000
When: January 31 – February 15
Tickets: $99.90
7. Dining: OLOS
Want to eat a nice three-course meal with matching wines and cocktails for the lovely little price of $0 this Friday? You can do just that at this one-night-only pop-up from sexual wellness company Lovehoney. The Valentine’s Day promotion has taken over a restaurant space in Chippendale, reserved only for guests who are willing to dine solo.
It’s based on research that shows Sydneysiders aren’t too keen on going out to restaurants alone. And since Lovehoney’s business is hinged on self-love, it’s a nice little fit that could save you some money if you’ve got the gusto to go it alone. Plus, you’ll walk away with a sex toy of your choice. The entire experience is valued at $250 so it’s worth trying to snag a reservation on the night.
Where: 14 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008
When: Friday, February 14; 6pm – 7:30pm, 8pm – 9:30pm
Price: Free
8. Live Music: Sunset Variations
One of the most unique things to do in Sydney this weekend is to head up to Sydney Observatory, which is currently hosting an experimental live music series called Sunset Variations. It’s all about soundtracking the sunset with mesmerising ambient music, paying homage to Sydney’s dramatic Golden Hour as guests look out from the hill. On Friday, February 7, it’ll be instrumental duo Wilson Tanner who will be scoring the sunset with a three-hour set.
Look out for other Sunset Variations throughout the month, including a set from experimental electronic artist e fishpool on Valentine’s Day.
Where: Sydney Observatory
When: Every Friday until February 28
Price: Free
9. Musical: Titanique
It seems Sydney can’t get enough of Titanique, the sleeper hit musical satire that spoofs both Celine Dion and the famed tale of the Titanic. Numerous extensions will now keep the musical at The Grand Electric until the end of March. So if you haven’t seen this hilarious show yet, this weekend would be a great time to lock down some tickets.
The 2.5-hour movie musical adaptation was such a hit on Broadway that it’s popularity in Sydney comes to no surprise. The smash was written by Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli and director Tye Blue as a hilariously subversive production that’s all about reimagining the Titanic and hilariously finding ways to insert the famed Canadian singer in with Jack and Rose.
For more information, read our review of Titanique.
Where: 199 Cleveland St, Surry Hills NSW 2016
When: Until March 30
Price: $80 – $145
10. Exercise: Sweat with your sweetheart at F45
Group fitness behemoth F45 are going for a sweet little Valentine’s Day promotion this weekend, nodding to the truism that lovers who work out together, stay together. If you’ve got a romantic dinner planned at night, make sure you’re paying attention the morning too a make a day of it. Participating F45 venues across Sydney are offering a “sweat with your sweetheart” two-for-one promotion where you and your partner can get a free 45-minute class if you rock up together.
Where: Participating F45 venues
When: Friday, February 14
Price: Free