UPDATED: October 6
- Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening around Sydney this long weekend.
- From major events and exhibitions to live music, theatre, food and drink.
- Use our guide to plan your perfect weekend in the Harbour City.
Sydney is bringing the energy this weekend, with concerts from major international stars, a huge theatre refresh and even a waterfront arts market. Here’s what’s on.
English singer-songwriter Olivia Dean is in town for two huge sold-out shows at Afterpay Arena, while you can still catch tickets to Effy and Mall Grab at Carriageworks for the Aussie debut of their electronic show, Fragrance.
SIX The Musical will make its Sydney return, transforming the stories of Henry VIII’s six wives into a thrilling pop extravaganza. Mamma Mia! will also open on the North Shore at Chatswood’s The Concourse, for some feel-good theatre fun.
Hop on the Manly ferry and pop into the Great Artist Market at Manly Wharf on Saturday, or drop by the new Sidney Nolan exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW, where all 27 paintings from his iconic Ned Kelly series have been reunited.
Anyway, that’s just the start. Here are the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.
Our top picks
Olivia Dean
When Olivia Dean performed on the Fleet Steps at the Sydney Opera House last year, fans literally chartered boats just for the chance to hear her addictive voice.
The “Man I Need” singer, who won Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammy Awards, will perform two sold-out shows at Afterpay Arena this October as part of her The Art of Loving tour. The singer is on track to become one of the most recognised names in British pop music, and there’s no doubt this concert will be one to remember.
Where: Afterpay Arena, 19 Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127.
When: October 9 and 10.
Price: Tickets sold out, but keep an eye on Ticketek Marketplace.
SIX the Musical
Six the Musical transforms Henry VIII’s six wives into pop icons, remixing 500 years of history into an electrifying 80-minute concert. A global hit from the West End to Broadway, this riotous celebration of the women wronged by the infamous king is fit for royalty.
Where: Theatre Royal, 108 King St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: October 9-December 20
Price: Tickets start at $69.50.
Nolan: Origins at Art Gallery of NSW
This October, the Art Gallery of NSW will showcase around 100 major works by leading 20th-century Australian artist, Sidney Nolan. Featuring his iconic 1946–47 series depicting bushranger Ned Kelly, the exhibition explores how Nolan shaped and questioned ideas of ‘Australia’ through his depictions of St Kilda, the Wimmera, K’gari, Central Australia and north-eastern Victoria.
You can find out more about the exhibition here.
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Naala Nura Building, Lower Level 2.
When: October 3, 2026- February 7, 2027.
Price: Tickets from $35.
The Great Artist Market at Manly Wharf
A successful debut in May saw The Great Artist Market take over Manly Wharf, bringing with it a colourful array of stalls showcasing exciting designs and artwork. This October, the market will return with over 60 artists and makers, taking over Felons Barrel Room, but also expanding to the upper level of Manly Wharf.
While you peruse the market, make sure to enjoy an ice-cold lager from Felons, as well as coffee, pastries and baked goods upstairs. There’s also no better time to check out Stanley Restaurant, the new addition to Manly Wharf’s eateries, offering up Cantonese food and some of the best duck pancakes I’ve ever had.
Where: Manly Wharf, 1 E Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095.
When: October 10, 8am-3pm.
Price: Free.
LAST CHANCE: Paper Daisy Spring Festival
Sydney’s biggest paper daisy display will take centre stage at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan this spring. The six-week celebration of flowers, family fun, live music and food will unfold against a spectacular sea of pink and white, created from approximately one million paper daisy seeds grown each year for the blooming display.
Plenty of food and drink options will be available, from burgers and coffee to ice cream and gozleme, plus lawn games, free crafts, and even a bookable painting experience.
Where: Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, 362 Narellan Rd, Mount Annan NSW 2567.
When: September 4-October 11.
Price: Free.
What’s on in Theatre
Mamma Mia!
This dreamy celebration of love, laughter and friendship transports audiences to sunny Greece, soundtracked by ABBA’s greatest hits. Packed with dynamic choreography, infectious energy and feel-good fun, this dazzling production is guaranteed to have audiences smiling.
Where: The Concourse, 409 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067.
When: October 9-25.
Price: Tickets from $89.
The Lion King
The blockbuster musical The Lion King continues its run in the Harbour City. The original Australian production of The Lion King premiered at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney in October 2003, returned for a second run in 2013, and is now back at the iconic venue 13 years later.
You can read our review of the stunning show here.
Where: Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket NSW 2000.
When: Until November 1, 2026.
Price: From $165.
A Room With A View
Grace Chapple transforms E.M. Forster’s beloved novel of love and discovery into a passionate stage production filled with romance, yearning and self-discovery. Follow Lucy Honeychurch through sun-drenched Tuscany as she finds herself navigating a life-changing choice between two men.
Where: 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
When: October 3-November 1.
Price: Tickets from $58.
Bugsy Malone
Based on the 1976 Academy Award-winning film, this world-famous musical features unforgettable songs, hilarious gangsters, glamorous showgirls and iconic splurge gun battles. Head to Leichhardt to see Australia’s next generation of musical theatre talent tackle this classic.
Where: Teatro at the Italian Forum, Shop 30A/23 Norton St, Leichhardt NSW 2040.
When: October 2-11.
Price: Tickets from $65.
The Elevator
Sharp, funny and fearless new Australian comedy The Elevator made its world premiere in September, and will continue to entertain audiences through to mid-October. This no-fluff office satire is a whirlwind of laughs and truth bombs as CEO Margot returns from mat leave, ready to face the fallout from her company’s PR nightmare.
Where: Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli NSW 2061.
When: September 18-October 18.
Price: Tickets from $90.
My Fair Lady
Opera Australia is celebrating 70 years of My Fair Lady since its glorious Broadway debut. Catch the beloved story of Eliza Doolittle’s transformation from Cockney flower girl to society lady, featuring charming classics including ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?’ and ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’.
Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: September 10-October 31.
Price: Tickets from $89.
Art Exhibitions and Events
Margaret Olley: Australian Intimiste at NAS
Celebrating one of their own alum, the National Art School (NAS) is currently presenting Margaret Olley: Australian Intimiste, presenting an intimate look at one of Australia’s most beloved painters. Through the lens of the European artistic tradition of intimisme, the exhibition pays homage to the quiet poetry of domestic life, with a focus on Olley’s six-decade career.
Drawing from significant public and private collections, the exhibition traces Olley’s preoccupations from early interiors to her later richly textured compositions featuring floral arrangements, antiques, and domestic objects.
Where: 156 Forbes St, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010.
When: July 31-October 24, Monday-Saturday, 11am-5pm.
Price: Free.
Brett Whiteley: Coming Home
The Brett Whiteley Studio in Surry Hills recently underwent a two-year renovation and has now opened to the public with an incredible new exhibition, titled Brett Whiteley: Coming Home.
Upstairs, Whiteley’s studio remains an intimate time capsule, a look into his workspace, his famous graffitied walls and his extensive collection of books and trinkets. Downstairs, the new opening exhibition brings together some of his most celebrated works, from the 1976 Self-portrait in the Studio to the monumental 16-metre-wide Alchemy.
Where: Brett Whiteley Studio, 2 Raper Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
When: Open Thursday to Sunday, 10am-4pm.
Price: Free.
Black Myth at White Rabbit Gallery
White Rabbit Gallery’s latest free exhibition, Black Myth, opened to the public on June 25, marking the 33rd exhibition in the gallery’s history. The exhibition draws on the viral Chinese video game Black Myth: Wukong, which is a contemporary retelling of the classic novel Journey to the West.
The Assistant Curator at White Rabbit Gallery, Meng-Yu, tells us that the exhibition “poses the question: what role does myth still play in an age driven by technology and rapid urban development?”
Where: White Rabbit Gallery, 30 Balfour St, Chippendale NSW 2008.
When: June 25-November 15, Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm.
Price: Free.
Near at Hand: Dobell Australian Drawing Biennial 2026
Featuring 11 contemporary artists from across Australia, the Dobell Australian Drawing Biennial is the country’s leading exhibition dedicated to contemporary drawing.
Titled Near at Hand, the exhibition explores drawing as an intimate art form, showcasing personal mark-making, inner imaginings and up-close observations of the everyday. Artists make use of a range of materials, from pastel and pencil to watercolour, light and thread, showcasing the evolving possibilities of one of the world’s oldest art forms.
Where: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Naala Nura, Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: September 12-March 7.
Price: Free.
Body Worlds: The Anatomy of Happiness
Want to discover the fascinating facts behind the human body? This globally acclaimed exhibition explores how the body works, bringing real specimens and interactive displays to Sydney for an educational experience that’s as fascinating as it is fun.
Seen in more than 175 cities by over 58 million visitors, it’s finally Sydney’s turn to get up close with the human body at Body World: The Anatomy of Happiness.
Where: 155 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000.
When: September 17-April 4.
Price: Tickets from $37.
Definitive Dupain at State Library of NSW
This exhibition at the State Library of NSW is the first major retrospective of Australia’s most famous photographer, Max Dupain. Drawing from his complete body of work, visitors can discover 200 images and original prints on display, from his most iconic photographs (including Sunbaker) through to unseen works and experimental gems.
The images will be shown alongside Dupain’s own words, offering a rare insight into the man behind the lens and his creative philosophy.
Where: Galleries, State Library, 1 Shakespeare Place, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: August 24, 2026-July 18, 2027.
Lorrie Graham: Photojournalist at State Library of NSW
Another impressive photography exhibition at the State Library displays five decades of photography by Lorrie Graham, the pioneering and influential photojournalist.
Curated by Graham herself, this major retrospective brings together significant events, remarkable people and everyday moments, alongside intimate interviews in which Graham shares personal reflections on her career and the stories behind her photographs.
Where: Photography Gallery, State Library, 1 Shakespeare Place, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: September 14, 2026-October 31, 2027.
Price: Free.
Gigs and Concerts
Effy & Mall Grab present Fragrance
Electronic icons Effy and Mall Grab will bring their acclaimed multi-artist event series Fragrance this weekend. Coming to Australia for the first time this month, Fragrance will take over Carriageworks for a one-night-only celebration of cutting-edge electronic music, spearheaded by some of the genre’s biggest names, including Atarangi, Claire O’Brien, David Jackson, Homebody, and Mabel.
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: October 10 at 2:30pm.
Price: Tickets from $119.90.
Kate Ceberano
Singer and actress Kate Ceberano will take to the stage at the Sydney Opera House’s Concert Hall this Saturday. She returns for an encore national tour following the success of last year’s sell-out run and her hit live album. Leading dans on a thrilling journey through Australian music, she’ll mix her own songs with reimagined Australian classics, including tracks from I’m Talking, Temper Trap, Sia, Icehouse, Renée Geyer, Paul Kelly and more.
Where: Concert Hall, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: October 11 at 7pm.
Price: Tickets from $100.60.
Where to Eat and Sip
Maybe Sundays at InterContinental Coogee Beach
InterContinental Coogee Beach is giving Sundays a serious glow-up this October, with Maybe Group taking over the rooftop for a series of Sunday pop-ups. Think easy-drinking sips, cabanas made for lounging, snacks to keep you going, and DJs setting the soundtrack. Pre-book a $30 ticket, and you’ll get a cocktail on arrival, entertainment and guaranteed entry.
Where: 242 Arden St, Coogee NSW 2034.
When: October 11, 2pm-6pm.
Price: $30 per person.
Try Potion at Cantina OK!
Cantina OK! continues to elevate our idea of what a cocktail can be with their new three-drink menu, Potion. Jeremy Blackmore, the Creative Director at MUCHO Group, says the new menu is “dedicated to the everyday magic waiting at the bottom of a glass”, stating that these new cocktails share the “gentle alchemy” of a cocktail.
The menu features Keepsake OK!, with tequila, watermelon, crema, salted cucumber and basil seed; Shindig OK!, with tequila, coconut, cherry and prosecco; and Redwing OK!, a smoky, spicy mix of tequila, mezcal, rum, lime, macadamia and amari. We’ll take all three, thanks.
Where: Council Pl, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Open Sunday-Tuesday, 4 pm- 12 am; Wednesday- Saturday, 4pm-2am.
Price: Cocktails cost $25 each.
SRG Hospitality’s The Spring Club
As we head into the end of the year, SRG Hospitality is launching the Spring Club, Taittinger Champagne at $99 a bottle and fresh oysters at $3 each, across nine venues: Riva, Ripples Rose Bay, Akti, Ripples Chowder Bay, Ripples Little Manly, Sails, Summer Salt, The James, and The Fenwick.
Where: Across nine of SRG Hospitality’s venues.
When: October 6-November 15.
Price: $99 bottles of Taittinger Champagne, $3 oysters.
The White Horse Lunch Special
Surry Hills icon The White Horse has launched a new lunch menu that packs six dishes into an impressively good-value $55 feast. With W.A. rock lobster-stuffed pappardelle, mushroom choux, chive pancake and Brie ice cream on the menu, the food is seriously impressive without the eye-watering price tag.
Available from Friday to Sunday between 12pm and 3pm, it’s the perfect excuse to round up your friends and settle in for a leisurely weekend lunch.
Where: 381 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
When: Available from Friday to Sunday between 12pm and 3pm.
Price: $55 per person.
ABODE Bistro. Bar X with Vic’s, The Chef’s Butcher
ABODE Bistro. Bar, the award-winning eatery by PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, is partnering with Vic’s — The Chef’s Butcher this October for a four-week culinary journey celebrating Australian farmers, producers, and premium meats.
This month-long menu residency will feature a new premium dish each week, with a signature cocktail crafted to complement the flavours. Menu highlights include Paroo Kangaroo, White Rocks Veal Osso Bucco, Maremma Duck Leg Confit and Kurobuta Pork Chop, making this a menu tailor-made for meat lovers.
Where: ABODE Bistro. Bar, Sydney CBD – 150 Day St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: October 5-November 1.
Price: Price varies based on the dish.
