10 things to do this weekend in Sydney (June 6-9)

Looking for things to do this weekend? You’ve come to the right place. Welcome to your curated guide to the top events, activities and unique experience in and around Sydney.

The temperature’s dropped but the sun is out; winter’s arrived in the Harbour City. Sydney’s arts and culture scene thrives at this time of year. Katy Perry started the Australian run of her world tour at Qudos Bank Arena last night, with a lightsaber, flying creature and countless laps around the stage. The long weekend also marks the start of the New South Wales ski season, so make the most of the long weekend with an out of town getaway to the Kosciuszko National Park. Live music, films, skateboarding and oyster shucking tours complete our list and will fill up your weekend perfectly.

Top things to do in Sydney this weekend

1. See singer/astronaut Katy Perry

Seven years since her last tour, American pop princess Katy Perry is back and busy. Just seven weeks ago, she was blasted 100 kilometres above Earth as part of the all-female crew who were on the Blue Origin New Shepard rocket. Next up? A world tour, including an extended run in Australia. She kicked off her Sydney shows last night and will return to the stage on Monday (a public holiday, remember).

The Lifetimes Tour is set within a video game world, following a half-human half-machine Perry as she battles against artificial intelligence (called Mainframe). A narrated prologue reveals that the Mainframe has stolen the world’s butterflies, and that dogs are siding with cats over humans. Sure… Watch as Perry flies on wires, engages in a lightsaber battle and runs around the stage.

Where: Qudos Bank Arena, 19 Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127.
When: Monday, June 9 and Tuesday, June 10.
Price: Last remaining tickets from $230.50.

Find the rumoured set list, stage times and remaining tickets here.

2. Sydney Film Festival

One of Sydney’s most celebrated cultural events is well underway, with 17 world premieres and 137 Australian premieres screening across the city this year. There’s plenty to choose from – more than 200 films are set for big screens over the coming weeks. This weekend, highlights include Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind, starring The Crown and Challengers actor Josh O’Connor, animated queer pick Lesbian Space Princess and the Sundance Prize-winning documentary Mr Nobody Against Putin.

Read our ultimate guide for everything you need to know, or check out the complete list of feature films screening this year.

South Korean singer-songwriter Jang Seong-eun (known by her stage name Stella Jang) will be joined by Melbourne’s Ivoris at one of the free Tumbalong Nights series of concerts taking place this weekend. The series aims to showcase global icons, local legends and emerging talents. There’s live music every Thursday to Saturday, and DJs keep the party going from Sunday to Wednesday. This long weekend brings live performances every day though.

Following Stella Jang and Ivoris (Friday), DJ Rakish and Zaeden will perform on Saturday, Immi Owusu and Dobet Gnahore will perform on Sunday while Gabzak and Gabriele Poso will sound things out on Monday.

Where: Tumbalong Park, 11 Harbour St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Friday, June 6 at 6pm–9pm.
Price: Free.

Find out more at vividsydney.com.au

4. Sip natural wine at a huge party in Martin Place

The International will host one of Australia’s best natural wine parties this weekend. Curated by DRINKS owner Joel Amos, Huge Moves will showcase more than 40 local and international wine producers at its 10-year anniversary party. Head to The Wine Bar to find Italian-inspired snacks by Redfern’s Attenzione, or sit at The Grill for a raw scallop entrée of flank stead, paired with wine. Upstairs, The Panorama Bar will be the setting for the afterparty, with beats by DJ Levins, Captain Franco, Veda and Adi Toohey.

‘We’re turning The Internationala into a wine playground, filling it with winemakers we love, food that bangs and the kind of music you’ll still be dancing to at 2am,’ says Joel Amos.

Where: The International, 25 Martin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Saturday, June 7 from 2:30pm.
Price: from $55 per person.

Book tickets here.

5. Concrete Beach 2025

When you think of Bondi, you probably think of surfers, runners and influencers, not skaters. You most likely make a beeline for the beach too. But there’s also a giant skatepark just above the beachfront – it’s one of Australia’s biggest, in fact.

Beach Road Hotel in North Bondi leans into the skate vibes with the return of Concrete Beach this weekend. Three days of free live music and skateboarding take over the huge pub/hotel venue. On Friday, Gully Days, Ugly Mug and Airlinev will appear; Saturday is competition day, with mini ramp, keg jump, a game of S-K-A-T-E and cash prizes up for grabs; on Sunday, musical duo Yolanda Be Cool and Stace Cadet will provide the tunes for the closing party.

Where: 71 Beach Road, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

beachroadhotel.com.au

6. Cerith Wyn Evans …. in light of the visible

The latest exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art will be lighting up a corner of Sydney long after Vivid ends this month. Marking the first comprehensive exhibition of Cerith Wyn Evans’s work in the Asia-Pacific region, a selection of major light and sound works never seen in Australia will be revealed to the public on Friday. We got a sneak peek at the exhibition before it opens and headed up to the third floor.

Mirrored columns, palm trees, smashed car windows and hanging glass panels surround the suspended light sculptures and play with the lights. The sculptures are accurately described as ‘drawings in space’. We’re sure this will be all over Instagram by next weekend.

Where: Level 3, Museum of Contemporary Art,
When: June 6–October 19, 2025
Price: Adult $35, concession $28; general admission to the rest of the gallery is $20 per adult and free for under-18s.

Book tickets at mca.com.au

7. Sound Escape at City Recital Hall

Venture into a mini festival-within-a-festival at the ultimate day-into-night party. More than six hours of music from over 20 bands, solo artists and DJs will take places across four stages at City Recital Hall. The space will be transformed into a surrealist dream of light and sound with electronic and indie sounds ruling the main stage ‘Hall of Mirrors’. Main stage artists include The Jungle Giants, DICE and Eluize.

Cult queer party Heaps Gay will take over the ground floor ‘Grand Voyeur’, where Haiku Hands, Soju Gang and host Rocky Stallone will lead the way. The Board Room will host a good old fashion rave, with a secret guest making an appearance. Performance art icons The Huxleys and Bendy Ben will also put on a show, and don’t miss the free Sound Walk experience out in Angel Place.

Where: City Recital Hall, 2 Angel Place, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Saturday, June 7 from 5pm until midnight.
Price: Second release from $89, third release from $99.

Book tickets at cityrecitalhall.com

8. Celebrate martini month at W Sydney

Not yet made it to the W Hotel Sydney? Now’s your chance. World Martini Day (yes, it’s a thing) is on the horizon and the luxury hotel is getting in the mood with the launch of Martini Month. Produced in collaboration with Belvedere vodka, the in-house restaurant BTWN is serving three limited-edition martinis all month. Paired with a gourmet bite, choose from the oyster martini with an Appellation oyster, the saltbush martini with a saltbush and lamb shoulder scrumpet and pickles, or the salt and vinegar martini with it’s fish and chips-inspired bite with cod roe and potato chip.

Guests staying in the luxury suites throughout June will get an added bonus with a lavish Turn Up Service. An in-house bartender will arrive at your room to serve a dream mini martini, whether that’s dry, dirty or shaken. Can’t make it this weekend? Check in on June 21, World Martini Day, and you’ll score a complimentary mini martini.

Where: BTWN, W Hotel Sydney, 31 Wheat Road, NSW 2000
When: Throughout June with an added bonus if you’re checking in on June 21.
Price: Martini and snack pairing: $25 each. Other prices vary.

Find out more at btwnsydney.com.au

9. Learn how to shuck oysters

Legendary Sydney chef Dan Hong recently cited the Sydney Oyster Farm tour as one of his favourite things to do in Sydney – and we have to agree. Grab your waders and head out for a day at the Hawkesbury River, where you’ll learn all about oysters, how to shuck them and, best of all, get to eat them. We recently tried the Immerse Yourself experience, which includes a guided tour, boat ride and shucking experience, but you could splash out on the Oyster Elegance experience to learn how to shuck on a secluded beach before enjoying a gourmet lunch.

Read about our experience with Sydney Oyster Tours here.

10. Stranger Things: The Experience

Eleven and the gang have landed at Luna Park and they need your help. This brand-new immersive experience takes you into the Upside Down where you’ll battle Dr Brenner and the demogorgons. Entering Hawkins Lab, you’ll be introduced to the Sleep Study. Holograms and costumed actors bring the experience to life – special shoutout to the actress who plays Eleven. Don’t miss the chance to take a photo in the Byers’ living room while you’re there.

Where: Crystal Palace, Luna Park Sydney, 1 Olympic Dr, Milsons Point NSW 2061
When: Daily from 12:30pm.
Price: From $55.

Find out more at lunaparksydney.com.