It’s the first week of May, and Sydney is turning up the heat (and the meat) for an epic weekend, featuring Australia’s biggest barbecue festival, waterfront markets in full swing, and a citywide lineup of gigs for Great Southern Nights.
Sydney Comedy Festival charges into its third week, with a fresh lineup of unique events, top comedians and big, belly-laugh galas.
Meatstock returns to the Sydney Showground with all the grilling, flames and flavour you could want, serving up world-class barbecue alongside a stacked program of live music.
Meanwhile, Great Southern Nights is back, bringing local artists to venues across the city, plus its much-loved Gig Trails, which turn entire neighbourhoods into all-night live music playgrounds.
Read on for our full list of things to do in Sydney this weekend, which includes waterfront artist markets, family-favourite concerts and top-tier theatre.
Things to do in Sydney this weekend
Sydney Staples
Sydney Comedy Festival
The Sydney Comedy Festival rolls into its third week, keeping the city buzzing with laughs. Highlights on our radar include Aussie comedian Cam Knight lighting up The Factory Theatre this Friday, the unique True Crime Comedy Walking Tour running nightly across the CBD, and the YCK Laneways Comedy Crawl taking over the streets this Saturday afternoon with shows popping up at venues throughout the precinct.
Where: Citywide.
When: April 13-May 17.
Price: Ticket prices vary, with some shows free.
Australia’s Biggest Barbecue Festival
Meatstock fires up at the Sydney Showground this Friday and Saturday for two huge days of “BBQ, Bands and Bedlam.” Expect world-class barbecue, live music and a stacked program of offbeat events, from the Better Beer Dad Bod Contest to the Sausage Sizzle Throwdown and the Heat Beads BBQ Wars. Meat and music lovers should grab their tickets quickly before they sell out.
Where: Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.
When: May 1-2, 12pm-10pm.
Price: Adult tickets from $65.50, Child tickets from $28.50.
Great Southern Nights
Great Southern Nights is a NSW Government initiative launched in 2020 to support the state’s live music, entertainment and hospitality sectors. This year’s program features more than 300 gigs across the state, including standout Sydney shows from Jessica Mauboy at City Recital Hall, Shady Nasty at Vic on the Park, and Hatchie at The Vanguard.
Other venues hosting gigs are Cronulla RSL, Moshpit in Erskineville, Darlinghurst’s Oxford Art Factory and the Pyrmont Bridge Hotel. You can check out the full Great Southern Nights program here.
Where: Great Southern Nights hosts gigs all over NSW.
When: May 1-17.
Price: Some shows are free with an RSVP, while others are ticketed.
Buddha’s Birthday
Buddha’s Birthday Festival returns to Darling Harbour for two days of culture, food and mindfulness this weekend. There’ll be live performances, vegetarian bites, market stalls and eco-friendly activities, alongside guided meditations and traditional ceremonies celebrating peace, compassion and community. It’s the perfect place to slow down, reconnect and soak up a genuine sense of community.
Where: Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour.
When: May 2: 10am-7pm, May 3: 10am-4pm.
Price: Free.
Must-visit Markets
The Great Artist Market
Kicking off at 8am this Saturday, The Great Artist Market will take over Felons Barrel Room on Manly Wharf until 3pm. More than 40 artists and makers have been selected to take part in the waterfront market, selling everything from handmade glass pieces and functional ceramics to contemporary paintings.
Where: The Great Artist Market, Felons Barrel Room.
When: May 2, 8am-3pm.
Price: Free entry.
Finders Keepers Design Markets
Beloved institution, The Finders Keepers Market returns to Carriageworks for the entire weekend. As always, the large-scale event is the ultimate collection of Australia’s best and brightest designers, including indie labels ready to showcase their latest projects.
The design market is always such a big shopping event for Sydney’s well-dressed that organisers make a full day of it with live local DJs, fresh food stalls, pop-up bars and more shopping than you could ask for.
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: May 1-3, Friday: 4pm-9pm, Saturday: 10am-5pm, Sunday: 10am-5pm.
Price: From $7.
Wentworth Point Autumn Market
The Wentworth Point Autumn Market lands this Sunday, bringing a lively mix of curated stalls to the waterfront community, which is just a short walk from Sydney Olympic Park. Expect family-friendly entertainment, free kids’ activities, and a strong lineup of food and drink vendors, alongside local businesses showcasing their goods.
Where: Wentworth Point Town Square.
When: May 3, 9am-3pm.
Price: Free entry.
What’s on in Theatre
The Lion King
In very exciting news for Sydney’s theatre fanatics, blockbuster musical The Lion King has returned to the Harbour City. The original Australian production of The Lion King premiered at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney in October 2003, returning for a second run 10 years later in 2013, and is now back again 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: April 18-August 9, 2026.
Price: From $165.
Anastasia
Since its Broadway debut in 2017, Anastasia has captivated sold-out audiences and collected more than 15 major international awards, and it has now finally made its debut Down Under.
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-July 19.
Price: Tickets from $69.90.
Romeo and Juliet
Watch one of the world’s greatest love stories come to life on the stage of the Joan Sutherland Theatre. Renowned dancer and choreographer John Cranko reimagined William Shakespeare’s iconic tale as a sweeping classical ballet, transforming the stage into medieval Verona and bringing themes of love, rivalry, and tragedy to life.
Whether you’re a devoted ballet enthusiast or new to the art form, it’s a truly captivating production not to miss.
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: April 24-May 13.
Price: Tickets from $56.
LAST CHANCE: Handa Opera The Phantom of the Opera
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.
This year, Phantom of the Opera is taking over the harbour, and this is the last weekend you can catch the waterfront spectacle before it retires for the year.
Where: Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney.
When: March 27-May 3, 2026.
Price: From $108 plus $9.80 booking fee.
84 Charing Cross Road
Adapted from Helene Hanff’s beloved non-fiction book, 84 Charing Cross Road comes to life on stage at Ensemble Theatre for a limited season. The story follows a sharp-tongued New York writer and a reserved London bookseller who begin a correspondence over their shared love of rare books, only to discover an unexpected lifelong friendship.
Directed by Mark Kilmurry, the production stars Erik Thomson alongside Blazey Best, Katie Fitchett, Angela Mahlatjie and Brian Meegan, delivering a warm, moving celebration of connection, compassion and the magic of kindred spirits.
Where: Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli NSW 2061.
When: May 1-June 13.
Price: Adult tickets start at $95.
An Iliad
A weary, sharp-tongued poet (played by international star David Wenham) takes the stage at Wharf 1 Theatre to retell the story of the Trojan War, a tale he has carried across centuries of human conflict. In Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare’s powerful adaptation of Homer’s epic, the ancient myth is reimagined as an intimate, urgent reflection on war, division, and humanity’s enduring cycles of violence.
Where: Wharf 1 Theatre, The Wharf, Wharf 4/5/15 Hickson Rd, Dawes Point NSW 2000.
When: April 13-June 21, 2026.
Price: Tickets from $79.
The River
Miranda Otto returns to the stage with Sydney Theatre Company in The River, a haunting and intimate drama by acclaimed playwright Jez Butterworth. Set in a remote cliffside cabin, the play follows a fisherman (Ewen Leslie) and a woman whose romantic weekend begins to unravel as unsettling truths emerge.
Directed by Margaret Thanos and co-starring Andrea Demetriades, the production blends poetry and mystery to explore love, intimacy, and human connection.
Where: Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: April 13-May 16.
Price: Tickets from $59.
Cluedo The Play
Cluedo, the iconic whodunnit that has long captivated audiences on the tabletop and on screen (including the 1985 film from Paramount Pictures), has arrived on stage in Sydney.
When six intriguing guests gather at Boddy Manor, secrets unravel, and murder is on the menu, with the audience invited to piece together the mystery. Packed with sharp wit, twists, and theatrical flair, Cluedo delivers a laugh-out-loud night of suspense that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Where: 108 King St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Playing until May 10.
Price: Tickets from $69.90.
LAST CHANCE: 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.
Gigs and Concerts
The Wiggles
No debate here, The Wiggles are one of Australia’s most iconic acts. They’re set to take the stage at Hordern Pavilion for an intimate, family-friendly concert packed with singing, dancing and plenty of laughs, joined by beloved characters like Dorothy the Dinosaur and Wags the Dog. Expect all the classics, including Hot Potato, Fruit Salad Yummy Yummy and Do the Propeller.
Where: Hordern Pavilion, 1 Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021.
When: May 2 and 3, 10am, 1pm, 4pm.
Price: Tickets from $43.50.
Guy Sebastian
Guy Sebastian, one of Australia’s most beloved live performers, is heading to the TikTok Entertainment Centre as part of his 2026 national tour. Fans can expect a hit-packed set featuring favourites like Battle Scars, Before I Go and Choir, alongside new music from his latest album 100 Times Around The Sun, which features everything from emotional ballads to groove-heavy hits.
Where: TikTok Entertainment Centre, Sydney, NSW.
When: April 30-May 2, 7pm.
Price: Tickets from $104.90.
Deftones
Alt-rock legends Deftones head down under to Australia and New Zealand this May for an immersive, genre-defying live performance. The band will play a run of explosive headline arena shows for the first time in nearly 10 years, bringing along special guests Interpol and Ecca Vandal.
Where: Qudos Bank Arena, 19 Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127.
When: May 2 and 3.
Price: From $159.90.
Art Exhibitions and Events
Biennale of Sydney 25th Anniversary
Renowned for providing a platform for bold ideas and boundary-pushing art, the Biennale of Sydney is a celebration of creativity, showcasing innovative works from artists around the world. It is renowned 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.
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.
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. 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.
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 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.
LAST CHANCE: 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.
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.
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.
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.
Event Horizon
Conceptual artist Michaela Gleave brings a transcendental display of works to Woolloomooloo’s Artspace with her first major solo Australian exhibition. 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.
