The spectacular city of Sydney is the gateway for most visitors and a change of season. The cooler months means Autumn in Sydney 2024 will have an amazing array of entertainment.
But there is plenty of that on offer too in the city well known for its mild autumns and winters. As the temperature drops, visitors head to see amazing stage shows, of which there are plenty, including the new &Juliet at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. Or rug up for outdoors and the fantastic light festival that is Vivid which takes place throughout the harbour city. Plus there are plenty of cosy pubs, inviting restaurants and friendly bars to visit. Here’s our Autumn Calendar to brighten up your stay.
MARCH
ACO FAMILY DAY
Bring the family along to Pier 2/3 for a day by the harbour. Enjoy an Australian Chamber Orchestra concert experience, followed by creative play activities including the chance to try a string instrument.
ACO Pier 2/3, 13a Hickson Rd, Dawes Point, March 17, aco.com.au
LUMINESCENCE CHAMBER SINGERS: GLASS HEART
Luminescence Chamber Singers present a concert delving into 500 years of love songs and break-up Anthems – from Monteverdi’s monumental Sestina to music by Sting and the Wailin’ Jennys.
ACO Pier 2/3, 13a Hickson Rd, Dawes Point, March 20, aco.com.au
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Shakespeare’s classic comedy is reawakened in this breathless production brimming with magic, mirth and mayhem. Fast, funny and family-friendly, this is the Bard reimagined.
Sydney Opera House, until March 30, bellshakespeare.com.au
RAMADAN NIGHTS LAKEMBA
Ramadan Nights Lakemba is an enchanting culinary journey, where the senses come alive with a myriad of flavours and cultural delights.
Haldon St, Lakemba, until April 8, cbcity.nsw.gov.au
THE SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW
Enjoy 12 days of non-stop entertainment, animal experiences and competitions, carnival rides and games, showbags, activities and more. Top it off for the kids with the Carnival rides and watch the fireworks display.
Sydney Olympic Park, March 22 – April 2, eastershow.com.au
WEST SIDE STORY ON SYDNEY HARBOUR
Arrive early to enjoy the sun setting over Sydney Harbour as you raise a glass and drink in the view at one of the five pop-up bars and restaurants on site. Then take your place in the grandstand by the water to enjoy the enthralling show, with brilliant score and dynamic dance numbers in this love story for the ages.
West Side Story, until April 21, Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, (02) 9318 8200, opera.org.au
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
Iconic rock’n’roll musical The Rocky Horror Show, starring Jason Donovan as Frank N Furter, will be doing the Time Warp all over again. See one of the world’s favourite musicals as squeaky- clean sweethearts Brad and Janet take off on an adventure they’ll never forget.
Theatre Royal Sydney, 108 King St, Sydney, March 31 – April 28, 1300 163 808, theatreroyalsydney.com
& JULIET
The Emmy-winning writer from Schitt’s Creek, David West Read, flips the script on Shakespeare in a poignant story of self-discovery and second chances. Juliet is brought back to life – but that’s only the start of the surprises in this extension of the famous story of the star crossed lovers. Starring Australian favourites Rob Mills (Wicked), Casey Donovan (Chicago) and rising star Lorinda May Merrypor as Juliet. Read the review here.
Sydney Lyric Theatre, 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont, until May 12, 1300 795 267, sydneylyric.com.au
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APRIL
COCKATOO ISLAND SUNSET SESSIONS
Running Saturday evenings, Sunset Sessions is an opportunity for friends and families to picnic on the lawns of historic Biloela House, enjoy jaw-dropping views of Sydney Harbour, and see a diverse line-up of performers.
Cockatoo Island, until April 6, cockatooisland.gov.au
GREASE
Grease is returning to the Australian stage in a new, multi-million-dollar live musical production. Sing along to the unforgettable Summer Nights, You’re The One That I Want and Greased Lightnin.
Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket, until April 14, (02) 9320 5000, capitoltheatre.com.au
ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL
This film festival returns for the 35th instalment offering 41 feature films. It’s a diverse and unique program of moving French cinema, from a range of film-makers, genres and styles.
Various locations, until April 21, affrenchfilmfestival.org
MAY
PARADE
This Tony Award-winning musical by Jason Robert Brown, from a book by Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy) is based on the true story of an unsolved murder that divided a nation. It features a rousing, colourful and haunting score by Jason Robert Brown (Bridges of Madison County).
Seymour Centre, Cnr City Road &, Cleveland St, Chippendale, May 9-25, (02) 7255 1561, seymourcentre.com
VIVID SYDNEY 2024 FAMILY FRIENDLY
Vivid Sydney is an annual celebration of creativity, innovation and technology, which transforms Sydney for 23 days and nights. In 2024, for its 14th year, Vivid Sydney will fuse art, innovation and technology in collaboration with some of the most boundary-pushing artists, musicians, thinkers and culinary experts of our time.
Various locations, May 24-June 15, vividsydney.com
THE LARK ASCENDING
Principal Violin Helena Rathbone directs the Australian Chamber Orchestra Collective, an ensemble of Australia’s best and brightest young musicians, in an evocative program featuring Vaughan Williams’s spectacular The Lark Ascending.
ACO Pier 2/3, 13a Hickson Rd, Dawes Point, 17 May, aco.com.au
JUNE
ROMEO & JULIET SUITE
L.A. Dance Project bring their genre-defying Romeo & Juliet Suite for an exclusive premiere season at the Sydney Opera House including three couples performing the pas-de-deux roles of Romeo and Juliet, including male-male, female-female and male-female pairing.
Joan Sutherland Theatre, June 5 – June 9, sydneyoperahouse.com
ARCHIBALD, WYNNE AND SULMAN PRIZES
The Archibald Prize for portrait painting is Australia’s most celebrated and democratic – sometimes controversial – art award. The Wynne Prize is for landscape painting of Australian scenery, or figure sculpture, while the Sulman Prize is for subject painting, genre painting or a mural.
Art Gallery of NSW, June 8 – September 8, artgallery.nsw.gov.au
CHICAGO THE MUSICAL
Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery, treachery and all that jazz. So begins this multi- award-winning musical. Starring Anthony Warlow as Billy Flynn, expect a glittering score that includes All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle.
Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell Street, Haymarket, June 9, 2024 – July 28, chicagomusical.com.au
GABS
One of the biggest and most influential craft beer festivals in Australia and New Zealand. GABS Hottest 100 has already been announced and the time to put them to the taste test is at this epic festival. The Gala Dinner, on May 30, launches the GABS International Brewers Collective for 2024.
GABS, May 31 – June1, ICC, Darling Harbour, gabsfestival.com.au
