While Sydney’s beaches may be quieter in winter, the city’s event calendar is anything but, with major festivals, blockbuster sporting fixtures and world-class arts experiences taking centre stage throughout July.
From ice skating by the beach at Bondi Festival and festive cheer at Christmas in July to the food, wine and entertainment of Bastille Festival, there are plenty of winter festivals popping up across the city to encourage you to embrace the cooler months.
Sport fans are spoiled for choice in July, with the FIFA World Cup, State of Origin game III and Sydney Super Cup bringing world-class soccer and rugby action to local screens and stadiums. Meanwhile, runners can hit the pavement for the Harbour 10, one of the city’s most scenic waterfront races.
The arts calendar is just as packed, with the Incognito Art Show and National Indigenous Art Fair returning to showcase hundreds of works by Australian artists. At the same time, the long-awaited reopening of the Brett Whiteley Studio offers a rare opportunity to step inside the celebrated artist’s former home and workspace.
Read on for our pick of the best things to do in Sydney this July and start planning your winter calendar.
Things to do in Sydney in July
Our top picks
Bondi Festival
Bondi Festival is back, serving up comedy, theatre, music and even a beachside ice rink. You might normally associate Bondi with summer, surfing and sun; however, the Bondi Festival is here to keep the famous suburb relevant through the winter months. The ice rink will be available throughout the festival, with tickets priced from $15 to $28 for a 45-minute session.
There’s also the Pavilion Paw Parade, on July 11, where you can bring your pup along and enter them in categories including Best Dressed, Party Tricks and Best Personality. Other events include Bondi Festival Food Markets on Saturdays, the Waverley Art Prize and live performances every Saturday and Sunday of the festival.
Where: Bondi Pavilion and surrounding areas.
When: Friday, July 3–Sunday, July 19.
Price: Price varies depending on the event.
Sydney Super Cup
If you’re currently experiencing World Cup fever, lock in. The 2026 Sydney Super Cup is set to be a very exciting tournament for soccer fans, as it was announced recently that Sydney will play host to two of the biggest teams in world football: Premier League sides Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur.
The four-team tournament will be staged in Sydney at Accor Stadium and Allianz Stadium, with the two London teams taking on Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers FC, before facing off against each other in an exciting ‘London Derby’, with the game bound to draw in plenty of local, national and international interest.
Where: Accor Stadium and Allianz Stadium.
When: July 29-August 5, 2026.
Incognito Art Show
The Incognito Art Show will return to Sydney this June, finding a new home at Carriageworks. Offering over 20,000 original artworks for just $100 each, the fun of the Incognito Art Show is that the artist behind each piece remains anonymous. Buyers will choose art that they love and connect with, no matter who created it. You may have picked up a piece by an Archibald finalist, or from someone completely unknown!
All profits from the Incognito Art Show 2026 will help fund professional development programs for artists with disabilities, including Studio A in North Sydney, The Art Factory in Wagga Wagga and Access Arts in Brisbane.
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: June 27-July 5.
Price: Every piece of art costs $100.
State of Origin Game III
The NRL’s biggest rivalry is back, and July will see the final game of the State of Origin take place at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. Despite it being an away game, Sydneysiders and visitors will no doubt take over local pubs and bars to cheer on the NSW Blues as the annual best-of-three rugby league series comes to an end.
Where: The game takes place in Brisbane; however, pubs and bars across Sydney will be screening it.
When: Wednesday, July 8, at 8:05pm.
Price: Most pubs and bars will offer free entry.
NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year, to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Every year, there is a new NAIDOC Week theme, chosen by the national organising committee, and this year, it’s “50 Years of Deadly”, marking five decades since First Nations peoples took full control of the NAIDOC committee and expanded it from a single day to a nationwide week of celebration.
Exciting NAIDOC Week events include the National Indigenous Art Fair at Barangaroo’s The Cutaway, a special High Tea experience at NSW Parliament House, free Aboriginal culture tours at Barangaroo Reserve and the Eora NAIDOC Inner City Family Fun day at Carriageworks. You can find more events here.
Where: Events across Sydney.
When: July 5-12.
Price: Most events are free, some ticketed.
Go whale watching
The annual migration north of humpback whales is one of the natural wonders of the city – matched only by their return south with calves in tow. Scientists have predicted a record season of more than 40,000 whales will pass by the eastern seaboard between May and November. You can pay for a cruise (departing from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour) or grab some binoculars and head out for free to one of the vantage points at North Head, Cape Solander or even the Bondi to Coogee cliff path.
Where: Coastal vantage points and cruises depart Circular Quay and Darling Harbour.
When: Through to November.
Price: Free from shore. Cruises start from about $89.
Winter festivals
Christmas in July Festival
While the Northern Hemisphere enjoys Christmas carols, markets and ice skating during December, Christmas looks a little different Down Under. But Sydneysiders never miss out. Christmas in July is the clever solution that brightens up the colder winter months in the Harbour City, bringing Christmas markets, mulled wine and falling snow.
This year, the Fire Pit Cinema will return, with private fire pits available for two to six people. Snuggle up under blankets, sip hot chocolate, toast marshmallows and enjoy classic Christmas movies, including Home Alone, Elf and The Holiday. Foodies can find melted raclette, bratwursts, schnitzels and sugar-dusted crêpes, among other comfort dishes, at the pop-up restaurants too.
Where: The Rocks, Sydney 2000.
When: July 10-July 19.
Bastille Festival
The Bastille Festival returns to Sydney from Thursday, July 16 to Sunday, July 19, bringing a touch of France to The Rocks and Circular Quay, with a celebration of French cuisine, art and culture. There’ll be winter comfort food, including hot crêpes, plenty of cheese and even garlicky escargot. Toast to the French with authentic Champagne and beer, or spice up your life with a warming glass of mulled wine.
The full programme of live performances is yet to be released, so watch this space for more info.
Where: Circular Quay and The Rocks.
When: July 16–July 19, 10am–11pm.
Sporting events
FIFA World Cup
The Socceroos have made it through to the knock-out stages, and soccer fans will be able to catch all the live action around Sydney, with the NSW government and various councils setting up free live fan zones with big screens streaming the game.
Pubs throughout Sydney will also be screening all the action, with venues like the Sackville Hotel, Cheers Bar, The Erko and Coogee Bay Hotel gearing up to show the big weekend of sport. All these venues will be screening the final game, even if the Socceroos don’t make it.
Where: Tumbalong Park and throughout the city.
When: FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19.
Price: Free.
Nations Championship
The Wallabies will take on Ireland in their first match of the Nations Championship 2026, which will kick off on July 4. Next, the Union team will play against France on July 11 in Brisbane and Italy in Perth on the 18th. Head to the Ireland game at Allianz Stadium on July 4, and catch the other matches at your local pub, as the Wallabies battle it out against some of the best rugby teams in the world.
Where: Allianz Stadium, Driver Avenue, Moore Park, NSW 2021.
When: July 4, 11, 18.
Price: Tickets sold out, head to viagogo for resale.
Real Insurance Harbour 10
The Real Insurance Harbour 10 returns at the end of July, a harbourside 10km or 5km run that’s flat, fast and full of Sydney icons. As someone who has run this race before, I’d massively encourage entering, whether you’re looking to smash a PB or just want to take in Sydney’s beautiful harbour during a leisurely run. Additionally, if you’re entered to run City2Surf this year, this is the perfect warm-up race.
Where: The start line is in The Rocks.
When: July 26.
Price: Entry costs $70 for the 5km race, $80 for the 10km race.
Art exhibitions and events
Avatar: Forms of Vishnu
This ambitious new exhibition will be the largest presentation of South and Southeast Asian art shown at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in over 20 years, and the first Australian exhibition devoted to the Hindu deity Vishnu. The exhibition will bring together more than 200 works, both historical and contemporary, ranging from ancient sculptures, textiles and paintings to photography and installation.
Some of the extraordinary works included in the exhibition include a sixth-century Cambodian sculpture of a horse-headed avatar of Vishu, paintings from 1594 illustrating India’s great Ramayana and Mahabharata epics, and new pieces made especially for the exhibition, including a pair of large paintings by Desmond Lazaro.
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: June 20-October 5, 2026.
Price: Adult tickets from $35.
Black Myth
Sydney’s White Rabbit Gallery, which showcases one of the world’s most significant collections of Chinese contemporary art, is located on a hidden backstreet in Chippendale. The gallery presents two exhibitions each year, and its next exhibition, titled Black Myth, is set to open on June 25, running until November 8.
Black Myth draws inspiration from the viral Chinese video game, Black Myth: Wukong, which is a modern retelling of the legendary novel, Journey to the West. An epic fantasy, teeming with spirits, demons, ghosts, mythical beasts, gods, and immortals, it follows the monk Tang Sanzang and his three unlikely disciples as they undertake a pilgrimage from China to India.
The best part? Entry to White Rabbit Art Gallery is completely free.
Where: White Rabbit Art Gallery, 30 Balfour St, Chippendale NSW 2008.
When: June 25-November 8, 2026.
Price: Free.
National Indigenous Art Fair
This year marks the seventh anniversary of the National Indigenous Art Fair, and for the first time ever, it will be presented at Barangaroo’s brand new cultural hub, the Cutaway. The 2026 edition of the fair will be its most expansive to date, presenting works by more than 100 artists from over 30 Indigenous Art Centres, alongside large-scale installations, live music, dance, talks, and fashion.
Shaped by a team of First Nations curators, the Fair offers an opportunity to view and purchase works from some of Australia’s most remote art centres, with 100% of profits going directly to the art centres and their communities. This year, guests can secure tickets to a special opening night event, offering exclusive early access to the artworks alongside a program of performances from talented First Nations singers, dancers and fashionistas.
Where: The Cutaway, 1 Merriman St, Barangaroo NSW 2000.
When: July 3-5.
Price: Adult admission starts at $15.
Brett Whiteley Studio Opening
The iconic Brett Whiteley Studio has been closed while undergoing extensive upgrades, but visitors won’t have to wait much longer, with the much-anticipated reopening scheduled for July 25. Located in the celebrated artist’s final home and studio in Surry Hills, the gallery offers an intimate and unfiltered encounter with the life and practice of Brett Whiteley.
The studio will reopen with a new exhibition, titled Brett Whiteley: Coming Home, showcasing ambitious works produced by the artist in the 1970s. Offering an array of 80 paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, prints, photographs and sketchbooks, the works showcase the energy and variety of Whiteley’s practice following his return to Australia after a decade of living and working abroad.
Entry to the studio is free, although visitors should note it’s only open from Thursday to Sunday, between 10am and 4pm.
Where: Brett Whiteley Studio, 2 Raper St, Surry Hills, NSW 2010.
When: Reopens July 25.
Price: Free entry.
Tony Albert: Not a Souvenir
One of Australia’s most exciting young Indigenous artists of today, Tony Albert’s new exhibition at the MCA brings together his work across sculpture, photography, installation, painting, and assemblage alongside major new commissions.
Tony Albert: Not a Souvenir introduces a new word to us (one that the artist himself coined): Aboriginalia. It refers to the mass-produced kitsch featuring stereotypical and often racist depictions of Aboriginal peoples. Albert (Girramay, Kuku Yalanji, Yidindji people) has been amassing a huge collection of these uncomfortable souvenirs since he was a child, and his new exhibition reclaims the kitsch to instead celebrate cultural pride and survival.
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art, 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000.
When: May 21-October 19.
Price: Tickets from $28.
The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes Exhibition
Presented by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Archibald Prize, Wynne Prize and Sulman Prize offer a vivid snapshot of contemporary Australian art and culture. The Archibald Prize, the country’s most prestigious portrait award, recognises outstanding depictions of notable figures from the worlds of music, journalism, media, stage and screen.
One of the country’s most anticipated exhibitions, this year’s annual showcase runs until August 16. You can explore the winning works and discover the stories behind the artists, subjects and portraits here.
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Naala Nura building, lower level 2.
When: May 9-August 16.
Price: Adult tickets start at $30.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition
The highly anticipated tour of Harry Potter: The Exhibition is currently showing at Paddington Pavilion in Sydney Olympic Park, and it’s an absolute must-see for all Potterheads.
Visitors can step behind the scenes of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts universes, exploring iconic moments, characters, settings and creatures alongside authentic props, original costumes and immersive galleries inspired by the films and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This exhibition is definitely a must-visit for witches, wizards and devoted Muggles alike.
Where: Paddington Pavilion at Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127.
When: Opens May 14 until October 2026.
Price: Tickets start at $33.
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 August, this multi-sensory exhibition is not one to miss.
Where: 155 George St, The Rocks, 2000.
When: April 3- August 30.
Price: From $42 per person.
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.
Gigs and concerts
The Neighbourhood
After five years away, The Neighbourhood, which is known for its melancholic, ethereal sound, return with a sixth album, titled (((((ultraSOUND))))). The California band, behind the hit songs “Sweater Weather” and “Daddy Issues”, will play two gigs at Moore Park Hordern Pavilions. Tickets sold out quickly, reflecting the demand for their alternative rock sound, but you can still try your luck on Ticketek Marketplace.
Where: Hordern Pavilion, Gate C/3 Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021.
When: July 7 and 8.
Price: Tickets sold out but are available for purchase on Ticketek Marketplace.
Karnivool
Perth band Karnival will deliver the biggest headline shows of their career this July, as they take their number one album, In Verses, on the road for the first time. The Aussie rock band will be joined by special guests TesseracT (UK) and Car Bomb (USA) for a huge night of heavy excellence.
Where: Hordern Pavilion, Gate C/3 Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021.
When: July 23, doors open 6pm.
Price: From $119.90.
Theatre, comedy and talks
Hair
If you love all things ’60s (bell-bottoms, fringe, long hair and a free-spirited attitude), head to Theatre Royal this weekend to see the musical Hair take to the stage.
Back for a strictly limited season, this iconic tribal rock musical brings the vibrant counterculture of New York’s hippie movement to life on stage. Exploring themes of identity, community, social change, and the pursuit of peace, Hair remains as powerful and relevant today as it was when it first captivated audiences. You can read our review of the show here.
Where: Theatre Royal, 108 King St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: June 6-July 12.
Price: Preview performance tickets start at $69.
Mackenzie
What if Macbeth wasn’t a Scottish king consumed by ambition, but a Disney Channel-style 13-year-old child star desperate to be famous? That’s the gloriously chaotic premise behind Mackenzie, the new play from acclaimed Australian playwright, Yve Blake, in partnership with Bell Shakespeare.
Described as a dark, camp and satirical reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Blake tells us that the production will transport the audience to the “golden era of Nickelodeon and Disney Channel.” Think Hannah Montana, High School Musical and Jojo Siwa colliding with one of Shakespeare’s bloodiest tragedies. You can check out our interview with Blake here.
Where: The Neilson Nutshell, 13A Hickson Rd, Dawes Point NSW 2000.
When: June 6-July 18.
Price: Adult tickets from $94, Under 18/Under 35 A-reserve tickets from $45 for Tuesday-Thursday performances.
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, 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: 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.
Fiddler on the Roof
The beloved 1964 musical will have its inaugural Australian Premiere at Theatre Royal this July, running until October 3. This follows the musical’s sold-out season in London, breaking the record for the best-selling musical of all time at the Barbican Theatre, and winning three Olivier Awards, including Best Musical Revival.
The story is set in the tiny village of Anatevka in 1905, where milkman Tevye lives his life by their proud traditions. For his five daughters, this means a visit from the matchmaker. As each daughter challenges his beliefs, against the backdrop of a changing world, Tevye struggles to embrace the unfamiliar as anti-semitic pressures increase in the region.
Where: Theatre Royal, 108 King St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: July 31-October 3.
Price: Adult tickets from $69.
Garry Starr: Classic Penguins
Fresh from a sell-out season in London’s West End and smash-hit Australian and UK tours, Garry Starr arrives at Carriageworks to bring his audience on a literary adventure. He’s hell-bent on saving books from extinction by performing every Penguin Classic novel ever written, in just one hour, and, at times, without any clothes on. He’ll be wearing flippers, though!
Garry Starr’s show won Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2025, Best Comedy at Adelaide Fringe 2025, and Best Comedy at Fringe World 2025, making it one of the most celebrated comedy hits on the international festival circuit, and therefore, not one to miss.
Where: 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: June 16-July 5.
Price: Tickets from $54.
Abbie Chatfield at State Theatre
In a night that promises “sharp comedy and cultural commentary”, renowned social media star Abbie Chatfield takes to the stage in a fun, chaotic, chat-style show. Featuring hilarious games and guest interviews, Abbie will discuss all kinds of men: The good, the bad, the wildly overconfident, and the ones writing books about being “alpha.”
Where: State Theatre, 49 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: July 11, 7pm.
Price: Tickets from $79.90.
Beyond the Tracks: Michael Leslie
Making its world debut at Carriageworks, Beyond the Tracks tells the powerful life story of acclaimed dancer, choreographer and educator Michael Leslie, told through movement, music and memory.
Exploring his central role in the rise of Aboriginal contemporary performance in Australia, Leslie (who is now approaching 70) will take to the stage to tell his story in his own words and movement, revisiting dance, activism, memory and ageing in a deeply personal work.
Where: 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
When: July 8-11. Shows at 7pm except Saturday, which is at 1:30pm.
Price: Tickets from $34.
