The Best Free Things to Do in Sydney This Summer

Swallow your disdain for crowds and curb your complaints about people who only go to exhibition openings for the complimentary drinks and get amongst these events, which you can attend gloriously cash-free.
Lauren Vadnjal
Published on December 21, 2018
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  • Event

    Cartographica: Sydney on the Map

    Tue, 18 Dec 2018 - Sun, 1 Sep 2019

    Customs House, Sydney

    Explore the beautiful historical maps of Sydney.

  • Event

    LA Pool Party

    Sun, 24 Feb, 2019

    Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, Sydney

    A free rooftop rum party on a CBD rooftop that's usually closed to the public.

  • Event

    Chinese Film Week

    Wed, 27 Feb - Sun, 3 Mar 2019

    Event Cinemas George Street, Sydney

    Catch the latest hits from Chinese cinema without spending a dime.

  • Event

    Don't Kill Live Music Rally

    Thu, 21 Feb, 2019

    Hyde Park, Sydney

    An estimated 10,000 Sydneysiders will descend on Hyde Park to protest the NSW Government's strict new music festival policy.

  • Event

    Chupa Chups Slurpee Giveaway

    Sat, 23 Feb, 2019

    7-Eleven Broadway, Haymarket

    7-Eleven's slinging Chupa Chups-inspired Slurpees for zero dollars — if you're quick enough.

  • Event

    Yoga On The Pier

    Multiple single dates

    Pier One Sydney Harbour, Walsh Bay

    Get bendy by the harbour for free every Wednesday night.

  • Event

    Mardi Gras Festival Club

    Sat, 16 Feb - Fri, 1 Mar 2019

    Seymour Centre, Chippendale

    Keep the Mardi Gras celebrations going all night with DJs, drag and burlesque.

  • Event

    Queer Art After Hours 2019

    Wed, 27 Feb, 2019

    Celebrate Mardi Gras with a night of queer art, music and drinks at the Art Gallery of NSW.

  • Event

    Mardi Gras Fair Day 2019

    Sun, 17 Feb, 2019

    Victoria Park, Broadway

    It's not Mardi Gras without it.

  • Event

    Mozzarella Making Demonstration

    Sat, 9 Feb, 2019

    Via Napoli Pizzeria Hunters Hill, Hunters Hill

    Learn to make burrata, bocconcini, nodini and stracciatella while eating great pizza.

  • Event

    Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2019

    Fri, 15 Feb - Sun, 3 Mar 2019

    Various locations across Sydney

    As well as the parade, this year's fearless program features pool parties, balls, colourful after-dark art and moving choral performances.

  • Event

    Tanqueray Terrace

    Thu, 7 Feb - Thu, 28 Feb 2019

    Taylor's Rooftop, Sydney

    A lush rooftop oasis in the CBD slinging G&Ts for a tenner.

  • Event

    Halo Top X Grumpy Donuts Giveaway

    Wed, 13 Feb, 2019

    Grumpy Donuts, Camperdown

    Snag one of 500 free doughnuts stuffed with Halo Top's new peaches and cream or choc-chip cookie ice cream.

  • Event

    Neon Gods

    Multiple single dates

    Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney

    A free film series celebrating the trailblazing directors of contemporary Chinese cinema.

  • Event

    Lunar New Year 2019 at the Art Gallery of NSW

    Sat, 2 Feb - Sun, 17 Feb 2019

    Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney

    Ain't no party like an artsy Lunar New Year party.

  • Event

    Xiao Lu: Impossible Dialogue

    Sat, 19 Jan - Sun, 24 Mar 2019

    4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, Sydney

    Catch performance art from this contemporary Chinese artist — and then have congee for breakfast in Haymarket.

  • Event

    Lunar New Year at Darling Square

    Sat, 2 Feb - Sat, 23 Feb 2019

    Steam Mill Lane, Haymarket

    Celebrate the Year of the Pig with all-you-can-eat feasts, glowing zodiac lanterns and mahjong competitions at Steam Mill Lane.

  • Event

    The Rocks Lunar Markets

    Multiple single dates

    The Rocks Friday Foodie Market, The Rocks

    Celebrate Chinese New Year with steamed buns and pig-shaped fairy floss on the cobbled streets of The Rocks.

  • Event

    Lunar New Year Night Market 2019

    Fri, 8 Feb, 2019

    Sydney Fish Market, Sydney

    The after-dark celebrations return to the Sydney Fish Markets with lanterns and a light show.

  • Event

    Lunar Lanterns 2019

    Fri, 1 Feb - Sun, 10 Feb 2019

    Circular Quay, Sydney

    Thirteen vibrant lanterns return to Circular Quay for CNY.

  • Event

    Whiteley Art Bus

    Fri, 1 Feb - Sun, 3 Feb 2019

    Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney

    Hit all of these artsy hot spots in one afternoon — all aboard.

  • Event

    Celebrity Talk: Wendy Whiteley

    Wed, 13 Feb, 2019

    Meet one of the most well-known muses in Australian art history.

  • Event

    Sundown Sunday Sessions

    Sun, 10 Feb, 2019

    Mamasan Bondi, Bondi Beach

    Straight from the sand, into the jazz.

  • Event

    Aperol Sunset Sessions

    Thu, 10 Jan - Thu, 28 Feb 2019

    Bungalow 8, Sydney

    Summer's not quite over yet — and these spots have affordable Aperol spritzes to prove it.

  • Event

    Jazz at Yulli's Brews

    Thu, 24 Jan, 2019

    Yulli's Brews, Alexandria

    Get your fix of beer and vegan food over some smooth, free jazz.

  • Event

    Jazz at the Cricketers Arms Hotel

    Wed, 30 Jan, 2019

    The Cricketers Arms Hotel, Surry Hills

    Three guitars, two saxophones, one bassist — every Wednesday at this cosy Surry Hills pub.

  • Event

    Yabun Festival 2019

    Sat, 26 Jan, 2019

    Victoria Park, Camperdown

    Australia's largest one-day celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, with dance, talks, music and an after-party at the Lansdowne.

  • Event

    Primavera 2018

    Fri, 9 Nov 2018 - Sun, 3 Feb 2019

    MCA, Sydney

    Eight young Australian artists take centre stage at the MCA.

  • Event

    Women's March Sydney 2019

    Sun, 20 Jan, 2019

    Hyde Park, Sydney

    Join millions of people across the world in marching to protest violence against women.

  • Event

    Sydney Vegan Market

    Multiple single dates

    Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park

    A market where all the food and wares are 100 percent animal product-free.

  • Event

    Demand Action: Pill Testing Saves Lives Rally

    Sat, 19 Jan, 2019

    Sydney Town Hall, Sydney

    An estimated 7000 Sydneysiders will descend on the CBD to throw their support behind pill testing and push for the government to also get on board.

  • Event

    Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre Open Day

    Sat, 2 Feb, 2019

    Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, Sydney

    Try out the pools, fitness classes and giant inflatables at this Ultimo aquatic centre — for free.

  • Event

    'Mary Poppins Returns' at The Grounds

    Sun, 30 Dec 2018 - Sun, 3 Feb 2019

    The Grounds of Alexandria, Alexandria

    Wander through cherry blossoms, London lamps and kites at The Grounds of Alexandria.

  • Event

    Lunar New Year at The Galeries

    Thu, 31 Jan - Sat, 9 Feb 2019

    The Galeries, Sydney

    Welcome the Year of the Pig with art, dancing and a six-course roaming feast.

  • Event

    Disco in the Mirror Ball

    Multiple single dates

    Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent, Sydney

    A series of free disco dance parties in the Sydney Festival Spiegeltent.

  • Event

    Symphony Under the Stars 2019

    Sat, 19 Jan, 2019

    Parramatta Park, Parramatta

    Relax into the summery dusk for a night of music that will make you feel a bit like you're living in a film.

  • Event

    Yulli's Brewery Markets

    Multiple single dates

    Yulli's Brews, Alexandria

    A market with live tunes and brews at Alexandria's new all-vegan brewery.

  • Event

    Movies by the Boulevard 2019

    Sat, 12 Jan - Sun, 27 Jan 2019

    Sydney Olympic Park

    Free outdoor films return to Sydney's inner west.

  • Event

    China: Moments in Time

    Fri, 1 Feb - Sun, 10 Feb 2019

    541 Art Space, Sydney

    An extensive photographic exhibition capturing life in China.

  • Event

    Summer Lates

    Multiple single dates

    Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney

    Free parties are coming to the Australian National Maritime Museum every Friday and Saturday night in January.

  • Event

    Borrowed Scenery

    Wed, 2 Jan - Sun, 10 Mar 2019

    Campbelltown Arts Centre, Campbelltown

    Campbelltown Arts Centre's first all-female exhibition.

  • Event

    Kings Cross Weekend Markets

    Multiple single dates

    Kings Cross Organic Food Market, Potts Point

    A weekend morning cornucopia of organic veggies, fruit, cheese and international dishes, plus fashion, homewares, books and more.

  • Event

    Nick Cave: Until

    Fri, 23 Nov 2018 - Sun, 3 Mar 2019

    Carriageworks, Eveleigh

    The largest solo presentation for Carriageworks to date features five tonnes of crystals, beads and found objects suspended in the air.

  • Event

    Fly Me to the Moon

    Wed, 9 Jan - Sun, 27 Jan 2019

    World Square, Sydney

    Help Sydney blast off to the moon — using pedal power.

  • Event

    Sydney Festival 2019

    Wed, 9 Jan - Sun, 27 Jan 2019

    Various locations across Sydney

    The diverse and dramatic summer arts festival will include overnight vigils, Parisian-style nightclubs, moon pillows and world premieres.

  • Event

    Moon Drops

    Wed, 9 Jan - Mon, 28 Jan 2019

    Darling Harbour, Sydney

    Five giant bouncing blobs will drop into Darling Harbour so you can feel as weightless as you would on the moon.

  • Event

    Opera in the Domain 2019

    Sat, 19 Jan, 2019

    The Domain, Sydney

    See some opera under the stars — entirely for free.

  • Event

    Always

    Wed, 9 Jan - Sun, 27 Jan 2019

    Barangaroo Reserve, Barangaroo

    A large-scale sculpture will be erected on the harbour as a reminder that Sydney always was, and always will be Aboriginal land.

  • Event

    Tomato Festival 2019

    Sat, 16 Feb - Sun, 17 Feb 2019

    Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Sydney

    A two-day festival dedicated to the best tomatoes in town.

  • Event

    Apollo 11

    Wed, 9 Jan - Sun, 27 Jan 2019

    Barangaroo South, Barangaroo

    'Sydmonauts' will pop up to commemorate the unsung heroes of the moon landing.

  • Event

    Heliosphere — The Dream Engine

    Fri, 11 Jan - Sun, 27 Jan 2019

    Prince Alfred Square, Parramatta

    Watch a gravity-defying aerial performance of lunar proportions.

  • Event

    MAAS and the Moon

    Wed, 9 Jan - Sun, 27 Jan 2019

    Riverside Theatres, Parramatta

    Brush up on your lunar knowledge at this exhibition of astronomical history and design.

  • Event

    Bayala Free Language Courses

    Multiple single dates

    Sydney Observatory, Millers Point

    Learn some phrases from Sydney's Indigenous languages at one of Sydney Festival's popular free classes.

  • Event

    Tamworth Country Music Festival 2019

    Fri, 18 Jan - Sun, 27 Jan 2019

    Various locations around Tamworth, Tamworth

    From old-school boot scootin' tunes to alt country.

  • Event

    Dance Workshops: Modern Art Movements

    Multiple single dates

    AGNSW, Sydney

    Dance like Picasso's watching.

  • Event

    Night Owls Film Festival

    Fri, 4 Jan - Sun, 20 Jan 2019

    Village Green, Darling Quarter, Sydney

    A free outdoor film festival in the CBD for kidults and adults alike.

  • Event

    Chandon S Garden at Helm Bar

    Thu, 1 Nov 2018 - Thu, 31 Jan 2019

    Helm Bar & Bistro, Sydney

    Kick back in a garden oasis just a stone's throw from the city chaos.

  • Event

    The 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art

    Sat, 24 Nov 2018 - Sun, 28 Apr 2019

    GOMA, South Brisbane

    GOMA's three-yearly survey of Asia Pacific art returns.

  • Event

    Frida Kahlo: Her Photos

    Sat, 8 Dec 2018 - Sun, 10 Feb 2019

    Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo

  • Event

    Heath Ledger: A Life in Pictures

    Fri, 10 Aug 2018 - Sun, 10 Feb 2019

    National Film And Sound Archive, Acton

    The National Film and Sound Archive's exhibition celebrating the too-brief career of local boy Heath Ledger.

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