The Best Outdoor Events to Head to in Sydney This Summer
Fresh air, sunny skies and a jam-packed calendar of outside events await.
Summer is finally here and after a wet and woolly couple of years, we've been blessed with a run of sun here in Sydney. This makes it the perfect time to get your cultural fix at an outdoor event, or to head to a spot where you can enjoy a meal and something to drink while you soak in some rays.
Luckily, Sydney has plenty happening across its array of outdoor spaces this summer. Whether you're keen to putt your way through themed mini golf courses, upgrade your summer threads at a market or catch a movie at an openair cinema, this city's got you covered. Here's where to head if you're looking to make the most of the warm weather and crisp summer air.
Image: Laneway Festival, BCS Imaging
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Event
DOOM JUICE Frosé Function
Sun, 19 Feb, 2023
The House of Music & Booze, St Peters
DOOM JUICE will be pouring icy frosé for just $10 at The House of Music and Booze, with eats from Newtown's Rolling Penny.
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Event
South West Beer Fest 2023
Sat, 25 Feb, 2023
Ambarvale Hotel, Ambarvale
This one-day beer festival is slinging brews from 12 different breweries in Sydney's southwest.
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Event
Domain Dance Party
Sun, 26 Feb, 2023
The Domain, Sydney
Kelly Rowland headlines this mid-fest Sydney WorldPride party alongside a lineup of DJs curated by DJ Dan Slater.
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Event
Live and Proud: Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert
Fri, 24 Feb, 2023
The Domain, Sydney
WorldPride is coming to the Southern Hemisphere for the first time — and who else but Kylie Minogue could open it?
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Event
Mardi Gras Parade 2023
Sat, 25 Feb, 2023
Oxford Street and surrounding areas, Darlinghurst
Australia's biggest LGBTQIA+ celebration returns to Oxford Street for a special WorldPride edition.
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Event
Vital Means: One-Day Mental Wellbeing Retreat
Sat, 25 Feb, 2023
Ourimbah State Forest, Ourimbah
Check your stress at the door on this communal one-day retreat in the rainforests of the Central Coast.
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Event
In Good Taste Festival
Fri, 10 Feb, 2023
MacMahon Street, Hurstville
This free night market is returning to Hurstville with more than 40 culinary stalls and a food-based art workshop.
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Event
Mopoke 24-Hour Cinema
Sat, 4 Feb - Sun, 5 Feb 2023
Macquarie Street, Sydney
A free 24-hour outdoor cinema playing Studio Ghibli and Wes Anderson films is popping up on Macquarie Street — but just for one day and night.
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Event
Disney at The Grounds
Fri, 27 Jan - Sun, 30 Apr 2023
The Grounds of Alexandria, Alexandria
Be The Grounds of Alexandria's guest to celebrate 100 years of Disney and its on-screen gems.
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Event
The Great Club Marrickville Block Party
Sat, 28 Jan, 2023
The Great Club, Marrickville
The Great Club is hosting a Hottest 100 party with its mates Baba's Place, Pepito's and Grumpy Donuts.
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Event
Salón del Amor
Sun, 29 Jan, 2023
The Norfolk Hotel, Redfern
This monthly party brings laidback DJ sets to Norfolk Hotel's sun-soaked beer garden.
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Event
Yabun Festival 2023
Thu, 26 Jan, 2023
Victoria Park, Camperdown
This annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures returns in full to Victoria Park, with Tia Gostelow and Aodhan.
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Event
Hello Auntie x Philter Brewing Lunar New Year Pop-Up
Sun, 29 Jan 2023
Philter Brewing, Marrickville
Hello Auntie and Philter Brewing are coming together for a Lunar New Year feast featuring exciting street food creations from Chef Cuong and his mum.
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Event
KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix Sydney
Sat, 18 Feb - Sun, 19 Feb 2023
Various Sydney venues, Sydney
The world's most exciting race on the water is coming to Sydney Harbour this February.
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Event
For The Love
Sun, 26 Feb, 2023
Thomas Dalton Park, Fairy Meadow
A star-studded lineup of Australian and international artists is taking over Thomas Dalton Park — and there's an exclusive package that'll have you stay nearby, sip refreshing summer bevs and dance under sunset skies with a VIP experience on the day.
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Event
Greek Summer Festival
Sun, 12 Feb, 2023
Carss Bush Park, Carss Park
This massive celebration of Greek culture will take over Carss Bush Park with loukoumades, souvlaki, a huge barbecue and a fireworks display synchronised to Greek music.
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Event
Warner Bros. 100 Open Air Cinema at Darling Quarter
Thu, 12 Jan - Sun, 29 Jan 2023
Darling Quarter, Sydney
Enjoy classic films and brand-new blockbusters under the stars at this free outdoor cinema.
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Event
Sunset Sessions at Cockatoo Island
Sat, 21 Jan - Sat, 1 Apr 2023
Cockatoo Island, Sydney
Catch great live music and gorgeous views over the harbour every Saturday as the sun goes down.
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Event
Retrosplash!
Sun, 22 Jan 2023 and Sat, 28 Jan 2023
Ashfield Aquatic Centre, Ashfield
Retrosweat is taking its throwback 80s aerobics classes to the pool.
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Event
The Harbour
Wed, 4 Jan - Fri, 3 Feb 2023
Sydney Opera House, Sydney
Enjoy fish and chips under the sails of the Sydney Opera House at this summer pop-up restaurant.
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Event
Cupid's Koi Garden
Thu, 5 Jan - Sun, 29 Jan 2023
Tumbalong Park, Sydney
This multi-sensory family of inflatable characters will spark wonder and help you beat the heat.
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Event
Flickerfest International Short Film Festival Sydney 2023
Fri, 20 Jan - Sun, 29 Jan 2023
Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach
Spend a balmy summer’s night watching a stellar lineup of short films right by Bondi Beach.
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Event
Vigil: Awaken
Wed, 25 Jan, 2023
Barangaroo Reserve, Barangaroo
This annual Sydney Festival event provides a thoughtful way to collectively reflect on January 26.
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Event
Sydney Symphony Under the Stars 2023
Sat, 21 Jan, 2023
Parramatta Park, Parramatta
Grab your picnic rug for a spectacular night of classical music in the park.
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Event
Sydney Festival 2023
Thu, 5 Jan - Sun, 29 Jan 2023
Various Sydney venues, Sydney
Sydney's major arts festival returns for 2023 with more than 700 performances across 50-plus venues.
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Event
Summer at Bondi Pavilion
Thu, 1 Dec 2022 - Tue, 28 Feb 2023
Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach
The Pav is celebrating its first summer since relaunch with a stellar line-up of events.
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Event
Chatswood Year of the Rabbit Festival
Wed, 18 Jan - Sun, 12 Feb 2023
Chatswood CBD, Chatswood
Celebrate the year of good fortune with food stalls, fiery dancing dragons and inflatable bunny figurines floating across the streets of the lower north shore.
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Event
Cockle Bay Wharf Pedal Boats 2022–23
Thu, 1 Dec 2022 - Thu, 26 Jan 2023
Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney
Cruise around Darling Harbour in an old-school pedal boat this summer.
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Event
Casa Aperol at Promenade Bondi Beach
Wed, 14 Dec 2022 - Sun, 7 May 2023
Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach
Casa Aperol has popped up on the shores of Bondi Beach, bringing an Amalfi-inspired escape until the end of April.
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Event
Sunset Cinema North Sydney 2023
Wed, 11 Jan - Sat, 1 Apr 2023
North Sydney Oval, North Sydney
Settle in for an al fresco screening of 'The Menu' or 'There's Something About Mary'.
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Event
Sunset Cinema St Ives 2022–23
Fri, 9 Dec 2022 - Sat, 28 Jan 2023
St Ives Showground, St Ives
Cinema under the stars is returning to St Ives Showground with Christmas films, big-screen blockbusters and a three-day doggo fest.
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Event
The Huxleys at Oxford House
Thu, 1 Dec 2022 - Thu, 16 Feb 2023
Oxford House, Paddington
Escape into the fantastical androgynous world of Will and Garrett Huxley.
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Event
EQ Dining Festival
Thu, 1 Dec 2022 - Thu, 26 Jan 2023
The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
This summer, Thursday night at the Entertainment Quarter is for street food, drinks to match, live music and play for all ages.
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Event
Westpac Openair Cinema 2023
Sun, 8 Jan - Tue, 21 Feb 2023
Mrs Macquarie's Point, Sydney
Mrs Macquaries Point's stunning outdoor cinema is back for another summer, screening new, recent and classic flicks across 40 nights.
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Event
Pixar Putt Darling Harbour 2022–23
Fri, 16 Dec 2022 - Sun, 5 Feb 2023
Darling Harbour, Sydney
A Pixar-themed mini golf course is popping up at the Pier St Underpass this summer.
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Event
Maho Magic Bar
Fri, 6 Jan - Sun, 29 Jan 2023
Tumbalong Park, Sydney
This January, a neon-lit Shinjuku-inspired bar and a performance space is hitting Tumbalong Park as part of the 2023 Sydney Festival.
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Event
Moonlight Cinema Sydney 2022–23
Thu, 24 Nov 2022 - Sun, 26 Mar 2023
Centennial Park, Centennial Park
Moonlight Cinema is back for another huge summer of cinema under the stars.
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Event
Laneway Festival 2023
Sun, 5 Feb, 2023
Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park
HAIM, Joji and Phoebe Bridgers headline Laneway's huge comeback lineup for 2023.
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Event
So Frenchy So Chic 2023
Sat, 21 Jan, 2023
Bicentennial Park Glebe
Spend an afternoon in Bicentennial Park drinking champagne, eating cheese, listening to French music and frolicking on the lawn.
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Event
Inner West Night Market
Fri, 2 Sep, 2022
Fraser Park, Marrickville
An easy-going market packed with food, drinks and produce in the heart of the inner west.