Sydney's Best Wintry Events That Will Get You Out of the House Even When It's Freezing
Ditch your doona to do a spot of ice skating, peruse stalls at a French-style market and eat hot cheese inside a cosy bar.
Yes, we know: it's getting colder. Sydney can get that way in winter — and, really, the only thing you can do is try and cover every exposed part of your body in fleece and embrace it. It's business as usual on Sydney's event calendar, with the city chock-a-block with winter-themed happenings worth waiting at a chilly train stop for. The city will have not one, but two pop-up ice skating rinks, several winter night markets (including one with snow) and several venues have super cosy set-ups (like hot tub-filled igloos and hot cheese stations).
You might have to pull out those gloves from the back of your sock drawer, pop your biggest scarf in the wash and wear your thickest, wooliest socks, but there will be a hot cup of boozy hot chocolate, mulled wine or steaming cider waiting for you.
Image: The Rocks Christmas in July Markets.
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Event
All-You-Can-Eat Raclette
Tuesday, June 7 - Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Loluk Bistro, Surry Hills
All of the hot melted cheese (and profiteroles) you can stomach every Tuesday and Wednesday night.
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Event
Bastille Festival 2021
Wednesday, July 14 - Sunday, July 18, 2021
Circular Quay, Sydney
Sydney’s annual Bastille-inspired celebration of food, wine and art is back.
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Event
Mulled Wine Cinema
Thursday, July 11 - Sunday, July 14, 2019
Tallowoladah Lawn, The Rocks
Catch a winter flick while sipping mulled wine at this pop-up harbourside cinema.
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Event
Orange Winter Fire Festival 2019
Friday, August 2 - Sunday, August 4, 2019
Various locations around the Orange region, Orange
A weekend festival showcasing the Orange region in all its winter glory.
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Event
Winterlight 2019
Friday, July 5 - Sunday, July 21, 2019
Prince Alfred Square, Parramatta
Parramatta's Prince Alfred Square will transform into an ice park and winter market this July.
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Event
Fromage in a Box
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Black Bottle, Darlinghurst
Spend your Wednesday feasting on oven-baked cheese with potatoes, cured meats and salad.
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Event
Blacklight
Friday, May 24 - Saturday, June 15, 2019
Darling Square, Haymarket
Gelato Messina will open a glowing pop-up dessert bar in Darling Square for 23 nights during Vivid.
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Event
Spellbound
Friday, May 24 - Monday, June 3, 2019
Concert Hall Northern Foyer, Sydney Opera House, Sydney
The Sydney Opera House's Vivid pop-up bar is an opulent post-punk homage to The Cure.
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Event
Carriageworks Wild Night Market 2019
Friday, July 19, 2019
Carriageworks, Eveleigh
This time round, the market will have over 40 stallholders curated by the Biota team — and the theme is 'wild'.
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Event
Merivale's 49% Off
Friday, May 31 - Sunday, June 30, 2019
Various Merivale venues in Sydney
Merivale is offering (almost) half-price booze at 39 of its bars for a whole month.
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Event
Pie Time 2019
Saturday, June 1 - Sunday, June 30, 2019
Various locations across the Southern Highlands
The Southern Highlands' month-long pie fiesta returns this winter, with a piping hot program of pie-inspired fun.
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Event
Winter Wonderland Wholefood Night Markets
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
The Grounds of Alexandria, Alexandria
A snow-filled winter wonderland in the Grounds of Alexandria — complete with vegan s'mores.
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Event
Silent Disco Ice Skating Festival 2019
Friday, May 3 - Friday, May 31, 2019
Central Park, Chippendale
Chippendale's free (and quiet) dance party on ice has returned.
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Event
Igloos on the Pier 2019
Friday, May 17 - Saturday, August 31, 2019
Pier One Sydney Harbour, Walsh Bay
Transparent 'igloos' are popping up at Pier One — and one of them has a hot tub.
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Event
Double the Cheese Raclette
Thursday, April 25, 2019, Tuesday, April 30, 2019 and Thursday, May 2, 2019
Handpicked Cellar Door, Sydney
Your midweek excuse for hot melted cheese and matching wines.
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Event
Soiree Raclette 2019
Monday, May 20, 2019, Monday, June 3, 2019 and Monday, June 17, 2019
Bistro Papillon, Sydney
Sydney's original raclette night returns on the first and third Monday of the month.
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Event
The Rocks Christmas in July Village 2019
Thursday, July 11 - Sunday, July 14, 2019
The Rocks Friday Foodie Market, The Rocks
The laneways of The Rocks will be transformed into a fairy-lit French-style winter market for four days this July.
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Event
Bastille Festival 2019
Thursday, July 11 - Sunday, July 14, 2019
Circular Quay, Sydney
Sydney’s annual Bastille-inspired celebration of food, wine and art is back.
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Event
Vivid Sydney 2019
Friday, May 24 - Saturday, June 15, 2019
Various locations across Sydney
This year's radiant program includes FKA Twigs, Spike Lee and a field of 500 glowing fireflies.