The Best Things to Do in Sydney This Weekend
This weekend in Sydney, celebrate Christmas in July, disco at yum cha or glide across a CBD ice rink.
We believe in downtime well spent, which is why we've curated a special selection of the best things to do in Sydney this Friday to Sunday. We want to make sure no one spends this time doing something dull or unnecessarily expensive, and help you find all the best hidden gems.
Luckily, Sydney's got plenty happening for those looking to have a damn good time — whether that includes discovering new bars, absorbing art or feasting your way through food markets. Here are our picks for what's on in Sydney this weekend.
Recommended reads:
The Best Things to Do in Sydney This Week
The Best Films and TV Shows to Stream This Month
The Best Sydney Date Ideas For This Week
The Best Things to Do in Sydney This Month
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Event
SMASH! 2025
Fri, 11 Jul - Sun, 13 Jul 2025
ICC Sydney, Sydney
Manga and anime culture will take over Darling Square for a weekend in July.
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50 Years of NAIDOC at Ayers Rock Resort
Sun, 6 Jul - Sun, 13 Jul 2025
Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara
Celebrate NAIDOC Week with chef Mark Olive's bush food inventions, plus engage the senses with numerous art and culture encounters.
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Harbour Bistro Euro Specials at Pier One Sydney Harbour
Tue, 1 Jul - Tue, 16 Sep 2025
Pier One Sydney Harbour, Walsh Bay
Relish European-inspired dining without leaving Sydney, as this waterfront hotel serves weekly specials and French classics until mid-September.
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Disco Yum Cha at North Bondi Fish
Sat, 5 Jul - Sun, 3 Aug 2025
North Bondi Fish, North Bondi
Matcha cocktails, dim sum and disco DJs are coming to Bondi this winter.
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Ice Skating at Darling Harbour
Sat, 28 Jun - Sun, 20 Jul 2025
Palm Grove, Sydney
The romantic winter date night you've been dreaming of.
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Hunter Valley Beer and Wine Festival 2025
Sat, 12 Jul, 2025
Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, Lovedale
A weekend filled with local wine, beer, delicious food and good vibes.
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Christmas in July at The Nag's Head Hotel
Sat, 5 Jul, 2025
Nag's Head Hotel, Glebe, Glebe
Live out your fantasy of a cold Christmas with roasts, Yorkshire puddings and mulled wine in a cosy pub.
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Margarita Month at Salty's Bondi
Tue, 1 Jul - Thu, 31 Jul 2025
Salty's Bondi, Bondi Beach
Create your own summer in July, as this surf bar keeps the sunshine going with cheap cocktails and massive giveaways for the whole month.
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Nouvelle Vague
Wed, 9 Jul - Sun, 7 Sep 2025
AGNSW, Sydney
For two months, AGNSW is taking movie lovers back to the 50s and 60s, celebrating the influential gems of the French New Wave.
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Enomatic Tasting Series at P&V Paddington
Fri, 27 Jun - Sun, 3 Aug 2025
P&V Paddington Wine + Liquor Merchants, Paddington
Slide into this bottleshop-meets-bar over the next month to sip rare and cult wines from around the globe without paying for a full bottle.
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Limited-Time Truffle Menu at Bar Infinita
Tue, 10 Jun - Mon, 18 Aug 2025
Bar Infinita, Gordon
Enjoy limited-time spins on Bar Infinita's house favourites with truffle aplenty.
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Sydney Firepit Cinema
Fri, 11 Jul - Sun, 20 Jul 2025
Cadmans Cottage, The Rocks
This new movie-watching pop-up is celebrating Christmas in July with festive films and toasted marshmallows — and marking Bastille day with French flicks and mulled wine.
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'Star Wars' Galactic Cafe
Sat, 7 Jun 2025 - Mon, 26 Jan 2026
Melbourne Museum, Carlton
The force is strong with Australia's first-ever 'Star Wars' cafe, which is serving up blue milk at Melbourne Museum.
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The Moment Club: An Immersive Day Club Experience
Sat, 12 Jul, 2025
Baptist Street Rec. Club, Redfern
Join Alex Hayes and a crew of creators for an exclusive hands-on experience with Fujifilm’s new X half camera in Redfern, Sydney.
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Malibu Barbie Cafe
Fri, 27 Jun 2025 - Sat, 28 Feb 2026
The Social Quarter, Malvern East
Tuck into an ice cream float served in a Barbie convertible at this two-storey hangout — or grab a cocktail from the Ken-themed bar.
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Lounge Lunch at Tanuki
Sat, 14 Jun - Wed, 31 Dec 2025
Tanuki Restaurant Sydney, Double Bay
Inspire your weekend with Japanese share plates, fresh sashimi and inventive desserts, paired with two hours of free-flowing cocktails and wine.
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'Cerith Wyn Evans .... in light of the visible' at MCA Australia
Tue, 10 Jun - Sun, 19 Oct 2025
MCA, Sydney
This large-scale exhibition of light, sound and sculpture at MCA Australia is one of the most talked-about art events this season.
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Sunday Roast at the Woollahra Hotel
Sun, 8 Jun, 2025
Woollahra Hotel, Woollahra
Warm up your weekend with slow-roasted pork belly, braised red cabbage, glazed carrots and crispy roast potatoes.
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Sunday Roast at the Red Lion Hotel
Fri, 6 Jun - Sat, 30 Aug 2025
The Red Lion Hotel, Rozelle
End your weekend with a winter-friendly feast that won't blow your budget.
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Sunday Roast at NEL
Sun, 1 Jun - Sun, 27 Jul 2025
Nel Restaurant, Sydney
Experience the mighty roast in a whole new way — as a ten-course degustation.
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Social Saturdays at JOJI
Sat, 14 Jun - Sat, 27 Dec 2025
Joji Sydney, Sydney
Saturdays just got a stylish upgrade thanks to JOJI's weekly bottomless lunch series, complete with three-course menu and live music all afternoon.
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Monster Jump Sydney 2025
Sat, 5 Jul - Sun, 20 Jul 2025
Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
Who doesn't love jumping on a colossal inflatable obstacle course?
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Taco Sunday Roast at Casa Esquina
Sun, 1 Jun, 2025
Casa Esquina, Balmain
This is a flame-roasted take on the tradition, served in a warm tortilla with fries and salad.
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Miji Bar & Grill Hotpot Set Menu
Fri, 23 May - Thu, 31 Jul 2025
Miji Bar & Grill, North Sydney
Warm up this winter with a brand-new set menu that brings a taste of Tokyo's laneways to North Sydney.
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Tipple Hour at Bar 1880
Wed, 21 May, 2025
Bar 1880, Sydney
Pop in on a Tuesday–Friday night for $14 cocktails and $8 beers in the cosy, dimly lit, 19th-century surroundings of a former newspaper house.
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The Big Yorkie at Forrester's
Tue, 20 May - Sun, 31 Aug 2025
Forrester's, Surry Hills
This is exactly what the name suggests: a giant Yorkshire pudding filled with roasted delights.
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Seaside Sunday Roast at Watson's Bay Boutique Hotel
Sun, 25 May, 2025
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Watsons Bay
Swap $35 for a plate loaded with traditional delights, backdropped by harbour views.
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Sunday Roast at Bistro Moncur
Sun, 25 May, 2025
Bistro Moncur, Woollahra
First cab off the rank is Dewsbury pork belly, surrounded by a Yorkshire pudding and duck fat potatoes.
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Butter Ramen Club
Wed, 14 May - Tue, 30 Sep 2025
Butter, Surry Hills
Now in its ninth year, Butter's annual ramen club is turning up the heat in a serious way for 2025.
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Archibald High Tea
Sat, 10 May - Sun, 17 Aug 2025
Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Sydney
Inspired by the artistry of Australia's most-prestigious portrait prize, this weekends-only high tea brings elegant savoury and sweet bites to the table with a hearty dose of creative flair.
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Bondi Festival
Fri, 4 Jul - Sun, 20 Jul 2025
Various Bondi venues, Bondi
Over 17 jam-packed July days, Bondi Festival is heating up the beachside suburb with live music, food markets, vibrant artworks and plenty more.
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Christmas in July Festival
Fri, 11 Jul - Sun, 20 Jul 2025
The Rocks
Christmas in July is returning to The Rocks this winter, bringing snowflakes, raclette, mulled wine and plenty of European festive vibes.
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Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Thu, 15 May - Sun, 19 Oct 2025
Australian Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour
The Australian National Maritime Museum is displaying the 60th edition of this prestigious photography contest, with 100 finalists selected from 59,228 entries.
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$18 Classic Cocktails at Stitch, Kasippu and Pocket Bar
Tue, 6 May - Wed, 31 Dec 2025
Various Sydney venues, Sydney
30 traditional concoctions are on the list — from the Hemingway daiquiri and the mint julep to the bees knees and the pina colada.
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All-Day Happy Hour at Island Radio
Sun, 20 Apr, 2025
Island Radio, Redfern
Sip on Reccy lager and glasses of house-made wine for just $7 — or $10 cocktails — all day long.
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Bottomless Lunch at 20 Chapel
Sat, 5 Apr, 2025
20 Chapel, Marrickville
Every Saturday from midday, you can book in for endless prosecco, wine and beer while working your way through an irresistible set menu.
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Free Classes at CorePlus Darlinghurst
Sat, 5 Apr - Thu, 31 Jul 2025
CorePlus Darlinghurst - Pilates Yoga Reformer, Darlinghurst
Get your sweat on with a free first class at Sydney's newest Pilates studio.
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Sydney Spirits Festival
Fri, 11 Jul - Sun, 13 Jul 2025
Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks
This fest is back for a second year with more spirits, more makers, and more masterclasses from Australia and the rest of the world.
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RAFI Records Bottomless Saturday Sessions
Sat, 8 Mar, 2025
RAFI North Sydney, North Sydney
Get ready to groove with bottomless beats, free-flowing drinks and delicious food in North Sydney.
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The Play That Goes Wrong
Thu, 19 Jun - Sun, 3 Aug 2025
Sydney Opera House, Sydney
This comedic production about a chaotic play focuses on The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society's efforts to stage a murder-mystery.
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French Impressionism
Fri, 6 Jun - Sun, 5 Oct 2025
NGV International, Melbourne
After its 2021 season was cut short due to the pandemic, this stunning exhibition is returning to NGV International with 100-plus iconic paintings.
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First Nations Film Festival — NAIDOC Week
Sun, 6 Jul - Wed, 6 Aug 2025
Online
Warwick Thornton's 'We Don't Need a Map' is one of the highlights of this Indigenous Australian collection from FanForce TV's online fest.
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First Nations Film Festival — National Reconciliation Week
Tue, 27 May - Wed, 6 Aug 2025
Online
FanForce TV is celebrating National Reconciliation Week by showcasing Indigenous Australian cinema, including horror film 'The Moogai' and AFLW-focused documentary 'Like My Brother'.
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Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes
Sat, 10 May - Sun, 17 Aug 2025
Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney
Julie Fragar's portrait of fellow Brisbane artist Justene Williams took out 2025's Archibald Prize — and it's on display at the Art Gallery of NSW with its fellow contenders.
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Waterfall High Tea and Edible Garden at Eternity Cafe
Get down for a bubbly catchup with your besties, featuring a secret indoor waterfall, a jam-packed high tea and an edible garden.
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Boogie Brunch at Little Pearl
Sat, 1 Feb, 2025
Little Pearl, Manly
Live soul and R&B tunes pump up this bottomless beachfront session in Manly every Saturday.
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The Griffin Theatre Company 2025 Season
Fri, 14 Feb 2025 - Sun, 15 Nov 2026
All around Sydney, Sydney
We’ve officially called it, 2025 is the year of going to the theatre, non-drama kids included.
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Alchemy of a Rainforest
Sun, 15 Sep 2024 - Sun, 30 Nov 2025
The Calyx, Sydney
Learn all about the little mysteries of nature's green biomes.
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Leave It to Luigi Bottomless Lunch at 170 Grammi
Fri, 9 Aug, 2024
170 Grammi, Surry Hills
You can get your fill of Roman cuisine every Friday lunchtime, including unlimited carbonara pizza and delectable maritozzi doughnuts.
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Marrickville Organic Food and Farmers Market
Sun, 4 Aug, 2024
Addison Road Community Centre, Marrickville
This popular market has it all, from organic produce and yummy street eats to vintage fashions and pre-loved homewares.
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Carriageworks Farmers Market
Sat, 3 Aug, 2024
Carriageworks, Eveleigh
This weekly event is a Sydney institution showcasing the freshest seasonal produce from growers and producers from across NSW.