WHAT'S ON

Everything you need to know about what’s going down this month of January

Well, well, well. If it isn’t 2025. First and foremost, a big Happy New Year folks. I hope you used this time to get some R&R, because my god, you’re strapped in for a month.

As we’re in the full swing of summer (and silly season, for that matter), you best believe that when it comes to things happening in Sydney, we’re seriously up to our eyeballs. From arts and culture festivals, to internationally acclaimed live gigs, to festivals entirely dedicated to Greek food, there’s lots going down.

We’ve rounded up our top 13 picks for the month, so there’s really no excuse to sit and home and rot.

Ok, all set? Here are the best things to do in Sydney this month.

Sydney Festival

If you think the city is still recovering from it’s post NYE hangover, think again. Having kicked off on Saturday, the Sydney Festival is back again for the month of January and dishing up some serious arts and culture. There’s over 130 free and ticketed events, anything from Wild West theatre to world-class circus performances. It’s also happening across all of Greater Sydney, meaning there’s something for everyone, just about everywhere.

• WHEN: Saturday 4 to Sunday 26 January
• WHERE: Across Greater Sydney
• HOW MUCH: Mix of free and ticketed events
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Nia Archives at Enmore Theatre

You can rest peacefully knowing that Bradford-born junglist, Nia Archives, will be making a pitstop at Enmore Theatre this month. Her mammoth 28-day international tour is her largest one to date, so you can expect big things to come. Archives has made waves for her unique jungle-dance electronic music, made popular by songs like Baianá and Forbidden Feelingz. Tickets are tipped to sell out, so you’ll need to get in fast.

• WHEN: Friday 17 January, from 8pm
• WHERE: Enmore Theatre
• HOW MUCH: Tickets are $89
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Epiphany Greek Festival

There are few things that beat a summer in Sydney, but one of those things is, hands down, a Greek summer. If you’re still reminiscing on your hot girl Euro trip from months ago, consider this your moment to nab a little slice of the good days. This month, Epiphany Greek Festival is returning to Carss Bush Park for a serious Greek out. There’ll be dance groups, live music, and enough gyros and spanakopita to feed, well, a small Greek village.

• WHEN: Sunday 12 January, 11am to 8pm
• WHERE: Carss Bush Park
• HOW MUCH: Free entry.
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Better Days ft. Chaos In The CBD

It’s no secret that we love a daytime sesh, and we’ve got to give it to The Greenwood. While they might be renowned for their iconically terrifying ATAR parties, they’re 2pm start times go harder. This month, dance-electronic duo Chaos In The CBD is making a coveted appearance at the North Sydney institution for their Better Days event. The headliners will feature alongside an impressive lineup of international and local house artists that will have you going until dark. Tickets will sell out for this one.

• WHEN: Saturday 18 January, 2pm to 10pm
• WHERE: Greenwood Hotel, North Sydney
• HOW MUCH: Final release tickets are $65
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Swan Lake on Ice

This one might be a little left of field, but we’re 100% sold. The Imperial Ice Stars, aka the world’s premier theatrical ice skating company, have returned to Sydney shores for a limited-time season of Swan Lake on Ice at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre. Backed to Tchaikovsky’s iconic soundtrack, director Tony Mercer leads an unrivalled cast for a show that looks seriously bloody impressive.

• WHEN: Wednesday 8 to Sunday 18 January
• WHERE: Sydney Coliseum Theatre
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $69
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Bankstown Lunar New Year

I told you silly season was still going strong, right? Well it won’t be wrapping up any time soon, not at least until Lunar New Year has been and gone. This Year of the Snake is being celebrated early in Bankstown, who are kicking off the celebrations on Saturday 18 January. Expect dragon dance parades, Chinese firecrackers, live entertainment, and of course, some of the best Chinese and Vietnamese food in town.

• WHEN: Saturday 18 January, 4pm to 9pm
• WHERE: Griffith Park, Olympic Parade
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Revolve Festival

Summer is official festival season, and what better time to get around one than to ring in the long weekend this month. Sydney Uni’s very own Manning House will be putting on a serious production, with three stages, as part of their Revolve Festival in late January. As one of the newest kids on the block, we’re anticipating the festival organisers are going all out for this one. Six international acts, indoor and outdoor stages and a long weekend? Sign us tf up.

• WHEN: Friday 24 January, from 6pm
• WHERE: Manning Bar, University of Sydney
• HOW MUCH: Third release tickets are $80
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Yabun Festival

Australia’s largest First Nations one-day festival returns this Sunday 26 January for a seriously packed program. The Yabun Festival will see Victoria Park taken over by an impressive lineup of Aboriginal and Torres Strait artists, including Troy Cassar-Daley, Baarka, Electric Fields and Miss Kannina (just to name a few). Naturally, there’ll also be plenty of market stalls, panel discussions and community forums to get involved in. Founded in 2001, the festival is 100% Aboriginal-owned and operated through Gadigal Information Service (GIS).

• WHEN: Sunday 26 January,
• WHERE: Victoria Park, Broadway
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Cirque du Soleil’s Luzia

Dinner and a show just got a whole lot more exciting thanks to Cirque du Soleil’s all-new performance, Luzia. After getting a little BTS sneak peak into the production, we can definitively say that as far as circus acts go, this is the one to beat. Inspired by an imaginary and surreal vision of Mexico, expect to be transported to a world of vibrant butterflies, dreamlike colour, and of course, one where being able to do a triple backflip is entirely normal. It’s also Cirque du Soleil’s 25th anniversary, so are we surprised that they’re going all out? Not really.

• WHEN: Until Sunday 9 February
• WHERE: Big Top, Entertainment Quarter
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $90
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Titanique: The Musical

We love Celine Dion. We love the movie Titanic. But honestly, never in a million years did we think we’d be combining the two icons in the one sentence, let alone the same show. If you’re confused, let me explain. Titanique: The Musical is the weird, wild and wonderful musical, where the story of Jack and Rose is told from Celine Dion’s perspective. Originally a one-night-only production in Los Angeles back in 2017 quickly took off, with the off-Broadway parody having won three awards at the Lucille Lortel Awards in 2023. Now, the show’s hit Sydney and the shores of The Grand Electric in Surry Hills. We reckon it’s worth giving a shot.

• WHEN: Until Sunday 19 January
• WHERE: The Grand Electric, Surry Hills
• HOW MUCH: From $75
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Mov’In Bed Beach Cinema

Just because we’re no longer in oodie season doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be able to snuggle up for a good movie. Sure, I’ll take a rooftop aperol any sunny day of the week, but sometimes a good chick flick is exactly what’s needed. If you’re in agreement, then it’s probably worth heading down to Barangaroo to check out the Mov’In Bed Beach Cinema that’s come back to town. Wondering what it is? Exactly what you think, really. Hundreds of queen size beds parked up on the sand right next to the harbour. Honestly, this one’s putting any other standard outdoor movie cinema to shame in Sydney, 10/10 recommend.

• WHEN: Until Sunday 9 February
• WHERE: Sydney Harbour Park, Barangaroo
• HOW MUCH: Sand tickets $12, bed tickets $89
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.