Here's everything you need to know about what's going down this month of April

Ladies and gentlemen, I might be a few days late to the party, but it is officially April. Yes, my attempts to ignore the weather outside and pretend that it is still in fact summer have worn thin, and I’ve come to accept that we’re staring at the end of daylight savings right in the face.

The good news, however, is that in lieu of warm weather, outdoor cocktails and beachside soirees, we’ve got a whole new roster of events to distract ourselves with. And let me tell you, it’s going to be a good month.

Music highlights include John Summit and The Warehouse Project, both happening at Hordern Pavilion. Racing season is also back, so expect punters to be out and about come Saturday. Looking for a dinner and a show moment? We’ve got you covered there, too, with Sydney Comedy Festival ramping up at the end of the month, and Belvoir St’s new production of Big Girls Don’t Cry taking centre stage.

In other words, warm summer nights might be nigh, but Sydney is offering a whole lot of compensation for it. I’d say it’s around about now you should be grabbing out that Google Calendar and banding the group chat together.

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

John Summit at Hordern Pavilion

Image: Ticketek

Woo girls it’s time you rise up, because John Summit is in town this month and there’s still some straggling tickets that remain. Like many others of his kind, the American dance-electronic DJ has become internationally recognised as our new ‘it-boy’, and is bringing his set to Sydney to show us what the hype is all about. Tickets to his Sunday night set are still available, so consider this your sign to rally the girls ASAP.

WHEN: Friday 11, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April
WHERE: Hordern Pavilion
HOW MUCH: Tickets are $120
CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Touch Sensitive at Randwick Races

Image: Australian Turf Club

If you haven’t already heard, races season is back baby. And with it, all the punters of Sydney who feel it is perfectly acceptable to spend your entire weekly savings on the ponies and a bottle of cheap prosecco. If you align with this, then you’re in luck, because the Randwick Races are back on Saturday 5 April, and bringing Touch Sensitive for the ride. Whether it’s the vibes, the music, or the race itself that you’re going for, it’s set to be a big one.

WHEN: Saturday 5 April, from 11am
WHERE: Royal Randwick Racecourse, Randwick
HOW MUCH: From $35
CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Sydney Comedy Festival

Image: Sydney Comedy Festival

Our favourite annual festival, the Sydney Comedy Festival, is back again this month to tickle all our funny bones. Kicking off on Monday 21 April, this will be the festival’s largest program to date – with over 340 shows taking place across multiple venues including Enmore Theatre, Sydney Opera House and Bondi Pavilion. The festival will also be celebrating its 20th anniversary, so you can be guaranteed they’re going all out. And while there’ll be so many incredible acts to choose from, but we’d be lying if we said we weren’t counting down the minutes until Daniel Sloss’ set later this month.

WHEN: Monday 21 April to Sunday 18 May
WHERE: Multiple venues
HOW MUCH: Varies
CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Sydney Streets on Crown Street

Image: City of Sydney

Sydney Streets might be becoming too popular for its own good (Stanley St in February was a nightmare), but we’re still gonna recommend it. This month, Crown Street is being taken over on Saturday 5 April for a day-to-evening street party filled with music, performers and al fresco dining. If Darlinghurst’s last rendition was anything to go by, some of these can get pretty out of hand crowd wise, so best to get there before 5pm when everything starts to pack out.

WHEN: Saturday 5 April, 11am to 10pm
WHERE: Crown Street, Surry Hills
HOW MUCH: Free entry
CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Royal Easter Show

Image: Meriton Suites

Say what you want, but there’s something so nostalgically iconic about the Royal Easter Show. Is it designed for small children? Yes. Do I care? No. And as expected, it’s back again this month in time for Easter. The festivities kick off next Friday, and you best believe we’re rustling together our spare change to save up for far too many shitty showbags that you’ll ultimately neither want nor need. We recommend you do the same.

WHEN: Friday 11 to Tuesday 22 April
WHERE: Olympic Park
HOW MUCH: Adult tickets from $45
CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Warehouse Project

Image: Ticketek

When you hear that Partiboi69 is behind something, you can be more or less guaranteed it’ll be good. Introducing the Warehouse Project, the DJ’s newest gig that will see Hector Oaks, Miss Bashful, X-Coast and Carla Martinez all featuring on the hectic lineup. Of course, it wouldn’t be a true party without the man, the myth, the legend himself also headlining it. Tickets to this will 100% sell out, so I’d get on it quick.

WHEN: Thursday 24 April, from 6pm
WHERE: Hordern Pavilion
HOW MUCH: Tickets are $122
CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Inner West Film Fest

Image: FilmInk

We all have that one friend who lives in Chippendale and is an absolute slut for either a foreign film or abstract documentary. It’s insufferable, really, because you know they have better taste than you. But if you’re looking to up the stakes this month, consider dabbling with the Inner West Film Fest that kicks off on Wednesday 9 April. Established in 2023, the festival aims to shine light on culturally significant films, so expect lots of variety. In fact, it’s best to check out the entire program, which you can find over here.

WHEN: Wednesday 9 to Thursday 17 April
WHERE: Dendy Cinemas, Newtown
HOW MUCH: Adult tickets are $24
CHECK IT OUT HERE.

StickyBeak Festival

Image: StickyBeak Festival 2022, Carriageworks

Some of Sydney’s best booze and food vendors are banding forces this month to deliver the ultimate market in town. That’s right, StickBeak Festival is back, and this time they’re taking over Ultimo to play host to over 20 different bars and restaurants. Double Deuce Lounge, Fabbrica, Ho Jiak and PS40 are just a few of the many Sydney institutions making their appearance. It’s the perfect place to start the night, or to look really impressive in front of a date.

WHEN: Friday 4 and Saturday 5 April, from 5pm
WHERE: The Goods Line North, Ultimo
HOW MUCH: Entry tickets are $29
CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Big Girls Don’t Cry at Belvoir St Theatre

Image: Belvoir St

If there’s one thing we know for sure, is that a Belvoir St Theatre production almost never misses. The Sydney institution has been injecting culture into the town since its inception back in the 80s. This month, playwright Dalara Williams is bringing her new production Big Girls Don’t Cry to the main stage. Set in Redfern 1966, the play explores the experiences of three young women navigating their way through the world, in a production that’s been described as “sharp and celebratory”.

WHEN: Saturday 5 to Sunday 27 April
WHERE: Belvoir St Theatre, Surry Hills
HOW MUCH: Tickets from $64
CHECK IT OUT HERE.

All Ears Album Listening Series

Image: Supplied

It appears that album listening parties are no longer only a thing you get to experience at Japanese vinyl bars, as the trend has officially made its way to Sydney shores. The final installation of Sydney DJ Andrew Levins’ “deep listening experience” is happening this month at Wildflower Brewery in Marrickville. This time round, it’s Mulatu Astatke’s Mulatu Of Ethiopia, which Levins will play uninterrupted from start to finish, on Sonos speakers, exactly as the artist intended.

WHEN: Thursday 10 April, from 6pm
WHERE: Wildflower Brewery
HOW MUCH: Tickets are $40
CHECK IT OUT HERE.

GOROS Cherry Bomb

Image: Supplied

It’s no secret that every man and their dog is heading over to Japan right now, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t just a tad jealous. If you’re like me, then you’re in luck, because Sydney institution GOROS is kicking off a six-week transformation into a neon-lit cherry blossom paradise this month. The annual takeover comes in celebration of Sakura season, and you’ll be able to score pink cocktails, Japanese street food and a whole lot of Insta worthy moments. Is it Japan? No. Will it do? For the meantime, 100%.