WHAT'S ON Here’s what to do this month of June if you’re cold and looking to escape your poorly insulated home
BY: Kartya Vucetic
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to June. It’s officially the month where Sydney collectively pretends it’s still not cold, and thereby throws a bunch of cool events that distract you from the fact that, well, it really fucking is.
And while the arrival of winter may have some of us entering a three-month mourning period featuring our favourite Hello Kitty oodie (couldn’t be me), I do come bearing good news. As far as fun stuff to do in the city goes, it’s kind of a cracker of a month.
To start, we’ve got the kick off of the Sydney Film Festival, injecting some much needed culcha into a town that otherwise spends its free time at a beach or a pilates class. And if you’re on that vibe, then you might as well be also ticking off Vivid, Titanique: The Musical and the Archibald Prize off your list, too. And of course, there’s also plenty to do on the music and party front, too, thanks to a very well-timed King’s Long Weekend coming up.
So it’s around about now where you whip out your Google calendar and put on those glasses, because here’s your comprehensive guide to everything happening in Sydney this month of June.
Sydney Film Festival
Image: Sydney Film Festival
Sydney Film Festival is back for another lap around the sun, once again reminding us that film is art, popcorn is dinner, and yes, you can sit through a 3-hour Estonian black-and-white tragedy and pretend you totally got it. It all kicks off this Wednesday 4 June with Michael Shanks’ horror-rom-com Together, which we’re both mystified and intrigued by. Of course, we also can’t look past Jacob Elordi’s horse riding feature in On Swift Horses (after all, a girl can have a penchant), as well as Tom Hiddleston in The Life of Chuck.
But then again, there’s over 200 films to choose from, so you’re spoiled for choice really. Screenings will be happening all over the city, but expect many to be hosted by none other than the Sydney State Theatre, AKA mecca for cinephiles.
- WHEN: Wednesday 4 to Sunday 15 June
- WHERE: Across Sydney
- HOW MUCH: Varies
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
Sound Escape
Look, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t marginally hate on Vivid just a little bit each year. Between the crowds, overpriced chips-on-sticks and arguably mediocre activations, we sometimes overlook some of the actually good events going down during this time. And this is exactly where Sound Escape at City Recital Hall comes in.
This Saturday 7 June, the venue is shedding its classical skin for one night to host Sound Escape. It’s a multi-stage indoor venue that’ll see over twenty acts perform, including the likes of The Jungle Giants, DICE and POOLCLVB. The hall is also undergoing an entire transformation in the name of it – from the Hall of Mirrors (self-explanatory), to the Grand Voyuer curated by Heaps Gay. Hands down, this will be one of the best parties of the month.
- WHEN: Saturday 7 June, from 5pm
- WHERE: City Recital Hall,
- HOW MUCH: Second release tickets from $89
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
Vivid Sydney
Image: Sydney, Australia
Speaking of our favourite light show, it’s still running until Saturday 14 June this month. In other words, if you’re scratching your head for a subpar but socially acceptable date idea, we’ve got you sorted. But in all seriousness, now that I’ve got the hating out of my system, Vivid’s program has been kind of slapping this year. It’s as if the town has collectively realised that nightlife does get better when you add live gigs, free activities, and events that run past 9pm. It’s running for two more weeks, so best to get around it asap.
- WHEN: Friday 23 May to Saturday 14 June
- WHERE: Across Sydney
- HOW MUCH: Free (alongside ticketed events)
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
Sydney Pride Month
With the number of events and parties being thrown this month, I’m going full Jennifer Coolidge in believing these gays really are trying to kill me. And of course, you know we couldn’t summarise all the wild, wonderful and truly fabulous LGBTQIA+ events happening this month into one paragraph, so save yourself the time and head straight on to our standalone guide here. Big Bi Night, The Platonic Human Centipede and All Day Queer Dance are just a few highlights to name.
- WHEN: All of June
- WHERE: Across Sydney
- HOW MUCH: Varies
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
Titanic: The Human Story
Image: Supplied
If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could walk through a 3rd-class cabin without the risk of an iceberg,” this exhibition is for you. Last week, we checked out the new exhibition Titanic: The Human Story that’s just docked in Walsh Bay. And while I’m not personally the biggest of Titanic fans, boy did I score some serious brownie points with my mother. The showcase displays over 200 artefacts which bring the ship’s passengers and crew back to life, and delves into the social and political context of the time. Honestly, it was pretty bloody cool, and I’d be lying if I said the audio guide and period music didn’t coerce me to shed a tear or two.
- WHEN: From Thursday 29 May
- WHERE: Pier 2/3, Walsh Bay
- HOW MUCH: Adult tickets from $46
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
Titanique: The Musical
Image: Supplied
Now, if I can’t sell you on the more serious and historically-rooted exhibition listed above, perhaps I’ll have a shot with this one. Because Titanique: The Musical is the weird, wild and wonderful musical, where the story of Jack and Rose is told from Celine Dion’s perspective. Yes it’s weird, and never in a million years did we think we’d be combining the two icons in the one sentence, let alone the same show. Originally a one-night-only production in LA back in 2017, the show has quickly taken off since then and hit the Grand Electric in Surry Hills late last year. Anyways, we reckon it’s worth giving it a shot.
- WHEN: Until Sunday 22 June
- WHERE: The Grand Electric, Surry Hills
- HOW MUCH: From $69
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes
Image: Art Gallery of NSW
It’s known as “the face that stops the nation”, and for good reason. That’s right, the Archibald Prize 2025 exhibition is back alongside their less coveted but equally impressive siblings, the Wynne and Sulman Prizes. For over a century, the prizes have captured some of Australia and New Zealand’s best portrait and landscape paintings, and is highly regarded as the single most important “must see” exhibition in town. The gallery will be displaying the winners and finalists of each category until August, but it’s worth checking out on the early side while the conversation’s still happening.
- WHEN: Until Sunday 17 August
- WHERE: Art Gallery of NSW
- HOW MUCH: Adult entry tickets are $25
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
Yulli’s Warehouse Rave
Yulli’s Brews in Alexandria has just scored a shiny new 2am trading licence, and to celebrate, they’re doing the only thing that makes sense: throwing an old-school warehouse rave in the brewery. Backfence later this month will kick off at 8pm and be delivering a late-night lineup featuring 2touch, Ari Kiko, Ciara, DJ Earl Grey and F0ulplay. It’s sweaty, it’s local, and it’s probably the only time you’ll be partying this hard next to a beer tank.
- WHEN: Saturday 28 June, from 8pm
- WHERE: Yulli’s Brews, Alexandria
- HOW MUCH: Tickets are $20
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
The Waratah’s Neighbourhood Mix
Image: Supplied
Our favourite local, The Waratah, is turning up Sundays this month into something that’s certain to cure the scaries. Introducing ‘The Neighbourhood Mix’, their new party-style takeover series that’s putting some of the city’s best bartenders behind the wheel. Each week will see a new crew take hold of the upstairs bar, slinging specialty cocktails that go way beyond your usual end-of-week wine.
First up is none other than El Primo Sanchez’ very own 2023 World Class Bartender of the Year, Eduardo Conde, alongside top-ranking finalist Omar Alvarez. Expect carbonated mandarin palomas and tropical margs to help wash down a Mexican spin on The Waratah’s Sunday Roast ritual.
- WHEN: Sunday 8 June, from 4pm
- WHERE: The Waratah, Darlinghurst
- HOW MUCH: Free entry
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
Sutra Sunrise Long Weekend
We’re welcoming in another long weekend this month, and with it comes none other than a Sutra Sunrise 13-hour party, of course. The Bridge Hotel has been long recognised for this monthly electronic extravaganza that starts at 11pm Saturday night and reigns on well into the following morning. This month, Elijah Something, Barney Kato, NostyCutz and Cally are just some of the names lined up to deliver diverse beats to a crowd that can only be described as dedicated.
- WHEN: Saturday 7 June, from 11pm
- WHERE: The Bridge Hotel, Rozelle
- HOW MUCH: Tickets from $43
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
Bubble Planet
Bubble Planet Sydney
So this one’s random, but when are we not into that? Bubble Planet – an immersive, bubbly, ball pit playground – is launching this month at Sydney Olympic Park. And while it might sound oriented towards children (who are, sadly, allowed), that doesn’t necessarily mean that grown ups aren’t encouraged to join in. The multi-sensory experience features over ten whimsical rooms, including a giant bubble bath ball pit, an underwater LED wonderland, and a fully immersive VR room. Talk about igniting the inner child.
- WHEN: From Friday 6 June
- WHERE: Paddington Pavilion, Sydney Olympic Park
- HOW MUCH: Adult tickets from $35
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
‘Wake The Hell Up’ Breakfast Pop Up
Image: Supplied
Morning people this is your time to shine, because Mary’s is delivering the ultimate breakfast pop up this month that you won’t want to miss. For one week and one week only, their North Sydney branch at Victoria Cross station is serving up an all-day brekkie pop up. And of course, when you hear they’re partnering with Grumpy’s Donuts and Coffee Supreme, you know it’ll be good. Think hotcakes, brekkie burgers, bottomless mimosas on weekends and even a $5 Coffee + Donut Deal each morning that’s free for the first 50 customers. Sign us TF up.
- WHEN: Monday 16 to Sunday 22 June
- WHERE: Mary’s VX, Victoria Cross Station
- HOW MUCH: Varies
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
Concrete Beach at Beach Road
Image: Beach Road Hotel
If there’s ever a place the Eastern suburbs punters spend their time come any long weekend, it’s Beach Road Hotel. Love it or hate it, you’ve got to give it to them – the pub throws a damn good party. And this King’s Weekend, the venue is hosting their Concrete Beach event. Confused? Let me explain. The hotel will be celebrating music, art and skating culture from Friday through to Sunday. They’ll even be installing a mini skate ramp, which you can have a stab at before catching Yolanda Be Cool and Stace Cadet in the weekend lineup.
- WHEN: Friday 6 to Sunday 8 June
- WHERE: Beach Road Hotel, Bondi
- HOW MUCH: Free entry
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
