WHAT'S ON Here’s what to do this weekend if you’re still scratching your head for plans

I think I can speak on behalf of all of us who are still Sydney bound that it’s around about now we all start to cop some serious Euro summer fomo. And as alluring as temperatures over 20 degrees, long days and Aperol spritzes may be, you can also rest assured that not all hope is lost. In fact, there are still fun things to do in Sydney, believe it or not.

Highlights for this weekend include the start of The Rock’s Christmas in July winter markets, the Bondi Festival, and Fujifilm’s ‘The Moment Club’ all happening around town. And honestly, you might as well do something to distract yourself from your Mediterranean sunset-fuelled Instagram feed.

So consider this your sign to put on your thermal tights, line your stomach, and get ready to head out, because here are the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.

SPECIALS

Christmas in July at The Rocks

It’s giving mulled wine, fake snow, and light seasonal delusion, and honestly, we’re here for it. Christmas in July is back at The Rocks, transforming Sydney’s oldest laneways into a Euro-style winter village with twinkling lights, festive markets, and just enough artificial snow to make you question what hemisphere you’re in. Expect oversized nutcrackers, live carols, hot raclette and tartiflette (Google it), and a whole lot of very Instagrammable fairy-lit chaos. Yes, it’s freezing. Yes, it’s completely unnecessary. But that’s why we love it. 

• WHEN: Friday 11 to Sunday 20 July
• WHERE: The Rocks
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

YSL Beauty Paddington Pop Up

YSL Beauty is parking the glam van in Paddington this weekend for a two-day pop-up dedicated to their new Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss (yes, the one Dua Lipa swears by). Head to 410 Oxford St on Friday or Saturday for free touch-ups, product samples, and a generous dose of gamified glamour. Masterclasses are sold out (of course they are), but general entry is free and still available. Bonus: the first 200 guests get their hands on a limited edition iced strawberry matcha collab with Harry’s.

• WHEN: Friday 11 and Saturday 12 July, 9am to 6pm
• WHERE: 410 Oxford Street, Paddington
• HOW MUCH: Free
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Rising Tides at Barangaroo House

Barangaroo House is marking NAIDOC Week with Rising Tides, a two-week art showcase spotlighting the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, curated in partnership with ART ARK. Each piece is available to purchase directly or bid on via QR code, with all proceeds going to the Awesome Black Foundation’s Voices Rising Fund, supporting large-scale creative projects by First Nations artists. Swing by, sip something crisp, and support Indigenous storytelling in a way that actually makes an impact.

• WHEN: Friday 4 to Sunday 20 July
• WHERE: House Bar, Barangaroo House
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Fujifilm’s ‘The Moment Club’

A day party with no phones? Kind of wild. But also…we’re into it. Taking over Baptist Street Rec Club this month, The Moment Club is serving up two hours of dance floor energy, retro beats from Alex Hayes (lol), and actual film cameras in place of your usual screen time. You’ll check your phone at the door and capture the chaos on Fujifilm’s new half-frame camera . Think candid shots, mirror selfies, and blurry cocktail pics that somehow look better than anything digital.

• WHEN: Saturday 12 July, 2-4pm
• WHERE: Baptist Street Rec Club, Redfern
• HOW MUCH: Tickets are $25
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Bondi Festival

Bondi’s leaning into its off-season era this July, trading spritzes and activewear for something a little more cultural. That’s right, the Bondi Festival is back to take over the Pavilion, beach and surrounds with three weeks of comedy, art, ice skating and general chaos. Highlights include the Comedy Gala, Gladdy Drawing club and the return of the iconic ice rink by the sea and ferris wheel. Expect markets, live gigs, theatre, and just enough fringe weirdness to make you feel like you’re in Melbourne. Kind of. Not really.

• WHEN: Friday 4 to Sunday 20 July
• WHERE: Bondi
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

CATS The Musical

You either love it, hate it, or pretend you get it. Either way, CATS has returned to Sydney and it’s purring its way into the Theatre Royal all week. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s feline fever dream is back in all its musical glory, complete with spandex bodysuits, haunting ballads, and yes, that one song you low-key know all the lyrics to (Memory, duh). Whether you grew up watching the VHS, got traumatised by the 2019 film, or are just here for the theatre kid chaos, this one’s a must-see. 

• WHEN: From Friday 20 June
• WHERE: Theatre Royal, CBD
• HOW MUCH: From $69
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Hunter Valley Beer & Wine Festival

Okay, not exactly in Sydney, but I just know that every woman approaching 30 has this on her radar. Yes, yes, the Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is back for its 13th year, showcasing over 45 wineries, breweries and distillers from the region. There’ll be tastings from local legends like Pepper Tree, Leogate Estate, Sydney Brewery and Phoenix Distilling Co., plus food trucks, artisan bites, live music and a Masterclass Stage led by Miguel Maestre himself. Consider this the perfect excuse for a weekend out of town.

• WHEN: Friday 11 to Saturday 12 July
• WHERE: Rydges Resort, Hunter Valley
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $34
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Golden Keys

Live piano parties have been popping up everywhere lately, so it’s no surprise that the good ol’ Sheaf has decided to also get in and amongst the action. Kicking off this Friday, Golden Keys is officially launching. Think piano in the middle of the room, no setlist, and $12 margs to help loosen those vocal cords. It’s also happening every Friday.

• WHEN: Every Friday, from 8pm
• WHERE: Golden Sheaf, Double Bay
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Piano Bar Fridays

After its roaring launch last week, Bungalow 8 is back again this Friday with its all new ‘Keys Gone Wild’ live piano event. And honestly, it’s about damn time – Sydney’s been itching for a solid (and regular) live music options, and it appears our prayers have finally been answered. Expect no set lists, but instead a song request system that’ll have the piano man playing all types of karaoke-style hits well into the evening. If last week was anything to go by, lines go out the door pretty quickly for this one, so we suggest getting there early or risk singing all by yourself.

• WHEN: Every Friday, from 9pm
• WHERE: Bungalow 8, Barangaroo
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes

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.

Titanic: The Human Story

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.

Bubble Planet

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.

REGULARS

Disco Yum Cha at NBF

Bondi in winter? Surprisingly elite, especially when dumplings and disco balls are involved. North Bondi Fish is going full send on weekend lunches thanks to their all-new Disco Yum Cha series, a new bottomless-style event running every Saturday and Sunday from 11am–3pm until early August. Think scallop wontons and prawn toast, DJs from midday, and cocktails like the “Marg Yum Cha” with black sesame and mandarin. Set menus start at $65, and yes, there are bottomless drinks packages. 

• WHEN: Every Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 3pm
• WHERE: North Bondi Fish, Bondi
• HOW MUCH: From $65
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

tqm. Happy Hour

If you haven’t already heard, we’re lowkey obsessed with the relaunch of Tequila Mockingbird into tqm. in Paddington recently. In fact, hot take but they might just be slinging the best margs in the Inner East. So lucky for all of us that tqm. has just launched their new Happy Hour special from 4.30-6pm Tuesday through to Sunday, featuring $12 spicy and regular margies, $9 house wins and their iconic $8 ceviche tacos. Cost-of-living say who?

• WHEN: Tuesday to Sunday, 4.30-6pm
• WHERE: tqm., Paddington
• HOW MUCH: Varies
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Casa Esquina Taco Sunday Roast

Now that we’re hitting this colder weather, there’s nothing that holds quite the same gusto as a good Sunday roast. And if Yorkshire puddings and apple sauce isn’t exactly your go-to (or you’ve just made yourself sick from too many), then you ought to consider Casa Esquina’s all new ‘Taco Sunday Roast’ special they’re hosting. Think flame roasted chicken, juicy porchetta and crispy Old Bay fries as just a few of the goodies they’re serving up to cure even the most severe cases of Sunday scaries.

• WHEN: Every Sunday, from 5pm
• WHERE: Casa Esquina, Balmain
• HOW MUCH: $60
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

All You Can Spritz

I know I’m not the only one who will go actually feral for a sunny day and an outdoor dining space. So thank god PIER Dining at Pier One Sydney Harbour is playing make-a-wish, because they’re slinging an epic Friday and Saturday all-inclusive special that shouldn’t be missed.

For $89, they’re treating guests to a 1.5-hour experience filled with Freemantle octopus, crisp potato scallops, pistachio and asparagus malfadine and pavlova. Of course, we can’t forget the spritz cocktails they have on offer – from your classic Aperol to a Dockside sparkling with Davidson plum. In other words, you’ll know where to find us.

• WHEN: Every Friday and Saturday at 12.30pm
• WHERE: PIER Dining, Pier One Sydney
• HOW MUCH: $89
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Jazzhaus Fridays at The Winery

Jazz lovers listen up. The Winery has launched their Jazzhaus Fridays event, and they’re promising to sling some of the best apertivo beats in town. From 6pm every Friday, the Surry Hills institution will boast soulful, smooth sounds from pianists and three-piece bands until 11pm in the evening.

If you’re clever, head in slightly earlier to cop the $12 Aperol spritzes, Americanos and Negronis during their 4pm to 6pm happy hour. Alternatively, night owls can also nab a great deal post 9pm, where The Winery is hosting their very own Supper Club special.

• WHEN: Every Friday, from 6pm
• WHERE: The Winery, Surry Hills
• HOW MUCH: Varies
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

$35 Bottomless Fajitas at SoCal

All I’ll say is: Friday’s, fajitas, fiestas. That’s it. Thank god SoCal gets it, because they’re hosting a $40 bottomless fajita special from 3pm till late every Friday. The Neutral Bay institution will let you have at it for about 2-hours, which should hopefully be enough time to make yourself feel more than slightly ill. After all, it’s all about value adding in this economy, right? Perhaps wash it down with a margarita. Perhaps more than one. 

• WHEN: Every Friday, from 3pm
• WHERE: SoCal, Neutral Bay
• HOW MUCH: $40
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.