WHAT'S ON It’s officially December and here’s what all the cool fun people are doing

Ladies and gentlemen, the silliest month of the year has officially arrived. It’s the month where everyone’s either aggressively festive or hanging on by a thread. There’s simply no middle ground.

Thankfully, Sydney is delivering enough events, festivals and excuses to leave the house to keep the chaos feeling intentional.

Highlights include Dom Dolla, who’s about to blow the roof off Allianz Stadium with the biggest headline show of his career. Spilt Milk has dropped a lineup so stacked it sold out before anyone even had a chance to make the poster, and Christmas markets are popping up faster than your last-minute gift anxiety.

One thing we can be sure of is that there’s nothing boring happening this month. So scroll down to check out what all the fun people are doing.

Christmas Markets

Yes, it is in fact the most wonderful time of the year. Or at least that’s what I’ve been told according to my calendar. That’s right, the silly season is well and truly upon us, and let’s be real: is it really Christmas without an overpriced Sydney market? I think not. Crowd favourites always tend to be the Jolly Markets in The Rocks and the Martin Place Christmas Markets, but we’ll be doing a full recap very soon.

• WHEN: Throughout December
• WHERE: Across Sydney
• HOW MUCH: Varies

Yulli’s Brews Summer Fiesta

Newtown’s favourite Mexican eatery, Maiz, is turning five, and they’re celebrating the only acceptable way: with a full-blown Summer Fiesta at Yulli’s Brews. Expect an afternoon of vegan street food (fresh tortillas, tacos, elotes, the works) and ice-cold Maisie Corn Lager on tap, and a cocktail list that basically guarantees you’ll stay “for one more”. A stacked lineup of Latin American DJs, an insane cocktail list, and not an entry fee in sight. Just show up early unless you enjoy queuing behind half of the Inner West.

• WHEN: Saturday 6 December, from 3pm
• WHERE: Yule’s Brews, Alexandria
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Pretty Woman: The Musical

Pretty Woman: The Musical is officially hitting the Theatre Royal this month, bringing Hollywood escapism, big vocals and even bigger hair to the stage. Packed with all the iconic moments from the film, the production comes with a Tony-winning creative team, an original Bryan Adams score, and enough sparkle to temporarily blind you. It’s feel-good, glossy and guaranteed to deliver a solid night out.

• WHEN: Until Sunday 1 March
• WHERE: Theatre Royal, CBD
• HOW MUCH: Tix from $69
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Moonlight Cinema

Moonlight Cinema is back for its 30th (yes, 3-0) summer under the stars, returning to Centennial Park until April. Expect Christmas classics, family films, and new releases like Wicked: For Good and Eternity. To mark the milestone, Moonlight is also letting audiences vote on which nostalgic favourites should hit the outdoor screen next year. Consider this your sign to pack a picnic, claim a patch of grass, and pray for good weather.

• WHEN: Until Sunday 5 April
• WHERE: Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Parklands
• HOW MUCH: Tix from $22
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Dom Dolla Special Guests ft. Kettama

Dom Dolla is making Australian music history this month, taking over Allianz Stadium for his first-ever stadium show, and the biggest headline gig of his career. He’s bringing a stacked lineup with him (KETTAMA, fcukers, Anna Lunoe), plus production on a scale that basically guarantees you’ll lose your voice by the third drop. A limited release of extra tickets has just dropped across previously sold-out sections, so if you want to witness Sydney’s pre-Christmas rave of the year, this is the one.

• WHEN: Saturday 20 December, from 5pm
• WHERE: Allianz Stadium
• HOW MUCH: Tix from $59
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Summer Festival at The Coliseum Theatre

Western Sydney is having a full cultural moment this summer, with the Coliseum Theatre rolling out its biggest program yet. Kicking off early December, the venue is hosting a two-month Summer Festival featuring everything from Sooshi Mango and Cosentino to Cirque Alice, and even Shrek the Musical. The entire precinct is getting in on the action too, with giveaways, seasonal cocktails and dining offers.

• WHEN: Saturday 6 December to Saturday 24 January
• WHERE: Coliseum Theatre, West HQ
• HOW MUCH: Varies
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Spilt Milk

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’d know that Spilt Milk has dropped the best festival lineup since Charli XCX at Laneway back in Feb this year. Naturally, tickets sold out before staff could even finish the poster (I guess Doechii and Kendrick Lamar headliners have that effect). But hey, who knows, perhaps you can wish upon a Christmas star and hope secondhand tickets to the Canberra event fly your way. Dominic Fike, ScHoolboy Q, Sara Landry and newly added Genesis Owusu are also rounding it out.

• WHEN: Saturday 13 December
• WHERE: Canberra
• HOW MUCH: Resale only
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Lost Paradise

It’s the marginally feral festival that’s become a rite of passage for every Sydneysider at one point in their life. Of course, we couldn’t be talking about anything else other than Lost Paradise. And yes, it’s back for another year. Once again, it’s one of those sold out situations that you’ll have to hope for the best. But honestly, with a lineup including Ben Böhmer, Chris Stussy, Confidence Man, Duke Dumont, I Hate Models and KETTAMA, it’s kind of worth it.

• WHEN: Sunday 28 December to Thursday 1 January
• WHERE: Glenworth Valley
• HOW MUCH: Resale only
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Ink & Drink X Maniax Night Out

I won’t lie, I’ve really outdone myself in finding possibly the wildest mid-week date night idea in town. Introducing the Ink & Drink and MANIAX collaboration. Their new pop-up is basically chaos in two acts: 30 minutes of axe throwing followed by a two-hour tattoo art workshop, where you’ll ink your own designs on synthetic skin. No actual tattoos sadly, but just the thrill of pretending you could give one. It’s running across Wednesday nights in December, and you best believe tickets will go fast. 

• WHEN: Wednesday 3, 10 and 17 December, from 6pm
• WHERE: MANIAX, Marrickville
• HOW MUCH: Tix are $100
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Stranger Things: The Experience

Stranger Things: The Experience is returning to Luna Park for one final run, and it’s perfectly timed with our binge watch of the release of Season 5. From 28 November, the Crystal Palace will once again transform into Hawkins, complete with supernatural challenges, ’80s nostalgia and a mission to help Eleven defeat whatever fresh hell is leaking out of the Upside Down. Naturally, tickets are going fast for this one, 

• WHEN: Until Tuesday 28 December
• WHERE: Crystal Palace, Luna Park Sydney
• HOW MUCH: Tix from $55
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Laneway Cinema in The Rocks

Sydney’s most charming outdoor cinema is back, turning the cobblestone laneways of The Rocks into an open-air movie night each Wednesday all summer long. Settle into a beanbag, grab a drink, and catch cult favourites, arthouse gems and nostalgic throwbacks under the stars. It’s all starting Wednesday 12 November with none other than Final Destination. Entry’s free, but we recommend registering for tix in advance. 

• WHEN: Every Wednesday night until 25 February
• WHERE: Laneway Cinema, The Rocks
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Art After Hours

If you’re looking for a midweek date night that’s not just drinks and discussing your favourite colours, the Art Gallery of NSW has you sorted. Every Wednesday, the gallery stays open late for Art After Hours. Think free exhibitions, guided tours, live music, films, and enough dim lighting to make you look very cultured. Grab a drink, stay for dinner, or join one of the interactive workshops. It’s also free, which is always a win. 

• WHEN: Every Wednesday, from 6-10pm
• WHERE: Art Gallery of NSW
• HOW MUCH: Free
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.