15 Annual Sydney Events To Put On Your Calendar Now

Get your culture fix with our tried-and-tested guide to the best Sydney events.

Is it just us or do some of our most cherished holiday memories involve stumbling upon a local festival? Gathering a community to celebrate extraordinary feats feels as though your adventure is wholly embracing you. Using our ultimate guide to the best Sydney events, uncover the city’s finest dining experiences, coastal hikes, world-famous icons and more alongside like-minded culture vultures to help you create invaluable memories.

1. Vivid Sydney

The magical festival of light, music and ideas transforms several Sydney locales, particularly Circular Quay, The Rocks and the city’s CBD, into fields of rainbow-illuminated interactions. Vivid Sydney showcases a string of highlights guaranteed to be outshone every year moving forward as its ever-evolving line-up attracts the world’s leading visionaries and artists.

Eco, Vivid Sydney 2023 at the clock tower, Central Station — The city lights up every year during Vivid Sydney. (Image: Destination NSW)

Staged annually during winter, Vivid Sydney is one of the largest Sydney events, luring 3.28 million rugged-up visitors in 2023, and encompasses free live music, immersive artworks, conversations with industry heavyweights and one-of-a-kind feasts in addition to the light walks that first put the festival on a global map.

Dark Spectrum, Vivid Sydney 2023, Wynyard Station — Wynyard Station transformed during Vivid Sydney 2023. (Image: Destination NSW)

Expect spectacular after-dark scenery in Barangaroo, Sydney’s inner west, Central Station and beyond in the coming years. Its 2024 dates have been announced so pencil May 24 to June 15 into your calendar.

Written In The Stars drone show lights up during VividSydney 2023 — A drone show lights up above the harbour at night. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Sydney Royal Easter Show

Dagwood Dogs, neon-printed show bags, award-winning produce, woodchopping showdowns — who can resist the charms of the Sydney Royal Easter Show ? Staged at Sydney Showground at Sydney Olympic Park, the family-friendly festival is the country’s largest ticketed event and attracts almost one million visitors every year.

an aerial view overlooking the 2019 Royal Easter Show at theSydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park — The Royal Easter Show Sydney is a must-do family-friendly event. (Image: Destination NSW)

A celebration of all things Australian, the Sydney event sticks to a consistent program, ensuring farmyard animals, carnival rides and arcade games, growers’ stalls, agricultural displays that double as artworks, fireworks, Easter egg hunts (naturally) and more are guaranteed their spot every year. The Sydney event runs during the Easter school holiday break and over the Easter weekend, locking in March 22 to April 2 in 2024, but be sure to check its website for future dates.

carnival rides at the Royal Easter Show, Sydney — Enjoy carnival rides at the Royal Easter Show. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Sydney Festival

The city’s biggest arts festival draws some of the world’s most exceptional performers and creators, sending an enormous jolt of energy into Sydney annually. Sydney Festival , a celebration of this incredible city, is staged at venues right across the city spanning the most iconic theatres to hard-to-find basements and alleys.

cabaret queen Victoria Falconer performing at the Smashed: The Brunch Party, Sydney Festival — Cabaret queen Victoria Falconer performs at the Sydney Festival in Smashed: The Brunch Party. (Image: Jacquie Manning)

Held in the first weeks of January with the 2024 season running from January 5 to 28, the Sydney event has attracted musical greats including Grace Jones, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Al Green in his first-ever Australian show, Paul Kelly and Bjork in the past, as well as innovators and artists shattering glass ceilings right across the globe.

a Cupid Koi Garden at Sydney Festival — Koi fish were the inspiration behind this colourful interactive playground. (Image: Yaya Stempler)

4. Sydney Writers Festival

Celebrating the world’s most extraordinary literary talents and achievements, the Sydney Writers Festival has gathered book lovers annually since 1997. Showcasing prolific poets, authors, journalists, intellectuals, scientists, podcasters and more, the Sydney event features inspiring conversations and panel discussions, live readings, debates and performances right across the city.

the exterior of Carriageworks in Eveleigh — Head to Carriageworks in Eveleigh for the Sydney Writers Festival. (Image: Taylah Darnell)

Its 2024 dates have been locked in so keep May 20 to 26 free to attend scheduled events spanning the State Library of NSW, Sydney Town Hall, Carriageworks in Eveleigh, the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo and beyond. The festival is staged annually around May.

a panel discussion during the Sydney Writers Festival — Join inspiring conversations and panel discussions at the Sydney Writers Festival. (Image: Taylah Darnell)

5. Moonlight Cinema Sydney

You know summer is around the corner when the Moonlight Cinema Sydney releases its annual film program. Staged at the beginning of summer each year, the picnic-friendly festival runs for about four months before its annual hibernation. Located at Centennial Park in the city’s eastern suburbs, the Sydney event screens Australian premieres, new releases and much-loved classics, switching the projector on just as the sun sets each evening. Do indeed bring your own dinner and drinks but if you’re without, there’s a well-stocked kitchen and bar selling supplies as soon as the gates open.

the outdoor Moonlight Cinema at BelvedereAmphitheatre, Centennial Park, Sydney — Sink into the bean bags at Moonlight outdoor cinema. (Image: Destination NSW; Centennial Parklands)

6. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Drag out your glitziest sequins because the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a party like no other. The annual Sydney event celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and just general creative expression in spectacular style, scheduling more than two weeks of events throughout the city in the first quarter of each year.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2019, Sydney — Hundreds of thousands of revellers join the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. (Image: Jeffrey Feng)

In 2024 it will run from February 16 to March 3, culminating in the iconic Mardi Gras Parade where more than 200 floats crawl Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade to spread the love. Other highlights include the Bondi Beach Party as thousands flock to the sand to dance like nobody’s watching to world-class DJs and musical acts, as well as Laugh Out Proud, an annual comedy night that draws consistently rave reviews.

a huge LGBTQI+ flag at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade — Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is the biggest night on the LGBTQI+ calendar. (Image: Steven Yee)

7. Sculpture by the Sea

Like the stretch from Bondi to Tamarama wasn’t pretty enough. Sculpture by the Sea , an annual Sydney event held along the beaches’ famed coastal walk, invites some of the world’s most adventurous artworks to accentuate glorious ocean vistas.

Sculpture by the Sea 2018, Bondi to Tamarama, Sydney — Horizon by artist Mu Boyan. (Image: Ross Duggan)

Held in the fourth quarter of the year, with 2024’s dates confirmed as October 18 to November 4, the festival of coastal creativity transforms the well-trodden path and its clifftop surroundings into a two-kilometre sculpture park where more than 100 artists flaunt their skills. Expect magnificent tributes to Australia’s natural beauty, plus tongue-in-cheek masterstrokes to light up every Insta feed.

8. Sydney Marathon

Runners of all descriptions are invited to get sweaty every September in the Sydney Marathon , designed for everyone from amateurs to the elite.

participants run across the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the Sydney Marathon — Participants race across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Sydney event starts in Bradfield Park in Milsons Point and is split into four separate trails with two of them ending at the Sydney Opera House. But whichever marathon you choose, expect to be running alongside thousands of participants from more than 66 countries.

Sydney Marathon participants running with views of the Sydney Opera House — Take in views of the Sydney Opera House while running. (Image: Destination NSW)

9. City2Surf

Keep those trainers on as the City2Surf provides yet another outstanding annual running event in Sydney. A fun run that stretches out across 14 kilometres, it tracks Sydney’s CBD to Bondi Beach, up Heartbreak Hill, a steep bit of New South Head Road between Rose Bay and Vaucluse, and past some iconic attractions. Staged in August each year, the Sydney event lures approximately 85,000 participants from around the world and is considered one of the greatest running events globally.

10. Sydney Film Festival

Yes, it’s a competition but the real winners of the Sydney Film Festival are the cinema lovers who get to experience the annual event’s stellar curation. Staged in June each year, the Sydney event gathers the world’s most thrilling new films and screens them right across the city, peppering them with invaluable conversations between the film’s creators and audiences in addition to glamorous red carpet premieres.

the opening night at State Theatre Sydne — Crowds flock to the State Theatre Sydney for opening night of the annual film festival. (Image: Tim Levy)

Expect to catch the program at the festival’s flagship venue, the State Theatre in Sydney’s CBD, as well as cinemas in the inner west, north shore, western Sydney and eastern suburbs.

the opening night of the State Sydney Film Festival — Take your pick of flicks from the annual stellar curation of films. (Image: Tim Levy)

11. Sydney Comedy Festival

What was once The Cracker Sydney Comedy Festival is now the much-adored Sydney Comedy Festival , a Sydney event staged annually in April and May.

people entering Enmore Theatre for Sydney Comedy Festival — Be first in the line at the Enmore Theatre for the Sydney Comedy Festival.

Bringing the belly laughs to venues including the Sydney Opera House, Newtown’s Enmore Theatre, Paramatta’s Riverside Theatre, Chatswood’s The Concourse and the Southerland Shire’s The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre, the festival unites the world’s cleverest comedic performers, providing incredible exposure to Australia’s emerging talents. Expect delights to span every genre from sketch and satire to children’s comedy and magic.

colourful staging at the Sydney Comedy Festival — Whimsical performances at the Sydney Comedy Festival will delight.

12. Biennale of Sydney

Launched in 1973 as a platform for the world’s most thought-provoking art and creative expression, the Biennale of Sydney is a biannual contemporary art event staged across several of the best Sydney art galleries and Sydney museums.

installation view of the 19th Biennale of Sydney (2014) at the Museumof Contemporary Art Australia — The Biennale of Sydney takes place at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. (Image: Destination NSW)

It runs for roughly three months once every two years, bringing together some of the world’s most innovative, boundary-pushing creatives to showcase their talent and lead discussions within the community. Expect to be surrounded by the city’s most culturally savvy, all thirsty to soak up the truly original craftsmanship on display.

Ten Thousand Suns, 24th Biennale of Sydney 2024 — Ten Thousand Suns at Biennale of Sydney, 2024. (Image: Document Photography)

13. Westpac OpenAir Cinema

For a little over one month every year, the Sydney Harbour skyline is slightly reimagined to welcome Westpac OpenAir Cinema and its enormous, suspended screen at Mrs Macquarie’s Point in the Royal Botanic Garden. For its location alone, the Sydney event is extremely popular, drawing thick crowds to each of its evening sessions staged between January and February.

people seated at the the Westpac OpenAir Cinema — Enjoy an al fresco evening filled with world-class views and entertainment at the Westpac OpenAir Cinema. (Image: Fiora Sacco)

Cinematic heavyweights are regularly drawn to celebrate the premiere of the season’s hottest new releases and much-loved classics are also screened. The seated venue, and it’s first in best dressed for general admission, also features multiple eateries and bars so it’s a dream al fresco option if you can catch a highly sought-after ticket.

people enjoying drinks at the Westpac OpenAir Cinema — Chill with drinks harbourside before the show. (Image: Nikki To)

14. Sydney Fringe Festival

September marks the beginning of spring but nothing awakes Sydneysiders like the Sydney Fringe Festival , staged every September in the Harbour City. Celebrating emerging creative talents, the Sydney event is NSW’s largest independent arts festival, encompassing more than 450 events across 70+ venues.

cultural performances at Caribe Carnaval, Sydney Fringe Festival — Don’t miss Caribe Carnaval’s cultural performances at the Sydney Fringe Festival.

Whatever your poison, whether it’s comedy, theatre, music, visual arts, burlesque or any other form of artistic self-expression, there’s a performance with your name on it as envelopes are pushed into other stratospheres everywhere you look.

the circus show at Sydney Fringe Festival — Witness heart-stopping acts at the Circus Show. (Image: Mali Cohen)

15. Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival

Soak up a picture-perfect slice of Japan right here in Sydney’s Auburn Botanic Gardens. The Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival is a ridiculously photogenic Sydney event that attracts nature lovers every August when the wonderous plant species bloom in full force.

cherry blossoms in full bloom for Spring at the AuburnBotanic Gardens, Sydney — See Cherry Blossoms in full bloom at Auburn Botanic Gardens. (Image: Destination NSW)

To accompany such vivid beauty, Japanese food stalls and traditional theatrical and musical performances are staged. It’s the closest you’ll get to Mount Yoshino’s famed pink flora without forking out for a plane ticket.

the Cherry Blossom Festival inAuburn Botanic Gardens, Sydney — Experience a taste of Japan in Sydney. (Image: Destination NSW)

Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.

Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.

From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.

vegetables in a basket at Bells Garden at Bells At Killcare — From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)

Central Coast oyster experiences

From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.

But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast , however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.

Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours . Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.

guests in the water for an experience at Sydney Oyster Farm - Central Coast food — Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)

Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed . Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.

shucking oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)

Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit

While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.

Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.

Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s .

If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.

woman picking oranges at Oranges at Dooralong — Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)

Organic dining

What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.

The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.

Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics . Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.

farmers holding fresh produce picked at Fanelli Organics — See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.

Paddock-to-plate dining

High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.

Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.

woman writing in notebook next to a table of food at Saddles, Central Coast food — Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)

Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare . One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.

Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.

cocktail at Bells At Killcare — Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)

Plan your next visit to the delicious Central Coast.

15 annual Sydney events not to be missed