These are the Sydney things our readers got most pumped about in 2024, according to data

Each year, Spotify delivers its Wrapped – and Time Out delivers ours. Want to know what Time Out Sydney readers got most pumped about in 2024? Jump on in, and add these top hits to your bucket lists.

Here’s the round-up of the most-read subject matters in 2024 on timeout.com/sydney, across the categories of events, restaurants, new venues, concerts and natural wonders. All these top-topic lists are based on our website traffic from this year.

In 2024, Sydneysiders were most excited about these happenings:

1. The Sydney Metro: Who knew that fresh public transport would be the most exciting thing to happen to Sydney in 2024?
2. Head On Photo Festival: This photo fest definitely got you looking.
3. Ramadan Nights: You love this festival of food, held each evening during Ramadan in Lakemba. (But did you know it's changing in 2025?)
4. Tekno Train (@ Vivid Sydney): Toot! Toot! This new addition to Vivid booked out quick.
5. Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival: This Auburn event is always one of the best things about spring in Sydney.

 These are the eateries Sydneysiders enjoyed reading about most: 

1. Saint Peter (2.0): The opening of the new iteration of Josh and Julie Niland's fish restaurant has gone swimmingly.
2. The Grounds of Alexandria: The most Instagrammed eatery in Australia is a perennial fave.
3. Prefecture 48: What's not to love about this new six-in-one Japanese precinct with four restaurants, a patisserie, and a whisky bar?
4. The Gidley: Everyone was talking about the home of Australia's best burger (and really good steak, of course).
5. Good Luck Restaurant Lounge: This new restaurant serves up main-character-energy dishes in an elegant yet nostalgic setting. 

These are the new spots that Sydneysiders were most pumped about:

1. Sofitel Sydney Wentworth: This historic Sydney hotel has only recently re-opened its doors after a $70-million makeover.
2. Savers Sydney: You were excited enough when this huge global thrift store opened its first Sydney branch in the west. Then, the brand went and opened its first Australian "thrift boutique" in inner Sydney.
3. Urbnsurf: You were stoked when Sydney opened its first artificial surf park. If you haven't checked it out yet, the start of summer is your cue. 
    

These are the 2024 Sydney concerts that got you clicking most:

1. Taylor Swift: Taylor fever hit Sydney HARD.
2. Coldplay: Later in the year, Chris Martin fever hit.
3. The Weeknd: After a false start, he finally made it to Aus.
4. Keith Urban: Remember when one of the world's most famous country stars played a free gig in Marrickville for a handful of lucky punters?
5. Fred Again: This UK producer made history this year by announcing, selling out and performing a gig at the Opera House all within a mere 24 hours.
6. SZA: Those who didn't get tickets needed S.O.S. (Sob.)

These are the natural wonders you most wanted to explore:

1. Cowra Japanese Garden: Who knew NSW has the largest Japanese garden in the Southern Hemisphere?
2. Capertree Valley canyon, Blue Mountains: And also the second-largest canyon in the whole world (it's wider than the Grand Canyon).
3. Somersby Falls, Central Coast: These stunning waterfalls reopened to the public this year after an upgrade.
4. The Farm beach, Killalea: This beaut beach got your attention when it was named second best in the whole country by Tourism Australia's official beach expert.
5. Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains: We're not surprised these are the most Instagrammed waterfalls in Australia.

Travel-wise, you wanted to check out:

1. Huskisson: This tiny south-coast town is a bit of a lesser-known gem.
2. White Cliffs Underground Motel: Fancy a trip to outback NSW?
3. Maclean: We hadn't even heard of this place until Airbnb named it NSW's best tiny town.
4. Wombeyan Caves: As of this year, it had upgrades that make this an even cooler place to visit.

Looking for cool stuff to add to your hit list in 2025? Keep these ideas handy.

Then, stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. 

Want more?

Here's our ultimate guide to the best things to do in Sydney before you die.

And the very best restaurants in Sydney right now.

Fancy some drama? Check out the best shows to see in Sydney this summer.