All the best things to do at Barangaroo this summer

Make the most of those long summer nights with refreshing drinks, snacks and tunes on the water’s edge every Thursday to Saturday evening until January 20. Get the best seat in the house to watch the sun sink below the horizon of Watermans Cove on the top level of the Sunset Sessions double-decker pop-up bar. You can also kick back in style with deck chairs on the terrace or make new friends at shared picnic tables, while enjoying your go-to Aperol Spritz or drink of choice. Turn your tipple into a full-blown picnic with Louisiana-inspired snacks from Nola Smokehouse and Bar. Your night will be complete with a rotating line-up of Vintage Stylus DJs mixing your favourite summer tunes with their extensive collection of vinyl records from 4-9.30pm.

With its super-clear turquoise waters, chunky slabs of sandstone to sunbake on, and glorious views of the Harbour Bridge, Marrinawi Cove somehow manages to blend every part of Sydney that we love in one, special place. To celebrate summer, this hidden swimming hole in Barangaroo will burst to life every Saturday in January with the harmonious sounds of live acoustic music. You can enjoy the tunes from noon to 3pm, along with a refreshing scoop from the legends at Gelato Messina.

There’s no better way to enjoy a Sydney summer than by parking yourself in the garden for a peaceful picnic. And Barangaroo’s lush, grassy lawns overlooking the sparkling harbour all but beckon your picnic blanket. Bring your own snacks and drinks (alcohol is permitted in the reserve), or curate a spread with your favourite treats from local cafés and restaurants across the Streets of Barangaroo and Crown Sydney.

Immerse yourself in the Indigenous history of Warrane (Sydney Harbour) with Aboriginal Cultural Tours. A team of Aboriginal educators will guide you through the spiritual, cultural and historical significance of the region, shaped by the world’s oldest living culture. This 90-minute tour runs every Monday to Saturday at 10.30am, starting on January 15 and tickets range from $16.50-$36.30. You can also embark on a lunchtime Barangaroo Art Tour, where you’ll discover the stories behind some of Barangaroo’s stunning public art. This tour runs every Tuesday and Friday from 1-2pm, starting in Scotch Row. You can get tickets from $16.50-$36.30 here.

Welcome the day on January 26 at the WugulOra Morning Ceremony with a smoking ceremony, the national anthem in both English and Eora, and performances from dancers and singers. Hosted on the Walumil Lawns at Barangaroo Reserve every year, this ceremony is a reminder that Aboriginal people are the foundation of Australia’s story and caretakers of the world's oldest continuous living culture. Everyone is invited to attend the WugulOra Morning Ceremony at 7.30am, free of charge.

Catch a flick under the stars in a cosy outdoor bed at Sydney’s hottest summer cinema. This summer, Mov’in Bed has transformed Barangaroo’s Harbour Park into a city beach, with 150 cloud-like queen-size beds and a giant 15-metre-long screen (the largest outdoor cinema screen in Australia). Sessions will run every Wednesday to Sunday night until April 14, featuring new release films and classic hits like Wonka, Barbie and Anyone But You. For a full summer showdown, get popcorn, pizza, and fish and chips delivered straight to your bed. And if you get thirsty during the film, head to the beach bar for coconuts, wine, Champagne, beer and soft drinks.

If you’ve ever wanted to submerge yourself in another (considerably more frightening) world of turbulent flights and ghostly séances, look no further. The terrifyingly brilliant alt-universe of Darkfield has made a grandiose return to Sydney with four multi-sensory theatrical experiences inside converted shipping containers down at Barangaroo’s Harbour Park. A record-breaking 32,000 people flocked to the sell-out season of Darkfield's Séance and Flight earlier this year. So, a comeback made sense, this time with two more wild new experiences – Coma and Euology. You only have until January 21 to check them out.

If you’ve already started crafting your summer bucket list, be sure to reserve a special spot for Sydney Festival 2024. This year’s massive cultural celebration is bringing two amazing and free activations to Barangaroo from January 5-28. The Vigil (January 25 at 8.30pm) has been part of Sydney Festival for six years now, and in 2024 a new generation of First Nations artists will take centre stage at this powerful platform for truth-telling and hope. While on the waterfront, you can also check out Māori artist Lisa Reihana’s majestic Te Wheke-a-Muturangi: The Adversary – a giant female octopus made from more than 1,000 pieces and inspired by a tale from Māori mythology.