The question of meaning has long shaped the human condition, at once a source of existential anxiety and a catalyst for some of the world’s most powerful artistic expression. For some, purpose is not pursued but inherited – something life quietly unfolds in its own time, revealing itself only in hindsight. For others, it is a relentless obsession, a restlessness that has driven monks, scholars and countless others towards faith, philosophy and protest in the hope of naming and securing it. Whatever the path, one thing remains certain: purpose is a question that sits within all of us.
Sydney Theatre Company has built a reputation for championing African American voices, staging landmark works by writers such as August Wilson (Fences, 2023) and Lorraine Hansberry (A Raisin in the Sun, 2022). While those productions connected Australian audiences with enduring American classics, Purpose offers a voice unmistakably of the present, one grappling with the complexity of living in a world that is hyper-aware of itself.
The play premiered on Broadway in the 2024-25 season, winning the 2025 Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It's rare for Australian audiences to encounter work with such immediacy; more often, international successes arrive years after their debut. Its programming signals that new artistic director Mitchell Butel may be shaping a tenure characterised by currency. At a moment when conversations around race, human rights, identity, politics...
From Valentine’s Day to Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras, there is so much going on in Sydney this February. Let’s get into it!
Thinking about booking a romantic date this February 14? Our guide to Sydney’s best restaurants should help. Or, if you want something more casual but still vibey, check out Sydney’s best wine bars and bars.
Sydney Mardi Gras returns from February 13 to March 1, 2026, and this year’s theme is ‘Ecstatica’. Fair Day will be held on Sunday, February 15 in Victoria Park, with the annual Parade held on Saturday, February 28. The 2026 festival program features more than 80 events across 20 jam-packed, glittery days.
Giddy up! February 17, 2026, marks the beginning of Lunar New Year and the Year of the Horse, following the Year of the Snake. It’s all about energy, passion, independence and change. There are celebrations being held all over Sydney, from the Haymarket street festival (February 14) to jet-pack shows, lion dances, dragon boat races, and Lunar feasts held at Darling Harbour (February 17-March 1). Celebrate with a feast at one of Sydney’s best Chinese restaurants.
Music-wise, February is a biggie, with Ed Sheeran, Lorde, One Republic, Good Charlotte and Bad Bunny all playing in Sydney. Missed out on a ticket? Check out our guide to Sydney’s best bars with live music and best clubs.
Make the most of the air con at a fab exhibition. Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under the Mat and Ron Mueck: Encounter – both showing at the AGNSW – are my picks.
Plus, enjoy the last month of summer and check out Sydney's best outdoor cinemas, walks and beaches.
Keen to get out of town? These are the best camping sites close to the city, and these are our favourite spots for a weekend getaway.
