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Photograph: Rebecca Hegadus | Time Out Sydney
Photograph: Rebecca Hegadus | Time Out Sydney

Things to do in Sydney this week

Wondering what to do across Sydney? Our list will guide you in the right direction

Avril Treasure
Written by Avril Treasure
Editor, Time Out Sydney
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Hello! Welcome to your weekly wrap of what’s on.

Somehow it's the last week of summer. Squeeze in a few dips at Sydney’s best beaches, get your sweat on with a pretty bushwalk, or pack drinks and snacks and throw out a rug at one of our fave picnic spots.

Keen to make a new friend? Sydney’s first friendship festival is going down this Wednesday, February 25, from 4-10pm, and it sounds pretty cool. More than 1,000 people are expected to hang out across 50 venues citywide to expand their social world. Meet people from all walks of life – including those who’ve just moved here – enjoy some tasty eats and drinks, head home with a great story and hopefully some new connections. What have you got to lose? Find out more here.

Got your outfit sorted? The Mardi Gras Parade will return to Oxford Street this Saturday, February 28, for its 48th year. The annual march will be kicked off by the famous Dykes on Bikes, making way for more than 12,000 marchers and 200 floats, with thousands of spectators expected to get among the sparkly action. This year’s theme is Ecstatica – “a collision of glamour, grit, and raw joy” – focusing on unity and pride. Check out our guide to where to party here.

The new Sydney Fish Market is throwing a series of sunset gigs featuring live music, fresh seafood and cold drinks, from 5-8pm. Come on down this Saturday, February 28, for an indie pop dreams session – and it’s free

Sydney is alive with fun late-night eats right now too, with Lakemba Nights here to help you break the fast from February 19 until March 15, and Lunar New Year celebrations still going down across the city. 

Broadway’s award-winning show Purpose has been brought to life by Sydney Theatre Company. It’s about a powerful African American family, and how it’s thrown into chaos when its estranged youngest son returns home with an uninvited guest. Oprah Winfrey said it’s “brilliant and funny and serious and complex and powerful” – and our reviewer gave it five stars. Get a ticket here, and you can explore our full guide to all the shows on in Sydney here.

For a culture hit, check out two fabulous exhibitions at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. First up is Mike Hewson’s The Key’s Under the Mat, a giant interactive playground for the young (and young at heart). It’s free – bring your swimmers. Next up is Ron Mueck’s Encounter – a stunning sculptural exploration of the human condition.

Booking a catch-up? Sydney's best restaurants and best new restaurants are a good place to start. Or, head to one of Sydney's best bars.

Scroll on for our full list of the best things to do in Sydney this week.


Mapping out your weekend? These are the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.

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

The best things to do in Sydney

New Wave Concert Series

  • Music
  • Ultimo
New Wave Concert Series
New Wave Concert Series
Photograph: Supplied
Sydney’s fave foodie playground is about to step up its entertainment offering. The new Sydney Fish Market’s New Wave Concert Series kicks off this Feb, transforming the architecturally impressive foodie mecca into a harbourside stage for three golden-hour Saturdays. From 5pm-8pm for the next three Saturdays, visitors can pair fresh seafood with live performances from some of Australia’s brightest emerging talent. The best news? It’s completely free – meaning more cash left over for sashimi.RELATED READ: These are our fave waterfront restaurants in the city Across the three-night series, we can expect a mix of genres: February 21 brings big country-folk energy, February 28 leans into indie dream-pop, and the March 7 line-up will feature a fusion of R&B, jazz and indie pop. Headliners include powerhouse rock duo Big Wheels, disco-funk faves Bread Club, and indie-pop angel Yorke. Each gig will be steered by Ifeoma (Ify) Peace Obiegbu, the South West Sydney-based creative, poet and storyteller with a knack for making every mic moment feel electric (you might know her from her stint as host of FBi’s Up For It!, where she spent two years championing local talent).If you ask us, it’s the perfect excuse to eat oysters in the open air and people-watch as the sun drops over Blackwattle Bay. As you’d expect, there’s no need to book or register – just rock up with an appetite between 5 and 8pm.RELATED READ: These are our fave things to eat at the new Sydney Fish Market Stay in the...

Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance

  • Things to do
  • Sydney
Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance
Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance
Photograph: Supplied
The Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance is back for its eighth year, bringing rare, classic and ultra-luxury vehicles to the Southern Hemisphere’s most glamorous automotive showcase. To celebrate its return, organisers are adding a brand-new (and completely free) opening event to the program. On February 26, head to Bennelong Lawn for a sneak peek at 30 of the world’s finest cars, set against the sparkling backdrop of Sydney Harbour. Drop by between 10am and 12pm to admire the display, then catch the cars as they depart in convoy over the Harbour Bridge at 1pm en route to Cockatoo Island, where the main event runs from February 27 to March 1. Want more than just a preview? Time Out readers can score 20 per cent off tickets to the three-day event on Cockatoo Island by using the code 6XP6K6X2 at checkout. Across the weekend, expect everything from vintage classics to cutting-edge supercars and hypercars, plus the latest in energy-efficient vehicles. There’s also a curated wine and cheese experience each day, and on the final day an international panel of experts will crown the prestigious Best in Show. To secure your discounted tickets, head here. 
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Lakemba Nights

  • Things to do
  • Food and drink
  • Lakemba
Lakemba Nights
Lakemba Nights
Photograph: Supplied
For people of Islamic faith, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this time, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. But once the sun sets, iftar begins – a fast-breaking feast that runs late into the night, bringing family and friends together to enjoy an array of rich treats and moreish morsels. To coincide with this time of year, Sydney’s popular month-long celebration Lakemba Nights is back, running every Thursday to Sunday from February 19 to March 15, 2026. RELATED READ: The 5 must-try dishes at Sydney's Lakemba Nights Ramadan markets. What time does Lakemba Nights during Ramadan open and close? From 6pm until 2am, Thursday through to Sunday, more than 60 local businesses will transform Lakemba’s Haldon Street into a vibrant, global food bazaar with traditional cuisine from Indonesia, Burma, Pakistan, India, Lebanon, the Cocos Islands, Syria and more. Time Out tip: We recommend getting there early, around 6pm, and making a beeline straight for the busiest stalls (they're the ones with fences up for lines!). It’s not only Sydney’s Muslim communities that comes together during Lakemba Nights – people of all backgrounds are welcome to flock to sample the fare of pop-up kitchens and food trucks lining Haldon Street. What started as a single street barbecue back in 2012 has grown into what many consider one of Australia's best places to celebrate the ancient tradition, with the event from previous years drawing in more than one million people across the...

Pandora and Bridgerton QVB Pop-Up

  • Shopping
  • Sydney
Pandora and Bridgerton QVB Pop-Up
Pandora and Bridgerton QVB Pop-Up
Photograph: Supplied | Pandora
Dear gentle readers, if you’ve ever imagined being Her Majesty Queen Charlotte’s diamond of the season, then here’s your chance. While a trip back to Regency-era London isn’t on the cards, Pandora is set to bring the world of Bridgerton to life with an immersive pop-up at Queen Victoria Building from February 3 to March 8. Alongside the pop-up comes a swoon-worthy 14-piece collection inspired by the Netflix hit series, giving fans the chance to take a little piece of finery home – and you might even spot your new jewellery in the hotly anticipated fourth season, of which the first part lands in late January.  Drawing on the lavish universe of Shonda Rhimes’ period romp, the Pandora and Bridgerton Rules to Love By collection reimagines classic Regency-era jewellery through a modern lens. Crafted in 100 per cent recycled sterling silver and 14k gold plating, the range will feature pearls, bows and crystal accents in pastel shades, including lilac wisteria (a Bridgerton staple). There’ll be everything from ear climbers to necklaces, adorned with hand-finished flowers that nod to the secret love messages of Regency romance.  Watch the Pandora QVB space transform to a salon gorgeous enought to make all the ladies of the ton jealous. The QVB's romantic architecture is already a step back in time, but now the Pandora store will be adorned with wisteria wallpaper and flourishing wall mouldings. Don't miss the regal ceiling-to-floor drapery that's perfect to snap a pic in front...
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Ovata Sundays at Arturo’s Rooftop

  • Things to do
  • Food and drink
  • Woolloomooloo
Ovata Sundays at Arturo’s Rooftop
Ovata Sundays at Arturo’s Rooftop
Photograph: Supplied | Oakridge
Make your next Sunday session sparkle with a brunch that screams summer. Taking place on the rooftop of the gorgeously decked out Woolly Bay Hotel, Ovata Sundays promises a whole heap of bubbles and banging tunes.  While you’d be hard pressed to find a decent all-inclusive brunch in Sydney for less than $100, let alone less than $80 – Ovata Sundays delivers on value and good vibes. For just $75, you’ll score a dedicated spritz menu (including a citrusy number and a classic Hugo spritz), Ovata sparkling wine (including the newly launched Ovata by Oakridge Sparkling Rosé) and fresh canapés for an hour and a half – all while a DJ is mixing it up on the decks from 3pm to 5pm.  For nibbling on, there will be pork san choy bow, wagyu sandos, citrus-cured salmon bites and jamon croquettes – don’t mind if we do. If you’re feeling a bit more peckish there are other deliciously paired items you can add-on like South Coast rock oysters and tempura Yamba prawns. Plus, if you like what you’re drinking, you can score special deals on glasses and bottles of Ovata by Oakridge wine on the day.  Rather a mid-week bevvy? Arturo’s is putting on spritz specials from 4.30pm to 5.30pm on Wednesdays to Sundays. Get the crew together for Ovata Sundays on Arturo’s Rooftop from February 15 to April 19 (excluding March 29). Seatings are $75pp – bookable on the hour from midday – and you can lock yours in here.
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Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under the Mat

  • Things to do
  • Exhibitions
  • Sydney
Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under the Mat
Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under the Mat
Art Gallery of New South Wales | Mim Stirling
If you've ever wondered what would happen if a kid's drawing of their wildest dream utopia suddenly came off the page and into real life, you're in luck, because that's pretty much what's happening right now beneath the Art Gallery of NSW.  Artist and professional disruptor Mike Hewson has taken over the weird subterranean world of The Tank with his one-of-a-kind new exhibition, Mike Hewson: The Key's Under the Mat, where for the first time ever, all the main lights in the normally pitch-dark Tank will be switched on, revealing a weird wonderland of interactive art pieces and play equipment that have to be seen to be believed. We're talking: A steam room with stained glass windows that you can actually sit in, a functioning sauna with bespoke church pews, five actual operating public barbeques that you can cook on, rushing water to play in (seriously, bring your swimmers), a working laundry,  and a free-to-use recording studio, plus a whole plethora of bright and delightful surprises that are all about getting community together, to do cool stuff, for free. Basically, break your imagination and delete all adult expectations. This is unlike anything we've ever seen.  Kids who aren't afraid of some risk are also one of Hewson's big targets with this show (although parents, rest easy, the floor is specially made out of recycled soft rubber that's rated for use in public playgrounds), with the space also home to a wild children's playground. Intrepid kidlets can test their...
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Twilight at Taronga

  • Music
  • Music festivals
  • Mosman
  • Recommended
Twilight at Taronga
Twilight at Taronga
Photograph: Supplied
The Twilight at Taronga 2026 Summer Concert Series ticks off a hefty amount of Sydney summer ideals – harbour views at dusk, alfresco live music and a zoo-fringed lawn to sprawl out on with shared treats and mates. Add in a diverse line-up of top Aussie artists, and you've got yourself a pretty great way to spend a waterfront sunset.  Running over five back-to-back weekends from February 6 to March 7, Twilight at Taronga will complement the growls, roars and hisses of the menagerie with old-time faves and newer artists. Things kick off on February 6 with indie folk-rock band The Paper Kites, followed by every toddler's favourite Emma Memma who's performing for 'Lil’ Twilight' – a special morning shows at 10am on February 7. February 20-22 is all about performances by singer, songwriter, musician and multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd. Other drawcards include Sons of the East, Vera Blue, The Reubens, Dope Lemon and more, ending with Bjorn Again on March 7 (yep, it's sold out already).  What's more, every ticket purchased before Christmas will go into the draw to win an overnight stay at Taronga Zoo’s Roar and Snore for two, valued at $800.  Every ticket does more than give you a fun night out – it helps protect Australia’s precious wildlife. By attending Twilight at Taronga, you’re supporting the Wildlife Veterinary Teaching Hospital that provides care for thousands of animals. Ticket prices start at $79 for adults, and you can add on optional extras like picnic rugs,...
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Gatsby at the Green Light

  • Circuses
  • Sydney
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
Gatsby at the Green Light
Gatsby at the Green Light
Photograph: Supplied | Daniel Boud
Jay Gatsby invites you into the decadent world of The Green Light, nestled inside The Studio theatre of the Sydney Opera House, where the roaring '20s is reborn for an evening of decadence, debauchery and delight. Gatsby at the Green Light is back by popular demand and, with an extended run until March 2026, there’s clearly a demand for cabaret with a touch of elegance and plenty of grandeur.  What type of show is Gatsby at the Green Light? Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic text, The Great Gatsby, director Craig Ilott once more takes audiences into an exploration of the liquor-fuelled parties, yearning and lust of the illusive figure, Jay Gatsby, in an evening of professional cabaret. Ilott doesn’t so much play out the story of The Great Gatsby, but instead takes the crux of it – one of greed, love, decadence and the unreachable American Dream – to showcase some of the best talents in cabaret, aerial acrobatics, tap and circus. Set inside the fictionalised bar, The Green Light, designer Stuart Couzens creates a world that feels like you’ve stepped back into a speakeasy bar of Fitzgerald’s America. The three-tiered seating elements of Green Light mean that audiences have the choice of sitting back in the rafters and overseeing the party (much like the host himself) or the middle of the space set far enough back to see all but not be so close as to feel the intimacy of the stage.  Those who want to hear the heartbeat of the waiter-come-dancers around you, feel the heat...
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Powerhouse Materials: Paper

  • Things to do
  • Exhibitions
  • Castle Hill
Powerhouse Materials: Paper
Powerhouse Materials: Paper
Photograph: Supplied | Powerhouse Museum
In a city where culture is constantly evolving, the Powerhouse Museum has no problem keeping up. Spanning four sites – including Sydney Observatory, Powerhouse Castle Hill, the heritage-listed Powerhouse Ultimo site currently undergoing a $300-million transformation and a brand-new Powerhouse Parramatta location set to open in late 2026 – it’s officially the largest museum group in Australia. Now, Powerhouse Castle Hill is taking centre stage with its latest instalment Powerhouse Materials – a new series of exhibitions and events that showcase the Powerhouse Collection (home to more than half a million objects!) through the lens of a guest curator and a chosen material. Actor and activist, Chloe Hayden was the first to curate a colourful and quirky exhibition focused on textiles, and now Andy Griffiths is in the hot seat. The second iteration continues to embody imagination and eccentricity with Powerhouse Materials: Paper. Curated by best-selling children’s author Andy Griffiths (the mind behind the Just! and Treehouse series), this exhibition dives deep into the world of paper. From November 22 to March 8, this free exhibition features a quirky collection of paper objects from the Powerhouse Collection, ranging from the ordinary to extraordinary. Every visitor will receive a self-guided activity book packed with drawing and story prompts developed in collaboration with Griffiths – perfect for sparking young imaginations, and giving older ones a blast from the past. For...
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KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix

  • Things to do
  • Sports
  • Sydney
KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix
KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix
Photograph: Supplied
Sailing obsessives, speed demons and sunset enthusiasts, listen up. The world’s fastest sailing race – the Sail Grand Prix – is returning to the Harbour City for 2026, and this time it’s levelling up the cinematic value. For the first time in Rolex SailGP Championship history, the spectacle is going twilight – with super-fast foiling action lighting up Sydney Harbour for two adrenaline-fuelled nights on the last weekend of February.Now in its seventh consecutive year, Sydney remains SailGP’s longest-running stop – and honestly, it’s hard to imagine a better stage. Picture the world’s largest SailGP fleet ever assembled flying across the water in colourful catamarans just metres from shore, as the late summer sun melts behind the city skyline. Not sold yet on the idea of watching a boat race? I hear you – as a sailing novice and a card-carrying F1-skeptic, it took a trip to the Auckland event for me to truly understand the appeal of the KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix, but I can wholeheartedly say it’s one of the most exciting, impressive sporting events you will ever witness. One of the things that makes SailGP races so addictive is how close you can get to the action, and never more so than in Sydney. Here, racing unfolds right across the harbour, with various vantage points turning the city into a giant grandstand. The mixed-gender teams are wildly athletic, and the fact that the Aussies happen to be consistently high-achievers (winning the first three championships, and...
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