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Six the Musical cast on stage
Photograph: Getty Images | James D. Morgan | Six the Musical
Photograph: Getty Images | James D. Morgan

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.

After stellar reviews and sold-out shows in Melbourne, global smash-hit musical Six the Musical lands in Sydney this week, opening at Theatre Royal on Wednesday, October 14. The award-winning musical reimagines the six wives of Henry VIII as pop stars in an electrifying 80-minute pop concert.

Head to the Art Gallery of NSW this week to see Nolan: Origins, a blockbuster retrospective celebrating one of Australia’s most iconic artists. With more than 150 works on show, including all 27 paintings from his legendary Ned Kelly series, it’s a must for art lovers. Plus, every Wednesday night, the AGNSW stays open late for Art After Hours, with free after-hours access to exhibitions, plus guided tours, drinks, dinner, films, talks and more.

Some of the world’s most extraordinary nature photography is on display in Sydney, from a sawfish and sea turtle encounter to dramatic wildlife and otherworldly landscapes. The 2026 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition showcases the best images from more than 2,000 entries from around the world – it's on now at the Australian Museum, and it's free.

If you'd like to learn more about Chinese mythology, head to Chippendale's White Rabbit Gallery and see its new exhibition, Black Myth.

Need a laugh? The Comedy Store in Moore Park has been Sydney’s go-to spot for belly laughs since 1981, with affordable shows every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Plus, check out the best shows to see in Sydney this month here.

Acclaimed First Nations artist Tony Albert has opened his largest-ever solo exhibition at the MCA. Tony Albert: Not a Souvenir explores the stereotyping and commodification of Aboriginal culture while celebrating survival, resilience and pride. Alongside the exhibition, Albert and the MCA have launched the Aboriginalia Appeal, encouraging Australians to donate mass-produced souvenirs that reduce Aboriginal culture to stereotypes.

Hungry? Burwood Chinatown Night Market runs Thursday to Sunday from 5-10pm, and it's always a delicious, fun time.

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

Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

  • Things to do
  • Exhibitions
  • Darlinghurst
Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Photograph: © Georgina Steytler
A sawfish swimming alongside a sea turtle in the Pilbara. Royal penguins stopped in their tracks by an enormous elephant seal. A Tassie devil fighting for survival. A whimbrel racing an incoming wave with a freshly caught crab in its beak. Flame-like patterns formed by the tides across a Western Australian sandbank. It’s true what they say: a picture definitely does speak a thousand words. Opening at the Australian Museum on September 12, the 2026 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition brings you face-to-face with some of the most extraordinary moments in the natural world. From wildlife encounters to otherworldly landscapes, these photographs offer a rare glimpse into the beauty and fragility of nature in our region. This free exhibition, produced by the South Australian Museum, showcases the finest images selected from 2,129 entries by 501 photographers across 17 countries. Spanning Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea, the photographs take in everything from critically endangered species and dramatic animal encounters to patterns and textures of the natural landscape. Western Australian photographer Matt Deakin has been named the 2026 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year for Ethereal Encounter. His mesmerising aerial photograph captures a critically endangered green sawfish moving towards a group of green turtles in the shallow waters of the Pilbara. Shot in the last light of the day, the milky water gives the...

A Room with a View

  • Surry Hills
A Room with a View
A Room with a View
Photograph: Supplied | Belvoir St Theatre
If you’ve ever felt the push and pull between expectation versus opportunity, then you should nab tickets to the upcoming Belvoir St Theatre takeover, A Room with a View. This stage adaptation of E.M. Forster’s timeless story is heading to the Surry Hills theatre for a month-long stay from next month, and promises a refreshed take of the original work.   In a production boasting a female-led creative team and an exciting cast, expect a modernised take on Lucy’s whirlwind journey as she navigates romance, hope and challenging social norms.  From Saturday, October 3 ’til Sunday, November 1, this book-to-stage adaptation will grace the cosy upstairs space of Surry Hills haunt, with evening sessions running from Tuesday to Sunday each week. You’ll still be met with all the best elements of the original, including the familiar Edwardian era charm and light comedic streaks. But this time, it’s contemporising the narrative that grapples with femininity, societal pressure, freedom and choosing self-expression – themes that still feel pertinent.  Co-produced with Melbourne Theatre Company, this reimagining of E.M. Forster’s classic by rising playwright and Aussie homegrown talent, Grace Chapple (Never Closer), has Hannah Goodwin (Never Closer, The Wrong Gods) directing and will feature Nathalie Morris (Bump), as Lucy Honeychurch. With tickets from $58, you can delve deep into Lucy’s experiences with womanhood, and the expectations that are attached to it, as she travels from her...
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DigiPark

  • Things to do
  • Sydney
DigiPark
DigiPark
Photograph: Supplied
Sydney’s immersive art scene is on the up and up, with Balloon Story, Museum of Illusions and Mike Hewson’s The Key’s Under the Mat all alive and kicking in the Harbour City. Now, there’s more. Landing right in the middle of the CBD, DigiPark is a brand-new digital playground that blends science, art, education and entertainment into one futuristic, all-ages experience. Fresh from huge success across Asia, this is the first DigiPark to open in Australia, bringing 19 interactive attractions to Level 5 of Westfield Sydney, just steps from the centre’s ever-busy food precinct. Highlights include the Space & Time Cube, a trippy 3D holographic tunnel that pulls you into a swirling world of light and colour, and the Orbital Cinema (7D) – a flying adventure powered by a massive 180-degree curved screen, motion seats and special effects like wind, vibration and water spray (no VR headset required). There’s also a 3D Figurine Creator Studio, where you can scan yourself and walk away as a custom mini digital avatar, plus dreamy installations like Wandering Planet, Cosmic Space and the Holographic Studio, which blur the line between reality and the virtual world. According to DigiPark’s Head of Sales and Marketing, Jacques Wong, the venue is designed to hook everyone from curious kids to culture-hungry adults – with VR, holograms, kinetic light art, digital play and 3D printing all under one roof. Open seven days a week from 10am to 10pm, DigiPark welcomes all ages (kids under 12...
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Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi

  • Art
  • Sculpture and installations
  • Bondi
Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi
Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi
Photograph: Supplied | Sculpture by the Sea
Springtime in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs is marked every year by the heady scent of jasmine lacing the air, and gridlock on the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk. The reason for the uptick in coastal walkers? Sculpture by the Sea: the world’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibition, which will light up the iconic coastal corner of the city again this spring.Sculpture by the Sea will return to the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk from October 16 to November 2, 2026, marking 30 years since the exhibition first transformed the clifftops into one of the world's most spectacular outdoor galleries. When the exhibition lands every year, more than 450,000 locals and visitors flock to the two-kilometre walk to admire dozens of large-scale sculptures by Australian and international artists, all set against the backdrop of Sydney's sparkling coastline. And the best part? It's completely free. The milestone edition will also celebrate Japanese sculptor Keizo Ushio, who is set to chalk up his 50th Sculpture by the Sea exhibition after decades exhibiting in Bondi, Cottesloe and Denmark. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time devotee, we reckon it will be worth braving the crowds to check out this year’s display.  Looking for somewhere special for lunch post-browse? Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Bondi, or keep walking along the coastpath to Bronte for a very special meal at neighbourhood fave, Table Manners. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney...
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Monty Python's Spamalot

  • Musicals
  • Darling Harbour
Monty Python's Spamalot
Monty Python's Spamalot
Eugene Hyland
Ever since Graham Chapman galloped across the silver screen as King Arthur (with the help of one trusty sidekick and an even trustier coconut) the world has loved Monty Python and the Holy Grail. In 2004, original Python Eric Idle turned the show into a glittering stage musical called Spamalot and the rest, as they say, is history. With three Tony Awards in its saddlebag and global fans made among lovers of classic Python and musical theatre alike, this particular production originated with a sell-out season this year at Planet Royale in Perth. Now, it's galloping into NSW for a limited Sydney season. This time it features the likes of legendary Aussie actor and comedian Stephen Curry (The Castle) as King Arthur and celebrated theatre star Marney MacQueen as the Lady of the Lake. You'll find its first stop at Pyrmont's Sydney Event Centre from October 15-18, before it gallops to Rooty Hill's Coliseum Theatre from October 22-25. Expect plenty of love for the all-time comedic chops of Monty Python and The Holy Grail, reinforced by squires packing coconut shells and sight gags, as well as big Broadway numbers and a bunch of (non-threatening) audience participation. On second thought... let's not go to Camelot... It's a silly place.  You can get tickets for Monty Python's Spamalot here for the Sydney Event Centre (Oct 15-18) and here for Rooty Hill's Coliseum Theatre (Oct 22-25).
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The Lion King

  • Musicals
  • Haymarket
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
The Lion King
The Lion King
Photograph: Daniel Boud
The opening note of ‘The Circle of Life’ may just be one of the most recognisable in a Disney musical. If you don’t agree, then you may have to convince the entire theatre-going audience who were at Disney’s The Lion King on opening night. The full house’s roars could be heard all the way out of the Capitol Theatre’s front doors as the king of musicals triumphantly returns to Sydney – the first time in more than a decade. What type of show is The Lion King? It’s called The King of Musicals for a reason. If it’s not Elton John’s iconically recognisable music, or Tim Rice’s lyrics you’ve sung over a late-night karaoke session, then its Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi’s book featuring the characters you love, the characters you hate, and the ones you undoubtedly cry over – tears were definitely still shed during that scene. What’s so beautiful about The Lion King is the blurring of worlds and culture that merges in between all of these. Julie Taymor’s directorial conception blends African culture, language, movement and costume underneath masks and puppetry of the animal characters. Mufasa’s “crown” is a stoic, strong and towering headdress. The elegant lionesses soar and leap through the sky through Garth Fagan’s choreography as wing-like gowns flow behind them. The animals of Pride Rock are adorned with larger-than-life puppets of intricate designs and architecture: a re-engineered bicycle becomes leaping antelope, birds fly above the crowd on poles manipulated by performers,...
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Art After Hours

  • Art
  • Paintings
  • Sydney
Art After Hours
Art After Hours
Every Wednesday evening, the Art Gallery of NSW welcomes you into its hallowed halls and throws the ultimate in absolutely free mid-week social and cultural events. Until 10pm, Art After Hours offers a regular program of live music, lectures and celebrity talks, drawing workshops, film screenings, gallery tours and other events – and, of course, nocturnal access to its latest exhibitions.  The program is usually themed around the exhibitions currently showing at the gallery, and you can join guided tours around the gallery at 5.30pm – it's free and no booking is required. Plus, a free courtesy bus runs every 20 minutes from 7pm until closing from the gallery to various city locations that are all close to public transport – so, no matter where you need to go, they have you covered.  Head to Art After Hours to jazz up your Wednesday night, and to inject a liberal splash of arty delight into your week, and your life.  Want more high culture? Check out our list of the best art exhibitions on across Sydney right now.

Housework

  • Drama
  • Sydney
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
Housework
Housework
Photograph: Prudence Upton
We all know that politics is a greasy machine where idealism goes to die. A hot new frontrunner for a local electorate seat can hold the bright-eyed hope of youth, while a hard-edged minister eroded by the gravity of office just wants to get the day done so they can head to the nearest bar.  Emily Steel’s Housework aims high, wanting to cover the vast range of staffers of every rank who keep our democracy running – from hopeful interns through to the highest seat in office. Where she lands is often predictable and all-too-familiar territory. The result is an Australian version of House of Cards, but with a lot less blood and a lot more pastries. What is the plot of Housework? First-term MP of a marginal seat in Sydney, Ruth Mandour (Susie Youssef), won her campaign on first-hand experience and relatable candour as a nurse during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, her hard-working Chief of Staff Anna (Emily Taheny) is the real backbone of the successful campaign. With Media Advisor Ben (Laurence Boxhall) and the preppy new junior staffer Kelly (Franca Lafosse) rounding out her team, their task is to keep the energy from Ruth’s win all the way through to the nation’s capital. After a negative Covid test sees Ben replaced by Kelly on a trip to Canberra, Anna uses her previous – possibly intimate – relationship with the Minister for Science, Paul (Johnny Nasser) to help get Ruth’s women’s health bill to cabinet. But Paul’s eyes linger elsewhere as an all-too-familiar scandal...
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The Comedy Store

  • Things to do
  • Moore Park
The Comedy Store
The Comedy Store
Photograph: Supplied/The Comedy Store
The Comedy Store in Moore Park has been Sydney’s go-to spot for belly laughs since 1981. Venture inside and watch the stage come alive with top-notch talent with comedic timing – think homegrown favourites, international stars, rising newcomers and the occasional surprise guest. The Comedy Store Showcases run Thursday through Saturday, packing in 90 minutes of back-to-back stand-up with plenty of comedians on the bill. In fact, you can even catch The Saturday Late Show at 8.30pm if you prefer a later line-up. No two nights are the same, but each one guarantees tons of chuckles with new acts added constantly. RELATED READ: Make Tuesdays more fun with this affordable comedy show in the Inner West, featuring a rotating line-up of cracking comedians – plus, you get a free drink. The calendar is also dotted with solo shows and special events, from household names debuting their latest routine to the next big comedian testing out fresh material. What’s more, all tickets come with an alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverage. Still feeling thirsty? Get more drinks and nibbles at the Lounge Bar that keeps cocktails, cold beers and wine flowing with tasty antipasti also on offer. They even have table service, so you’ll never miss a punchline. It’s true what they say: laughter really is the best medicine, so gather your mates and go. Find out more and book your tickets here. Weather not looking so hot? Check out our list of the best things to do indoors in Sydney. Looking for weekday...

Nolan: Origins

  • Art
  • Sydney
Nolan: Origins
Nolan: Origins
Photograph: Supplied | Art Gallery of NSW
It’s been a big twelve months for Sydney on the art front – with the 25th Biennale of Sydney being named the best exhibition in the world worth travelling for, the beloved Brett Whiteley Studio re-opening in Surry Hills, and Mike Hewson’s Key’s Under the Mat changing the way we think about galleries. Mercifully, we’re not stopping there. This spring, one of Australia’s most celebrated artists is getting the blockbuster retrospective treatment that only the Art Gallery of NSW can offer, with Nolan: Origins landing this spring, exploring the formative years of Sidney Nolan’s career. Bringing together more than 150 works from public and private collections, the exhibition traces the period from the late 1930s to Nolan’s departure for the UK in 1953 – the years in which he developed the bold, distinctive style that would help redefine Australian art. According to the gallery, the major drawcard is Nolan’s iconic Ned Kelly series, with all 27 paintings reunited in Sydney for the first time in more than 60 years. The series sees the bushranger transformed into a mysterious, almost mythical figure, and remains one of the defining achievements of Australian art. But there’s plenty more to discover, from Nolan’s early modernist works developed at Melbourne’s Heide to his vivid paintings of the Wimmera, K’gari, outback Queensland and Central Australia. The exhibition will also explore his fascination with Australian legends, including the Burke and Wills expedition, as well as his...
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