What's On in Sydney: Your Ultimate Guide for September & Beyond

As the cool days fade away, we're embracing the start of spring with visits to breezy rooftop bars and charming waterside restaurants. With Sydney buzzing with vibrant festivals and exciting events, there's no better time to explore the city.

To help you make the most of September (and beyond), we've curated the best happenings around Sydney this month.

Celebrate Spring at This High Tea With a Difference

Enjoy a gin twist on a classic high tea - a "High G&Tea", if you will - as Roku Gin pairs savoury scones and sweet treats with custom Roku Gin cocktails at Reign at The QVB. 

The special, Japanese-inspired twist on high tea to celebrate all things spring (and Roku Gin's first seasonal, limited-edition release: Roku Gin Sakura Bloom Edition) takes place on Sunday, 13 October, with a special VIP offering hosted by Roku brand ambassador James Buntin and Grandiflora founder Saskia Havekes also available, featuring an exclusive gin-tasting before the high tea begins.

All attendees will also receive a full-size bottle of the Sakura Bloom Eau De Toilette (50ml, valued at $220). This limited-edition fragrance combines Japanese distillation's craftsmanship and the artistry of floral fragrance design.

$99 per person;  $129 for the VIP offering; book your spot here

Sunday, 13th October from 2 pm 

Level 1, Queen Victoria Building

Dine at Catalina with Veuve Clicquot's New La Grande Dame Rosé 2015 

This September, Catalina Rose Bay invites you to indulge in a luxurious tribute to Veuve Clicquot’s La Grande Dame Rosé 2015, honouring female changemakers in the spirit of Madame Clicquot. Experience an exquisite pairing of this iconic champagne with a tartlet of scallop, Black River caviar, smoked celeriac, and native finger lime, crafted by Executive Chef Mark Axisa. 

$110 per person

Monday 2nd September - Monday 30th September 

Lyne Park, Rose Bay

Gin & Jazz Sundays At The Apollo

Jazz up your Sundays with The Apollo's upcoming Gin & Jazz Sundays. It doesn't get much better than a mouth-watering Greek feast with a side of live jazz and a delicious Four Pillars gin cocktail.  

$95 per person

12pm - 4pm

Sunday 29th September and Sunday 27th October

Plan a Date to This 10-day Rosé Festival at Opera Bar

Get ready for the ultimate rosé experience! The Rosé All Day Festival is back at Sydney’s Opera Bar, turning the harbourside hotspot into a pink paradise. Enjoy a trio of rosé drinks, from classic wines to creative cocktails like frozen rosé margs and the refreshing spring kiss. Nibble on rosé-themed bites like Sydney Rock oysters with rosé mignonette and strawberries and cream pavlova, sip your way into spring!

$45 per person, book your ticket here

Friday September 6 - Sunday September 15, 11.00 am until late

Opera Bar, Lower Concourse Level, Sydney Opera House

Celebrate Negroni Week with a $12 Tipple at Italian Street Kitchen 

Mark your calendars, because Negroni Week (September 16 - 22) is almost here, and to celebrate Italian Street Kitchen is putting this beloved drink in the spotlight. 

For the next few weeks, choose from FOUR Negroni flavours - think Classic, Hazelnut, Sbagliato and a Naked Non-Alcoholic version - for just $12 each. 

The perfect accompaniment to also enjoy the restaurant's new and improved pizza dough with two new flavours for just $20 each, or pair your cocktail with a cheeky (and decadent) Black Forest Tiramisu for $15. 

$12 Negronis are available until October 6, 2024.

Various Italian Street Kitchen locations

Enjoy an Exclusive Chef's Counter Experience at ESQ

If you haven't yet had the chance to pop by the QVB's 1920s-inspired dining destination ESQ, you're in for a real treat. Indulge in an unparalleled culinary journey with the newly introduced Chef's Counter experience. Seated at the intimate kitchen bar, the chef crafts a personalised dining experience that is guaranteed to tantalise all your senses as you watch your food being prepared, cooked and plated right in front of your eyes. 

The exclusive experience is available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights for between 2 and 4 people. Choose from a 5:30 PM or 7:45 PM setting and get ready to enjoy an interactive and immersive evening. 

Tuesday to Thursday, 5:30pm or 7:45pm

$120 per person

Matching wines for an additional $60 - $80 per person 

Level 2, Queen Victoria Building, 455 George Street, Sydney 

Friday Plans Sorted: 170 Grammi Launches a Truly Bottomless Lunch

Yep. We're talking unlimited carbonara pizza, antipasto, marritozi and drinks for a cool $69. You've got 90 minutes to fill your tum with a menu designed weekly by owner of 170 Grammi Luigi Esposito. There will be Aperol Spritzes, a selection of wines, beer and soft drinks on tap whilst you feast on speciality and one-off dishes. The perfect way to end the week! 

$69 for 90 minutes 

12pm to 4pm every Friday

428 Crown St, Surry Hills

Astronomy Nights at Bar Aster 

Fancy something a little different for your next date night? Bar Aster, 32 levels above the city, is offering the sweetest night out. The 'astronomy nights' series involves stargazing, paired cocktails and delicious small plates set to a backdrop of the night sky. You'll be able to peer through high-powered telescopes whilst listening to intergalactic music and being guided by astrophysicist Dr. Ángel Lopez-Sanchez.

$140 per person 

Dates throughout August 

Level 32/117 Macquarie Street 

Discover Sydney's Secret History Whilst Enjoying a Progressive Lunch in Sydney's East 

Led by Sydney Historian Elliot Lindsay, this progressive lunch is the stuff dreams are made of. You'll make your way through three of the East's finest dining establishments, Bistro Moncur, Civico 47 and Ursula's, whilst being regaled with Paddington and Woollahra's fascinating past. Each date will offer different routes with different courses, but you can look forward to the likes of Bistro Moncur’s famed Chicken Liver Pâté with seasonal chutney and brioche, Civico 47’s go-to Mafalde pasta with king prawn, bok choy and tomato, and Ursula’s delectable Chocolate soufflé with coconut crème anglaise. The perfect date!

$315 per person, bookings can be made here 

Friday 6th September, Friday 4th October and Friday 1st November 

Multiple locations

Enjoy Smooth Sips with a View at Zephyr Sky Bar 

Belvedere Vodka and Zephyr Sky Bar have teamed up to bring you the ultimate winter pop-up in celebration of Belvedere 10. This ultra-smooth 100% diamond rye vodka is a little bit lovely. Indulge in a tasting experience that includes curated Belvedere cocktails and premium snacks, including wagyu caviar, vodka-cured salmon, lobster truffle popcorn and Pacific Oysters. 

Tuesday July 16th to Saturday August 31st

Hyatt Regency, Level 12/161 Sussex Street, Sydney

Gather Your Pals for a Cause and Host a Soiree as Part of Big Blue Table 

Beyond Blue is used by over 800 Australians every day. For those not in the know, it's a service that provides free 24/7 counselling, advice and referrals for those in need.  

What can you do to get behind and support this incredible and essential service? Host a meal and invite your friends, family and colleagues to gather and have a chinwag about mental health. You can host your table anywhere and serve up whatever you fancy. All you've got to do is register your table here. Register early and you'll receive a free host kit inclusive of decorations, conversation starters and mental wellbeing topics.   

Throughout October 

Enjoy a Meal Overlooking the Lagoon at RAFI URBNSURF 

Been hanging for your chance to check out URBNSURF? Well, we've got one more reason for you to plan a visit, stat. RAFI URBNSURF have just opened their doors and it's giving elevated dining at its best. Swing by for lunch or dinner or, better yet, pop in Wednesday to Sunday between 3pm and 6pm and you can sip your way to sunset with some fab Happy Hour deals. 

15 Hill Road, Sydney Olympic Park 

Pier One Sydney x Pottery Boy 

The collab of dreams! Pier One Sydney and Pottery Boy have teamed up to elevate Pier's Glass Room experience even further. A pop-up on Pier's luxury Balcony Suites, each room has been designed in collaboration with Guy Vadas aka Pottery Boy and decked out with his bespoke ceramic pieces. Enjoy share plates and cocktails whilst kicking back with your favourite people in a private dining experience highlight or book as a romantic retreat and sleep out under the stars. You can even book a package inclusive of a pottery experience or a private guided ceramic class from Pottery Boy himself. Head over here for all the details on the pop-up suites. 

Thursday 23rd May to Sunday 29th September 

11 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay 

Catch a Movie With a View at Taronga Zoo's Harbour View Cinema

For the perfect October long weekend activity, head to Taronga Zoo's Harbour View Cinema, which is back for another year. Whether it's a springtime date night, a wholesome hang with the girls or a family-friendly activity, you can watch your favourite flick amongst the stunning grounds of Taronga Zoo with the breathtaking backdrop of the iconic Sydney Harbour. 

From Thursday 3rd October to Sunday 6th October, bring a picnic rug and enjoy a night under the stars (with 4,000 animals that call Taronga home as your companions), complete with movie snacks, sweet treats, hot food and drink -  and of course, a fan-favourite movie.

Thursday 3rd October to Sunday 6th October

Tickets from $27 (include free Zoo entry from 2pm)

Book here to ensure you don't miss out

Taronga Zoo Concert Lawn

Check Out Luna Park's Newest Attraction: LITE BRITE 

After the great success of Sonic Neon, Luna Park is once again introducing a fun new addition. The new immersive experience, LITE BRITE: Worlds of Wonder, is a 40-minute cinematic journey that will take you through three themed worlds. Illuminated by thousands of colourful lights, you'll travel through deep ocean, dinosaur-filled rainforests and straight into the future in an experience filled with wonder and delight. 

From $12.50, tickets can be booked here 

From Saturday 17th August

1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point 

Horizon of Khufu: An Immersive Expedition to Ancient Egypt 

History lovers gather up. Virtual travel experts Excurio and Egyptologist Peter Der Manuelian have teamed up to craft the ultimate immersive experience. Prepare to journey back 4500 years to the Great Pyramids of Egypt via cutting-edge tech. You'll be able to explore corridors and burial chambers as well as take a boat trip on the Nile and a sunrise flight over to Giza. 

From $27, tickets available here 

Fever Pavillion, Sydney Olympic Park 

Sydney Underground Film Festival 

Snag some culture points this September with a trip to the Sydney Underground Film Festival. There will be a little something for everyone from feature films to documentaries, all with the common goal of pushing boundaries. Hollywood melodrama Female Trouble (1974) will be kicking off the festival with the audience able to immerse themselves with scratch 'n' sniff cards which release specific scents and are designed to be used at key moments during the film. Fun! You can catch the full lineup here. 

Thursday 12th September to Sunday 15th September 

Dendy Newtown 

Make a Night of it with a themed Sister Act the Musical Dining Deal

Going to the theatre is a special occasion and it deserves to feel like one, too. Five-star Hotel Kimpton Margot's Luke's Kitchen agrees and has announced the perfect dining package, complete with themed cocktails, to get you on your way. Grab two courses for $55 or three for $65 and enjoy the very short walk over to Capitol Theatre afterwards. You'll get to select your favourite dishes from the menu that includes the likes of blessed beef bresaola, Mother Superior's mushroom ravioli and heavenly deep-fried ice-cream. Fancy upping the ante? Book a stay inclusive of dinner and ticket for two for just $400. 

From Monday 5th August (available Mondays and from Wednesday to Saturday) 

339 Pitt Street, Sydney 

Alphonse Mucha: Spirit of Art Nouveau

Opening in mid-June, Alphonse Mucha: Spirit of Art Nouveau is set to be one of the best art exhibitions in Sydney to see this year. Mucha, a pioneer of modern European art, mesmerised late 19th-century Paris with his seductive, sinuous creations, defining the essence of art nouveau.

Curated in collaboration with the Mucha Foundation in Prague and supported by Destination NSW, this exhibition unveils treasures from the Mucha Family Collection. Explore Mucha's illustrations, jewellery, and more, witnessing his enduring influence on today's art scene.

From iconic posters to his quest for 'art for the people,' Mucha's legacy unfolded throughout the years, guided by his political and spiritual fervour. 

15th June to 22nd September

Naala Badu, North Building, Lower Level 2, Art Gallery of NSW

Sun Ranch x Cedar & Salt Sauna and Pool Club Experience

Recently voted one of the World's Greatest Places to visit by TIME  magazine, Byron Bay's Sun Ranch is giving you another reason to visit this September. Relax and unwind in Cedar & Salt's wood-fired Finnish Sauna overlook the serene Byron hinterland. The saunas fit up to 8 people so grab your besties and book in for a one-hour session and ice-bath and then relax and enjoy drinks and snacks by the pool. 

$80 per person

13th - 22nd September 

17 Byron Creek Road, Coopers Shoot 

Go Whale watching 

Pack a thermos of tea and head out for a whale spotting adventure this month - it's prime time! With whale spotting ops plentiful throughout June and July, you'll have loads of chances to make your way through our edit of the best whale watching spots here. Best part? It's free! 

Soak Up Spring with This Glorious Flower Festival 

After a long winter, it's time to get in the spirit of spring, soaking up blooms, picnic bites and outdoor markets. Tulip Time 2024 is combining all of these things for its annual flower fest. Head to Corbett Gardens to view over 80 000 tulips in bloom alongside other springtime blossoms. Across the three weeks, they'll be hosting a number of dedicated special celebrations including a garden party (complete with markets), a doggo day out and the very popular tulips after dark. Here, you'll be able to enjoy the illuminated gardens whilst sipping on drinks from the bar and listening to live music. 

We recommend making a day of it and exploring the charming Southern Highlands villages as well as the open gardens hosted each weekend. 

From $14 per person, tickets available here 

Thursday 12th September to Monday 30th September 

Wingecarribee Street, Bowral

Book a Winter Escape with Bannisters by the Sea

Just because it's winter doesn't mean you can't have a magical coastal sojourn. Bannisters by the Sea is offering the perfect two-night package for anyone looking to escape the mundane. 

Wake each morning to a delicious a la carte breaky before heading down to the spa to enjoy 25% off treatments of an hour or more. You can then while away the rest of the day spotting whales, popping out for beach walks and sipping a welcome cocktail and sharing a pizza at the pool bar. You can view further details and book your stay here. 

Available Sunday to Thursday until the end of September 

Frolic in Golden Fields of Canola 

For those who love a 'gram moment or are simply keen to celebrate the arrival of spring there's never been a better time to jump in the car and take a road trip to Cowra. The Canola season starts in August and extends to October and is an absolute delight to take in. There are loads of ways to soak up these golden fields from guided bus tours and sunset tours to balloon flights and even a twilight dinner in the canola. Sound like a bit of you? Head over here for more details. 

Make a Weekend of it at Floriade 

Spring is just around the corner which means Canberra's annual Floriade festival is too. Make a weekend of it and head down to the capital to celebrate the change in season. There's plenty to do with entertainment, celebrations, food, wine, workshops and market stalls onsite, on top of the incredible displays of florals. It's running for a full month so there's no excuses if you miss it! You can catch the full program here. 

Free

Saturday 14th September to Sunday 13th October, 9:30am to 5:30pm daily 

Commonwealth Park 

Looking for more fun things to do in Sydney? We have plenty to keep you entertained. From Sydney's best new degustation menus and best bottomless brunches to the best Mexican restaurants in town and where to go for a dreamy Sydney staycation, here's all you need for a weekend in the city. 

Our Sitchu editors work hard to deliver you the best products, events and venues that we hope you will love, each one is selected independently. Sitchu may receive an affiliate commission when you follow some links.