What's On in Sydney: Your Ultimate Guide for September & Beyond
Here's what's on in Sydney this month.
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.
What's On in Sydney: Eat & Drink
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
What's On in Sydney: Fun
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
What's On in Sydney: Arts & Culture
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
What's On in Sydney: Wellness
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
What's On in Sydney: Get Outside
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!
What's On in Sydney: Road Trip
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.
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