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What’s On in Sydney: Your Ultimate Guide for April & Beyond
Here's what's on in Sydney this month.
The arrival of April means cooler mornings, majestic sunsets and a lingering warmth in the water — the perfect weather for getting out and about. Sydney’s autumn event calendar is just as swish as the weather with plenty to see, do and eat. From markets and street parties to world-class exhibitions, this April is set to be a busy one. Read on for our edit of what’s on in Sydney this month…
What’s On in Sydney: Eat & Drink
Maybe Sammy is Hosting a Week-Long Gnocchi Bar Pop-Up
We love Maybe Sammy and we love gnocchi so this glorious collab is naturally right up our alley. During the iconic Maybe Sammy festival, Georgie Wine Bar will be serving up pillowy bowls of the good stuff. The space will be transformed into a slice of Italian New York, complete with checked tablecloths, Mutti prints and the scent of sugo. The wonderful Rosy Scatigna has developed a menu decked out with family recipes to feed one and all, including fritetelle salate — a savoury fried donut stuffed with capers, olives, sundried tomatoes and anchovies. Pair with a Limonata spritz and you’ll be feeling on top of the world.
In even more fantastic news, those keen on a quick lunch can score a bowl of gnocchi and a soft drink, wine or beer for a breezy $18!
Monday 7th April to Saturday 12th April
Corner of George and Bond Streets, Sydney
Archie Rose’s Iconic Stickybeak Festival is Back!
Obsessed with Sydney’s incredible food and drink scene? This is the festival for you. Serving up all the things we love best about our city — food, drink and music — Stickybeak‘s lineup is looking pretty swish. A great chance to sample food from some of Sydney’s favourite restaurants, you can look forward to pop-up stalls from Bessie’s, FIREPOP, Takam, Gelato Messina, Lankan Filling Station, Flora and Attenzoine! amongst others. As for drinks, all ticket holders will be treated to a complimentary tasting of Archie Rose. PS40, Baptist Street Rec Club, The Waratah, Double Deuce Lounge, Maybe Sammy and a Little Cooler will also be there serving up top-tier bevs. Live demos, talks and tunes round out the offering. Must. Not. Be. Missed.
Tickets from $24, available here
Friday 4th April to Saturday 5th April, 5pm to 10pm
The Goods Line North, Ultimo
Jump Aboard the Mini Cocktail Trend at Midtown
There’s never been a better time to make your way to this New York-inspired bar. Midtown is serving up mini cocktails throughout March for $6 a pop, so you can sip and sample your way to a new favourite drink. Think pina coladas, espresso martinis, negronis, margaritas and more. And yep, there are snacks too, also at $6! Dine on everything from kingfish to pepper berry meringues whilst indulging in complimentary popcorn, green olives and house-roasted chilli, lime and coriander peanuts.
81 Sussex Street, Sydney
Lakemba Night Markets During Ramadan
Back for another year, the exceptionally popular Lakemba Night Markets During Ramadan will be running from 27th Feb to 30th March. This sacred month during the Islamic calendar centres around fasting, prayer, reflection and community. As such, the markets will kick off when fasting ceases each day, as the sun sets. There will be over 60 stalls with all your favourites accounted for — we’re talking Arabic coffee, camel burgers, knafeh and pani puri. As parking is extremely limited, we recommend catching public transport. Arrive very, very hungry.
Every Thursday to Sunday, 6pm to 2am (From Thursday 27th Feb to Sunday 30th March)
Haldon Street, Lakemba
Things on Skins at Love, Tilly Devine
Lovers of natural wine, this one is for you. This month’s iteration of the popular Tilly Takeover series will see Dan Simmons of Grafted Wine behind the bar pouring a selection of beloved Aussie skin-contact drops. Enjoy by the glass or indulge in a flight of five for $65. You can dine on the Love, Tilly menu as per usual or tuck into a pair of seasonal snacks — golden fried potato skins topped with cashew cream, chives and chilli oil and pork crackling with Old Bones hot sauce and aioli.
Tuesday 25th March
91 Crown Lane, Sydney
Bistro Moncur’s Market Fresh Sunday Marche Menu
If your next trip to Sydney institution Bistro Moncur is long overview, let this very special Sunday menu provide you the perfect excuse to book a table. Fusing seasonal Australian ingredients withg beloved French recipes, this long lunch series involves a weekly market special menu with prices set at market value. Each week is different from the next and when a special is gone, it’s gone. Hop to it!
Sundays throughout Autumn
116A Queen Street, Woollahra
Maybe Cocktail Festival
Maybe Cocktail Festival is back with its best lineup yet, featuring seven bars from the World’s 50 Best Bars list and more international female bartenders attending than ever before. Australia’s biggest international cocktail event runs from the 7-13 April- allowing you to experience world-class cocktails all in one place! You will be able to sip on authentic margaritas from Mexico City to martinis from Manhattan without the jet lag.
Sitchu Tip: Book accommodation through Accor with promo code MAYBE to receive 15% off your booking.
$50 for two cocktail tokens, available to purchase at the door
Sunday 7th April to Sunday 13th April 2025
Various locations
Naturellement Festival
Food and drink lovers, you’ll want to plan a little Central Coast sojourn because Naturellement Festival is back for two days of celebrating the good stuff. Artisan, natural, organic and small-batch drink producers will be front and centre whilst local producers and award-winning Aussie chefs provide sustenance for one and all. Sustainability, creativity and regional identity are the name of the game so if you’re keen to support people doing good things, you’ll want to pencil this one in.
The full food program is yet to be announced but you can look forward to legends like Jake Kellie (Arkhe) and Matt Stone (Ciao Mate, You Beauty) as well as locals Nico Coccia (El Bulli), John Ralley (Textbook Patisserie) and Joshua Mason (Atelier Crenn) amongst others. Masterclasses, talks and conversations will also be part and parcel of the event.
Saturday 17th May to Sunday 18th May
Tickets from $55, available here
The Galleria, Ettalong Beach
What’s On in Sydney: Outdoor Adventure
Take a Spin on One of Sydney’s New Electric Picnic Boats
Soak up some autumn sun on an environmentally friendly picnic boat this April — no boat licence required! Set sail from The Spit in Mosman with up to seven friends, furry ones included, and a packed picnic. Sounds like the perfect day out to us!
Available from 9th April
From $149
D’Albora Marina, Mosman
What’s On in Sydney: Arts & Culture
Soak Up a Sunset Session on Cockatoo Island
Live music, an island by the water and a lovely ferry ride — summer plans don’t get better. Sunset sessions at Cockatoo Island are back and the lineup is looking rather swish. Australia’s best emerging talents will be covering off a range of genres with highlights including Youth Group’s Toby Martin and First National traditional language storyteller Maanyung. Fancy making a weekend of it? Cockatoo Island is the only island in Sydney Harbour where you can stay overnight.
$35 per person (children under 12 are free)
Every Saturday from 11th January to 5th April 2025
Astronomy at The Calyx
Join First Nations astronomer and Astrophysicist Dr Ángel Lopez -Sanchez to explore the night sky over a glass of wine. You’ll receive a 101 on everything from space volcanoes to dark energy whilst soaking up the serenity of the Botanic Gardens. You’ll also get the op to view the stars through a powerful telescope. A very wholesome way to spend the evening indeed!
From $37 per person, tickets available here
Wednesdays 2nd April and Tuesday 3rd June
The Calyx, Sydney Botanic Gardens
Sydney Streets
Thanks to the City of Sydney, Sydney Streets is back for another year, offering Sydneysiders a chance to explore different neighbourhoods whilst soaking up a festival atmosphere. Walk through closed streets, sample food and pop in to visit local businesses as you explore pop-ups, activations, live music and alfresco dining.
Redfern, Saturday 29th March
ARTEXPRESS 2025
Always a highlight of the art calendar, ARTEXPRESS is back for another year. For anyone not in the know, this annual exhibition features handpicked pieces from talented students who completed the HSC examination in Visual Arts in 2024. A selection of ceramics, drawings, graphic design pieces, photo media, sculpture and more, exploring important current issues are on display, making for a fascinating insight into the next generation of artists.
Free
Art Gallery of NSW
Cao Fei: My City is Yours
Recently voted one of the most influential artists in the world, Cao Fei’s retrospective charts the rapid urbanisation of China and the global digital revolutions of the past 20 years. Her multimedia approach — films, photography and installation — makes this exhibition an immersive experience not to be missed. You’ll move through a ‘cityscape’ that will take you from Fukoka to New York and all the way back to Sydney again.
From $30, tickets available here
Saturday 30th November 2024 to Sunday 13th April 2025
Art Gallery of NSW
Neon Playground
Celebrating Sydney’s Asian-Australian community, Neon Playground is back with three weeks of live entertainment, art and food. At the heart of the festival are the towering light installations lighting up the streets of Chinatown – showcasing the creativity of emerging Asian-Australian artists. Don’t miss out on the festival’s fun schedule of events, including street food walking tours, a family-friendly karaoke competition, film screenings at the former Marigold Chinese Restaurant and an Art Market.
Saturday 15th March to Sunday 6th April 2025
Chinatown, Haymarket
What’s On in Sydney: Social
Test Your Knowledge With Grey’s Anatomy Themed Trivia at The Sheaf
It’s a beautiful day to save lives…or rather, a great day to gather your mates and scrub in for the ultimate Grey’s Anatomy-themed trivia night.
Test your knowledge of the long-running medical drama (you better know your McDreamys from your McSteamys!) at The Golden Sheaf on Tuesday, March 25. Part of the venue’s monthly themed trivia, entry is free with drinks and bar tabs on offer for those who can rise through the ranks from intern to attending.
Pop down early to enjoy the $25 Burger and Beer special during Happy Hour, a meal that’s sure to put the cafeteria offerings at Grey Sloane Memorial Hospital to shame.
Bookings are strongly encouraged, so secure your spot here.
Tuesday 25 March, 7:30 pm
429 New South Head Road, Double Bay
Ocean Lovers Festival (Image Credits: Matias Aravena & Daniel Kukec)
Ocean Lovers Festival
The Ocean Lovers Festival is back and this year it’s going city-wide! Throughout the month of March, there will be a swathe of events for ocean lovers to attend with everything from sunrise yoga sessions and workshops to eco-markets, ferry tours and scientific talks. They will be covering all manner of thought-provoking topics including sustainable seafood, indigenous sea knowledge and shark net alternatives. Catch the full program here.
Saturday 1st March to Monday 31st March
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.
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