What’s On This Weekend in Sydney: Our Sydney Editor’s Top Picks

Sydney is shaking off winter and getting back into its spring rhythm, which means longer days, warmer afternoons and plenty of reasons to leave the house. From neighbourhood markets and long lunches to live music, late-night shows and a few sweet surprises, these are the things our editors have on their weekend radar.

Stuck for plans? Catch our top picks of what to do in Sydney this weekend below.

Editor’s Picks:

A Merit Pop Up is Coming…

Having quickly become a cult-favourite brand, Merit is celebrating their launch into Sephora Australia with a pop up in Martin Place! Guests will be able to discover the brands famed ‘Five Minute Morning routine’ and personalise a ‘Lip and Cheek Set’ at an exclusively discounted price! Plus, everyone that makes a purchase will get to choose from a selection of exclusive merchandise to take home. If you’ve been looking for a sign to upgrade your beauty routine, this is it.

Where: 38 Martin Place
When: Thursday 12th Nov 10am-6pm, Friday 13th Nov 9am-6pm
Cost: Free
Best For: Free events; Beauty lovers
Need to Know: The pop-up is exclusive to Sephora Beauty Pass members.

Christmas Has Landed In the CBD 

With less than two months to go until the big day, the QVB has come to life with Christmas spirit. From the multi-story tree going up on Thursday 5 November to the reimagined Santa Experience set to launch mid-November, it’s a chance for the whole family to come together and make memories inside one of the city’s most beautiful buildings. Keep an eye on the QVB website for details.

Where: Queen Victoria Building, Sydney CBD
When: From Thursday 5 November
Cost: Free, but Santa Experience is available for an additional cost
Best For: Free events; Families; Kids; Couples; Weekend plans
Need to Know: The easiest way to visit the QVB is to catch the train to Town Hall Station, conveniently located within the same building.

Eat & Drink:

Opera Bar Has Reopened For Summer!

Right in time for summer, Opera Bar is back after a full reimagining, and this weekend is your chance to see it. It reopened last Friday with redesigned interiors and a fresh menu that celebrates producers from across Sydney and NSW, blending Asian, Middle-Eastern and Modern Australian flavours. Add one of the city’s most iconic views at Circular Quay, and it’s the ideal spot for a sunny weekend drink, a date night or a long lunch on the waterfront.

Where: Lower Concourse Level, Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay
When: Open daily from 10am-late
Cost: Differs depending on menu item
Best For: Waterfront, Cocktail lovers, Date night, Outdoor dining, Weekend plans

Visit The Bondi Bake Sale Everyone’s Talking About

Bondi just got a little sweeter, with Coco & Bean launching weekend bake sales that are already drawing a crowd. The star of the show? Soft, oversized cinnamon scrolls that are baked fresh in-store and absolutely loaded with flavour, think classic, pistachio, Biscoff and a standout blueberry that’s worth the trip alone. Alongside the scrolls, expect fresh cookies, matcha and cold brew, making this the perfect excuse for a laid-back weekend sugar hit by the beach. Catch it from Friday to Sunday while it’s running.

Where: The Hub, LG01A, 75/79 Hall St, Bondi Beach
When: Friday to Sunday (ongoing while running
Cost: Varies depending on scroll
Best For: Food & drink lovers, Weekend plans, Locals, Visitors
Need To Know: Arrive early — fresh-baked cinnamon scrolls and pastries sell out fast. Flavours include classic, pistachio, Biscoff and blueberry.

Arts & Culture:

No Flowers Mahjong Club at Heaps Normal Health Club

Sydney’s mahjong obsession has a new address this Thursday. No Flowers Mahjong Club is setting up its tables at Heaps Normal Health Club, and beginners are more than welcome, with helpers on hand to talk you through the tiles. The real draw is the room itself, where phones stay out of sight and a table of strangers has a way of becoming a table of friends. Tickets here.

Where: Heaps Normal Health Club, Marrickville
When: Thursday 12 Nov, 6pm
Cost: Tickets from $23
Best For: Cultural experiences, Weekend plans, Unique experiences
Need To Know: Heaps Normal will be open from 4pm for Happy Hour, with Mahjong starting at 6:30pm.

Live Music & Shows:

Felons Barrel Room Has Officially Opened

Felons Brewing Co. has unveiled its brand-new Barrel Room and on-site microbrewery at Manly Wharf and there’s a full weekly program already. Wednesday night is trivia, Thursday is jazz club from 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays have live music and Sundays are all about families. On the F&B side, guests can enjoy a range of Felons’ barrel-aged beers alongside vibrant Vietnamese dishes by chef Bao La.

This 700-person venue built for music, culture and fresh-from-the-tank pours feels like an exciting new chapter for food and entertainment on the Northern Beaches.

Where: E Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095
When: Weekly program: Wednesdays (trivia), Thursdays (jazz club from 7pm), Fridays & Saturdays (live music), Sundays (family-friendly)
Cost: Varies depending on activity
Best For: ive music fans, Food & drink lovers, Families, Group catch-ups, Nightlife
Need To Know: On-site microbrewery with barrel-aged beers and Vietnamese dishes by chef Bao La. Capacity of 700 across the venue.

Shopping & Markets:

Finders Keepers Spring Summer Market

Calling all design lovers! Sydney’s favourite design market is back at Carriageworks this weekend with over 170 designers and makers setting up shop. Just in time for the holiday season, it’s the perfect opportunity to get all the gift shopping done in one go (or treat yourself)! There’s also set to be exclusive pop-ups and workshops as well so be sure to check the full program.

Where: Carriageworks, Eveleigh
When: Friday 13 Nov 4pm-9pm, Saturday 14 Nov 10am-5pm, Sunday 15 Nov 10am-5pm + Low sensory hour Sunday 9am
Cost: Daily entry fee $7, Weekend passes $10, Kids under 13 free
Best For: Art lovers, Cultural experiences, Weekend plans, Unique experiences, Families
Need To Know: There’s a $13 pass that comes with a copy of the market’s new mini-mag, a perfect addition to your coffee table!

Outdoor & Active:

Take a Spin on One of Sydney’s Electric Picnic Boats

Soak up some spring sun on your very own environmentally friendly picnic boat — no boat licence needed! Set sail from The Spit in Mosman with up to seven friends (pups included), load up a picnic and take in the sparkling Sydney harbour views. Sounds like the perfect spring day out if you ask us!

Where: D’Albora Marina, Mosman (departing from The Spit)
When: Available seasonally
Cost: From $149
Best For: Harbour days, Group outings, Dog-friendly plans, Outdoor activities
Need To Know: No boat licence required. Each electric picnic boat accommodates up to seven people, with dogs welcome on board.

The New Sauna Where Sydney Harbour Is Your Plunge Pool

This is our kind of wellness. Harbour Heat has just opened on Q Station’s private wharf, where you can spend your session getting toasty in a traditional wood-fired sauna before cooling off with a swim in Sydney Harbour. Sessions run Wednesday to Sunday and there’s a free shuttle runs from Manly Wharf, so you can leave the car at home and make a proper morning of it. This feels like the perfect wellness activity to usher in spring and we’ll definitely be booking in! Make yours here.

Where: Q Station, North Head, Manly (behind Wharf Cafe & Bar). Free shuttle from Manly Wharf to Q Station available each session.
When: Wednesday to Sunday, sunrise to sunset (ongoing). 50-minute sessions.
Cost: Single session — $25 off-peak / $30 peak. 10-session pass — $200 off-peak / $240 peak. Bookings via fareharbor.com.
Best For: Couples; Solo plans; Group catch-ups; Premium experiences; Outdoor enthusiasts
Need to Know: Communal sessions for up to 12 guests; private group bookings also available. BYO towel and swimwear; storage on site. Ocean plunge at Quarantine Beach is steps from the sauna. Free shuttle departs from Manly Wharf so no car required.

Haven’t found your perfect weekend plans yet? Check out the best new restaurant openings in Sydney, or our monthly guide to read about everything else that’s happening this month in Sydney.