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Subscribe What’s On This Weekend in Sydney: Our Sydney Editor’s Top Picks
No plans? Here's what's on in Sydney this weekend...
Winter is well and truly here which means our social outings are starting to shift gears. In fact, we’re swapping out festivals and sunny beer gardens for cosy indoor activities and making the most of Sydney’s entertainment scene.
Stuck for plans? Catch our top six picks of what to do in Sydney this weekend below.
What’s On This Weekend
Get Your Glow On with Rare Beauty’s Pop-Up Beauty Bus
Blush fans, brace yourselves — Selena Gomez’s cult-fave beauty brand Rare Beauty is rolling into town for one weekend only, and it’s bringing a whole lot of glow. Partnering with Sephora Australia, the LCNC2BLSH (yep, that’s “Licence to Blush”) beauty bus will be parked at two different locations in Sydney on Saturday and Sunday.
The ultra-Instagrammable pop-up is treating Sydneysiders to free experiences, samples and interactive beauty moments that’ll make your camera roll — and your makeup bag — very happy. Expect immersive zones, gamified challenges, and of course, plenty of chances to play with Rare Beauty’s viral Soft Pinch blushes.
Sephora Beauty Pass members will also score a few surprise goodies — and you don’t need to book. Just rock up, swatch your heart out, and walk away with your very own “Licence to Blush.”
Saturday, July 5, 10am–4.30pm at Centenary Square, Parramatta
Sunday, July 6, 10am–4.30pm at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay
Zephyr Sky Bar Takes on Winter With a Decadent Cocktail Pop-Up
Who says rooftop bars are reserved for summer? Soak up harbour views at Zephyr Sky Bar this Winter and you’ll also be able to enjoy a curated menu of Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky cocktails that will warm you to your core. Sip away as you revel in the last light and plush velvet interiors. There’s a little something for everyone on the menu from the Earl Grey-infused The Highlander cocktail to the fruit-forwad The Blushfire cocktail. Date night sorted!
View details plus the full menu here
Until Monday 11th August
Cardrona’s One-Day ‘Board Swap’ Hits Bondi
Only in Sydney would a beachside snowboard swap actually make sense. This Friday morning, New Zealand’s largest ski resort, Cardrona Alpine Resort, is challenging Sydneysiders to ditch the surfboard and embrace the après-ski life with a one-day-only ‘Board Swap’ pop-up right next to Bondi Beach.
Swing by the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club and trade in your old surfboard for a chance to win seriously snow-worthy prizes including a shiny new Salomon snowboard and 3-day lift passes to Cardrona or Treble Cone for the 2025 or 2026 season. Even better? All swapped boards will be donated straight back to the Bondi club.
Aussie surf champ Tyler Wright will be there too, dishing out mini beach challenges and trivia questions, with thousands of dollars worth of prizes from The North Face, GoPro, icebreaker, and Dragon Alliance up for grabs. Whether you’re snow-curious or a die-hard boarder, it’s the coolest reason to hit Bondi before breakfast.
Friday, July 4, 7am–11am
Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club
A NYC-Inspired 3-Day 4th of July Party is Popping Up in Marrickville
This weekend, Brooklyn Boy Bagels is turning their Marrickville HQ into a little slice of New York with a three-day Fourth of July bash — and yes, it’s completely free. Expect hot bagels fresh from the oven, ooey-gooey firepit s’mores, and limited-edition eats worth lining up for.
But the real party lands on Saturday, when Maple Social Club takes over for a bagels-and-beats day rave. It’s all about good vibes, good tunes and low-pressure hangs, with live country-Americana from Charley Castle & The Boys in the Well bringing Nashville-meets-Inner-West energy to the stage.
Whether you’re there for the bagels, the beats or just an excuse to eat s’mores before noon, this is one weekend pop-up that’s bringing serious star-spangled flavour, and even better bites including fresh NY-style hot dog and half-pound burgers.
- Friday July 5, 7am– 2:30pm
- Saturday July 8, 7am– 3pm, Maple rave from 10am– 12pm
- Sunday July 7, 7am– 3pm
19 Carrington Road, Marrickville
Blu Bar on 36, Shangri-La Sydney
Elevate your weekend plans with skyline views and sky-high cocktails at Blu Bar at the Shangri-La Sydney. Sitting 36 floors above the city, it’s the best seat in the city for drinks with a side of dreamy harbour views. Kick off your evening with cocktails from their premium menu or wind down in style with a late-night aperitif. No bookings required — just head up, grab a seat, and soak it all in. Feeling fancy? Book in for their cocktail-making masterclass, where you’ll shake, stir and sip your way through a curated selection of the bar’s most iconic creations.
176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
A Massive Snow Festival is Coming to North Sydney
This week, Greenwood Hotel’s iconic winter Snow Festival returns to North Sydney, transforming Greenwood Plaza into a full-blown winter wonderland, complete with 50 tonnes of real snow.
Expect a forecast of Euro-style winter markets, a Mario Kart Snowdown, and a massive DJ set packed with a set list of local artists spinning toe-tapping tunes to keep you warm. There’ll also be a 20-metre toboggan slide and bunch of other activations with over $25,000 in prizes to be won throughout the week.
Until Sunday July 6
Full events list here
Greenwood Plaza, 36 Blue Street, North Sydney
Score a Free Lamington to Celebrate World Chocolate Day
To celebrate World Chocolate Day this Sunday, everyone’s favourite lamingtons, Tokyo Lamington, is teaming up with Pana Organic to bring three new flavours to their rotation. From the mousse-y Golden Crunch and a Hazelnut Chocolate variation coated in cake crumbs, to the Mint Crunch creation dipped coated in coconut flakes for the signature lamington look — these flavour combos are so good they’re too hard to say ‘no’ to.
Available across both Tokyo Lamington’s Sydney and Melbourne stores and online, you can pick up one of these delectable lamingtons for $8 each or all three flavours in a box for $24 from July 5th.
Better yet, try them for free! On World Chocolate Day (Monday July 7) stop by either the Melbourne or Sydney stores to score a lamington on the house. Plus, get there early and you might be one of the first 100 customers, taking home free Pana Organic Chocolate Bar. That’s your weekend sweet treat sorted.
277 Australia St, Newtown or 258 Elgin St, Carlton (Victoria)
What’s On: Coming Soon
Plump Up Your Lip Game at the YSL Beauty Pop-Up
Looking to refresh your beauty routine? YSL Beauty has you covered. This month, the cult-fave brand adored by our fave celebs including Dua Lipa, is popping up in Sydney bringing its viral Loveshine Plumping Oil Gloss to Paddington.
On the day, expect masterclasses from celebrity makeup artists, luxe samples and complimentary makeup touch-ups for a high-shine start to your weekend. Plus, the first 200 to stop by each day will score a free Harrys iced strawberry matcha latte. Is there a more perfect way to kick off your weekend plans? We think not.
Friday 11 July and Saturday 12 July, 12pm–6pm
410 Oxford Street, Paddington
Free Matcha at Libertine Parfumerie’s One-Day Pop-Up
Fragrance fans, this one’s for you. For one morning only, cult scent house Libertine Parfumerie is teaming up with Obvious Parfums to celebrate the launch of their dreamy new fragrance ‘Milk & Matcha‘ — and you’re invited to sip, sniff and indulge.
Happening at their beautiful Paddington store, the pop-up promises complimentary matcha lattes (yes, really), Sweet Splits cookies, and fragrance samples that’ll have you rethinking your signature scent. Whether you’re a perfume devotee or just love the smell of a good match, this is a pop-up worth dropping into.
Saturday 12 July, 10am–1pm
Libertine Parfumerie, 140 Oxford Street, Paddington
Gin & Jazz at The Apollo
Monthly Sunday Sessions are back at The Apollo kicking off this week with live jazz and pink martinis to accompany the Potts Point mainstay’s iconic Greek menu.
The popular Gin & Jazz is returning for five sessions across five months from May to September starting this weekend with smooth grooves delivered within the intimate dining lounge. Whether you’re settling in for a regular feast or keen to try out the exclusive Gin & Jazz menu (available only on the day for $95pp), gather the group and kick back with the soothing sounds of the sax. Now that’s a Sunday well spent.
12pm–4pm, the last Sunday of every month May-September
The Apollo, 44 Macleay St, Potts Point
Level 12, 161 Sussex Street, Sydney
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.
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