What’s On This Weekend in Sydney: Our Sydney Editor’s Top 5 Picks

And just like that, Autumn has arrived which we believe is the best season there is. Soak up the last of the warmer weather with trips to the beach, street parties, markets and sunny beer gardens. Stuck for plans? Catch our top five picks of what to do in Sydney this weekend below. 

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

Babs Pops Up X Ester Spirits Turkish Street Feast

Spice, smoke and sizzling skewers? Be still our beating hearts! This one-day-only Turkish festival from Babs Pops Up X Ester Spirits is set to be a fab day. Chef Ellie Hayes O’Brien will be on the pans dishing up plates of fire-cooked meats and more, inspired by her recent travels through Turkey, whilst Bec Shave will be slinging charcoal-cooked plates of goodness. And for drinks? Rosewater, sumac, sour cherry and orange blossom-infused cocktails are the order of the day.

Sunday, March 16, 12pm to 5pm (food until sold out)

31 Chadler Street, Marrickville

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

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

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

Until 27th April

Art Gallery of NSW

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

Writer

Olivia Storrie

10 March 2025

Armed with an Arts Degree in History and Psychology from the University of Sydney, a natural curiosity and a ravenous appetite, Sitchu’s Sydney Editor Olivia is your go-to for restaurant recommendations across the city. She also has a keen interest in hiking, patting other people’s dogs, travelling, curating her maximalist home and reading every book she can get her hands on.