Looking for the best things to do in Sydney/Eora this weekend? There's never a shortage of exciting activities in Sydney to keep your calendar full.
Labour Day long weekend is here, and with school holidays in full swing, we sure are ready for a sleep-in—and maybe a beverage or two. We've tracked down all the best long lunches, activities for kids, Labour Day specials and grand final need-to-knows, to make the most of your day off.
NRL Grand Final
Various Locations | Sunday 5 October
Image credit: Accor Stadium | Instagram
The stage is set for the 2025 NRL & NRLW Telstra Premiership Grand Final this Sunday at Accor Stadium. In a historic double-header, the Storm face the Broncos in the NRL Grand Final, while the Roosters meet the Broncos in the NRLW decider, with Brisbane chasing the chance to become the first club to claim both premierships in the same season. Tickets sales are currently exhausted, so check out our pick of venues where you can watch the grand final from outside the stadium.
Horizontal Festival
Centennial Vineyards, 252 Centennial Road, Bowral | Saturday 4–Sunday 5 October
Image credit: Horizontal Festival | Instagram
Debuting in October 2025, Horizontal Festival is a multi-sensory food, wine, music and art event springing up in the rolling hills of the Southern Highlands. Hosted at the picturesque Centennial Vineyards, festival zones include a swish sparkling wine bar with high tea and oysters, an Italian-style vineyard boasting white wine and lobster skewers, a dedicated rosé room offering wine flights and expert-led workshops, a tasty cheese den, an orchard for cider and apple pie lovers, a hops craft beer garden with live DJs on concert stage, a barrel room for reds and New Orleans-style jazz, plus a dessert haven for sweet vino and treats. There are two session times available, 12pm–4pm or 5.30pm–9pm, and tickets start at $59.
Maple Social Club: Rooftop Pool Party
The Old Clare Hotel, 1 Kensington Street, Chippendale | Saturday 4 October
Image credit: Maple Social Club | Instagram
What better way to celebrate the long weekend and this cracking spring weather than some poolside day drinking? On Saturday, Maple Social Club is hosting a rooftop pool party at The Old Clare Hotel: from 12pm to 4pm, there'll be plenty of bevs and music from Benny and the Sets. Entry is free, just make sure you RSVP.
Kingsley's Long Lunch
The Wharf, Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo | Friday 3—Monday 6 October
Image credit: Kingsleys | Instagram
Settle in for a long weekend lunch done right at Kingsleys Woolloomooloo. For $139pp, you’ll kick things off with shared entrées before diving into the restaurant’s signature steak tasting board with sides, all paired with two hours of bottomless bubbles, wine and beer. The bottomless is being plated up across all four days of the long weekend—so we'll be wrapping up Labour Day with some killer harbour views.
The Island: Summer Season Launch
Departure: Man O'War Steps, Farm Cove Street, Sydney CBD | Saturday 4—Sunday 5 October
Image credit: The Island | Instagram
The Island’s Summer Season Launch kicks off this long weekend with a five-hour party from 3pm until sunset, bringing DJs, cocktails and unbeatable harbour views to Sydney’s favourite floating bar. Guests can level up with VIP Banquette booths, Rooftop access or table packages, while water taxi transfers run every 20 minutes from Man O’War Steps from 2:50pm, making it the easiest way to get to the action. Saturday's boat party has already sold out, so grab your tickets for Sunday before they disappear.
Lost Sundays Block Party
330 George Street, Sydney CBD | Sunday 5 October
Image Credit: Lost Sundays | Instagram
The Lost Sundays Block Party returns on Sunday, October 5, taking over the full Ivy Precinct for a Labour Day long weekend marathon. Across four stages, more than 20 artists—including Demi Riquísimo, Duskus, Human Movement and Willo—will deliver a day-to-night journey from the sun-soaked Rooftop to the heaving Darkroom. Expect international debuts, reunions and local favourites as the party rolls into the early hours. Every Block Party has sold out, so don’t wait—final release and early enrty tickets are on sale now.
World Taco Day At SoCal
1 Young Street, Neutral Bay | Saturday 4—Sunday 5 October
Image credit: SoCal | Instagram
Get the long weekend vibes rolling at SoCal, with a margie in one hand and a taco in the other. In celebration of World Taco Day, they are offering a special taco platter on Saturday and Sunday for just $40. Enjoy all 6 tacos (one each) from their menu, including the crispy Baja fish, pork belly with pineapple or fried eggplant with cabbage and jalapeño.
The Mona Turns One
2 Park Street, Mona Vale | Friday 3—Sunday 5 October
Image credit: The Mona | Instagram
Beloved Northern Beaches venue, The Mona, is celebrating it's first birthday this weekend, and there's a stack of events in store. Kicking things off is Mona Fridays, with live DJs and a belated happy hour between 9pm and 11pm. On Saturday, bring your furriest friend to particpate in the Doggy Dash, running from midday. There will also be facepainting and balloon twisting until 4pm, and live music and DJs all night long. On Sunday, stick around for a special Wild Turkey American BBQ menu, and the NRL grand final live and loud.
The Play! Kids Festival
30 Eton Street, Sutherland | Wednesday 1 October—Sunday 5 October
Image credit: The Pavilion Arts | Instagram
The Play! Kids Festival is back at The Pavilion, Sutherland from October 1–5, making it the ultimate school holiday outing. Across five days, families can dive into live performances, creative workshops and plenty of free activities. Highlights include Emma Memma’s Dance Island Party, Erth’s brand-new Shark Dive puppetry adventure, and Junkyard Beats’ high-energy Box Show. With tickets from just $29, it’s an affordable way to keep the kids entertained this long weekend.
Darling Square Moon Festival
Darling Square, 35 Tumbalong Boulevard, Haymarket | Saturday 27 September—Sunday 12 October
Image credit: Darling Square | Instagram
This annual celebration of the autumn harvest (or in our case, the arrival of spring) has its roots in ancient Chinese moon worship—and Darling Square is set to mark it in style. Beginning this weekend, expect glowing lantern displays, live entertainment, delicious mooncakes, and plenty of free, family-friendly fun right in the heart of the CBD.
To keep the festivities rolling, some of Sydney’s best restaurants are serving special menus for the Moon Festival: try the salted egg mochi cheesecake at 15cenchi, traditional mooncakes at XOPP by Golden Century, and mooncake-inspired gelato at Messina.
Live Music Lineup At Elliott's
79 Elliott Street, Balmain | Friday 26–Sunday 28 September
Image credit: Elliott's | Instagram
Since their recent opening in Balmain, Elliott's have been curating a live music program that takes full advantage of the Inner West's recently relaxed music laws—and things are getting loud this weekend. The courtyard hosts a rotating lineup of vinyl DJs and live soul, funk and blues sets every weekend, curated by Jordan McDonald (NITE-RITE Entertainment).
This Friday from 5pm to 9pm, you can expect an all-funk set from DJ Prop Joe—expect rare grooves, funk cuts and soulful classics to get the courtyard buzzing. The vibes will be staying high through to Saturday, with a 2.30pm set from Boomerang and evening beats from Gonz. Finishing off the weekend is Body Corp, with an eclectic mix spinning from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday.
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Tulip Time Flower Festival
Corbett Gardens, Wingecarribee Street, Bowral | Friday 12 September - Monday 6 October
Image credit: Tulip Time Southern Highlands | Facebook
Not quite in Sydney, but close enough for a bright spring day drive, the Tulip Time Flower Festival is back in bloom from this weekend onwards. With over 80,000 colourful tulips to admire and snap some incredibly dreamy photos of, adult tickets start at $18.50, youth tickets at $12.50, and all children under 12 have free entry – an ideal outdoor adventure for the family.
Plan a floral day trip, or make it a weekend getaway with one of the best Southern Highland accommodation spots, to celebrate the arrival of our beloved Aussie warm seasons.
Mary's Weekend Brunch & Bottomless
Victoria Cross, Tenancy T16/155-189 Miller Street, North Sydney | Every Saturday And Sunday
Image credit: Mary's | Supplied
Mary's VX has launched an epic brunch and bottomless menu for an ideal weekend feed. Co-founder Jake Smyth reckons this is one "worth crossing town on the Metro for"—sky-high pancake stacks, brekkie burgers, unlimited spicy pickle margaritas (don't knock them until you've tried them) and bottomless filter coffee to keep the old man going. The bottomless menu comes in at a pretty $55 per person, or you can keep things breezy and order à la carte.
Bennelong In 45 Minutes
Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney CBD | Daily
Image credit: Bennelong | Supplied
There's certainly no fast-track to a luxury lifestyle, but Bennelong is doing its best—this $50pp experience speed-runs sophistication in a 45-minute session, offering three refined bar snacks and a signature cocktail. Ideal for those needing a quick pre-theatre snack or just short of time, the dishes are drawn from Bennelong's pre-existing menu—Maremma duck pithivier with black garlic; Wagyu bresaola panisse, brown butter aioli; Chestnut, truffle and shiitake arancini; and much more. Head in from 5.30pm onwards, and you can experience the best seat in the harbour for a palatable price.
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition
Fever Pavilion, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park | From Friday 29 August
Image credit: Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition | Supplied
Explore Renaissance Rome without leaving Sydney at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition, open from Friday 29 August at Fever Pavilion in Sydney Showground. The immersive 60-90 minute experience brings to life 34 of Michelangelo’s frescoes, including The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment, in true-to-size, high-definition reproductions.
Whether you’ve seen the originals or not, the exhibition provides a rare chance to walk through one of history’s greatest masterpieces from a never-before-seen perspective, letting visitors admire every brushstroke up close without the busy Vatican crowds around.
Aprés On The Harbour
Pier Bar, 11 Hickson Road, Dawes Point | Daily, 12pm–9pm
Image credit: Pier Bar | Website
Cosy, golden-hour spring evenings have taken over Pier Bar on Sydney Harbour, complete with crackling firepits, sparkling lights, chic cocktails and outdoor cabanas overlooking the water. The winter menu continues this month to help get Sydneysiders through the last few cooler nights of the season transition, with warming favourites like a cheesy potato bake and truffle jaffle, steak frites, oven-baked camembert, and a candle-lit Biscoff fondue served with pretzels, toasted marshmallows, and fresh strawberries to dip.
A half cabana fits 4 guests with $150 minimum spend, a full cabana fits 8 with a $300 minimum spend and the entire cabana area fits up to 14 with a $600 minimum spend. Aprés On The Harbour is open daily from 12pm to 9pm.
Recovery Sundays
Baptist Street Rec. Club, Corner of Cleveland and Baptist Street, Redfern | Every Sunday
Image credit: Baptist Street Rec. Club | Supplied
Wanna end the weekend right? Redfern’s Baptist Street Rec. Club is slinging complimentary spring rolls all day for Recovery Sundays alongside $7 beers and $8 house wines. From 2pm, you can also grab $15 Margaritas and Palomas, plus $10 Bloody Marias and West Coast Coolers ‘til 10pm. There'll be DJs spinning groovy tunes, board games to rally around and a mouthwatering menu on the lineup, too.
Yolŋu Power: The Art Of Yirrkala
Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Road, Sydney CBD | Until Monday 6 October
Image credit: AGNSW | Supplied
Celebrating eight decades of works from the communities of Yirrkala, in north-east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Yolŋu power: the art of Yirrkala shares the community, culture and Country of the Yolŋu people through their eyes and over 300 works including video, sculpture, bark paintings, digital installations and prints.
The exhibition is a collaboration with the Aboriginal-owned Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre, which was launched during the ‘70s as an act of Yolŋu self-determination in the midst of the land rights movement.
Adult tickets to Yolŋu power: the art of Yirrkala are $25, kids under 12 are free, and you can nab two-for-one tickets between 5pm and 10pm on Wednesday nights.
Cerith Wyn Evans....In Light Of The Visible
Level 3, Museum Of Contemporary Art, 140 George Street, The Rocks | Until Sunday 19 October
Image credit: Museum of Contemporary Art | Website
Welsh contemporary artist and sculptor Cerith Wyn Evans presents his first ever exhibition in Australia, Cerith Wyn Evans….in light of the visible at the Museum of Contemporary Art. His towering neon light installations create an immersive environment of light and sound, inviting guests to discover the exhibition as if they are wandering through a garden.
Major works include Sydney Drift (2025), hanging sculptural forms inspired by Sydney Harbour; F=O=U=N=T=A=I=N (2020), a three-metre-tall white neon wall audiences can walk through; and Composition for 37 Flutes (2018), 37 glass pipes breathing sound into the gallery.
Suntory Bar
Whisky Thief, Prefecture 48, 230 Sussex Street, Sydney CBD | Friday 8 August–Saturday 8 November
Image credit: Suntory Bar | Jiwon Kim
Premium Japanese beverage house Suntory is taking over Prefecture 48’s Whisky Thief for a three-month-long stint of Tokyo-level cocktails and elevated malts, alongside exclusive snacks by legendary chef Tetsuya Wakuda—marking the first chance to taste Tetsuya’s cooking since the closure of his eponymous Sydney CBD restaurant in July 2024.
Try a botanical Roku G&T, an ‘80s-style Japanese Slipper starring Suntory’s Midori melon liqueur, and the hero serve: a refreshing Hakushu Highball, made with crisp Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve whisky from the highest distillery in the world, paired with soda and fresh mint.
Cheese Making Class With Bottomless Bubbles
Shop 2a, 791–795 Botany Road, Rosebery | Various dates in September and October
Image credit: Omnom Cheese Making | Facebook
A hands-on cheese-making class is a perfect way to spend a not-so-sunny day in Sydney. Part of RedBalloon’s Best Of Guaranteed experiences, you’ll learn how to make burrata and bocconcini from scratch with expert instructors, all while enjoying bottomless bubbles. And the best part is: you’ll take home almost one kilo of handmade cheese. Tickets are $109 per person.
The Book of Mormon
Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell Street, Haymarket | Tuesday 15 July–Sunday 30 November
Image credit: Capitol Theatre | Website
Labelled “the best musical of this century” by the New York Times, the Tony, Olivier and Grammy award-winning musical-comedy, The Book Of Mormon, has returned to Sydney at the Capitol Theatre.
If you’re not familiar with the plot of this smash-hit, it follows two young mismatched Mormon missionaries as they aim to spread the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to a remote village in Uganda, which quickly unfolds with hilarious improvisations and satirical sing-a-longs. Tickets start at $99, plus a booking fee.
RELICS: A New World Rises
Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Darlinghurst | Saturday 16 August, 2025—Tuesday 27 January, 2026
Image credit: Australian Museum | Website
Created by LEGO® Masters winners Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler, RELICS: A New World Rises is an immersive exhibition at the Australian Museum showcasing 14 mini LEGO® worlds inside vintage objects. Think lively LEGO® towns inside an antique piano, and newsroom scenes in old TVs.
Running until 27 January 2026, the exhibition also has an interactive build area, custom scavenger hunts and audio guides. Tickets are $29 for adults, $25 for concessions, $19 for children aged 4-15, and free for children aged 0-3 and Australian Museum members.
Main image credit: The Island | Instagram
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