The Best Things To Do In Sydney This Weekend

There's never a shortage of fun things to do in Sydney/Eora, and this weekend is no exception, with heaps of exciting events to stack your calendar with.

Pack your weekend with disco yum cha, a festive Christmas in July feast, a self-guided cocktail trail, a pop-up morning rave, a MasterChef street food takeover, unmissable theatre shows, jaw-dropping art exhibitions, and so much more. 

Here are Urban List's picks of the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.

MUCHO Tequila Trail

Various locations | Tuesday 22–Saturday 26 July

Image credit: MUCHO Group | Supplied

Some of Sydney's fave bars from the MUCHO Group are joining forces to present the city's first-ever Tequila Trail. The self-guided trail across Cantina Ok!, Centro 86 and Tio's Cerveceria invites urban wanderers to try Herradura's award-winning expressions across each venue, stamping a trail postcard along the way—all for free.

Register for your pass online and present it in any venue to receive your postcard, which unlocks the free drinks; stock is limited, so we'd be planning a cheeky mid-week crawl.

The Loco Markets 

South Eveleigh | Thursdays–Sundays until 27 July

Image credit: South Eveleigh | Instagram

South Eveleigh’s Loco Markets are a rotating schedule of themed markets every Thursday to Sunday in July. Expect bold, block-coloured market stalls, a lineup of handmade goods, design-led retail, food and drink pop-ups, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, blacksmithing demos, coin press workshops, and heritage walking tours ($20+ booking fee).

Each week will be a different experience, including design and sustainability (3–6 July), NAIDOC Week (10–13 July) and Christmas in July (17–20 and 24–27 July). Find out more online.

Derrel's X Sarah Todd X Young Henrys

Derrel’s and The Lady Hampshire, 89–91 Parramatta Road, Camperdown | Friday 25 July–Sunday 31 August

Image credit: Derrel’s | Declan Blackhall

Famed chef, restaurateur and MasterChef legend Sarah Todd is taking over the kitchen at Camperdown’s kitschy cool Indian joint, Derrel’s, for a month-long street food pop-up. She’ll be there in person this Saturday and Sunday, slinging a trio of limited-edition dishes alongside a custom Young Henrys' Curry Leaf XPA at The Lady Hampshire next door. 

Try the IPA Bhatti Da Murgha (mustard-spiced charred chicken with roomali roti and hop glaze), Dahi Bhalla Papdi Chaat on a banana leaf drizzled with ghost chilli, and the salty-sweet peanut butter lassi with Parle-G biscuits. Book a table online. 

Maple Social Club: Coffee & DJs  

Wilson’s Cafe, 35 Richards Lane, Surry Hills | Saturday 26 July, 9am–12pm

Image credit: Maple Social Club | Instagram

Maple Social Club are back at it again with their pop-up morning coffee rave. Taking over the usual Wilson’s Cafe in Surry Hills, there’ll be DJ sets from community favourite All Rise and Melbourne girl group Blusher, starting at 9am with a b2b set by Catch25 and Haze. Kick-ons are still to be announced. RSVP online. 

Winter Greyhound Adoption Day

BrewDog South Eveleigh, Bay 1 Locomotive Workshops, South Eveleigh | Saturday 26 July, 11am–2pm

Image credit: Greyhounds As Pets NSW | One Cut Studios 

BrewDog South Eveleigh is teaming up with Greyhounds As Pets NSW to host a Greyhound Adoption Day this Saturday. Around 30 adorable greyhounds are looking for forever homes, with discounted adoption rates—$75 for dogs over 7 years, and $150 for all other pups. Each pooch will be dressed in cute Kazoo pyjamas (available to purchase on the day), and guests who arrive in PJs will score 10% off food and drinks from BrewDog. 

Already have a pooch? They’re welcome to join the party too. The pup-friendly beer garden is also dishing up festive food and drink specials for Christmas In July. View more details and sign up to receive a Dogalogue of the pups available for adoption online.

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Christmas In July At Ovolo

Ovolo Woolloomooloo, 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo | Saturday 26 July, 12pm and 2.30pm sittings

Image credit: Ovolo Woolloomooloo | Facebook 

A festive feast is hitting plates at Ovolo this weekend to celebrate Christmas in July. For $65 per person, dig into a British-style roast filled with classics like leek and potato soup, a choice of slow-cooked lamb shoulder, pancetta rolled chicken roulade, or roasted pumpkin with almond skordalia for mains, sides to share like Yorkshire puds, glazed Dutch carrots, and roast potatoes, plus sticky date pudding for dessert.

Mulled wine will be flowing on arrival with the option to add on a glass of prosecco or Veuve Clicquot. Two sittings are available at 12pm or 2.30pm with only 20 seats each. Book online.

The Beer Footy & Food Festival

Henson Park, 32 Centennial Street, Marrickville | Saturday 26 July, from 12pm 

Image credit: Good Time Beer Co. | Instagram

As its name suggests, this full-on festival is all about great beer, footy and food—the three keys to an Aussie’s heart. The Newtown Jets are going head-to-head with the St George Illawarra Dragons at Henson Park, and the footy field is turning up the energy with over 30 brewers and food vendors on site, appearances from Pro Wrestling Australia legends, a kid-friendly inflatable land, DJs pumping tunes and a huge half-time streaker bullrush game. Tickets start at $25 for adults, $15 for concessions, $10 for kids 12+ years and free for under 12s. Book online.

Urban Cocktail Trail

Various locations in Bondi | Saturday 26 July, 1pm–5pm 

Image credit: Urban Cocktail Trail | Instagram

Spend a breezy afternoon bar-hopping through Bondi Beach on the self-guided Urban Cocktail Trail. Pick up your event vouchers and guide from Hotel Ravesis between 12pm–1.30pm, then head to your starting point to make use of your $10 complimentary food voucher, and get sippin’ on signature cocktails like the Zonzo ‘Cicchio’ Pistacchio Spritz from Beach Road Hotel, Altos Plata Classic Margarita at Salty’s or an Açai Cocktail at 44North. Tickets start at $75 for four cocktails or $99 for six. Book online. 

Teusner Unleashed 

White Bay Brewery, 26C Mansfield Street, Rozelle | Saturday 26 July, 12pm–10pm and Sunday 27 July, 12pm–8pm 

Image credit: Teusner Wines | Instagram

Boutique Barossa Valley vineyard, Teusner Wines, is taking over White Bay Brewery for a winter weekender filled with wine, gin, beer and vinyl beats. Teusner Unleashed offers premium tasting flights from over 25 minimal-intervention wines, including four never-poured-before releases, a brand-new Red Runes Shiraz Gin made into a refreshing cocktail, and a Teusner Sparkling Ale brewed exclusively with White Bay Brewery, with a glass to take home—all included in the $50 ticket. Tipo 00 will also be slinging wood-fired gourmet pizzas while DJ Simo spins vintage tracks across the two days. Book online.

Bondi Wellness Festival

Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach | Sunday 27 July, 8am–4.30pm

Re-energise at the Bondi Wellness Festival with fun workouts, mindfulness workshops, and live panels at Bondi Pavilion. Ticket holders can attend six sessions across three spaces, such as a cardio-dance sweat sesh or glute-building class in the Movement Room, guided meditation or pilates and sound healing in the Connection Room, plus a live podcast recording and Q&A led by thought-leaders in the Expansion Room. 

There’ll also be massages, tarot card readings, a pop-up bookstore, and food and drinks from partnering cafes like Glory Days and Surfish. Book tickets online for $120 + booking fee.

The Real Insurance Harbour 10

Starting at The Rocks, Sydney Harbour, and Hickson Road, Barangaroo | Sunday 27 July

Image credit: The Real Insurance Harbour 10 | Supplied

The Real Insurance Harbour 10 is a race designed with Sydney runners front–of–mind—a 10km and 5km course which spans throughout the heart of the CBD and raises money for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. The race is designed for runners of all levels, with a fast, flat course that celebrates casual run club attendees and those training for future major races. Tickets are available on their website, with registrations open now. 

L'HÔTEL

Foundry Theatre, 55 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont | Until Sunday 27 July

Image credit: L'Hôtel | Supplied

Following sold-out seasons at Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Sydney Opera House, L'Hôtel opens its decadent doors once more, seducing Sydney in for another cheeky peek at the old-world elegance within. A combination of burlesque, aerials and cabaret, this intoxicating production serves a smorgasbord of hidden desires.

Fully immerse yourself in the exquisite Parisian fantasy with the VIP experience, including dedicated table service, a cheese board with fine French selections, delicate eclairs and, of course, French champagne. Tickets are available online from $69.90.

Disco Yum Cha

North Bondi Fish, 120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi | Every Saturday and Sunday until 3 August, 11am–3pm

Image credit: North Bondi Fish | Alana Dimou

Your usual weekend bottomless lunch just got a huge upgrade at North Bondi Fish, with a Yum-Cha-style set menu, cocktails and disco DJs from 12pm, taking over the beachfront powerhouse every Saturday and Sunday ‘til August. Seafood is still the main event, so expect plenty of scallop wontons, prawn dumplings and salt and sichuan pepper squid, plus special strawberry matcha cocktails and mandarin margaritas. 

Two food menus are available: a small set for $65pp or large set for $89pp (with optional add-ons), alongside two drinks packages: bottomless beer and wine for $30pp, or the addition of cocktail jugs for $60pp (with extra yum cha cocktails available). Book online.

The Play That Goes Wrong

Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney | Until Sunday 3 August

The longest-running comedy in the West End is about to go completely wrong on a whole new stage. An Olivier and Tony-award award-winning bundle of bungles combines mystery and mayhem in a classic whodunnit that sees accident-prone actors perform a production that's more Murphy's Law than murder mystery.

Having kept audiences in stitches across West End and Broadway stages for over a decade, now it's Sydney's turn to experience the chaos of this Monty Python meets Sherlock Holmes show. Tickets are available online.

Grumpy Donuts Night Shift

379B Princes Highway, St Peters | Fridays and Saturdays, 5pm–9pm

Image credit: Grumpy Donuts | Supplied

Ever wanted to build your own doughnut? Well, now you can at Grumpy Donuts' St Peters venue. Every Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 9pm, you can grab a Night Shift DIY donut fix from $8.50. Pick between vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon, caramel, strawberry and maple donut flavours, then add one of 30 different fillings and two toppings with extras from 50 cents. 

Fillings include Nutella, peanut butter, berry jam, passionfruit curd, and marshmallow fluff, with toppings like crushed waffle cones, fresh fruits, white choc drizzles, brownie bites, cookie pieces, a cereal of the week, soft serve, and premium bacon—don’t knock it ‘til you try it.

Bubble Planet

Paddington Pavilion, Sydney Olympic Park | Until Sunday 31 August

Image credit: Bubble Planet | Supplied

A massive, multi-sensory bubble playground has sprung up at Sydney Olympic Park featuring ten wow-factor rooms, including huge ball pits, Yayoi-Kusama-inspired infinity rooms, immersive virtual reality experiences, and heaps of bubble-themed photo ops. The Bubble Planet experience caters to all ages, with tickets starting at $26.90 for children (3-12 years), $33.90 for adults, and are free for children under 2. Book online.

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 C0untry 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.

In the gallery's historic World War II fuel tanks you can visit Yalu, an illuminated, large-scale work by a collective of Yirrkala artists and digital producers which is free to visit and runs until 20 July, sharing the colours and sounds of Yirrkala with representations of fires, storms, and waterways.

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. Book tickets online from $20 for adults and $16 for concessions. 

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. Book online.

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Main image credit: Maple Social Club | Instagram

Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.

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