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 free coffees at a Bondi staple, tableside astrology readings at a sky-high rooftop bar, a MasterChef street food takeover, a spicy chilli fiesta, a cosy harbourside cabana experience, unmissable theatre shows, jaw-dropping art exhibitions, wintry markets, and so much more. 

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

Cafe DW

Blackwood Bondi, Shop 3/87–89 Glenayr Avenue, Bondi Beach | Wednesday 13–Saturday 16 August, 7am–3pm

Timeless watch and jewellery brand Daniel Wellington is hosting a flirty four-day takeover at Blackwood Bondi for Sydneysiders ready to mingle. Score free coffee by being one of the first 100 visitors each day and enter a lucky dip of DW goodies, discounts and an astrology compatibility session by completing fun challenges. Gorgeous pieces from Daniel Wellington’s new Moments That Matter collection will be on display, like The Juliette and Iconic 42 Chronograph watches, and there’ll be a custom Moments That Matcha drink on the menu, plus fun conversation starter cards to get the ball rolling.

Astrology Hour At Aster

Aster, Level 32, InterContinental Sydney, 117 Macquarie Street, Sydney CBD | Every Thursday in August, from 5.30pm–7pm

Image credit: Aster | Steven Woodburn

Sitting 32 levels above the city in the luxe InterContinental Sydney hotel, Aster Rooftop Bar is putting on an astrology-themed spread every Thursday in August. Byron Bay-based astrologer Grace Tebble will provide personalised tableside readings, and there’ll be element-inspired food and cocktail pairings with a glass of bubbly on arrival—all for $120pp. 

The menu includes a light, Air cocktail infused with Roku Gin, pine, jasmine, rose and sparkline wine; a Water cocktail mixing Belvedere Vodka, pomegranate, kaffir lime, blood orange, cucumber and lemon balm; a fiery chargrilled Angus beef yakitori complemented by kimchi mayo and crispy onion; and an earthy potato and cheese croquette paired with eggplant purée and crispy leaves. Book online. 

House Party

Mansions Potts Point, 24 Bayswater Road, Potts Point | Friday 15 August, 8pm til late

Image credit: Mansions Potts Point | Instagram

The good-time aficionados at Maple Social Club and ClubHouse are throwing a huge house party with beer pong and live DJ sets at the three-level Mansions terrace nightclub in Potts Point. There'll be plenty of boogie-ing involved, with it all kicking off from 8pm. RSVP online.

Drag N Die

The Imperial Hotel, 35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville | Thursday 14 August, from 7.30pm 

The Imperial’s usual Thursday Drag and Dine event is getting a gloriously gothic makeover inspired by Netflix’s Wednesday, as part of the Season 2 Global Doom Tour. The Main Bar is hosting a Wednesday-themed drag bingo with iconic queens Charlamaine, Hannah Conda and Space Horse. There’ll be themed cocktails, plenty of photo opps, prizes for best dressed and live DJ tunes from Diva Cups. It's free entry and standing walk-ins are welcome, but it's best to book online as limited tables are available.

SoCal Winter Chilli Festival

1 Young Street, Neutral Bay | Monday 4–Sunday 31 August

Image credit: SoCal | Supplied

SoCal is cranking up the heat with a full-on Winter Chilli Festival featuring Tabasco-spiked specials and fiery experiences. Try chilli tostadas with smoked trout, popcorn chicken laced with Tabasco Jalapeño Sauce mayo, mezcal hot chocolates and more. 

Put your tastebuds to the ultimate test with a Hot Ones-style wing-eating competition on Thursday 14 August from 7pm (entry is $15), watch a Chilli Con Carne Cook Off on Thursday 21 August and learn to make your own hot sauce for $15pp on top of a banquet or bottomless lunch on Saturday 23 August. View more details and book online.

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Cronulla Winter Market

Don Lucas Reserve, Cronulla | Saturday 16 August and Sunday 17 August, 9am–3pm

Image credit: Cambridge Markets | Website

Cronulla Winter Market is making the most of Sydney’s chilliest month, combining cosy market produce with waterside views and beachfront living. For one weekend in August, market–goers can enjoy live music and gourmet food, alongside a curated selection of small retailers peddling unique artisan goods. 

Winter Cellar Door

Carriageworks, The Blacksmiths Workshop, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh | Sunday 17 August, 11am–5pm

Carriageworks’ Blacksmiths Workshop is transforming into a Winter Cellar Door for one massive day of wine tasting. Wineries from across NSW are coming together, providing the opportunity to sample over 120 labels and meet the makers. There’ll be some familiar favourites plus new finds, alongside food pop-ups and live music. Entry is free, with wine tasting from $5 per glass. Festival tumblers are available to purchase at the event or pre-order online for the chance to win a mixed NSW wine case.

Pups In Pubs

BrewDog South Eveleigh, Bay 1 Locomotive, Workshops South, Eveleigh | Sunday 17 August, 12pm–3pm

Image credit: BrewDog South Eveleigh | Pupsy

BrewDog South Eveleigh is putting on a special day for pups that is certain to raise the roof, in collaboration with Pupsy and Street Paws Festival. The dog-friendly boozer will have a lineup of stalls slinging pooch-approved accessories and treats, alongside free samples, big giveaways and a best dressed pup competition from 2pm. Swing by with your pooch and stick around for a pint and pub feed. View all the details online.

MJ The Musical 

Sydney Lyric Theatre, 55 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont | Until Saturday 23 August

Image credit: MJ The Musical | Website

The legendary king of pop, Michael Jackson, is brought back to life in the four-time Tony Award-winning MJ The Musical. MJ’s mesmerising moves and vocals are flawlessly captured by Broadway star Roman Banks in an incredible depiction of the 1992 Dangerous World tour on and off-stage. 

Packed with hits like Thriller, Smooth Criminal and Billie Jean—plus plenty of moonwalking and hehes—the musical feels like attending an actual Michael Jackson concert. Book online.

Derrel's X Sarah Todd X Young Henrys

Derrel’s and The Lady Hampshire, 89–91 Parramatta Road, Camperdown | Until 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.

Aprés On The Harbour

Pier Bar, 11 Hickson Road, Dawes Point | Until the end of August

Image credit: Pier Bar | Website

A floating winter wonderland has taken over Pier Bar on Sydney Harbour, complete with crackling firepits, sparkling lights, chic cocktails and cosy outdoor cabanas overlooking the water. The winter menu is filled 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, until the end of August. Book online.

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. 

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. Book online.

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.

Now, fill your calendar with

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Main image credit: SoCal | Supplied

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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