Spring has well and truly sprung and October is shaping up to be a month packed full of innovative and fun activities. We promise that you won’t be bored!
Here are our hot tips for the best things to do in Sydney this October.
Culture Club: Hi-Tech Stories
Bennelong Point
Hi-Tech Stories are combining art and conversation, bringing us a night exploring the latest developments in creative tech, its effects and outcomes. On the panel are three experts in the area Lee Lewis from Griffin Theatre, TL Uglow from Google Creative Lab and Gideon Obarzanek formally from Chunky Move.
What: Culture Club: Hi-Tech Stories
When: Tuesday 4 October, 6pm
Where: Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House
Cost: $15
Grand Final Weekend at the Norfolk
Surry Hills
The first weekend in October is starting the month off with a bang! With the AFL grand final on the Saturday and the NRL grand final on the Sunday, The Norfolk is single handedly going to tackle it all. They will have six screens dotted around the pub, screening the sporting spectacles. Rest assured The Norfolk will certainly have drinks specials. We can’t wait for this football marathon to begin!
What: Grand Final Weekend at the Norfolk
When: Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 October, 12pm - 12am
Where: 305 Cleveland St, Surry Hills, 2010
Proudly Pokie Free Campaign Launch
Darlinghurst
Save the date! This month social movement—Proudly Pokie Free—are launching their campaign to promote pokies free venues in Sydney. The core aim of the group is to reduce harm and addiction caused by availability of pokie machines around Australia. Oxford Art Factory is hosting the launch, which is set to be a fun event with performances by Tim Freedman, Joyride, Wild Honey and Bad Deep DJs as well as a few secret guests only announced at the event.
What: Proudly Pokie Free Campaign Launch
When: Sunday 23 October, 5pm – 11.30pm
Where: 38 -46 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, 2010
Cost: $15
Oyster and Prawn Pop Up at Manta
Woolloomooloo
The ultimate Sunday session. Manta’s famous pop up oyster and prawn Sundays are back. Head down to Woolloomooloo wharf and indulge in freshly shucked oysters, BBQ prawns accompanied by a glass or two of champagne. The perfect way to end your weekend in style.
What: Oyster and Prawn Pop Up at Manta
When: Sunday 16 October, 12pm – 5pm
Where: Manta – Woolloomooloo Wharf
Story Fest
Bennelong Point, Walsh Bay, Millers Point
This October the nation's most talented and entertaining wordsmiths will join forces to take part in Sydney’s Story Fest hosted by World Travels. The festival runs for three days and is jam packed with performances, panel discussions and screenings. Story Fest is Australia’s largest performing writer’s festival so it’s no wonder it has captured the attention of Montreal based poet Tanya Evanson—who is the festival's special guest this year. Brace yourselves for three days of live literary mayhem.
What: Story Fest
When: Friday 14 – Sunday 16 October
Where: Sydney Opera House, The Wharf Pier 4/5, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay and 15A Argyle Place, Millers Point
Cost: Ticket prices vary depending on which event you attend
Heartfulness Meditation Festival
Walsh Bay
Sydney, let’s meditate. The Heartfulness Meditation Festival is coming to Sydney. Spend the weekend taking part in specially designed meditation workshops, listening to live music and engaging in discussions surrounding the practice of heartful meditation. The festival is a unique opportunity to take a break from the hecticness of life because let’s be honest, a little calmness is what we all need.
What: The Heartfulness Meditation Festival
When: Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 October
Where: Bangarra Dance Theatre, Walsh Bay
Cost: $10 per session
Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Riley St Garage
Woolloomooloo
Throughout October Riley St Garage will be hosting an 8 course pink infused lunch to raise funds in support of Australia’s Breast Cancer Awareness month. The donations received will go towards research in prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer. Gather your friends and come along for a festive lunch to support an extremely worthy cause.
What: Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Riley St Garage
When: Every Saturday in October
Where: 55 Riley Street, Woolloomooloo
Cost: $85
Italo Dining & Disco Club No.5
Bondi
A food and music party encompassing all things Italo is coming to Bondi. Icebergs dining room and bar will be transformed into a fusion of a restaurant, club and bar, the ultimate triple threat. The menu inspired by Italian festival street food will encompass a combination of their four kitchens, Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, Da Orazio Pizza & Porchetta, Fratelli Paradiso and 10 William Street. Just to put the icing on the cake there will be an array of cocktails including the aperitivo for Summer ‘16- the Contratto Spritz.
What: Italo Dining & Disco Club No. 5
When: Thursday 13 October, 7pm till late
Where: 1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach
Cost: $150
Japanese Ramen Dinners at Icebergs
Bondi
Icebergs is taking Good Food Month to a new level by hosting 6 course Kaiseki menu by Monty Koludrovic and his team. The food will be paired with carefully selected rare sake to ensure a mesmerizing experience for your pallet. We know what we’ll be doing on Tuesday night.
What: Japanese Ramen Dinners at Icebergs
When: Every Tuesday in October, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Where: 1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach
Cost: $130
Pinot Palooza
Eveleigh
It’s what we’ve been waiting for, a festival where it’s socially acceptable to sip on a nice glass of pinot noir. Pinot Palooza is coming to Sydney this October for it’s 5th year running. Spend the afternoon strolling around Carriage Works tasting copious varieties of wine the pinot noir grape has to offer. Of course we know that too much pinot alone isn’t sustainable, so it’s lucky Pinot Palooza has a mega food line-up as well.
What: Pinot Palooza
When: Sunday 9 October, 1pm - 6pm
Where: Carriage Works, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh
Cost: $60
The InterContinental Sydney Double Bay Rooftop Pool & Lounge Opens
Double Bay
The InterContinental Sydney Double Bay knows how to make an entrance. The Rooftop, reopening for summer on October 1, exhibits breathtaking panoramic views of Sydney’s harbour. Whether you’re a sun chaser indulging in a drink or two by the chic poolside bar or a night owl relaxing in the Mediterranean style lounge as the sun sets you will find your happy place. Too hard to choose? Why not stay for the whole experience, we will be.
What: The InterContinental Sydney Double Bay Rooftop Pool & Lounge Opens
When: Saturday 1 October from 12pm
Where: 33 Cross Street, Double Bay
William Street Festival
Paddington
William Street, Paddington, a hidden gem of Sydney. This groovy, stylish and quaint part of town is bringing you William Street Festival 2016. Spend the daytime browsing through some of Sydney’s best boutiques and sampling delicious food. As the daylight slips away, festival-goers can enjoy light shows displayed on the iconic The London Hotel and The Paddington Inn. To finish off the evening, relax on the green at the Open Air Cinema.
What: William Street Festival
When: Saturday 15 October, 11.30am - 10pm
Where: William Street, Paddington
Golf Month
Sydney
Embrace your love of golf this October or maybe give it a crack for the first time. There will be plenty of activities to suit the whole crew. You might be interested in using a golf simulator, we are liking the sound of FootGolf. So come and have a swing.
What: Golf Month
When: Saturday 1 – Monday 31 October
Where: Golf Facilities Australia Wide
Oktoberfest
The Rocks
October, arguably the best month of the year because well Oktoberfest, obviously. Aussies love beer and what better way to harness that passion than by celebrating Oktoberfest at Munich Brauhaus. Enjoy a month of events partying the night away in your lederhosen and dining on perfectly matched pork and beer combos.
What: Oktoberfest
When: Friday 16 September – Monday 31 October
Where: Munich Brauhaus
12th Annual Australian Beer Festival
The Rocks
Yes, the Annual Australian Beer Festival is coming back to the rocks this month for the 12th time and it’s all thanks to The Australian Hotel. There will be more than 30 different Australian breweries in attendance, as well as gourmet food stalls and other events throughout. Think brewer sessions, blind tastings and live entertainment to keep you bopping through the weekend (but honestly, the beer tastings should take care of that).
What: 12th Annual Australian Beer Festival
When: Friday 14 – Sunday 16 October
Where: The Rocks
Cost: $37.57
Greek Community Feast at Gazebo
Elizabeth Bay
Finish off the long weekend in style with a lazy afternoon in the sunny wine garden at Gazebo. Immerse yourself in perfectly cooked lamb and seafood, prepared over coals and olive wood with house made filo & pita. The event will include 3 hours of free flowing food, drinks and entertainment. This is a Sunday session in it’s prime.
What: Greek Community Feast at Gazebo
When: Monday 3 October, 1pm
Where: 2 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay
Cost: $89
In Conversation with JSHealth
Watsons Bay
Summer is fast approaching and some of us are definitely in need of a little inspo. Head to Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel and be inspired by Jessica Sepel, author and nutritionist. Learn how to choose nourishing foods for your own body and understand the concept of eating mindfully. Plus, breakfast is included AND you get a party bag to take home with you, it might not have fantails and freckles but it will definitely satisfy.
What: In Conversation with JSHealth
When: Saturday 1 October, 9.30am
Where: Sunset Room, Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
Cost: $65
Love Rosé Brunch Party
Watsons Bay
Rosé all day at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel. Domaine Tropez is hosting a lavish pink drink appreciation brunch this Sunday. Start the day with a delicious shared menu and a glass of rosé then as the DJ’s crank it up get ready to party until the sun goes down celebrating the long weekend with frozé & rosé gummies, say what!?
What: Love Rosé Brunch Party
When: Sunday 2 October, 11.30am - Late
Where: Sunset Room, Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
Cost: $65
The Wellness Festival
Waterloo
Get ready Sydney, the Coachella of the health world is coming at you. Combining health, business and coconut-y fun. Gather your besties and get your sweat on at this epic 1-day festival. You’ll sweat with a lunchtime workout, dance to live DJ’s then rehydrate on fresh coconuts whilst listening to world-class motivational speakers. If you ever needed an excuse to get active in your active wear then The Wellness Festival is it.
What: The Wellness Festival
When: Saturday 15 October, 8.30am - 4.30pm
Where: 901 Bourke Street, Waterloo
Cost: $189
If you're on a tighter budget though, check this guy out.
Image credit: Cole Bennets at Manta