Activities & Itineraries

The Best Free And Cheap Things To Do In Sydney In June

By

This June, we’re all about being mindful with our money—or at least aiming to. Living in Sydney/Eora can make it hard to find fun without splashing major cash, so Urban List has handpicked some of the best free and cheap events that won’t bust your budget.

Luckily, there’s plenty on this month like massive art fairs, live music under the stars, and the final fortnight of Vivid Sydney for 2024.

These are the best free and cheap things to do in Sydney in June.

Keep scrolling or jump to:

Free Things To Do In Sydney In June

The Biennale of Sydney 

Various locations


Image credit: Biennale of Sydney | Facebook

The cultural kaleidoscope that is the Biennale of Sydney makes a grand return for its 24th edition, titled Ten Thousand Suns. The Biennale is a completely free art festival showcasing 96 leading artists' work from 50 different countries, spread over six of Sydney’s most iconic spots including the Art Gallery of NSW, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney.

The Biennale is the largest contemporary art event of its kind in Australia, making it an unmissable event for art aficionados—and it's all completely free to experience.

THE DETAILS

When: Until Monday 10 June
Cost: Free entry

Weekly Yoga Classes

Sorry Thanks I Love You, 188 Pitt Street, Level One, Westfield, Sydney


Image credit: Sorry Thanks I Love You | Supplied

Fashion, coffee, design, art, sound and space project Sorry Thanks I Love You is continuing to redefine what a retail store can be by introducing free weekly yoga classes to bring their community together, lift them up, and keep their mental health thriving.

You'll be downward dog-ing among labels like Comme des Garcons, Issey Miyake, Maison
Margiela and Yohji Yamamoto in the free classes held by qualified yoga instructor Jen
Yan. Mats, water and even a post-class tea by Botanical Signature are provided.

THE DETAILS

When: Wednesdays, 6.15pm
Cost: Free, with online registration

Vivid Sydney 2024

Various locations


Image credit: Destination NSW

Vivid Sydney is back to illuminate the city's skies for another year, with the theme of "humanity" running through the artworks, parties, feasts, pop-ups and more. This year's program will deliver across key locations including Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Barangaroo, The Goods Line, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Carriageworks.

In 2024 you can expect more breathtaking projections (plus 40-kilometre-long laser beams), which are all free to explore—we'd suggest completing the entire eight-kilometre Light Walk from Circular Quay to The Goods Line. If you're more into music, there'll be free live music from artists including Mallrat, grentperez and Budjerah at Tumbalong Nights

The details

When: Until Saturday 15 June
Cost: Free

Jazz Sessions In The Rocks

The Rocks Square, Playfair Street, The Rocks

Enjoy a knockoff, post-Vivid tunes, or knockoff while enjoying live music from established and up-and-coming musicians at the free Jazz Sessions in The Rocks. Running between 6pm and 9pm every Thursday in autumn and winter, the al fresco, dairy-lit jazz sessions feature artists curated by local jazz authority SIMA including vocalist and composer Kate Wadey, Australian swing ensemble Cope Street Parade and captivating Chilean songstress MIRA.
 
The Hickson House Distilling Co pop-up gin cart will also be on site to serve seven-spice G&Ts, native Negronis, and non-alcoholic sips crafted just up the road.
THE DETAILS
 
When: Thursdays, 9 May–29 August
Cost: Free

Vivid Fire Kitchen

The Goods Line, Ultimo | Until Saturday 15 June

Image credit: Vivid Sydney | Supplied

Fire sculptures and flame-seared street food heat The Goods Line for Vivid Fire Kitchen, with top Sydney restaurants and pitmasters are firing up the grill to sear some of NSW’s finest produce.

You can watch demos and presentations, eat your way through the food stalls and pop-ups and warm up by the fire. Wash down dinner with drinks at the bar, or try complimentary samples at the NSW Wine and Starward Whisky Tasting Bars. Visit Messina’s Milk Bar for Messina-fied, nostalgic treats like dixie cups, spiders, gelato chocolate bars, and a milo fudge sundae with blow-torched meringue.

THE DETAILS

When: Until Saturday 15 June
Cost: Free entry, food and drinks available to purchase

You might also like

National Indigenous Art Fair

Overseas Passenger Terminal, 130 Argyle Street, The Rocks

The National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) is returning to Gadigal Land for its fifth year, showcasing work from remote and local First Nations artists across Australia. NIAF offers a unique opportunity to buy artworks, textiles, handmade jewellery, ceramics and artefacts directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from remote community-owned art centres from the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

Visitors will also have the chance to experience Indigenous culture with a variety of live performances, cultural displays, workshops, interactive Indigenous weaving circles and the opportunity to taste and learn about native bushfood.

The details

When: Saturday 29–Sunday 30 June
Cost: $2.50 entry (basically free!)

Cheap Things To Do In Sydney In June (Under $35)

Fashion Frenzy Sydney

Marrickville Town Hall, 303 Marrickville Road, Marrickville

Support a great cause while nabbing sustainable fashion pieces for your wardrobe at the return of Fashion Frenzy. There'll be women’s contemporary, unique and vintage accessories and clothing in sizes 6–16, and the event supports Dress for Success NSW & ACT, an organisation that supports vulnerable women to transform their lives through landing jobs long-term jobs.

The concept works by splitting access into priority sessions where you can browse the pre-loved and new fashion, with entry starting at $20 allowing you the choice of two items to take home, with entry to the final session going for $5, and everything priced at two-for-$5. Learn more and get tickets to your preferred session online.

The details

When: Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June
Cost: From $20, including two items of clothing

Sonic Neon

Luna Park Sydney,1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point


Image credit: Sonic Neon | Supplied

Housed inside the historic Crystal Palace at Luna Park Sydney, Sonic Neon is a sound and light experience sharing an immersive rave atmosphere—and it's a must-do for all ages.

Eight distinct zones are packed with over 26,000 lights, laser, mirrors, a pulsating soundtrack, tactile materials and never-before-seen technology in Australia, for a a 150-metre journey culminating in an infinity mirror room with over 6,000 hanging lights and a 3-D video experience.

Sonic Neon fills the 1935-built Crystal Palace with a groundbreaking experience that blends the site's history with contemporary wonder, and tickets start from $29 per person, or $99 for two adults and two children.

THE DETAILS

When: Until Sunday 30 June
Cost: From $29

Able Joseph

107 Projects, Redfern

Celebrate the release of ON FIRE, the latest offering from Able Joseph at art space 107 Projects. Having collaborated with electro giants such as Grum, Le Youth, and Hessian, he’s the angelic voice behind the heavenly harmonies on some of your favourite house tracks.

His solo pop tunes are the place to come if you want ballads that will break your entire heart but also make you want to dance a little bit at the same time. The latest track puts his incredible vocal range front-and-centre and will go down a treat in this intimate showing.

THE DETAILS

When: Friday 21 June, 7pm
Cost: Tickets are 23.50

Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition

Level 5, 1-3 Smail Street, Ultimo

princess diana exhibition sydney
Image credit: Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition | Supplied

Following sold-out tours in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Puerto Rico, Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition is bringing a never-before-seen glimpse into the life of Diana Spencer as captured by her Official Royal Photographer, Anwar Hussein, with bespoke art installations and artefacts.

The exhibition explores the relationship between the princess and her photographer, with an audio guide from Anwar to provide context to the famous and not-so-famous shots he captured. 

The details

When: Until Sunday 7 July
Cost: Tickets are $29 for adults, $24 for seniors or students, and $12 for children

For more things to do in Sydney, check out:

Image credit: Sonic Neon | 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.

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.