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 jaw-dropping light shows and fiery treats at Vivid Sydney, trying Vegemite and Warhead brews at a major beer festival, roasting free marshmallows at a Winter fire pit garden, a huge pub party at an iconic Chippo boozer, and an unmissable Celine Dion-ified Titanic musical.
Here are Urban List's picks of the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.
Vivid Sydney 2025
Various locations in Sydney | Friday 23 May–Saturday 14 June
Image credit: Vivid Sydney | Supplied
Vivid Sydney returns for its 15th magical year of light shows, immersive art, live music, food and ideas, with the theme of dream, all kicking off this weekend. As per usual, vibrant light installations will cover iconic locations around the city, including Circular Quay, Sydney Opera House, Barangaroo, and beyond, with the return of Martin Place (whose last Vivid stint was 2018)—all completely free to attend.
Major highlights include feasts at the Vivid Fire Kitchen, concerts by Japanese Breakfast, thought-provoking panels featuring cooking queen Martha Stewart, curated dining experiences by Nigella Lawson, a Stranger Things experience at Luna Park and a four-metre-long Starscape Tunnel taking over The Goods Line with over 700 stars. Find out more here.
Winter Firepit Garden
World Square, 644 George Street, Sydney CBD | Friday 23 May–Saturday 14 June
Image Credit: Winter Firepit Garden | Supplied
World Square is transforming into a free, snow-dusted winter escape featuring firepit tables, a hot chocolate and mulled wine chalet bar, and more than 35,000 free marshmallows for roasting under twinkling fairy lights, right in the heart of the city.
You can cosy up by the fire with QR code ordering from World Square restaurants and retailers like Double Chin Eats, Grill'd and Gami Chicken and Beer, and enjoy the wintery vibes complete with a snow cannon and alpine-inspired decor. Keep the night going with live entertainment 4.30pm–7.30pm on Thursdays and Friday, and 1.30pm–7pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Entry is free, but there are only 10 firepit tables up for grabs, so get in early to experience the ultimate free winter hangout.
GABS Beer Festival
International Convention Centre, 14 Darling Drive, Sydney CBD | Friday 30–Saturday 31 May
Image credit: GABS Beer Festival | Facebook
Sample over 100 limited-edition brews at the longest bar in Australia, spanning a whopping 30 meters and 240 taps, at GABS Beer Festival. Try choc-chip cookie porter from Bucketty’s and ButterBoy, wheat-based beer from the world’s oldest brewery, Weihenstephan, and a debut Spanish-inspired tropical beer from celebrity-chef-turned-brewer Miguel Maestre, alongside his legendary paella.
There’ll also be a food hall, free silent disco, ‘wheel of pourtune’, wine tastings in an inflatable Doom Juice church, live music, masterclasses and more. Tickets start at $49 and include a voucher booklet worth $250 to use after the event. Book online.
Bagels & Beats
Brooklyn Boy Bagels, 19 Carrington Road, Marrickville | Saturday 31 May, 10am–12pm
Image credit: Maple Social Club | Supplied
Kickstart your weekend with a morning bagel rave hosted by Maple Social Club at Brooklyn Boy Bagels in Marrickville. A pop-house set from DJ All Rise kicks things off at 10am, followed by a surprise special guest set. The BBB team are also dropping a limited-edition savoury bagel combining Sicilian and black olives with rosemary—baked and served every 20 minutes, just like they do in the Big Apple. It’s completely free to attend and free from hangovers. RSVP online.
The Gladdy 10th Birthday
The Lord Gladstone, 115 Regent Street, Chippendale | Saturday 31 May, from 12pm
Image credit: The Lord Gladstone | Facebook
To celebrate 10 years of hoots and schooners, The Gladdy is throwing a mega birthday bash. Score food and drink deals like $10 cheeseburgers, $10 Young Henrys pints and $10 Rooster Rojo margaritas from 12pm to 6pm.
Live music kicks off at 7pm with the Gladdy house band, followed by DJ sets from Melodrones, Mac The Knife, Debaser, Hijink and more, including a secret, special guest performance.
There’ll also be 50 limited-edition tees from Good Space Gallery and a special exhibition featuring art and photos from the Gladdy family and its guests over the years. Get in for free before 6pm, or $10 thereafter.
You might also like
- The Best Spots For A Weekend Brunch In Sydney
- The Best Things To Do In Sydney This Month
- The Best Restaurants In Sydney Right Now
Under The Milky Way
Petersham Town Hall, 107 Crystal Street, Petersham | Saturday 31 May, 4pm and 8pm
Image credit: Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir | Facebook
The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir are performing iconic Aussie hits at Under The Milky Way, a choral showcase spanning genres and generations. You’ll recognise Icehouse’s track Great Southern Land, Yothu Yindu’s resistance anthem Treaty and Divinyls' smash-hit I Touch Myself, among chart-topping music from Cold Chisel, Kylie Minogue and more.
The 4pm session is sold out, but there are still tickets available for the 8pm concert. Book tickets online from $55 per person.
Wall Life X Vivid Workshop
Level 2, Rooftop, Paramount House, 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills | Saturday 31 May, 4.30pm–6.30pm
Image credit: Paramount House | Declan Blackall
Paramount House is hosting a special Wall Life art workshop for young creatives during the Hollywood Quarter’s Vivid Sydney 2025 program. Australian visual artist, Sonny Day, will lead guests in designing a gig poster for Aussie psych-rock band The Lazy Eyes—who will also be there performing an acoustic and special DJ set on PH’s rooftop. To fuel the creativity, Pizza Oltra is slinging its cheesy pies too. This event is suitable for ages 10-18. Book tickets online from $45.
GLOW At Sydney Zoo
Sydney Zoo, 700 Great Western Highway, Eastern Creek | Until Saturday 31 May, 5.30pm–10pm
Image credit: Sydney Zoo | Supplied
A major after-dark light festival is taking over Sydney Zoo with over 200 animal lanterns and immersive installations. On the colourful GLOW Light Walk, you’ll stroll inside a huge crocodile’s jaws, wander beneath glowing butterflies, and squeeze through a giant octopus’ tentacles, which kids can slide down.
For fun rides and free activities, check out the GLOW Zone. There are flying chairs, a Ferris wheel, dodgem cars, a massive playable piano and more. Then tuck into a food truck feed and drinks from the GLOW Bar.
You can buy tickets online or at the gate. Online prices are $10 cheaper, starting at $34.99 for adults, $24.99 for children (3–15 years), and free for infants (0-2 years). Book online here.
Heaven
The Loading Dock Theatre, Qtopia Sydney, 301 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst | Until Saturday 31 May
Following sell-out seasons in Dublin, New York, Edinburgh and London, Eugene O'Brien's award-winning Heaven is set to follow suit in its Australian premiere season. A repressed queer desire in husband Mal threatens to unravel an already shaky marriage, and the return of 'the one who got away' prompts a soul-searching struggle for wife Mairead.
Director Kate Gaul says of this complicated portrayal, "I was struck not only by its compassion and laugh-out-loud humour but the dignity with which it presents the lives of people over a certain age…it’s an edge-of-your-seat adventure as the wine and Guinness starts flowing". Tickets are on sale online.
The Coach Tabby Shop
410 Oxford Street, Paddington | Until Sunday 1 June, 11am–6pm
Image credit: Coach | Supplied
To celebrate the iconic Tabby bag, Coach is hosting an immersive pop-up in Paddington. New styles from the Spring 2025 collection will be available to purchase and personalise with bag charms, straps, complimentary hangtags and hand-painted designs by local artists.
The Coach Coffee Shop will be slinging coffee, matcha and soda daily, along with Coach-inspired sweet treats from Tokyo Lamington. There’ll also be a photobooth to snap a pic with your new Tabby and DJ sets throughout the pop-up, including Australian techno artist KSMBA. Tickets are free, but bookings are recommended. Book online.
Titanique The Musical
The Grand Electric, 199 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills | Until Sunday 22 June
Image credit: Titanique The Musical | Facebook
Hop onboard the weird and wonderful Titanique train—or should we say, boat. It turns the Oscar award-winning film, Titanic, and Jack and Rose’s love story, into a campy comedy-musical starring 17 hilariously timed Celine Dion hits, including My Heart Will Go On, I Drove All Night and All By Myself—you can probably guess when that last one plays.
Luckily, the season has been extended until the end of June. Book boat-side tiquets online from $69 per person, $130 in the ‘splash zone’ or $145 at a Captain’s table.
Four Pillars Martini Collective
Various Locations | Monday 19 May—Sunday 22 June
Image Credit: Four Pillars | Supplied
The Four Pillars Martini Collective is back, a testament to luxe pre-dinner sips and nibbles made accessible by Sydney’s hottest bars and restaurants. Through May and June, ten venues will be plating up a specialty pre-dinner snack, paired with a miniature version of the beloved Four Pillars olive-leaf gin martini.
Bar Julius is serving charred focaccia with macadamia and rosemary cream, and green olive crumb; Bopp + Tone has tomato tartar with pecorino and brioche; and NOUR is whipping up anchovy toast with tomato ezme and toasted pita. Check out the full list of participating venues and booking links here.
MJ The Musical
Sydney Lyric Theatre, 55 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont | Until Sunday 22 June
Image credit: Sydney Lyric Theatre | Website
Legendary king of pop, Michael Jackson, is brought back to life in the four-time Tony Award-winning MJ The Musical. After mesmerising audiences on Broadway, the musical finally arrives at Sydney Lyric Theatre, where MJ’s moves and vocals are flawlessly captured by theatre 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. With tickets starting from $70, you just can’t beat it. Book online here.
Pleasure Hour
Pleasure Club, 6 Wilson Street, Newtown | Wednesdays–Sundays, 5pm–7pm
Image credit: Pleasure Club | Ethan Smart
To mark one year of late-night tipples, Newtown basement cocktail bar Pleasure Club is pleasing the people with a month-long happy hour starring $2 Sydney rock oysters, $6 gildas, and $12 Grey Goose martinis, plus live entertainment every Wednesday to Sunday from 6pm.
There’s also $12 prawn cocktail sliders dressed in rosé sauce and an elevated sausage sanga for $21, which goes down a treat with $6 beers, $9 mocktails, $10 glasses of wine. Or, try the $15 signature 'Floating in Space' cocktail, blending Grey Goose vodka, Aperol, rosé, strawberry, lychee, white chocolate, and ginger. Check out the full Pleasure Hour menu and book online here.
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 donut? 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.
Now, fill your calendar with
- Sydney's Best Bottomless Brunches Right Now
- The Best Rooftop Bars In Sydney
- The Best Waterfront Restaurants In Sydney
Main image credit: The Lord Gladstone | Facebook
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.
Editor's note: Urban List editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. Urban List has affiliate partnerships, and if you purchase something through the links in this article, we will earn a commission from those partners. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.