The Westpac OpenAir Cinema will raise its three-storey-tall movie screen over Sydney Harbour again in 2025, returning for a 28th year of showing new releases and cherished favourites against an iconic Sydney backdrop.
The 41-night 2025 program will drop on 28 November, 2024, but we already know it includes must-see movies like Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Gladiator II, and Wicked.
OpenAir Cinema is going beyond popcorn and choc tops as usual for its food lineup, bringing a three-part dining program offering casual a la carte eats, waterfront Italian treats, and a four-course menu from an acclaimed Sydney chef to its Sydney Harbour waterfront site.
Luke Nguyen At The Point
The most casual offering at the 2025 Westpac OpenAir Cinema, Luke Nguyen at The Point will see the star chef dishing up eats like hand-crafted dumplings, caramelised pork belly bao, and cheeseburger spring rolls.
“This menu is the type of food I love to eat—fresh, punchy flavours created using the best seasonal produce—perfect for a night by the harbour,” says Luke Nguyen.
This space is accessible by all OpenAir Cinema ticketholders, with a pop-up Hendrick’s bar and soundtrack of tunes by Sydney DJs.
Image credit: Westpac OpenAir Cinema | Nikki To
Fabbrica At Chandon Garden
On the harbourfront, Fabbrica at Chandon Garden will be a relaxed dining option with reserved dining and cinema seating. Fabbrica’s executive chef Scott McComas-Williams’ menu includes zucchini flowers with ricotta and hot honey, casarecce with lamb ragù and ricotta, and hazelnut tiramisu.
“It’s the perfect setting to relax and unwind with friends before heading off to your screening. We want the entire experience to feel relaxed and inviting—fresh, delicious food and drinks that taste like summer, all enjoyed by the water,” says Scott. Limited tickets for Fabbrica at Chandon Garden are available from 6pm nightly for $50pp.
Summer House Dining By Danielle Alvarez
The most elevated dining offering at Westpac OpenAir Cinema in 2025, Summer House Dining by Danielle Alvarez will serve a luxe pre-cinema experience by the noted chef, who is currently culinary director of the Sydney Opera House event venues.
“We want guests to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of the setting while enjoying a menu that celebrates our local produce and the talented people who grow it. It’s sure to be a great night out,” says Danielle.
Three- and four-course menus are available from $99, with dishes like Burraduc mozzarella with summer fruit, prosciutto and basil; grilled swordfish and courgette spiedini with lemon, white beans and salsa verde; and chocolate mousse with cherries, amaro caramel, crème fraiche and candied walnuts. Tickets are $78 and include reserved grandstand cinema seating.
The Details
What: Westpac OpenAir Cinema
When: 9 January–18 February, 2025
Where: Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point
Tickets: Online from 9 December, 2024
To see what else is happening in Sydney this weekend, this month, and later this year, head over here.
Image credit: Westpac OpenAir Cinema | Fiora Sacco