City guides
Australia
New South Wales
What’s on in Sydney
Mardi Gras
17 February 2026
What began in 1978 as a protest march has grown into one of Sydney's most vibrant annual celebrations. Each February, the city hosts the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, a three-…
Mardi Gras
17 February 2026
What began in 1978 as a protest march has grown into one of Sydney's most vibrant annual celebrations. Each February, the city hosts the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, a three-week festival that attracts visitors from around the world with its mix of art exhibitions, film screenings, concerts, talks and community events. The highlight is the spectacular night-time parade, one of the largest of its kind, featuring elaborate floats, dancers and thousands of participants. The parade traditionally takes place along Oxford Street and continues towards Moore Park, where festivities spill into late-night parties and gatherings. The atmosphere is lively, inclusive and colourful, with crowds lining the streets to enjoy one of Sydney's signature events.
Website www.mardigras.org.au
Sydney Festival
8 — 25 January 2026
Sydney CBD
One of Australia's largest and most prestigious cultural events, the Sydney Festival brings world-class theatre, music, dance, visual art and outdoor performance to the city every …
Sydney Festival
8 — 25 January 2026
Sydney CBD
One of Australia's largest and most prestigious cultural events, the Sydney Festival brings world-class theatre, music, dance, visual art and outdoor performance to the city every January. For three weeks, concert halls, theatres, galleries and public spaces across Sydney come alive with a vibrant mix of local and international talent. The programme ranges from contemporary music and large-scale theatre productions to experimental works, installations and family-friendly events. A much-loved feature of the festival is its series of free outdoor performances, including popular symphony and jazz concerts in the Domain, which draw large crowds and add to the festival's lively, inclusive atmosphere.
Website www.sydneyfestival.org.au
New Year's Eve Fireworks Spectacular
31 December annually
Sydney Harbour
Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations are among the most recognisable in the world, with the harbour providing a spectacular backdrop for a night of colour and celebration. Two fire…
New Year's Eve Fireworks Spectacular
31 December annually
Sydney Harbour
Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations are among the most recognisable in the world, with the harbour providing a spectacular backdrop for a night of colour and celebration. Two fireworks displays light up the city each year: a 9pm show designed for families, and the midnight spectacle, which launches from the Harbour Bridge and a series of barges positioned across the harbour. The event attracts huge crowds along the foreshore and millions of viewers around the globe. Throughout the evening, various vantage points host their own entertainment and picnics, and the fireworks are accompanied by an official musical soundtrack broadcast on television and radio. The atmosphere is festive, lively and unforgettable, making it one of Sydney's signature annual events.
Website www.sydneynewyearseve.com.au
Carols in the Domain
December annually
The Domain, Sydney Botanical Gardens
Carols in the Domain is a major annual Christmas celebration in Sydney, held in The Domain within the Royal Botanic Gardens. Each year thousands of families gather to share in an e…
Carols in the Domain
December annually
The Domain, Sydney Botanical Gardens
Carols in the Domain is a major annual Christmas celebration in Sydney, held in The Domain within the Royal Botanic Gardens. Each year thousands of families gather to share in an evening of live carols, orchestras, screen stars and sing-alongs under the stars. As dusk falls the lawns glow with candle-bag lights and the festive atmosphere builds. The event features top Australian performers on stage, free general-admission lawn areas and ticketed reserved seating zones. Televised nationally and locally, it brings together live music, choirs and fireworks to mark the start of the Christmas season.
Website www.carolsinthedomain.com
Australia Day Celebrations
26 January 2026
Various
Australia Day on 26 January marks the anniversary of the First Fleet's arrival at Sydney Cove in 1788 and is observed across the country with community events, barbecues and public…
Australia Day Celebrations
26 January 2026
Various
Australia Day on 26 January marks the anniversary of the First Fleet's arrival at Sydney Cove in 1788 and is observed across the country with community events, barbecues and public celebrations. Sydney traditionally hosts one of Australia's largest programmes, with activities taking place on the harbour and throughout the city. Popular events often include the Ferrython, on-water displays, concerts, family activities and official ceremonies that acknowledge both the nation's history and the contributions of its communities. Citizenship ceremonies are held across the city, and many venues feature live music, food stalls and cultural performances. Programmes vary from year to year, but the atmosphere is lively and festive, offering visitors a chance to experience Sydney at its most energetic.
Website www.australiaday.com.au
Sydney Film Festival
04 June — 15 June 2026
Screenings at various venues in Sydney's CBD
First held in 1954, the Sydney Film Festival is one of the world's longest-running celebrations of cinema and remains a highlight of the city's cultural calendar. The programme ran…
Sydney Film Festival
04 June — 15 June 2026
Screenings at various venues in Sydney's CBD
First held in 1954, the Sydney Film Festival is one of the world's longest-running celebrations of cinema and remains a highlight of the city's cultural calendar. The programme ranges from Australian features and documentaries to international festival favourites, independent films and experimental work. Many screenings include filmmaker Q&As or panel discussions, which are a major draw for cinephiles. The festival's short-film competition is Academy Award qualifying, giving emerging filmmakers an important platform. Held each June in venues across the city, the event attracts a broad audience and offers visitors a chance to engage with bold, thought-provoking cinema from around the world.
Website www.sff.org.au