NSW Government

Events in the City

Rediscover Sydney and support cafes, bars, restaurants and cultural institutions while staying COVID safe.

Our colourful and vibrant city is back to offering plenty of attractions. Choose one or more experiences this season and enjoy Sydney from dawn to dusk.

What’s On in the city

CITY OF SYDNEY AND NSW GOVERNMENT

Find the latest events happening in the city centre on What’s On.
Floating cinema in Darling Harbour, Sydney NSW

Culture Up Late

CREATE NSW

Opportunities for visitors and residents to see exhibitions and programs into the evenings at major cultural institutions through extended opening hours and free admission.
The Flamingo Sleep (detail), oil, enamel on wood, Wart. Photo by Doug Heslop.

Love Sydney

DESTINATION NSW

From stylish hotels to award-winning restaurants, buzzy small bars, captivating galleries and exhilarating adventures, there’s a new experience for every day in Sydney. Plan a holiday in one of the world’s greatest cities – you won’t even need your passport.
People at a bar

Royal Botanic Garden

THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN SYDNEY

Find out what's on at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney – upcoming events, community festivals, exhibitions, plant sales and much more!
People attending an event at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

$21 Sydney Opera House Summer Tix

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

Make some new memories at the Opera House in 2021 with $21 tickets up for grabs daily across a range of the summer line-up of events, running until the end of March.
A crowd at a concert at the Sydney Opera House

Public transport

TRANSPORT FOR NSW

For essential travel information, including advice on safer travel, additional services to CBD and latest updates.
Commuters wearing a face mask

Every Body Dance Now

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

Share in the joy of dance against one of the world’s most iconic backdrops with free, fun and inclusive dance classes in the open air on the Opera House Forecourt for participants of all levels, ages and abilities.
People dancing on the Sydney Opera House forecourt

Creative Play

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

Get inspired with free artist-led children’s workshops in the April school holidays, with experiences including story-weaving using repurposed old Opera House uniforms kid-friendly explorations of the design principles of Opera House architect Jørn Utzon.
Child in front of orange artwork

Sydney Square Dance

DARLING HARBOUR

This April, Darling Harbour’s public spaces will be energized through epic dance performances and interactive classes during the Sydney Square Dance.
Sydney Square Dance performances

Free Forecourt Concerts Weekend

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

The Sydney Opera House Forecourt invites audiences to celebrate live music this April weekend with a free, multi-genre, all-ages program featuring performances from vital pop leaders, an Indigenous-led showcase of tomorrow’s game-changers, and a repertoire of classical masterpieces from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Sydney Opera House Free Forecourt Concerts Weekend

Badu Gili Wonder Women

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

The Opera House’s free, nightly First Nations sails lighting returns from Friday 23 April with a vibrant new projection that celebrates the work and stories of six female First Nations artists. Badu Gili: Wonder Women is a creative collaboration between the Opera House and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
SOH Badu Gili Wonder Women sails render Kaylene Whiskey Dolly visits Indulkana (2020)

Culture Up Late

At The House

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

Rediscover the Opera House after dark with late-night backstage tours, forecourt concerts, outdoor experiences and more.
Sydney Opera House Forecourt at night

MCA Late

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART

Enjoy art at twilight and hidden surprises at the MCA. Wander through our galleries and you might find the evening’s guest – a musician, artist, poet, or performer – who will hold intimate performances through the night – no Friday will be the same. Free entry, open until 9pm.
Lindy Lee Secret World artwork depicting an eye-shaped circle lit up at night in front of the Sydney Opera House

Art After Hours

ART GALLERY OF NSW

Explore a range of free exhibitions and our much loved collection, join a tour, grab a drink or a bite to eat in the café, or catch a film screening as part of Art After Hours at the Art Gallery of NSW.
Art Gallery of NSW entrance at night, covered in pink lights

Nights at the Museum

AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM

Wander through the summer blockbuster Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family and Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibitions, take part in a spotlight tour, enjoy an exciting lineup of local DJs each week and relax at the pop-up bar.
Trex exhibition

Powerhouse Late

POWERHOUSE MUSEUM

Discover the Powerhouse after-hours on Thursday nights. Featuring free exhibition tours, live music performances, DJ sets and film screenings, plus an al fresco Campari bar.
Powerhouse late

Sydney Living Museums

SYDNEY LIVING MUSEUMS

Explore the Museum of Sydney, Hyde Park Barracks and Justice & Police Museum during Culture Up Late with extended evening opening hours from 5-9pm every Thursday evening and half price entry. Members receive free entry.
Cardboard cutouts of early 1900's police officers in front of the Justice & Police Museum in Sydney at dark

State Library of NSW

STATE LIBRARY OF NSW

With the State Library’s iconic Mitchell Library Reading Room, beautiful heritage spaces and galleries, you’ll be surprised by what you can discover. See an extraordinary piece of public floor art, check out the annual Photos1440 exhibition and the Coming Out in the 70s exhibition. Free entry.
Photos1440 exhibition at the State Library of NSW showing a visitor in front of three artworks taking a photo

Opportunities for organisations

Festival of Place – Summer Fund program

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, INDUSTRY & ENVIRONMENT

Free small-scale, safe community activations and events will be run by councils across NSW to encourage people to get out to their local retail centres and public spaces over summer, through to 18 April.
Performers outside using bright umbrellas

Alfresco dining

CITY OF SYDNEY

A free, fast-tracked application process for outdoor dining provides cafes, bars, restaurants and cultural venues options to cater for more customers.
Aerial view of outdoor dining in Sydney NSW

Dine & Discover NSW

CUSTOMER SERVICE

The NSW Government has launched Dine & Discover NSW to support local dining, arts and tourism businesses and encourage the community to get out and about. All eligible businesses across NSW can now register for the scheme.
Group of three girlfriends enjoying lunch

Enjoy the Sydney CBD in a COVID Safe way

Being COVID Safe is a responsibility we all share. Practice COVID safe behaviour wherever you go. This will help NSW stay in business so you can keep visiting the places you love.

Find out how to protect yourself and keep our community safe. 

Learn about what you can and can't do under the rules.

 

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