As July winds down, let’s make the most of the final weekend with some exciting experiences, from Bankstown to Rose Bay.
After a busy week, we know you’re looking for activities and events that require minimal planning, plenty of free parking, and budget-friendly meals that satisfy both wallet and appetite. We’ve got that all covered below, curating 10 events we think will make for a great weekend in this beautiful city as we charge towards the end of winter.
Bankstown Bites | Saturday, July 27
Bankstown Bites is back, promising to be tastier than ever as it takes over Griffith Park on Saturday. Don’t miss the festival’s first-ever Celebrity Chef Masterclass, featuring award-winning pastry chef Anna Polyviou and her mum, Eugina Polyviou. Anna will be taking the main stage at the Bankstown Bites Kitchen from 10am.
Reflecting the great diversity of Bankstown, the intimate food festival will give you access to many different tastes, filled with the wafting aromas of everything from Malaysian street food to Middle Eastern and Italian.
When: 10am – 4pm
Where: 4A Olympic Parade, Bankstown NSW 2200
Cost: Free
Free beers and tacos at the Happy Mexican | Saturday, July 27
Looking for a reason to party this weekend? The Happy Mexican is making its grand debut at the historic Landsdowne Hotel and they’re kicking off the festivities by shelling out 500 free tacos and 200 free beers this Saturday. Don’t forget to dress up for the Mexican costume contest; the top three best-dressed guests will each win a $200 bar tab. Plus, if you stick around until late you may or may not (hint: you will) be able to dance the night away to a Mariachi band.
When: 8pm – late
Where: 2-6 City Rd, Chippendale NSW 2008
Cost: Free
All you can eat Roman pizza at Martina | Saturday, July 27
Martina, Rose Bay’s newest Italian gem, is offering a wallet friendly deal to help take that cost-of-living pressure off this winter. For just $33 per person, enjoy an all-you-can-eat feast of Roman-style pizza and pasta during lunch. Every Saturday, from 12pm to 3pm, dig into a selection of delicious pizzas and endless pastas for one-hour bookings. While your mouths are full, your eyes will be treated to stunning harbour views just as good as anything you’ll find along the Amalfi Coast. Reservations are essential.
When: 12pm – 3pm
Where: 51-55 O’Sullivan Rd, Rose Bay NSW 2029
Cost: $33
Freshie Palooza at Freshwater Brewing Co. | Saturday and Sunday, July 27 and July 28
Get ready for an epic four-day celebration of music and creativity at Freshwater Brewing Co. from Thursday, July 25 to Sunday, July 28. Stroll through night markets, pick up a new skill, enjoy free live bands,, and watch circus acts with the kids at the eclectic Brookvale brewery. Music lovers can look forward to the lineup of free gigs, featuring rapper Gold Fang, neo-RnB singer Ruby Jackson, indie trio Loretta, and Urban Roots band The Strides, among others.
When: From 12pm
Where: 4 Powells Rd, Brookvale NSW 2100
Cost: Free
Limbo – The Return Circus | Saturday and Sunday, July 27 and 28
Catch LIMBO – The Return, the acclaimed circus that’s impressed audiences from Brussels to Bogota. This reworked show features a dynamic mix of cabaret, circus acts, acrobatics, and live music, making sure you sit firmly on the edge of your seat. Huge demand has brought the production to Sydney a few times now, so make sure you get in quick before tickets are snapped up.
When: 7:30pm
Where: The Grand Electric; 199 Cleveland St, Surry Hills NSW 2016
Cost: From $50
Belles Hot Chicken Specials | Saturday and Sunday, July 27 and 28
The cult-fave chicken chain is coming in hot this winter with a wallet-saving deal to help assuage the cost of living crisis. Until the end of July, all online bookings made via the Belles Hot Chicken website can claim 50% of the bill back in the form of a voucher to be redeemed on a future visit. And it’s good timing too, since the chain has just introduced a new signature hot honey chicken sandwich with Quinby’s chilli honey, drizzled over Belle’s crispy fried tenders and layered with pickles and ranch dressing in a fluffy milk bun.
Where: Circular Quay, Barangaroo, Bondi Beach
Mum Cha at Colombo Social | Saturday, July 27
Atlas Dining, one of Melbourne’s best restaurants, will be loaning us their founder, Charlie Carrington, and his mother Jacqueline for a special one-day-only, eight-course lunch this Saturday. Taking over Colombo Social’s kitchen in Enmore, the interstate collaboration will draw on Carrington’s travels, building a menu of worldly dishes including butter-infused smoked drumstick and a unique Italian-Vietnamese creation: the bolognese vermicelli san choy boy.
When: Saturday July 27
Where: Colombo Social; 159 Enmore Rd, Enmore NSW 2042
Cost: $150
NRL Roosters v Manly | Saturday, July 27
Cheer on your favourite team as the Sydney Roosters take on the Manly Sea Eagles in an action packed NRL match. This will be one of the biggest of the season so if you feel like dipping into an electrifying atmosphere with some friendly competition, there’s really no better option this weekend.
When: Gates open 5:30pm
Where: Allianz Stadium; Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021
Cost: From $37.50
Latin Makers Market | Saturday, July 27
Head to the Marrickville Town Hall for the lively Latin Makers Market. Clear some space in your wardrobe and prepare yourself to bring back home bags filled with handcrafted goods, stylish accessories and unique treasures. Enjoy the sounds of Latin music and food bursting with flavour, shaping up the year’s largest celebration of Latin culture in Sydney.
When: 10am – 5pm
Where: Marrickville Town Hall, 303 Marrickville Road Marrickville, NSW 2204
Cost: Free
Coffee & SerendipiTea Exhibition | Saturday, July 27
Step into a world of serendipity at the Coffee & SerendipiTea exhibition. Featuring the works of artists Pamela Leung and Yumi Umiumare, and curated by Rachael Kiang, this exhibition turns the Bankstown Arts Centre into a blend of coffee shop and teahouse. Visitors are encouraged to interact and become part of the art, engaging all five senses in a communal, creative experience.
When: Saturday July 27; 2pm to 4.30pm
Where: The Bankstown Arts Centre; 5 Olympic Parade Bankstown, NSW 2200
Cost: Free
