We’re getting into the belly of spring now, with Sydney gearing up for a big October. Over the next 31 days, you’ll find a smorgasbord of exciting things happening around town, from huge arena shows from international superstars to fear-inducing Halloween parties.
As we round-up the best things to do in Sydney this month, we feel energised by just how diverse the programming is for the city right now. You’ve got big global festivals like SXSW celebrating its second year as the counterpart to the Austin, Texas original, an excuse to sit and drink pink wine in the sun all day, a big design market taking over White Bay Cruise Terminal and so much more.
The best things to do in Sydney this month
1. Festival: SXSW Sydney
The 2nd annual SXSW Sydney will flip the city’s creative scene with a shockingly large amount of networking events, parties, performances, talks and innovative activations from some of the world’s biggest brands like Amazon and destinations like Texas. Conceived as the Southern Hemisphere’s version of the Austin original, the week-long event will transform Sydney into an adult’s playground of music, technology, gaming and film with top-billing stars like Kid Laroi, Jorja Smith and Sarah Wolfe.
Badges to access the festival’s staggering list of events are pricey but there are also hundreds of free things happening during SXSW in its home of Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour.
Where: Various locations (mostly in and around Darling Harbour)
When: October 14-20
Price: $120 – $1,195
2. Drink: Pinot Palooza
Sydney loves a good wine festival, but rarely does the city get something so… niche. Pinot Palooza is a two-day extravaganza that focuses in on one of Australia’s most beloved grapes, worship all things Pinot Noir in the epic surrounds of Carriageworks. Some of Australia and New Zealand’s best wineries have come together for this one, ready, willing and more than able to send guests well on their way to becoming wine experts while various food, music and the all-encompassing, forever-vague “vibes” makes this one of Sydney’s best things to do in October.
Where: Carriageworks; 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015
When: October 4-5
Price: $55
3. Shop: Makers & Shakers Market
The White Bay Cruise Terminal in Rozelle will be transformed into a two-day smorgasbord of arts, crafts and more as 130 of Sydney’s best makers and creators come together for the Makers & Shakers Market. For the breezy entrance fee of $5, you’ll get access to a tightly curated line up of market regulars, all in the one place touting everything from homewares and slow fashion. They’ll also be a bunch of food and drink from our best local vendors on hand, helping creating a buzzy atmosphere geared towards connecting you with your some hard-won treasure.
Where: White Bay Cruise Terminal; 2041 James Craig Rd, Rozelle NSW 2039
When: October 26-27
Price: $5 (free for kids under 12 years old)
4. Dining: Oktoberfest in the Gardens
Australia’s largest Oktoberfest celebration negates the need to head on over to Munich this year, and has been doing so since it was first unleashed upon the city in 2015. What grew from The Domain is now a celebrated national event, but this year it’ll be saving its best for where it all started. Over 20,000 people are expected to come through on the day, which will be packed with Bavarian staples and great bier as several colossal beer halls are set up alongside German food stalls, thrill rides and roving performances. And yes, there’ll even be a silent disco.
Where: The Domain, Sydney 2000
When: Saturday, October 26; 1pm – 9pm
Price: $89.90
oktoberfestinthegardens.com.au
5. Theatre: Flat Earthers – The Musical
What’s your worst date story? Surely it can’t be worse than this one. In Flat Earthers: The Musical, Ria learns that her Tinder match, Flick, is “one of those.” But Flick also needs to come to terms with knowing Ria is a “Globe Earther.” This drama unfolds to a chaotic score of pop-electro as these two (potential) star-crossed lovers try and untangle conflicting theories and ways of viewing life. It’s a tale as old as time, told in an incredibly modern and campy way. The official synopsis describes the small-scale production as “West Side Story meets QAnon,” which places it as one of the more unique shows to see in Sydney this October.
Where: Hayes Theatre; 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point NSW 2011
When: October 11 – November 9
Price: $69
6. Festival: Listen Out
From hardened hip hop superstar 21 Savage to and UK rapper Skepta to prolific DJ Cassian and R&B star Jessie Reyez, Listen Out Sydney is locked and loaded this month. This supercharged celebration of cutting-edge dance music and trendy rap once again slides into the belly of Centennial Park. The entire day will be packed with explosive sets from local and international acts, giving us one of Sydney’s last remaining one-day music festivals in all its glory.
Where: Centennial Park, NSW 2021
When: Sunday, October 6
Price: $219
7. Family Fun: Granny Smith Fest
Did you know the world famous Granny Smith apples were born right out of Ryde? It’s been 39 years since this annual tradition began, celebrating the sweet-sour classic, which was first cultivated by Ryde local Maria Smith before her death in 1870. Sydneysiders looking for something very different to do in Sydney should throw themselves as this all-day festival which will have fun for the whole family including amusement rides, market stalls, food trucks, live music, and a finale show with fireworks.
Some highlights include a pie eating contest, numerous dance performances from local schools and hula hoop lessons.
Where: 1A Wingate Ave, Eastwood NSW 2122
When: Saturday, October 19; 9am – 8:30pm
Price: Free
8. Festival: Parramatta Lanes
Parramatta Lanes is big bigger than ever, growing into one of Sydney’s premier spring festivals with four epic nights celebrating the diversity, culture, flavours and many, many different styles that make Western Sydney so wonderfully diverse. There will be 16 different festival sites across Parramatta, growing the festival’s footprint considerably and bringing the Powerhouse on board with its own pocket of food stalls and music. With giant art and lighting installations, pop-up bars and over 70 street food stalls.
Where: Various locations throughout Parramatta
When: October 23-26
Price: Free
9. Dining: Norton Street Italian Festival
Leichhardt is still the heart of Italian culture in Sydney, with the long, straight-shot strip of Norton Street a vibrant hub of pizza, pasta, Cannelloni and everything in between. Authenticity has always been front-of-mind for this inner-west suburb, which is why Norton Street Italian Fiesta has been going strong since 1986. One of our nation’s largest annual street festivals will be packed with family-friendly entertainment, carnival rides, animal farms, food stalls, cooking demos, pop-up bars, and piles upon piles of housemade gelato.
Where: Norton Street, NSW 2040
When: Sunday, October 27
Price: Free
12. Theatre: Dear Evan Hansen
With six Tony Awards and an abundance of critical acclaim behind it, Dear Evan Hansen will be one of spring’s most popular musicals when it opens at Roslyn Packer Theatre in mid-October. Sydney Theatre Company and Michael Cassel Group present this story a socially anxious high school boy forced into the spotlight when he inadvertently plays an important role in a local tragedy. The coming-of-age tale promises to bring something raw and inspiring to the historic theatre, perfect for fans of deeply complex, profound stories told through the lens of an explosive Broadway musical.
Where: Roslyn Packer Theatre; 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay
When: October 12 – November 24
Price: $125 – $155
13. Celebration: Halloween
Sydney’s best venues are starting to roll out some of Sydney’s best Halloween events this year. And while we’ll keep getting announcements closer to October 31, there’s already a healthy amount of events to book for if you want a spooky spring. Ghost in the Rocks is our big, shiny new festival celebrating all things ghoulish and dastardly, taking over The Rocks precinct from October 31 until early November by transforming the historic area into a ghost town.
There will be a bunch of cool experiences, like a House of Horrors rave in an old heritage building, so make sure you’re across it by heading to the website below.
Where: The Rocks, NSW 2000
When: October 31 – November 3
Price: Varies based on event
14. Dining: Love Food Fair
Love Food Fair is an ode to clean-eating, plant-based diets and sustainably sourced food. Taking place over two days in Martin Place, the free open-air festival will pull together some of Sydney’s finest culinary minds to promote personal health, animal welfare and environmental conversation. With live entertainment staged throughout, it’s a great way to eat around Sydney while also building a new perspective on how we look at food.
Where: Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000
When: October 29-30
Price: Free
15. Drink: Rosé Beach Club
The picturesque Boathouse in Rose Bay is doing something different this spring, welcoming Whispering Angel on board for a massive celebration of the pink stuff. Rosé Bay Beach Club will be a pop-up by the Boathouse, curated with DJs, sunset sessions and rosé happy hours for just over a month. Plus, the Boathouse itself will be offering a special bottomless brunch menu (with rosé, of course).
Where: 594 New South Head Rd, Rose Bay NSW 2029
When: October 1 – November 9
Price: Free (but $95pp for the bottomless brunch)
Read More
- Check out the best kid’s shows to see right now
- October has plenty of free things to do as well
- And you’ll love our list of the best concerts to see in October
