Looking for the best things to do in Sydney this weekend? We’ve got you covered with our weekly guide to the most exciting events happening around town.
With both Jesus Christ Superstar and Six The Musical returning to Sydney this month, this weekend should be all about those ridiculously colourful, bright musicals to inject a bit of magic into the mundane. But that’s not all that’s happening this weekend in Sydney, with the the city’s first Christmas market of the year, free Latin dancing in Darling Harbour and one of Sydney’s most unique art exhibitions.
Things to do in Sydney this Weekend
1. Exhibition: Machu Picchu and the Golden Empire of Peru
Head along to the Australian Museum this weekend for the blockbuster premier of Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru. Given the museum’s previous major exhibition, Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs, broke attendance records with over half a million tickets sold, this collection of over 130 artefacts is primed for success.
The history of ancient Peru is told through items and artwork showcasing the daily lives, spiritual practices and achievements of the Incan city, elevated by VR experiences and cutting-edge technology like 360-degree motion chairs flooded with the sights, sounds and sensations tied to this fascinating part of human history.
Nothing is off the table here. The exhibition will explore everything from archaeology to astronomy, designed to give guests a comprehensive, immersive snapshot of what it was like living as far bar as 10,000 BCE with civilisations that predate the Incas and a distinct fascination with the cycle of birth and death.
Where: Australian Museum; 1 William St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
When: Saturday, November 23 – February 2025
Price: From $37.50 (adults); from $20 (children)
2. Family Fun: Santa scales the Sydney Harbour Bridge
From now until the Sunday before Christmas, anyone climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb will spot a familiar face when they reach the peak.
With Sydney busy getting into holiday mode, Santa has popped into the Harbour City a month earlier than his biggest shift of the year, waiting atop the iconic bridge for guests climbing to the summit before 11am. Not only will you get to snap a photo with the big man set against one of the world’s most impressive views, but you’ll also get a Santa hat to take home, a complimentary printed Santa photo (with every purchased photo package) and sing-a-long carols to get everyone in the mood once they’ve marched through the 1332-steps it takes to reach the top.
Want to do it for free? Head on over the Sydney Travel Guide’s competitions page where we are currently giving away a double pass for BridgeClimb, valued at over $770.
Where: Sydney Harbour Bridge
When: Before 11am every Sunday (until December 22, 2024)
Price: $345 (adults); $149 (children)
3. Theatre: People Will Think You Don’t Love Me
While the two big productions around Sydney right now are Six the Musical and Jesus Christ Superstar, you’d be remiss to overlook the smaller, indie shows that really make the city’s cultural scene shine throughout the year.
Head along to KXT Theatre on Broadway to check out the beautifully tragic People Will Think You Don’t Love Me. Coming from writer Joanna Erskine and director Jules Billington, the story explores themes of cellular memory, identity and the heart as Michael, a heart transplant patient, is thrust into an identity crisis when his wife, Liz, starts making contact with the donor’s girlfriend, Tommy.
Where: KXT Theatre; 181 Broadway, Ultimo NSW 2007
When: Until November 30, 2024
Price: From $35
4. Drink: Light Up The Cross
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to run around Kings Cross this weekend and follow the neon signs. The Kings Cross Quarter has started up a new month-long campaign to help bring some vitality back to Sydney’s most notorious district, balancing the focus between nightlife and all the great new venues that have elevated this area over the past few years. From Teddy to The Hook, over 30 participating venues will be offering (affordable) glowing cocktails as well as putting on spritely performances, DJ sets and more.
Where: Various
When: Until November 30, 2024
Price: Varies
5. Dance: The Australian Ballet presents Oscar
The literary legend of Oscar Wilde has been brought to life with a whimsical production by the Australian Ballet. Head along to the Sydney Opera House this weekend to catch the new full-length ballet by Tony-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, celebrating the complexity of love in all forms by retelling the life and times of Wilde.
In particular, the Irish poet’s best-known works, The Nightingale and the Rose and The Picture of Dorian Grey are worked into the performance, baked by immersive set pieces by Jean-March Puissant and a big, dramatic score by Joby Talbot.
The performance wraps up its limited season this weekend so don’t miss your last chance to catch some prime Sydney ballet before the city is spruced for the silly season.
Where: Sydney Opera House; Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000
When: Until November 23, 2024
Price: From $56
6. Drink: The Panorama Bar at The International
One of Sydney’s hottest openings right now is The International. The swanky three-in-one venue at 25 Martin Place is rolling out in stages right now, but its rooftop Panorama Bar is now open and absolutely buzzing for after-work drinks. With a snack and small plate menu helmed by Joel Bickford, it’s the latest rooftop bar to open just in time for the summer holidays, with lounges, firepits and curved balconies facing Harry Seidler’s oddball Mushroom building.
Address: 25 Martin P, Sydney NSW 2000
Opening Times: Thursday – Sunday (4pm – late)
7. Art: Angelica Mesiti “The Rites of When”
Sydney-born Parisian artist Angelica Mesiti is currently exhibiting her latest blockbuster work at the Art Gallery of NSW’s most unique space, a former World War II oil tank. The subterranean gallery’s unique industrial architecture has been used to give life to The Rites of When, an innovative film of music and dance peppered with cinematic drone footage focusing on various celebrations relating to both the longest night and longest day of the year.
The conceptual work is anchored by traditions of the hibernal and aestival solstices, activating The Tank in a visually spectacular way. If you’ve never been down before, now is the best time to do with the free exhibition running through to next year.
Where: Art Gallery of NSW; Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000
When: Until May 11, 2025
Price: Free
8. Theatre: Six the Musical
SIX The Musical has returned to Theatre Royal Sydney for 80 minutes of pop-powered theatre as the six wives of Henry VIII rewrite history and argue over who had the worst marriage. The Tony Award-winning musical has been in high demand ever since it debuted back in 2017, witnessed by around 3.5 million people around the world each year.
After a successful local tour in Melbourne, the musical begins a limited run in Sydney that’ll take it through to the end of the year. Kimberley Hodgson, Deirdre Khoo, Loren Hunter, Zelia Rose Kitoko, Chelsea Dawson and Giorgia Kennedy are all on board as Henry’s wives, all of whom hilariously bring their own sense of style to stage for what should easily be one of the rowdier productions of 2024.
But will it be funnier than Titanique? You’ll need to head along with Theatre Royal Sydney this weekend to find out.
Where: Theatre Royal Sydney; 108 King St, Sydney NSW 2000
When: Until December 28, 2024
Price: $99.50
9. Dining: The Sydney Good Food & Wine Show Christmas Markets
More than 150 local producers will be showcasing their finest over the entire weekend, spread out in Carriageworks for the ultimate Christmas market. There’ll be a bunch of celebrity chefs (think Kirsten Tibballs and Sammy Jakubiak), live cooking demonstrations, and pop-up bars with festive cocktails to help push everyone into the final month of the year.
Sydney’s Christmas markets are always a great way to pick up handcrafted gifts and artisanal goods to get your shopping done well before the rush, with this being the first major Christmas market before the season starts.
Where: Carriageworks; 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015
When: November 22-24
Price: $15
10. Upskill: Foodtography Tour
Taking good food photos is no longer exclusively the domain of critics and social media personalities. A recent study commissioned by Fujifilm found that a significant number of young Aussies (32%) are struggling to take good food photos, and are looking to change that. In response, Fujifilm has partnered with local food experts and TikTokers to create a series of “Foodtography” tours so guests can dine around town while also upskilling their off-the-cuff photography hobby.
You can take a bite of the tours this weekend, where the itinerary will have you guided by a food expert all over Newtown. You’ll get to try Italian and Mexican street food, modern Chinese, gourmet meat pies, Turkish ice cream, Asian-inspired lamingtons and under-the-radar Pakistani favourites.
Where: Newtown, NSW 2042
When: Sunday, November 23
Price: $60
