What's On in Sydney: Your Ultimate Guide for January & Beyond

There's no need for any post-festive season blues — summer in Sydney is here to stay and there's plenty on to keep you busy. Make the most of the season with happy hours and rooftop bars, trips to the beach and maybe even a run club appearance! There's nothing quite like summer in Sydney and we're here to help you make the most of it. Read on for our edit of what's on in Sydney this month...

Attend One of Sydney's Newest Dating Club's Events 

Unwritten is taking matchmaking back from the apps and into in-person meets. And they're combining it with some fun activities, too! 

The Bottomless Singles Padel & Pickleball event at Sydney Racquet Club is a great chance to get a little workout whilst connecting with like-minded people. Fancy something more intimate? They also host supper clubs and wine tasting events! Using AI and intuition, you'll leave with the Unwritten guarantee - a match! Head here for more details. 

Creator Summit Powered By Fujifilm

Want to learn the secret to being a successful content creator? Want to tune in to inspiring talks by industry leaders? Fujifilm's first-ever Creator Summit takes place in February this year and is an event you won't want to miss. Running for two days only at Sydney's iconic Luna Park, you'll have the opportunity to hear from Australian comedian Jimmy Rees and entrepreneur and founder of Fayt, Brittney Saunders. Alongside these keynotes, you can partake in photography and video workshops, with the former taking place on a Ferris wheel (yes, really). Plus, you'll also walk out with a goodie bag that's worth $270 along with an abundance of new connections with like-minded creatives. 

Saturday 22nd February 2025 and Sunday 23rd February 2025, 9am - 4pm

$49 per person, purchase here

Luna Park

Score 49% Off Drinks at House Made Hospitality Venues This January 

Cashflow is a little lacking come January which is why House Made Hospitality are offering to lighten the load. Head in to any of their participating venues — Lana, Easy Tiger, Apollonia, Martinez Terrace, Bar Mammoni, Island Radio, The Carrington, Wentworth Bar and Bar Tilda — between 3pm and 6pm daily to get in on the deal. 

The drinks list includes the likes of classic negronis, strawberry spritzes, Bondi Brewing Co. draught beers, and a selection of Australian-made wines. A great way to cool down post-summer day! 

Thursday 2nd January to Friday 31st January, 3pm to 6pm 

Dine on a Decadent Dessert Deal at Quay 

A seat at Quay will usually set you back upwards of a couple of hundred dollars. If you're looking to dine for under $200, Quay has just introduced a luxurious dessert deal guaranteed to up the ante on date night. Enjoy one of Executive Chef Peter Gilmore's signature desserts with a glass of Charles Heidsieck NV Champagne for $90 per person as you soak up some of the best views in the city. What a way to end the day! 

$90 per person 

Wednesday 8th January to Saturday 1st March, reservations at 8:45pm and 9pm

Upper level, Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks

Brookie Fest 

Discover Brookvale's incredible food and drink scene this Feb with the Brookie Fest. There will be workshops, scavenger hunts, food and drink specials, live music, esky races and chilli eating competitions to look forward to across the three days. You can catch the full schedule here. Sample your way through local legends Manly Spirits Distillery, Freshwater Brewing Co., Dad & Dave's Brewery, Four Pines amongst others. There are plenty of fam-friendly evens too so don't forget to bring the little ones. 

Friday 7th February to Sunday 9th February 

4 Powells Road, Brookvale 

LouLou Terrace (Image Credit: Steven Woodburn) 

Spend an Afternoon in Provenance with LouLou Bistro's Outdoor Terrace

Make the most of Sydney's lush summer and book a long lunch on LouLou's terrace. The vibe? Market fresh seafood — think Sydney Rock oysters with vermouth mignonette, Yama prawns and Queensland spanner crab —, fresh baguettes, Lillet spritz and rosé by the glass. Swing by for an afternoon of oysters and aperitifs or linger for longer. 

Throughout Summer 

61 Lavender Street, Milsons Point

Soak Up a Sunset Session on Cockatoo Island

Live music, an island by the water and a lovely ferry ride — summer plans don't get better. Sunset sessions at Cockatoo Island are back and the lineup is looking rather swish. Australia's best emerging talents will be covering off a range of genres with highlights including Youth Group's Toby Martin and First National traditional language storyteller Maanyung. Fancy making a weekend of it? Cockatoo Island is the only island in Sydney Harbour where you can stay overnight. 

$35 per person (children under 12 are free) 

Every Saturday from 11th January to 5th April 2025

Nike Celebrate the Women's Running Community with the Nike After Dark Tour Sydney 

Is running a race on your New Year's resolution list? Well, you might want to consider taking part in the Nike After Dark Tour that will be kicking off its global run here in Sydney on Saturday 12th April. After registering, you can access the official Nike After Dark training plan on the NRC app and connect with other participants. 

The run itself will start in Sydney's Inner West with the course involving a series of immersive experiences and passing iconic Sydney landmarks. And after? Join the post-race celebration. 

The registration fee includes access to the expo, a personal bra fitting service and bra, participant race bib, participant tee shirt, and post-race celebration access. 

The perfect way to blend a night out with your fitness goals!

$100 per person 

Registrations close 11th February, run takes place on Saturday 12th April 

Take a Dip at Sydney Harbour's Newest Swimming Spot

The good people at Pier One Sydney Harbour sure know how to have a good time. They've just transformed their private pontoon into a free swimming spot for anyone and everyone. Giving beach club vibes with a side of incredible views, you can book for groups of 10+ or just turn up. Entry is free and guests can order food and drinks straight from the bar! 

Free 

Friday 1st November to Friday 31st January, 11am to 6pm 

Pier One Sydney Harbour 

Celebrate Summer with Sydney's Most Luxurious Super Yacht 

The Jackson, an incredibly luxe super yacht, is serving up a a bunch of lush events perfect for the warmer weather this season. The Spring-Summer series consists of six bespoke events, all designed to highlight Sydney's unparalleled harbour. We're talking Chandon harbour long lunches, New Year's Eve aboard The Jackson and chef-curated dinners. Drop this in the group chat and cue the good times. Head over here for all the event details. 

Westpac OpenAir 2025 Season 

Dubbed the world's most beautiful cinema, Westpac OpenAir is back for another season. Soak up summer in Sydney with the best seat in the house. There's no need to feel guilty for sitting in the cinema on a perfect summer's day anymore! Take this unique op to enjoy views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House while watching a curation of top films. 

Tickets to new releases A Complete Unknown, Babygirl, Queer, The Count of Monte Cristo, Gladiator II and Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy and more are all on sale now. 

A festival of food will also run alongside the film lineup with bites spanning all price points. If you're feeling fancy, book into Summer House Dining by Danielle Alvarez (ex-Freds). For those after something a little more casual, Fabbrica at Chandon will be offering a delicious pasta bar menu and Luke Nguyen at The Point will offer casual Vietnamese-fusion bites. 

Something a bit special for your summer cal! 

Thursday 9th January to Tuesday 18th February 2025 

Mrs Macquaries Point 

Flickerfest 2025

Cinephiles, it's that time of year. For the 34th year running, Flickerfest will be returning to Bondi to kick off their national short film comp tour. The 10-day festival will host over 200 short films with the full program available to be viewed here. Tune in to over 63 Australian films, 36 international films and 16 documentaries. A great day out paired with a swim at our iconic Bondi Beach! 

Friday 17th January to Sunday 26th January 

Bondi Pavillion 

Ocean Lovers Festival (Image Credits: Matias Aravena & Daniel Kukec)

Ocean Lovers Festival

The Ocean Lovers Festival is back and this year it's going city-wide! Throughout the month of March, there will be a swathe of events for ocean lovers to attend with everything from sunrise yoga sessions and workshops to eco-markets, ferry tours and scientific talks. They will be covering all manner of thought-provoking topics including sustainable seafood, indigenous sea knowledge and shark net alternatives. Catch the full program here. 

Saturday 1st March to Monday 31st March 

Cao Fei: My City is Yours 

Recently voted one of the most influential artists in the world, Cao Fei's retrospective charts the rapid urbanisation of China and the global digital revolutions of the past 20 years. Her multimedia approach — films, photography and installation — makes this exhibition an immersive experience not to be missed. You'll move through a 'cityscape' that will take you from Fukoka to New York and all the way back to Sydney again. 

From $30, tickets available here 

Saturday 30th November 2024 to Sunday 13th April 2025 

Art Gallery of NSW 

Catch a Flick at the Laneway Cinema 

Save some cash this summer with the return of The Laneway Cinema in The Rocks. Settle in on bean bags and deck chairs for a movie under the stars. The cinema will be open every Wednesday from 7pm with free tickets available online and walk-ins welcome. You can also make a donation for popcorn with all proceeds going to a different charity each month, 

Free

Wednesday 6th November to Wednesday 26th March 2025 

The Rocks

Cirque Du Soleil Luzia 

Renowned contemporary circus performance group Cirque Du Soleil has just touched down in Sydney once again with their latest show, LUZIA. The show takes guests on a dreamlike journey through Mexico via folklore stories, acrobatic performances and a mesmerising soundtrack. The perfect Christmas present, perhaps? 

From $80, tickets available here 

Sunday 24th November 2024 to Sunday 9th February 2025 

Big Top, The Entertainment Quarter 

All About Women Festival 

One of the most anticipated festivals of the year, All About Women will be taking centre stage at the Opera House again this March. As usual, the festival will be diving headfirst into thought-provoking topics covering gender, justice and equality. Topics include the great baby boycott, an interview with Geraldine Brooks on her latest release Memorial Days and Rachel Kushner on the complexity of humanity. The full program can be viewed here. 

Saturday 8th March to Sunday 9th March 

Sydney Opera House 

Mov'In Bed Beach Cinema Barangaroo 

An outdoor cinema but make it comfy. Mov'In Bed is back for another year and the creature comforts are top-tier. Barangaroo's harbour park has transformed into a beach, complete with bean beds and Australia's largest outdoor screen. But the best bit? You can get food and drinks delivered straight to your outdoor bed! Pizzas, organic wine, frozen cocktails...the options are bountiful! Head over here for the lineup of films. 

Tickets from $12

29th November 2024 Until March 2025 

Harbour Park, Barangaroo 

Looking for more fun things to do in Sydney? We have plenty to keep you entertained. From Sydney's best new degustation menus and best bottomless brunches to the best Mexican restaurants in town and where to go for a dreamy Sydney staycation, here's all you need for a weekend in the city. 

Our Sitchu editors work hard to deliver you the best products, events and venues that we hope you will love, each one is selected independently. Sitchu may receive an affiliate commission when you follow some links.