Featuring exceptional pianists from all over the world, the Sydney International Piano Competition is one of the major international events of its...
Sydney Events
The stunning harbour city of Sydney sparkles with exciting events held all year round. From the world-famous New Year’s Eve celebrations to iconic theatre acts, Vivid Sydney’s festival of light, exciting sports tournaments, and everything else, Sydney’s event calendar has something to offer everyone.
When you combine all these events and factor in Sydney’s incredible weather and beautiful beaches with a dash of cosmopolitan culture, you have the perfect recipe for a magical experience.
Upcoming 2025/2026 Sydney Music Festivals & Sporting Events Calendar
It’s no secret that Sydneysiders love the outdoors, especially when there is wine and food in the picture. The Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival is a well-loved annual event that only grows each year, showcasing the diverse food and wine culture of this part of Australia. Indulge in the best regional produce, downed with premium local wines at the Taste of Sydney festival. At the same time, the Bastille Festival adds a deliciously rich culinary experience that only the French can provide. So make sure to bring along an appetite and come thirsty.
Sydney is a hot spot for creatives from around the world, which is celebrated in the numerous art and film events held throughout the year. Scare yourself silly at A Night of Horror International Film Festival, be amazed at fascinating flicks at the Sydney Film Festival, or watch a classic film at one of the open-air cinemas. Sydney is known for being home to some of the best film experiences in the world.
Like the rest of Australia, Sydney has its fair share of diverse festivals, too. Each of them is unique and special in its own way; these festivals are worth travelling for. Thousands fly across the globe to attend the legendary Mardi Gras festivities, but don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes for the St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival.
Adrenaline, you say? There’s lots of that here, too: The Australian Open of Surfing is undoubtedly the ultimate sports festival. Surfing is the main star, while BMX comps and skating are the supporting cast. The Sydney Harbour Regatta is a breathtaking display of over 200 keelboats competing in the sparkling seas of the Sydney Harbour.
Check out what’s happening this weekend, or spontaneously join in a festival or event! Check out the calendar, as Sydney’s events are always changing.
Carols by the Sea is an annual community event inviting everyone to celebrate the festive season. It offers a unique way to share Christmas cheer through songs in seaside locations in and around Sydney. In the past, the...
If you are in Sydney around Christmas time, don’t miss the most popular Christmas event called Carols in the Domain. This huge event is a massive Christmas celebration where families come together to sing along to...
Christmas Eve is celebrated on the 24th of December and is celebrated worldwide. Christmas Day in Sydney is a public holiday and a wonderful time to stop, reflect, and spend time with family and friends. Christmas Eve...
Christmas Day is celebrated on the 25th of December and is celebrated worldwide. Christmas in Sydney is a public holiday and a wonderful time to stop, reflect, and spend time with family and friends. Christmas Day in...
Boxing Day is a massive public holiday in Australia, and the best thing about being in Sydney is that there are so many ways to spend the day. From sporting events, cinema releases, shopping sprees or family BBQs...
The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is a major sporting event in Australia, held on Boxing Day each year. Attracting some of the best sailing crews in the world, the race travels from Sydney, 630 nautical miles (1,100km)...
Only a few events are celebrated worldwide, with New Year’s celebrated in every corner of the earth. Whether the fireworks on the Sydney Harbour Bridge or the Ball Drop at Times Square, New Year’s Eve is...
Field Day is a massive music festival held annually on New Year’s Day in The Domain Gardens. With a huge line-up of international acts, Field Day is a great way to start the new year with the sun shining and...
New Year’s Day falls on the 1st of January each year, at the height of the Australian summer. It has been designated a public holiday, allowing many people to relax on a day off work. Even though there may be some...
The Sydney Festival is a huge event that started in 1977 and is now held over 24 days in January yearly. With over 130 events in cutting-edge theatre, music, cabaret, dance and visual art, come down to this family...
The Parkes Elvis Festival is usually held in January each year as it coincides with the birthday of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. The festival started in the 1990s and has grown yearly, with over 150 events...
Flickerfest is Australia’s largest short film competition dedicated to showcasing the best short films from Australia and worldwide, from live-action to documentaries and animation. FLiCKERFEST, Australia’s premier...
The Tamworth Country Music Festival is the largest country music festival held in Australia and usually takes place in January each year. Since 1973, the Tamworth Country Music Festival typically runs over two weeks. It...
One of the largest celebrations held throughout the country year after year is Australia Day. Australia Day celebrated on January 26th, is a public holiday honouring the arrival of the first British Fleet on Australian...
The Yabun Festival is an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture held every year on Australia Day (January 26th) on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people at Victoria Park in Broadway in...
The Cole Classic is an annual sporting event on Sydney’s most famous northern beaches. It takes place over a weekend in February to benefit charity. For over four decades, the Cole Classic has been a cornerstone...
The Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival is the largest ukulele event in the Southern Hemisphere. Organised by the Blue Mountains Ukulele Group, the award-winning festival takes place around February each year at the...
Come to Mount Panorama and witness one of the biggest car races on Australia’s racing calendar. Considered the launching point for the Australian motorsport season, the Bathurst 12 Hour is held in January/February...
The Queer Screen film festival is one of the biggest LGBT film events in Australia, with the 15-day-long celebration aiming to raise awareness of sexual diversities and gender identities through queer film. Taking place...
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras annual pride parade celebrates the LGBT community. Attended by hundreds of thousands of people annually, the Mardi Gras is one of the year’s biggest events. Sydney Gay and...
2026 is the year of the Horse, starting from February 17th, 2026 (Chinese Lunar New Year Day) and lasting until February 5, 2027. If you were born in 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014…, your Chinese zodiac sign is the...
The Sydney Harbour Challenge is a man Outrigger Canoe Race and is one of Australia’s most prestigious events in this sport. Each year, the event attracts over 800 competitors. It is quickly becoming one of the...
Yours and Owls will take over the University of Wollongong campus for two days, igniting the UOW’s grounds, lush green ovals and hidden laneways to the sounds and sights of some of the world’s and Australia’s best...
The Malaysia Festival is Sydney’s biggest celebration of Malaysian culture, taking place at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour. The non-profit, student-run festival was established back in 1990. It was initially a...
The All About Women event celebrates ideas and themes around feminism and empowerment for women in Australia and internationally. Celebrate International Women’s Day with our unmissable one-day program of talks, panels...
The Biennale of Sydney is a visual arts festival that provides a platform for commissioned pieces of art to be displayed to the public. Aimed at presenting thought-provoking art pieces, the Biennale of Sydney first...
The Sydney Harbour Regatta, hosted by the Middle Harbour Yacht Club in the autumn of March each year, is one of Australia’s largest competitive keelboat regattas. One hundred eighty keelboats will race across 25...
Airshows Downunder Shellharbour (previously known as Wings Over Illawarra) is held in Illawarra on the NSW south coast, just over an hour south of Sydney. Situated in a picturesque location with an amazing backdrop of...
The St. Patrick’s Day Festival is a cultural festival held in March 2026 that celebrates Saint Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland. In Sydney, St. Patrick’s Day is often celebrated by friends in a pub and...
The Rosehill Gardens Racecourse is a premium horse racing venue in the Western suburbs of Sydney. It is best known for hosting the Golden Slipper thoroughbred horse race, one of the most popular destinations for race...
The Nepean Triathlon is an annual event that combines the best of swimming, racing, and riding – all in the picturesque surroundings of Penrith. The Nepean Triathlon is held at the International Regatta Centre and...
Orange F.O.O.D Week, also known as Food of Orange District, is a food festival held in the beautiful township of Orange each year. As one of Australia’s top food festivals, Orange F.O.O.D Week has been running...
Featuring exceptional pianists from all over the world, the Sydney International Piano Competition is one of the major international events of its kind. It’s where you can see pianists competing at the...
What are the most popular annual events in Sydney?
The most popular annual events in Sydney are:
- New Years Eve
- Vivid Sydney
- State of Origin
- Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
- Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Where are the most popular annual events in Sydney held?
The most popular annual events in Sydney are held at:Check out the whole list of annual events in Sydney.
What areas are the most popular annual events in Sydney located?
The most popular areas for annual events in Sydney are located in:Check out the whole list of annual events in Sydney.