MJ - The MusicalCredit: Myles Frost as Michael Jackson in the original Broadway production of MJ_photo by Matthew Murphy
MJ - The Musical
When the winter sun signs off, Sydney’s technicolour skyline roars to life, setting the stage for a spectacular calendar of world-class events that intrigue, inspire and thrill. And, as the entertainment hub of the Southern Hemisphere, the city’s hotlist of happenings is ever-growing, with the cooler months ahead bringing an unmissable lineup of festivals, international sports tournaments, and blockbuster shows. With comfortable temperatures and bright, clear nights, there’s never been a better time to experience the energy and excitement of Sydney. Here, your winter-night hitlist…
Add your voice to the stadium’s roar
Follow the roar of the crowds into stadiums abuzz with electric energy as winter nights set the scene for some of sport’s fiercest showdowns. The action’s headlined by two unmissable rugby union blockbusters, as the mighty British & Irish Lions return to Australia for the first time in 12 years – and they’re coming straight for NSW’s biggest stages. On 5 July, more than 45,000 fans will pack out the stands of Allianz Stadium to watch the NSW Waratahs take on the touring powerhouse. Then, on 2 August, all eyes turn to Accor Stadium for what could be the deciding Test match in the Lions’ nine-game tour. The footy action continues with rugby league’s ultimate grudge match, the State of Origin. On 9 July, more than 80,000 fans will watch the NSW Blues defend home turf against the Queensland Maroons in the epic series decider at Sydney Olympic Park. The state-against-state energy carries on at ICC Sydney, where the PBR Origin sees the Professional Bull Riders Monster Energy Tour deliver a heart-pounding ride in the ultimate battle of precision, power and fearless skill.
State of Origin, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
State of Origin fans getting ready for a match in Sydney. DESTINATION NSW USAGE ONLY
State of Origin, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
State of Origin fans getting ready for a match in Sydney. DESTINATION NSW USAGE ONLY
2023 Ampol State of Origin Credit: NRL Imagery
2023 Ampol State of Origin
2023 Ampol State of Origin Credit: NRL Imagery
2023 Ampol State of Origin
Spend your nights singing along
Warm up your vocal cords: this winter, the Harbour City’s blockbuster musicals will have you humming and buzzing long after their curtain call. Leading the charge is The Book of Mormon at the Capitol Theatre from 15 July – an outrageously witty global phenomenon from the creators of South Park, sure to leave you singing, gasping and belly-laughing. At the Sydney Lyric Theatre, MJ: The Musical brings the moves, music and magnetism of Michael Jackson to the stage, diving deep into his artistry with jaw-dropping choreography and iconic songs. Add the Céline Dion-infused spectacle Titanique, the return of Cats for its 40th Australian season, and a boldly reimagined Carmen at the Sydney Opera House, and you’ve got a cold-season lineup that’s anything but chilled. Are smaller-scale gigs more your speed? Keep your eye on the calendars of Mary’s Underground and the The Vanguard, Enmore, and Metro theatres for live concerts to keep you moving every winter night.
Go exploring on clear winter’s nights
Across Sydney, moonlit meanders lead to surprising, invigorating happenings. On Friday nights from 4-11pm, an evening stroll through neon-lit Dixon Street becomes a unique shopping adventure through the weekly Chinatown Night Market. Soak up the lively atmosphere and live music as you treasure-hunt through an ever-changing lineup of 50 stalls offering everything from hand-crafted noodles and dumplings to one-of-a-kind handicrafts from up-and-coming artists. In eclectic Darlinghurst, the Darlo Village Night Markets run from 4- 9pm, every third Saturday of the month, warming your winter nights with delicious food, live music, and a welcoming community vibe on the grounds of the St John’s Anglican Church. Prefer to leave the bright lights behind for a night-time stroll in nature? Grab your torch and head to Western Sydney Parklands for a winter walk on the wild side on 20 June, joining a ranger-guided nocturnal wildlife walk in search of brushtail possums, microbats, tawny frogmouths, grey-headed flying foxes, and a menagerie of other native animals that come out to play after sundown (be sure to book asap as places are filling fast).
Embrace all things theatrical
Take your seat for an evening of enthralling live performance as the city’s stages pulse with stories, movement and laughter. At the Sydney Opera House, hear the venue’s Drama Theatre bellow with laughter as the Olivier and Tony Award-winning comedy, The Play That Goes Wrong, unleashes its side-splitting chaos from 19 June.
Be moved by powerful storytelling as living legends such as Rebecca Gibney and Cameron Daddo step centre-stage at the Sydney Theatre Company for the powerful Circle Mirror Transformation (from 12 July) and as Judy Davis and Elizabeth Alexander star in Helen Garner’s classic, The Spare Room, at the Belvoir St Theatre. The iconic Australian stories continue in Western Sydney, with 1984, and Trophy Boys bringing the premium drama to Parramatta’s Riverside theatres.
The Vanguard, Newtown Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying drinks and live music at The Vanguard, Newtown in Sydney's inner west.
The Vanguard, Newtown Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying drinks and live music at The Vanguard, Newtown in Sydney's inner west.
More Inspirational Stories
Wallabies fans, Allianz Stadium, SydneyCredit: Destination NSW
Wallabies fans enjoy the game at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. DESTINATION NSW USAGE ONLY
Sydney’s sporting scene heats up this spring, with the NRL and NRWL grand finals at Sydney Olympic Park, the Wallabies in action in a Rugby Championship Test match, high-octane, high-stakes motor racing and the BMX national championship. Here’s when and where to see some world-class sporting events across the city over the spring months.
World Time Attack Challenge Sydney | 5–6 September
The Yokohama World Time Attack Challenge takes over Sydney Motorsport Park in Western Sydney’s Eastern Creek for a two-day celebration of unbridled speed racing. Unlike other motorsports categories such as Formula One, the Time Attack Challenge rules and regulations allow almost unlimited modifications to race cars. In fact, the safety of the drivers, support teams and spectators are the only practical restrictions to what competitors can do to modify their cars.
So, get ready for some seriously spectacular driving as competitors race against the clock to record the fastest single lap across four classes: Clubsprint, Open, Pro Am and Pro. The fastest five drivers in each class get another shot at registering the fastest lap in the Superlap Shootout bonus round at the end of the second day.
Your ticket to the World Time Attack Challenge includes access to the Garrett International Drifting Cup, where local and international ‘drifters’ take over Sydney Motorsport Park each evening and battle one-on-one to advance from their pool to the elimination finals.
Wallabies versus Argentina Test Match | 13 September
The Australian men’s rugby team will be out to avenge last year’s devastating 67–27 loss to Argentina and capture vital 2025 Rugby Championship points as the South American team’s Australian tour concludes with the Wallabies versus Argentina Test Match at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park.
After conceding 50 points in the second half of the Test match against Los Pumas in Argentina’s Santa Fe last September, the Wallabies will be looking to put on a vastly improved defensive performance. Expect a much more potent attack as well, and a lively crowd taking advantage of their last chance to barrack for the Wallabies in Sydney this year.
World Time Attack Challenge Credit: Destination NSW
World Time Attack Challenge Sydney is a two-day motorsport festival with record-breaking cars, heart-stopping stunts, international stars and non-stop action on and off the track.
World Time Attack Challenge Credit: Destination NSW
World Time Attack Challenge Sydney is a two-day motorsport festival with record-breaking cars, heart-stopping stunts, international stars and non-stop action on and off the track.
NRL & NRLW Grand Final | 5 October
The 2025 NRL and NRLW seasons culminate with premiership-deciding matches played out in front of packed crowds at Sydney Olympic Park’s Accor Stadium on the first Sunday in October. Will the Penrith Panthers come from last place on the ladder mid-season to win the men’s grand final for an incredible fifth time in a row? Can the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs maintain their momentum to make it to the decider on at their home stadium? Or can the Canberra Raiders make the most of an expected top-four finish to go all the way?
While it’s yet to be determined which teams make their way through the preliminary finals to have their shot at the big prize, what’s certain is that the matches will be hard-fought and impossible to look away from.
Grand final day kicks off with the NRL State Championship Grand Final, pitting the winners of the reserve-grade New South Wales Cup and the Queensland Cup against each other. Watch some of best female rugby league players in the country put on big shots and dazzling plays in the NRLW Telstra Premiership Grand Final. Then draw energy from the buzz that grows ever louder as the pre-game entertainers strut their stuff, the teams enter the arena to sing along to the national anthem, and the referee blows his whistle to signal the start of 80 minutes of frenzied action that will decide the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership.
BMX Racing National Championships| 9–12 October
The country’s most talented BMX riders gather in the Western Sydney town of Camden for a week of thrills and spills as they compete in AusCycling’s 2025 GWM BMX Racing National Championships.
Official practice sessions for competitors in the 20-inch, Cruiser, Elite, Juniors, Masters and Adaptive (Para) categories get underway at Camden’s Macarthur BMX Club on Monday, 6 October, before the racing beings in earnest on Thursday afternoon.
After the dust settles and this year’s champions celebrate their wins on the weekend, stick around to watch riders compress and extend their bodies, rather than pedal, to propel their bikes around the track in the 2025 AusCycling Pump Track National Championships on Sunday, 12 October.
Australian Supercross Championship | 15 November
Settle into your seats for a Saturday night to remember as round three of the 2025 Boost Mobile Australian Supercross Championshipis hotly contested. Thrill to the roar and crackle of finely tuned motocross bikes as the country’s best supercross riders compete against international stars on a challenging track purpose-built for the event.
In between the races, look on in awe as daring riders perform freestyle motocross stunts, and enjoy family-friendly entertainment, live music, giveaways and games during the action-packed evening.
Keep up to date with events in Sydney and New South Wales by visiting the Media Centre Events page here.
