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
Inspired UnemployedCredit: Destination NSW
NSW Icon of Culture Inspired Unemployed
Australian comedy duo Matt Ford and Jack Steele, aka the Inspired Unemployed, love their hometown – beachside Kiama on the New South Wales South Coast – but also love to hang out in Sydney. The former tradies turned Instagram sensations, podcasters and TV stars share three Sydney experiences that’ll have you feeling new in the city, from a stand-up paddleboard yoga session in Manly to a unique picnic date and jet-boat thrills on the harbour.
Picnic with a difference
The first of the pair’s picks of things to do in Sydney that are beyond the everyday is an Amazing Co Mystery Picnic in the Royal Botanic Garden. This unique experience begins with you receiving an empty picnic basket and a series of clues and riddles you’ll need to solve to find gourmet goodies hidden throughout the lush gardens. Uncover the mystery and you’ll be led to a secret location for an unforgettable al fresco lunch of locally sourced produce from boutique providers across regional NSW.
“I’ve been there with my girlfriend before,” says Matt of the Royal Botanic Garden. “I love that kind of place for a date spot.” He’s also a fan of the Domain, the parkland adjoining the botanic gardens and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. “The last time I had goosebumps in Sydney was at [Australian DJ/producer] Dom Dolla’s gig in the Domain last November,” says Matt. “It’s the best spot for a gig. It’s in a park but it’s right in the city with skyscrapers around you.”
Do a hot lap of the harbour
After your picnic in the Royal Botanic Garden, the duo suggests heading over to nearby Circular Quay for a Sydney Harbour cruise with a difference – a bare-knuckle Red Shark Thrill Ride with Oz Jet Boating.
From Circular Quay’s Eastern Pontoon your jet-boat – painted a vivid red with a huge grinning shark’s mouth splashed across its bow – eases past the Sydney Opera House. Then it puts on the afterburners for a head-long sprint past Fort Denison, Rose Bay and Watsons Bay, spinning, sliding and fish-tailing its way back via the northern side of the harbour, and surging under the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Luna Park before returning to Circular Quay.
“I like screaming,” says Matt as he explains the choice of a jet-boat sightseeing tour. “I like to get scared and push myself sometimes.” Jack adds: “I love adrenaline and it’s just a good time!”
Picnic in Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs Macquarie's Chair Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoy a picnic in Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs Macquarie's Chair
Picnic in Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs Macquarie's Chair Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoy a picnic in Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs Macquarie's Chair
Oz Jet Boating, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
The thrilling adventure of a Jetboat Experience with Oz Jet Boating.
Oz Jet Boating, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
The thrilling adventure of a Jetboat Experience with Oz Jet Boating.
Go with the flow in Manly
For a decidedly calmer outing on Sydney Harbour, Jack and Matt recommend a stand-up paddleboard yoga session with Flow mOcean, held on the sheltered waters of the city-facing side of Manly. “My dad does yoga, so it’s in the blood,” explains Jack. “I’m pretty inflexible,” adds Matt, “so I love limbering up the hips.”
Flow mOcean can take you out onto Manly Cove for a private stand-up paddleboard yoga session at any time of the year, with scheduled public sessions held regularly in the warmer months. If you haven’t tried this form of yoga before and you suspect you might end up in the water, you can always try one of Flow mOcean’s kayak yoga classes first – from Manly Cove you’ll kayak to a secluded harbour beach for a relaxing yoga session on the sand.
Say good morning to Sydney
Sydney, according to Jack, is “the most beautiful city in the world”. “I love the beaches and how close they are to the city,” he says. “They’re drop-dead gorgeous. But what I love most about Sydney is probably the morning culture – I love that everyone wakes up at 6am. Everyone’s healthy and the vibe is high.”
For Matt, it’s all about making the most of Sydney’s dining scene while he’s in town. “I like the restaurants,” says Matt, “a little date night here and there, going out with mates. I love the cuisine, all the different types of food you can get. My personal favourite would be Bonditony’s Burger Joint in Bondi.”
“My favourite place in NSW would have to be Kiama, our home,” Jack says. “It’s where the mountains meet the sea for the first time since Sydney – it’s just gorgeous. But then we come to Sydney, and there are endless amounts of things to do that are amazing. We’ve done a lot of travelling, but I’ve never seen another city like it in my life.”
Inspired by this itinerary? Check out all three of Matt and Jack’s curated selections as a Feeling Drop package of Sydney experiences via sydney.com.
Note to editors: Feeling Drops are collections of bookable Sydney experiences curated by NSW Icons of Culture.
Flow MOcean, Manly Credit: Destination NSW
Running through your yoga moves on a paddel board with Flow MOcean, Manly
Flow MOcean, Manly Credit: Destination NSW
Running through your yoga moves on a paddel board with Flow MOcean, Manly
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel Credit: Destination NSW
Located on the sandy shores of one of Sydney's most renowned harbour beaches, Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel invites those looking for a relaxing getaway.
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel Credit: Destination NSW
Located on the sandy shores of one of Sydney's most renowned harbour beaches, Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel invites those looking for a relaxing getaway.