Coronavirus In Sydney: What’s Still On, Open, & What’s Been Cancelled

If there’s one thing we love talking about here at ellaslist, it’s all the best family and kid-friendly events in Sydney. But for the first time ever in the history of ellaslist, we have had to take a step back from promoting all of our favourite events thanks to the pandemic that is COVID-19.

Aside from plenty of events in Sydney being cancelled due to coronavirus, social isolation has left lots of families worried about attending events and outings in Sydney they previously enjoyed as a family. What’s even more daunting is the prospect of having to endure the school holidays without letting the kids go out at all! In such an unpredictable time, we’re going to do our best to keep our Sydney families up to date with what’s still on, what’s been cancelled and postponed events you can still attend at a later date.

Cancelled Events In Sydney

Sydney Living Museums – Easter Trail, Autumn School Holidays and On The Move cancelled.

Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences – All programs cancelled from 16 March-1 April. The Museum’s public and exhibition spaces will continue to remain open.

The Sydney Opera House has cancelled all public performances until at least 29 March and will reevaluate the situation then.

The Art Gallery of NSW has suspended all public programs for two weeks, this includes free guided tours, school visits, group bookings.

State Library of NSW closed until 13 April.

Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre

All City of Sydney Aquatic Centres

Royal Easter Show (3-14 April)

Glamping at NRMA’s Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park (10-19 April)

Marvel Universe Live (16-19 April)

City Recital Hall Presents Zeeko – The Whale and the Curlew (16 April)

AURORA: Circus Oz at Riverside Theatre (17 & 18 April)

City Recital Hall Presents Secret Sounds Of Space (21 April)

ANZAC Day Commemoration Services (25 April)

Sydney Writer’s Festival (27 April-3 May)

VIVID Sydney (22 May-13 June)

Sydney Film Festival (June 3-14)

Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream (June 12 and July 26)

Palace Cinemas is shutting all Australian cinemas indefinitely.

Puppetaria April School Holiday Shows (3 - 24 April)

Sydney Events & Programs Still Running or Postponed

It’s not all bad news for Sydney families as a lot of our favourite events and school holiday programs are still running, while several have been postponed to a later date when the coronavirus has (fingers crossed) eased.   

Sydney Family Show - POSTPONED

You will still get to tick all the boxes of a great family day out at the Sydney Family Show but just a few months later. The Sydney Family Show proudly brought to you by Channel 10 will be exciting all kids and kids-at-heart on 21 September 2020.

RunWest 4km Family Fun Run – POSTPONED

If you’ve been training like crazy for Sydney’s biggest family fun run, don’t throw in the towel and runners just yet. The RunWest 4km Family Fun Run scheduled for 29 March has been postponed due to the ban on non-essential events with more than 500 people. Stay tuned for new dates and keep up with your training!

NIDA Open School Holidays Program - ON

Don’t start pulling your hair out at the thought of an isolated school holidays just yet! NIDA’s popular Open school holidays program will still be running from 14-26 April for all creative kids to let their inner actor out.

Sydney Olympic Park School Holiday Programs - ON

Archery, laser tag, bike riding, outdoor tours, BMX riding, segway tours, bird watching - there are still LOTS of holiday programs on at Sydney Olympic Park where kids can enjoy the great outdoors and learn something new. 

All Funlab Venues - OPEN

Treat the kids to some fun at Sky Zone, Archie Brothers, B.Lucky and Sons, Holey Moley or Strike Bowling - these Sydney venues are all open and have strict hygiene policies in place to ensure a safer experience. PLUS right now you can bring the ticket from your cancelled concert, festival or event to any venue until Monday 30 March and your first hour of games (or 9 holes of golf, one round of bowling, one hour of jumping) is FREE!

The Wiggles Fun & Games Tour - POSTPONED

You might need to put your child’s favourite Wiggles costume in the cupboard for a later date, as the Wiggles Fun & Games Tour has officially been postponed. We don’t know a specific date of when the Wiggles will be live in action again, but rest assured that all ticketholders will be able to use their March tickets on the new show date or receive a full refund.

Sofitel Darling Harbour Claris High Tea - ON

The chicest mouse in Paris is still in Sydney and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon! The super-popular Claris The Mouse High Tea is still running at the Sofitel, so get your pinkies ready for one very glamorous high tea feast!

Sir Stamford Circular Quay Easter High Tea - ON

Speaking of high tea, you won’t need to put your elegant Easter plans on hold as Sir Stamford’s Circular Quay Easter High Tea is still going ahead as planned. Come 11 April, Sir Stamford will be transformed into a wacky and whimsical Mad Hatter’s High Tea for all lunching little ones.

PAW Patrol Live – POSTPONED

The PAW Patrol Live extravaganza that was due to take over Qudos Bank Arena on 30 and 31 May 2020 has been postponed until a later date. Watch this space for updates on when our favourite puppies will be on the case again!

The Museum of Contemporary Art – OPEN

From the expansive Biennale of Sydney exhibition to exciting school holidays programs, the Museum of Contemporary Art is still the home of kids’ creativity and remains open to the public as of 17 March and during the school holidays. Make sure you check out their extensive school holidays program.

 

Sydney Zoos - OPEN

If school holidays for you mean visiting a zoo or two to get the kids out of the house, we’re happy to report that both Taronga Zoo, Symbio Wildlife Park and the new Sydney Zoo are most definitely still open for business. Calmsley Hill City Farm is also still open and they need you to help feed the animals (this relaxed farm has lots of fresh air and no congestion). So there’s plenty of animal action happening in Sydney.

Hunter Valley Gardens – PARTIALLY OPEN

Speaking of animal action, fans of dinosaurs and mega creatures great and tall won’t want to miss out on the April school holidays at Hunter Valley Gardens. Unfortunately, while the gardens will be open and the dinosaurs will be on display, the Dino Mights show has been cancelled. Easter activities, including the famous egg hunt, are TBC...

Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel School Holidays – ON

Another venue teeming with excitement these school holidays, Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel is open for business and will be running their festive school holidays events as planned from 13-24 April. Sign the kids up for slime-making, plaster painting, flower crown workshops, kids discos, science experiments, kids’ bingo and more!

Meet The Gruffalo At Illawarra Fly - ON

There's no better time to stop in at Illawarra Fly these school holidays as the Gruffalo will also be in attendance! Every day from Saturday 4 April to Sunday 3 May, the Gruffalo will be out and about for hugs, high-fives and plenty of photos. 

Sydney Speaking School Holiday Programs - ONLINE ONLY

Public speaking is terrifying for everyone, but imagine being a child who has just been introduced to the idea?! Confidence in public speaking is just a few classes away at Sydney Speaking School - their popular school holiday workshops are still running for kids aged 6-15, however, all public speaking courses at Sydney Speaking School will be conducted online in the wake of COVID-19. Book today! 

Art Est. - OPEN

All little artists are still welcome at the Art Est Art School & Gallery, particularly during their extensive school holidays program. Creative kids are in for a real treat from 14-24 April where they'll get to try painting, drawing, cartooning, ceramics, clay sculpture, pottery wheel, printmaking and plenty more in a fun and inventive space.

 

*Disclaimer: These details are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. In the midst of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, we highly recommend keeping your kids at home if they are displaying flu-like symptoms, and encouraging thorough hand-washing and sanitising practises throughout the day.

Other News About The Coronavirus

Which Sydney Schools Have Closed Due To Coronavirus?
Travel During COVID-19 
What To Do When Everything Is In Lockdown?

Have you signed up to our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!