Darling Harbour is the hottest place to be this summer with Summerific!

  • Tue Dec 27 2022 - Sun Feb 05 2023
  • All Ages
  • FREE

Darling Harbour has transformed into a Summerific playground with endless fun for everyone. If you're looking for things to do this Summer, then look no further than Darling Harbour. 

Enter a wonderland of sound and splash at Cupid's Koi Garden, pedal boat rides, to kicking some serious putt, and magic shows, the hardest part will be what to do first!

Cupid’s Koi Garden

If you're looking for things to do in Sydney this summer, a magical marine world awaits in Cupid’s Koi Garden, a six-metre-tall immersive water-play installation splashing summer fun on all within reach.

Within the world’s first inflatable fountain, passersby are serenaded by submerged sounds and spritzed by the cheeky cherub Cupid and his ten friendly koi fish squirting choreographed water jets.

Wander and play amid brightly coloured fish and terrazzo ponds under the watchful gaze of Cupid’s motion-tracking LED eyes. At night, a wonderland of light and colour bathes viewers in a kaleidoscopic glow. It’s a free, family-friendly and multi-sensory playground of gushing bubblers and trickling soundtracks, inviting joy, a bit of silliness, and a lot of splash. Public art at its playful best.

Where:   Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
When:    5-29 January 2023, 10am - 10pm
Cost:      FREE

Maho Magic Bar

To enter the neon-lit dazzling Maho Magic Bar is to find yourself in an intimate, gorgeously bespoke space in which your every sense will be stimulated.

Take a seat, select a drink and be ready to disbelieve your eyes as Japan’s leading close-up magicians and sleight-of-hand specialists perform exclusive magic shows at your table.You’ll see these masters at work at point blank range, putting a wild contemporary spin on magic traditions that date back to Japan’s Edo period.

Shirayuri is the pin-up boy pioneer whose tricks come with a storytelling twist; Kaori Kitazawa is the kawaii princess of illusion, tearing up the rulebook in a profession traditionally ruled by men; Sarito is quite possibly the craziest close-up magician on the planet (his hectic repertoire includes needles and gaffer tape), whilst everything FISM (International Federation of Magic Societies) winner Jonio touches turns to gold – even that freaky beard of his. Rounding out this troupe of tricksters is master of ceremonies and cheek, Sho.

Fuelled by a carefully curated bar menu of premium Japanese cocktails and spirits, Maho Magic Bar is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you just might have to do twice.

For more information and to book tickets visit Maho Magic Bar website. 

Where:   Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
When:    6-29 January 20231 hour sessions, From 3.15pm - 9.15pm
Cost:      From $68.00

Warner Bros. 100 Open Air Cinema

Create memories as you reminisce with characters from favourite films at Darling Quarter including a Harry Potter marathon, dedicated superheroes weekend and family-friendly The Secret Origins of the Batwheels pre-shows.

For more information visit Warner Bros. 100 Open Air Cinema.

Where:   Darling Quarter North Village Green 1-25 Harbour Street
When:    From 5pm Thursdays - Sundays
Cost:      Free

Australia Day

Darling Harbour will be bursting with sights, sounds and fun activities this Australia Day.

The whole family will have a fantastic time out this Australia Day. There's plenty of choice for fun things to do at Darling Harbour.

At the ICC Forecourt, enjoy music from a Kombi Van DJ between 10am and 3pm and the Welcome to Country ceremony at 12 noon. Snap selfies with roving entertainment, have a round of putt-putt, explore Cupid's Koi Garden and take a pedal boat ride around Cockle Bay.

Where:   Various locations around Darling Harbour
When:    26 January 2023, From 10am
Cost:      FREE

Lunar New Year 

It's the year of the Rabbit and you can immerse yourself in Chinese culture with exciting activities like Jet Pack water shows and Lion Dancingart installations.

A visit to the Chinese Garden of Friendship is one of the best things to do in Sydney this summer. Enjoy a unique Lunar New Year program of Chinese cultural events, demonstrations, featuring lion dancing, tea ceremonies, brush painting workshops and lots more.

Where:   Various locations around Darling Harbour
When:    21 January - 5 February 2023
Cost:      FREE

Fireworks

Fire up the fun with a spectacular fireworks display in Cockle Bay.

Watch the Sydney sky above Darling Harbour come to life from anywhere along the harbour’s edge, including the many waterfront restaurants or bars along Cockle Bay Wharf and Pyrmont Bridge.

So whether you're a local Sydneysider or a tourist, what better way to end dinner or entertainment than with an incredible array of fireworks at one of Sydney’s most glorious waterfront locations? When it comes to fun things to do in Sydney, it really doesn’t get much better than that.

Where:   Darling Harbour
When:    9pm Saturdays 14, 21 & 28 January and 4, 11, 18 & 25 February 9pm Sundays 22 & 29 January and 5 Feb
Cost:      FREE

For more information and to book, please visit Summerific at Darling Harbour.

 

More Summer Inspiration Here:

Best Things To Do with Kids When It's Stinking Hot
Awesome Summer School Holiday Programs and Activities For Kids
Sydney's Best Kid's Indoor Play Centres for Rainy Days and Summer Heat
 

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