School Holiday Activities in Sydney: The Best for Summer 2026

The school bells have rung their last ding for the year, the backpacks have been flung into cupboards (hopefully with lunchboxes removed!) - school holidays in Sydney are officially here!

Whether your crew is all about splashing in the waves, visiting the theatre, or soaking up the city's cultural buzz, our guide to the best school holiday activities in Sydney has a plan for everyone. So get ready for a break filled with unforgettable memories!

When are the Summer School Holidays in NSW?

Mark your calendars, NSW parents! The summer school holidays in NSW run from Monday 22 December 2025 to Wednesday 28 January 2026. 

The Best School Holiday Activities in Sydney 2026

1. Sydney Festival 2026

Kick off the school holidays in Sydney with one of our favourite cultural festivals. Sydney Festival 2026 returns, turning the city into a magical playground of dance, theatre, music, installations, and surprise pop-ups as it marks its 50th anniversary! 

The festival sprinkles playful, interactive experiences across the city, from art installations to circus-inflected surprises to pop-up performances designed for all ages, making Sydney feel like a giant playground for a few glorious summer weeks. 

Families who love movement, ceremony, and connection will find themselves spellbound by The Bogong's Song: A Call to Country, a gentle and beautiful blend of shadow puppetry, dance, storytelling, and song that invites children and families to explore their deep connections to Country. If you're after drama with a bit of punch, Mama Does Derby jumps off the page. This world-premiere show blends roller derby energy with family ties, music, and storytelling. It's raw, honest, and rebellious, perfect for older kids and adults who love something bold and unforgettable. 

So whether your family craves dancing under the stars, stories spun with laughter or adventures off the beaten cultural track, Sydney Festival 2026 promises summer memories made together.

Where:   Various locations around Sydney
When:    8 - 25 January 2026
Cost:      FREE and ticketed events

2. City of Wonder: Wildflower Edition – A Living City Built by Kids at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Created by the imaginative crew at Kidwonder, City of Wonder: Wildflower Edition is a fun, screen-free school holidays activity that invites families to step inside a bright, blooming mini-city built entirely by children – yep, the little architects are running the show!

With international artist Raffaele Salvoldi guiding the fun, kids can build, design, problem-solve, and let their imaginations run completely wild as 75,000 recycled-plastic planks become soaring towers, colourful streets, and ever-changing creations inspired by Australia's wildflowers.

Families can wander through playful installations, tackle creative building challenges, or settle in at colouring and design stations. And if your mini-maker loves going all in, Wonder Workshops offer small-group building sessions with Kidwonder's facilitators, while the VIP Artist Experience gives young creators rare behind-the-scenes access – including the chance to build alongside Salvoldi himself.

It's colourful, crafty, and completely collaborative – the perfect way to spend a summer's day in the Garden.

Where:   The Garden Gallery, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
When:    19 December 2025 – 31 January 2026
Cost:      From $25 per person + booking fees

For further information, visit City of Wonder at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

3. Waterworld Central: Inflatable Water Park

Make a big, splashy entrance into summer at Waterworld Central, the pop-up water park that turns the Entertainment Quarter into Sydney's very own inflatable wonderland!

Little thrill-chasers can brave the brand-new Mega Jaws Slide and the Wave Slide, both bringing those tummy-fluttering drops, while the Snow World Pool dishes out a frosty, fairytale vibe without freezing your toes off. Prefer your fun on the chilled-out side? Drift around the Paddle Boat Pool or kick back in the Gorilla Pool, which is basically Sydney's unofficial summer lounge room.

Set up in the heart of Moore Park's Entertainment Quarter, Waterworld Central is your go-to summer school holidays activity.

Where:   Waterworld Central, Entertainment Quarter, Sydney
When:    9 January - 1 February 2026 | Session times from 10 am to 4 pm
Cost:      2 Hour Pass (5yrs - Adult) - $40
               2 Hour Toddler Pass (Under 5 yrs. Includes 1 Adult/Carer) - $40
               Free Entry for Spectators
               All Day Super Pass (All Ages) - $60

For more information and to book your tickets, visit WaterWorld Central.

4. Calmsley Hill City Farm

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle and give the kids a taste of country life without straying too far from the city, Calmsley Hill City Farm is the perfect school holidays activity. Just 40 km from Sydney's CBD, this historic working farm has been welcoming families since 1806. It is home to an incredible mix of animals, including koalas, kangaroos, camels, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, donkeys, reptiles, and plenty of cuddly babies.

Spread across 500 acres of rolling pastures and bushland, there's loads of space for kids to explore, a brand-new playground for climbing and sliding, plus daily farmyard activities like cow milking, sheep shearing, tractor rides, and even a stock whip and working dog show. Pack a picnic or fire up the free BBQs, grab something from the kiosk if you prefer, and settle in for a full day of farmyard fun.

Where:        31 Darling Street, Abbotsbury
When:         Open Daily
Cost:           Adult: $32 | Child: $17 | Under 3s FREE | Family of 5: $97. Annual Pass: Adult $90 | Child $45 | Family $230

5. Have a Giant Art Summer at the Art Gallery of New South Wales

For indoor fun, the kids won't stop talking about, pop into the Art Gallery of New South Wales for FREE drop-in activities, incredible exhibitions, workshops, and loads more.

The Art Gallery is bursting with creativity for all ages this summer, from breathtaking exhibitions to hands-on fun. Discover Ron Mueck's astonishing hyperreal sculptures at Encounter, and explore the bold brilliance of Dangerously Modern, celebrating trailblazing Australian women artists in Europe. Step into play-filled imagination with Mike Hewson's The Key's Under the Mat in the Tank, and help build Raquel Caballero's colourful Patchwork Portal. Kids and families can dive even deeper with the vibrant Hive Festival and Ghibli Fest weekend, plus there are loads of FREE drop-in activities, including plushie-making workshops, imaginative drawing inspired by Indian art, and a giant chalkboard world to scribble in.

It's an inspiring, playful and joyfully creative time to visit!

Visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales for the complete list of events and to plan your visit.

Where:  Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery Road, The Domain
When:   Open daily during the summer school holidays
Cost:     FREE and ticketed events

6. Summer School Holidays at the Australian National Maritime Museum

The Australian National Maritime Museum is making a splash these summer school holidays with a huge program of hands-on activities, creative workshops and immersive play for kids of all ages. Families can step into The Beach, a bright and breezy interactive playscape; get creative in the Kids on Deck maker space; explore tactile objects in the Cabinet of Curiosities; and pilot underwater drones in the U-Drone sessions.

Little ones can join Mini-Mariners or special Beach Babies sessions, while Sensory Friendly Days offer a quieter experience for those who need it. With exhibitions to explore, historic vessels to climb aboard and plenty included in general entry, it’s a standout summer day out for curious, active kids.

Where:    Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray St, Sydney
When:     Throughout the summer school holidays 2025–26 (see museum website for program dates and session times)
Cost:       Various, depending on activity. Museum Entry is $40 per adult, $30 per child under 15, and under 4s are FREE.
                Some workshops incur additional costs.

7. Mad Hatter's Tea Party at The Grand Electric

Go crazy these school holidays as you step into a kooky world of tumbling teacups and flying sugar cubes at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party at The Grand Electric!

Step straight into a delightfully bonkers circus cabaret that's bursting with colour, energy, and giggles for kids and grown-ups alike. This immersive experience flips the tea table on its head, inviting families into a whirlwind of jaw-dropping circus tricks, playful chaos, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, all set inside the electric, old-school circus vibes of Surry Hills' Grand Electric. With creative direction from Mike Finch, formerly of Circus Oz, the show mixes top-tier circus talent with interactive surprises that keep little eyes wide and adults thoroughly entertained.

Families can snap up a great-value Family Bundle, or a Ringside VIP table complete with high tea, making it a memorable school holidays activity where everyone can tumble down the rabbit hole together!

Where:    The Grand Electric, 199 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills,
When:     Saturday 3 - Sunday 25 January 2026
Cost:       $60 per adult, $52 per child

For more information and to book your tickets, visit Mad Hatter's Tea Party.

8. Sydney Opera House Family Shows

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For more theatrical fun these summer school holidays, the Sydney Opera House is hosting a series of engaging family-friendly performances. 

Rothar is a charming little show set in a humble bike repair shop that becomes a portal to the wildest flights of imagination! Pirates Love Underpants is a rollicking, silly, splashy pirate tale where the hunt is on for the legendary Pants of Gold. For those meeting ballet for the first time, Storytime Ballet: The Nutcracker offers a gentle, magical introduction to dance. And if your family loves dinosaurs and a little bit of prehistoric thrill, Erth's Dinosaurs brings the past crashing back to life on stage. Gigantic puppets, roaring giants and imaginative world-building create a pulse-pounding, awe-inspiring experience that fuses storytelling and science.

Visit Sydney Opera House for the full lineup of shows this summer.

Where:  Sydney Opera House
When:   Daily shows during the holidays
Cost:     From $25 pp | $8.95 booking fee applies to all transactions

9. Summer School Holidays at the Museums of History NSW

Museums of History NSW is offering a rich mix of drop-in school holiday activities across Sydney, ideal for families wanting flexible, low-pressure ways to keep kids engaged and entertained. Across much-loved heritage sites including Hyde Park Barracks, the Museum of Sydney, Elizabeth Farm, Vaucluse House, the Justice & Police Museum and Rouse Hill Estate, children can follow interactive kids’ trails, take part in hands-on craft sessions, enjoy old-fashioned garden games and step inside immersive history experiences.

From making convict love tokens and building paper replicas of historic buildings to dressing up for mock trials and exploring stories hidden beneath Sydney’s streets, these activities bring the past to life in playful, age-appropriate ways that invite curiosity and conversation.

Where:    Museums of History NSW sites and museums
When:     Until 30 January 2026
Cost:       FREE

10. Skate City Returns to Marrickville Metro

 

Skate City is rolling into Marrickville Metro these summer school holidays for kids ages 5 to 12. Guided by expert skateboarding coaches, kids will learn the basics, build skills, try new tricks, and boost confidence.  From first-timers to little shredders, every workshop session is welcoming and safe. 

Add to the action at Marrickville's Design Lab, where kids can get creative at wearable t-shirt design workshops, hosted by international artist Sonny Day. Customise your tee with patches, paint, and more, and take home a one-of-a-kind design! DIY Design Lab workshops are just $5 per child.

Where:   Level 4 Carpark, Smidmore Street Precinct
                Marrickville Metro, 20 Smidmore Street, Marrickville
When:    16-22 January 2026
Cost:      $10 per session | Bookings essential

11. SportsFest

Get ready for an action-packed afternoon at Blacktown City Family SportsFest, where kids can climb, shoot, splash and play their way through a stack of free activities on Saturday, 14 February.

Taking over Blacktown Leisure Centre from 12 pm to 4 pm, SportsFest invites children to try everything from rock climbing and archery to ball sports, alongside crowd-pleasers like animal encounters, face painting and a jumping castle. The pool will be buzzing with inflatables, with free pool and gym entry available to families who collect a voucher on the day, while local sporting groups will be on hand to help kids discover a new hobby.

With special membership offers to Blacktown Leisure Centre (10% off and no joining fee!), plenty of hands-on fun and a big focus on active, connected communities, SportsFest is shaping up to be a feel-good summer highlight for Blacktown families!

Where:     Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope
When:      Saturday 14 February | 12-4 pm
Cost:        FREE

12. Cockatoo Island Family Activities & Tours

Make the most of the holidays and embark on an adventure to historic Cockatoo Island. Free to explore all year round, it's the ultimate hidden gem in the middle of Sydney Harbour. 

Cockatoo Island's newest family adventure: Our day at Cockatoo Island is a hands-on, self-guided tour that's perfect for curious kids aged 6 to 10. With the help of a vibrant, beautifully illustrated booklet, young adventurers (with a grown-up in tow) will follow the pink cockatoo ground stickers they spot around the island and enjoy 8 activity-packed stops.

Families can also take guided tours running on weekdays to learn about the island's past. For a crash course in Cockatoo Island's incredible history, book the Island Highlights. Alternatively, the Convict Prison Tour will lead you through the turbulent history of the island's former gaol, and the Shipyard Tales Tour will guide you through key landmarks, including the convict-built Fitzroy Dock and the cathedral-like Turbine Shop.

Refuel at one of two harbourside cafes, explore a former goal, venture into a historic shipmaking facility and even stay overnight in an award-winning campground. The island is FREE to visit and easy to get to by ferry – under 10 minutes from Barangaroo! 

Where:   Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour
When:    Throughout the holidays
Cost:      Free entry. 'Our day at Cockatoo Island' $5 | Tours from $16 pp | Camping from $50

13. Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show 

 

Wackadoo, Sydney – the Heelers are heading back to town! Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show is returning, and this time the whole family can catch Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli bringing their everyday hilarity to life on stage at the Coliseum Theatre.

Inspired by a brand-new story from Bluey creator Joe Brumm, this live adventure takes you inside the Heeler household for 45 minutes of giggles, surprises, and that classic Bluey heart. Dad's hoping for a cruisy Sunday arvo, but of course Bluey and Bingo have other ideas, and that's when the fun really kicks off.

With beautifully crafted puppets, colourful sets, and all the cheeky charm of the TV series, Bluey's Big Play is a must-see for little fans and their grown-ups.

Where:  Coliseum Theatre, 33 Railway St, Rooty Hill
When:   10 & 11 January 2026
Cost:     Tickets from $54.90

14. Sydney Tower Eye: Observation Deck & SKYWALK

Discover a new perspective on Sydney's most iconic view. The Observation Deck at Sydney Tower Eye has been transformed into a modern, premium space that complements the extraordinary views outside. Step inside and you'll discover a calm, elevated environment where you can take in the city from every angle.

Hop in the double-decker lift and in just 40 thrilling seconds you'll be 250 metres above the streets, looking out over Sydney's sparkling harbour, golden beaches, glorious sunsets, and even as far as the Blue Mountains on a clear day. The Observation Deck also introduces a brand-new café. For those chasing an adrenaline rush, SKYWALK takes the experience to a whole new level. At 268 metres above the CBD, this is Sydney's highest outdoor adventure and one that genuinely puts the city at your feet.

Where:       Westfield Sydney, Level 5/108 Market St, Sydney
When:        Open daily
Cost:          General admission online from $29 per adult, $21 per child
                   SKYWALK + Observation Deck from $95 per adult, $70 per child

15. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

These holidays, dive into the best of the deep blue in the heart of the city! From the world-famous dugong to the breathtaking local marine creatures or even the toothy Grey Nurse Sharks, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour has family fun covered, with over 4,000 spectacular creatures in their underwater exhibits. You'll find over 300 species throughout the aquarium's themed habitat zones, including Jurassic Seas, Penguin Expedition, Shark Valley, Dugong Island and SEA LIFE Sydney’s hands-on Discovery Rockpool.

The fully immersive rockpool zone is home to fascinating creatures, including sea stars, crabs, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and fish species, and features a giant LED screen with crashing waves as a backdrop and interactive digital displays for a totally engaging experience.

Where:     SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour, 1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney
When:      Open Daily 10 am - 5 pm. Last entry 4 pm
Cost:        General Admission online from $49 for adults, $36 for children. Under 2s FREE.

16. Visit Madame Tussauds

After you've had your underwater thrills, hop next door and come face to face with your favourite celebrities at Madame Tussauds Sydney! Meet over 100 lifelike celebrity figures and rub shoulders with Aussie icons and global stars, including Robert Irwin, G-Flip, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé.

Get closer to fame than ever before, join exhilarating adventures with iconic characters and be enchanted by the world's most celebrated stories as you discover impossible moments alongside your favourite celebrities. Feel the magic at Madame Tussauds Sydney, the ULTIMATE fame experience!

Where:       Wheat Rd, Darling Harbour
When:        Open daily
Cost:          General admission online from $39 per adult, $26 per child

17. House Down Under

For quirky, fun-filled school holiday activities in Sydney that the whole family will love, step inside House Down Under - Australia's first inverted house photo experience that needs to be seen to be believed!

Behold this topsy-turvy, fully-furnished home where the ceilings are floors, and the floors are ceilings, and strike your most creative poses as you hang from the rafters, float through a flipped kitchen or pour tea on the roof. This gravity-defying out-of-the-box activity guarantees loads of laughs, surreal photos and a one-of-a-kind adventure you won’t find anywhere else.

Your ticket includes unlimited time in the house with six different areas to explore and countless photo opportunities. See life on the flip side and book your visit today! 

Where:       Market Square, Rouse Hill Town Centre, Rouse Hill 
When:        Weekdays: 12 pm to 6 pm
                   Weekends: 10 am to 6 pm
Cost:          Single Tickets (including kids 4 and over) - $19 per person
                   Groups of 3 or more (including kids) - $17 per person
                   Kids Under 4 - FREE

18. Dinosaur Valley at Scenic World, Blue Mountains

Jump in the car for a prehistoric adventure these school holidays at Dinosaur Valley at Scenic World Blue Mountains!

Dinosaur Valley takes families on a journey through time to explore the fascinating world of dinosaurs in a towering Jurassic rainforest. Joined by friendly Dinosaur Rangers, visitors of all ages will meet prehistoric dinosaurs up close. You'll get the chance to meet over 50 dinosaurs, including T. rex, Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Compsognathus, and many more!

Where:   Scenic World, Violet Street & Cliff Drive, Katoomba
When:    Until 26 January 2026
Cost:      Tickets from $40.20

19. RELICS: A New World Rises – LEGO® Like You've Never Seen It Before!

Calling all LEGO® lovers! RELICS: A New World Rises invites you to wander through a gallery of once-everyday objects - old pianos, vintage fridges, grandfather clocks, even a worn-out car - reimagined as entire miniature LEGO®-built civilisations! These forgotten relics become the homes of tiny minifigures and intricately detailed societies, each with its own back-stories and quirks - how cool!

Created by the duo Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler - aka the LEGO Masters winners - the exhibition blends recycled, everyday objects and thousands of second-hand LEGO® bricks to build worlds that are part art, part storytelling, part magical mischief.

This immersive art experience at the Australian Museum includes:

• 14 stunning LEGO® brick displays built inside retro treasures such as a VW Beetle and a jukebox
• An interactive build space
• Scavenger hunts for adults and kids.

Where:     Australian Museum, 1 William St, Darlinghurst
When:      Until 27 January 2026
Cost:        $29 per adult, $19 per child (4 -15 years), Children 3 and Under go FREE

20. Splatter Painting Experience at Kaboo Studio

Do your kids like to get messy? Kaboo provides a memorable, mess-friendly environment for them to unleash their inner artist. Kaboo Studio in Bondi Junction offers a vibrant and interactive splatter painting experience for kids of all ages. 

Slip on a poncho and goggles, and get ready to throw paint and create your own unique canvas masterpiece. During a one-hour session, you'll receive a canvas and all necessary materials- including paints, brushes, smocks, goggles, shoe covers, and a custom take-home box to safely transport your artwork. Let their creativity run wild! 

Where:       Kaboo Studio, 2/78 Spring St, Bondi Junction 
When:        Throughout the school holidays
Cost:          From $59 pp

21. Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let's Play!

For the very first time, Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let's Play! is making its way to Australia, and Sydney's little Disney fans are in for the kind of magic that only Mickey and friends can deliver.

Landing at the Darling Harbour Theatre at ICC Sydney in January 2026, this colourful live extravaganza brings together an all-star cast — Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Ariel, the Puppy Dog Pals and SuperKitties favourites Ginny and Bitsy — all sharing the stage in one huge musical adventure. Just when things are going swimmingly, some bizarre weather rolls in and turns everything upside down… which means Team Spidey from Marvel's Spidey and His Amazing Friends swoops in to save the day.

It's bright, bouncy, and packed with songs, surprises, and feel-good moments.

Where:  ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour
When:   17 & 18 January 2026
Cost:     Tickets from $59.90

Visit Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let's Play! for more information and to book tickets.

FAQs About Sydney School Holidays

Sydney's summer school holidays are the longest in the school calendar, which is why planning and organising a full calendar of events and activities is a must to keep kids entertained for those lengthy (and we mean lengthy) 6 weeks! Here are some FAQs to help you make these holidays the best yet.

1. When are the next NSW school holiday dates?

NSW school holidays shift each year, so it's always handy to double-check the current calendar. Most families plan a few weeks, so keeping an eye on the official NSW Education website helps you time your activities, bookings and days off without any last-minute surprises. The summer school holidays run from Monday 22 December 2025 to Wednesday 28 January 2026. 

2. What are the best school holiday activities in Sydney?

A well-rounded summer holiday break should include a mix of learning, culture, and play. Achieve this by planning trips to your favourite museums, visiting fantastic playgrounds and splash parks, booking seats to family-friendly theatre shows, and treating yourselves to yummy cafe pitstops. These picks will give kids a chance to burn energy, explore something new and make those "remember when..." moments.

3. What's on in Sydney during the school holidays?

Every holiday period brings a fresh line-up of family events across the city. This summer, make sure you don't miss out on kid-friendly favourites, such as Sydney Festival 2026, Waterworld Central, Mike Hewson: The Key's Under the Mat at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show, and Dinosaur Valley at Scenic World Blue Mountains. 

4. Where can I find free or cheap school holiday activities in Sydney?

Sydney has plenty of budget-friendly fun if you know where to look. Council-run events, playgrounds, beaches, bushwalks, libraries, and museums often run free or low-cost activities. Summer splash parks, outdoor cinemas, and community festivals are also great ways to entertain the kids without breaking the bank.

5. What are the best indoor activities for kids in Sydney during the school holidays?

Rainy day? Heatwave? No worries. Sydney has loads of indoor favourites like arcades, museums, aquariums, indoor play centres, bowling, ice skating, and theatre shows designed just for kids. It's the perfect way to keep the fun going when the weather has other plans. Check out more activities in our guide to Sydney's Best Indoor Activities. 

More Summer Adventures

Discover even more summer adventures in Sydney with our handy ellaslist guides. Grab a coffee for yourself and chinos for the kids at Sydney's Top Kid-Friendly Cafes, keep your littlest ones entertained with the Top Activities in Sydney for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers, or go for a refreshing dip at Sydney's Best Family Beaches.

 

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