The Best Things to Do in Sydney This Weekend

Looking for the best things to do in Sydney this weekend? The city is buzzing with festive fun, family outings and big-ticket events.

The smell of spring is in the air, which means it's time for the famous Paper Daisies Spring Festival! More spring festivities are happening in Martin Place as Van Cleef & Arpels take over. Celebrate Father's Day at the World's Largest LEGO® Store. It's time for everyone's favourite Fringe Kids Festival, plus Bluey & Bingo are in town at the Strathfield Spring Festival, Club Flamingo is hosting a family disco, and there are FREE fireworks at Darling Harbour.

Have a good one, folks! 

All events featured in this guide are run by independent organisers, with details sourced from their official websites at the time of publishing. We do our best to keep everything up to date, but cancellations can occur. It's always a good idea to double-check the latest information on the official event pages before heading out.

What's On in Sydney This Weekend

Things to do All Weekend

Things to do on Saturday

Things to do on Sunday

FREE & Cheap This Weekend in Sydney
 

Things to do All Weekend in Sydney

Walk Through a Field of Paper Daisies

Spring is about to put on one seriously pretty show at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, with the Paper Daisy Spring Festival returning from 4 September to 11 October 2026.

At the heart of the festival is Sydney's biggest paper daisy display, transforming the Connections Garden into a colourful carpet of native blooms. The daisies are expected to be at their best from late August through to mid-to-late September, so flower fans may want to visit earlier in the festival to catch them in full bloom.

Where:  Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, 362 Narellan Road, Mount Annan
When:   4 September to 11 October 2026
Cost:    Entry to the Australian Botanic Garden is free; some festival activities and workshops cost extra.

Experience Kids' Theatre at Its Finest

Sydney's youngest culture seekers are getting their own slice of the Sydney Fringe Festival when Fringe Kids returns from 5 September to 11 October 2026.

Most of the action unfolds at Fool's Paradise inside the Entertainment Quarter, where circus performers, magicians, scientists and some extremely talented balloon wranglers will take over two pop-up theatres.

The program begins in September before rolling straight into the spring school holidays, with performances designed for young audiences and ticket prices that make it possible to catch more than one show.

Check out the full program.

Where:  The Entertainment Quarter + Pottery Lane Performance Space, Lane Cove
When:    5 September to 11 October 2026
Cost:      Various, depending on the event

LEGO® Fast & Furious Father's Day Weekend Family Meet-up

The World's Largest LEGO® Store in Pitt Street Mall is going into overdrive for Father's Day weekend, celebrating 25 years of Fast & Furious with a real Toyota Supra MK4 Turbo on display, hands-on building stations where kids can design their own custom car and park it in an in-store "Garage," and a Polaroid photo to take home once the build is done.

Running Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September 2026, the free event also includes a limited-edition LEGO Passport stamp, a family photo competition for a shot at a $779.94 LEGO pack, and a spin-the-wheel prize draw on Sunday for anyone who buys a Fast & Furious set. It's a solid free option for dads and car-mad kids looking to fill part of the long weekend.

Where: World’s Largest LEGO^® Store, Pitt St Mall, Sydney
When:  Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September 2026
Cost:    FREE entry

Explore the New Moore Park South 

Sydney has a huge new patch of green to explore, and families are invited to play and discover.

Moore Park South adds around 20 hectares of parkland, including picnic areas, walking and cycling links and a new nature playground (opening in 2028).

Where: Moore Park South, enter via the corner of Dacey Avenue and South Dowling Street, Moore Park

The Book of Everything Returns to Belvoir St Theatre

A beloved Belvoir classic is making a triumphant return to the stage this spring. The Book of Everything at Belvoir St Theatre is a magical, moving and imaginative theatre experience for young audiences.

Filled with humour, heart and wonder, this acclaimed production follows a young boy determined to find happiness, even in the face of fear and hardship.

Where: Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills
When:  22 August – 20 September 2026
Cost:   Adult from $78, Concession from $58, Previews from $58, Students from $43, Family ticket (2 adults + 2 kids aged 9-18) $200
Recommended for: Ages 9+

 Wander Through a Dreamy Spring Installation

Van Cleef & Arpels is transforming Martin Place into a blooming spring installation from September 3 to 13, 2026, created with French illustrator Charlotte Gastaut.

The space brings her signature storybook style to life across the CBD, alongside family activities including pinwheel crafting, gardening workshops where kids decorate their own flowerpots, and charm-making sessions, running 10 am-6 pm on weekdays and 10 am-4 pm on weekends for ages 4 and up.

Workshop spots are fully booked as it stands, though cancellations can open them back up, so it's worth checking the booking page closer to the date. Even without a workshop spot, the installation itself is free to wander through and photograph, making it an easy CBD stop for families out and about in early September.

Where: Martin Place
When:  3-13 September | workshops are 10 am-6 pm on weekdays and 10 am-4 pm on weekends
Cost:   FREE but bookings are required for the workshops

Enter a Dream Circus

Dream Circus at Luna Park is a brilliant indoor pick for a weekend adventure, whisking families through a 45-minute immersive world of 360-degree projections, holographic characters, glowing landscapes and larger-than-life digital effects inside the Big Top.

Tickets are just $10 per person, making it an easy add-on to a day of rides at Luna Park.

Where: Luna Park, 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point
When:  Until 11 October 2026
Cost:    $10 per person

Step Inside Harry Potter: The Exhibition

Harry Potter: The Exhibition has landed at Paddington Pavilion, and it's a genuinely immersive one for franchise fans.

Visitors get up close with authentic costumes and props, earn points for their Hogwarts house, brew potions, cast spells and try their hand at Quidditch, with the whole thing built as a behind-the-scenes journey through the wizarding world, featuring authentic props, original costumes and detailed recreations of iconic locations.  A highlight for older kids and adults alike is a first-edition copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, displayed inside a Gringotts-inspired vault.

The whole exhibition is self-guided and best suited to fans aged 5 and up, with most visits taking 60 to 90 minutes, and strollers aren't permitted inside the venue. Read our review for insider tips. 

Where:   Fever Pavilion at Sydney Showground
When:    Until 11 October 2026
Cost:      Tickets from $33 per adult and from $20 per child

Explore Avatar: Forms of Vishnu at the Art Gallery of New South Wales

Avatar: Forms of Vishnu has landed at the Art Gallery of NSW, exclusive to Sydney and the largest South and Southeast Asian art exhibition the gallery has staged in over 20 years! 

More than 200 works, spanning sculpture, painting, textiles, photography and large-scale contemporary installations, trace 1,500 years of storytelling through shape-shifting characters like a giant fish, a wise tortoise and a fearsome half-man, half-lion figure. Pieces are on loan from collections across Australia, India, Cambodia, Switzerland and the UK!

Where: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery Road, Sydney
When:  Until 5 October 2026
Cost:    Adult: $35 / $37 | Youth (12–17 years): $10 | Children under 12: Free | Family (2 adults + up to 3 youth): $80

Journey to the Moon at LUNA

Houston, we have a new immersive experience! Sydney families will soon be able to swap Earth for the Moon without travelling quite as far as NASA.

LUNA: A Journey to the Moon is bringing its immersive virtual reality adventure to Sydney Olympic Park from September 2026, sending visitors straight into the story of Apollo 11. From astronaut training and the thunderous launch of Saturn V to floating through space and setting foot on the lunar surface, this is a history lesson with considerably more wow factor.

Where: Fever Pavilion, Olympic Boulevard, Sydney Olympic Park
When:  From September 2026
Cost:    $49.50 for adults; $40.50 for kids (10-17); Group Bundles (min. 4 tickets): $40.50 per ticket
Age Requirement: For ages 10+

Things to do on Saturday in Sydney

Have a Family Dance Party at Club Flamingo

Saturday afternoons are about to get a groovy glow-up! Designed especially for kids aged 5-12 and their grown-ups, Club Flamingo at The Grand Electric is a family-friendly experience that is part show and part dance party, combining music, circus, giant dance-offs, party challenges and live acts for a fun-filled afternoon of toe-tapping entertainment.

Hit the dance floor, learn the signature Club Flamingo moves and enjoy the breathtaking show at this high-energy family nightclub!

Where: The Grand Electric, 199 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills
When:  Saturday afternoons from 5 September 2026 for a limited season
Cost:    Tickets from $41.60 pp

Meet Bluey & Bingo at The Strathfield Spring Festival

After a two-year hiatus, Strathfield Council's much-loved Spring Festival is making a comeback, and it's going to be huge!

Bring the whole family to Strathfield Park on Saturday 5 September for a full day of activities and entertainment, including carnival rides, market stalls, food, pony rides, roving entertainers, sports activations and some very special guests for the little ones.

Where:  Strathfield Park, Corner Chalmers Rd and Homebush Rd, Strathfield South
When:   Saturday 5 September 2026 | 10 am – 5 pm
Cost:     General admission is FREE

See Magic Fireworks Over Darling Harbour

This Saturday night, the Sydney skyline comes alive with the stunning Fireworks Spectacular at Darling Harbour.

The fireworks display is a must-do for families, as you can watch the dazzling lights light up the harbour, offering a perfect way to end your week with a bang.

Where:  Darling Harbour
When:   Select Saturday evenings at 8.30 pm 
Cost:     FREE

Have Pretty-in-Pink Moment at These Cherry Blossom Locations

Spring is starting to show its pretty pink side, with cherry blossom season beginning across Sydney and NSW.

If you're keen for a flower-filled day trip this weekend, keep an eye out for early blooms at spots including the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah, Leura and Katoomba, or start planning ahead for Auburn Botanic Gardens' spectacular display of more than 200 cherry trees. Sydney's famous Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off there from 22 August, when the blossoms are expected to be putting on their biggest show.

Check out more locations to see cherry blossoms this season.

Shop Up a Storm at EQ Markets

If you can't get enough of market shopping in Sydney, EQ's Market Canopy comes alive with a colourful mix of stalls, scents and sounds that make it very hard to just pop in for one thing! Locals know the drill: arrive hungry, leave with a tote bag full of goodies you didn't plan on buying (but absolutely needed).

EQ Markets is where you'll find everything from farm-fresh fruit and veg to crusty artisan breads, small-batch cheeses and street food worth lining up for. Whether you're grabbing ingredients for dinner or treating yourself to something delicious on the spot, there's plenty to tempt even the pickiest eaters.

Beyond the food, EQ Markets are packed with stalls selling boutique fashion, handmade jewellery, homewares and gifts you won't spot in your usual shopping centres. There's always something happening, from live music to street performers bringing extra energy to the space. 

Where:  Entertainment Quarter, 122 Lang Road, Moore Park (under The Market Canopy)
When:   Every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm
Cost:     FREE

Things to do on Sunday in Sydney

Celebrate Dad's Special Day

Father's Day in Sydney is serving up plenty of ways to spoil Dad this Sunday, 6 September.

Families can tuck into special breakfasts, BBQ feasts and waterfront lunches, cruise Sydney Harbour, catch retro movies on the big screen, build LEGO® together, score bargain aquarium tickets or even spend the morning planting trees. Add live music, kids' entertainment, barefoot bowls and a few free beers and pizzas for Dad, and there's something to suit just about every father figure.

Check out the full list of what's on.

Visit France at the Le Marché French Markets

This Sunday, the Entertainment Quarter's Market Canopy is transformed into a vibrant celebration of all things French. From delectable cuisine to exquisite craftsmanship, immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of French culture.

Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable journey as you wander among more than 45 stalls manned by talented French artisans. Indulge in a smorgasbord of delights, from savoury raclette and succulent rillettes to delicate choux buns and effervescent Champagne — c'est magnifique!

Where:   The Entertainment Quarter
When:    The first Sunday of the month from 9.30 am to 2 pm
Cost:      FREE entry

FREE & Cheap This Weekend in Sydney

Go Deep Under Water at Ultimate Depth

Ultimate Depth at the Australian National Maritime Museum is taking families on a deep-sea adventure without the need for wetsuits, submarines or anyone saying "are we there yet?" 

This immersive temporary exhibition dives from the ocean's bright, sunlit surface to the deepest, darkest parts of the sea, exploring five incredible ocean zones and the weird, wonderful creatures that call them home.

Kids can make their own deep-sea creature and release it into the Midnight Zone, learn how ocean life survives under crushing pressure, and come face-to-face with James Cameron's famous DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible, which travelled to the Mariana Trench in 2012.

Where:  Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour
When:   Now on
Cost:     FREE entry

Check Out Sydney's Heritage Coal Loader

Step beneath one of Sydney Harbour's most fascinating historic sites during a free guided tour of The Coal Loader in Waverton.

Led by a volunteer guide, the tour traces the remarkable transformation of this former industrial coal-loading facility into a harbourside centre for sustainability. The site operated from the early 1920s until the 1990s, transferring coal from bulk carriers to smaller coal-powered vessels before being reclaimed as public space.

Visitors will explore the stories, machinery and hidden corners left behind from the site's working days. One of the biggest highlights is entry into heritage-preserved Tunnel 1, which is normally closed to the public. The old sandstone tunnel once formed part of the system used to move coal beneath the loading platform and offers an atmospheric glimpse into Sydney’s industrial past.

This outing is best suited to older children and teenagers with an interest in history, engineering or sustainability. All physical abilities are welcome, although sturdy walking shoes are recommended. Bring a water bottle and hat, and meet the guide outside the Genia McCaffery Centre, also known as The Cottage.

Where:  The Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability, 2 Balls Head Drive, Waverton
When:   Saturday, 1 August 2026, 10.30 am to 12 pm
Cost:     FREE
Age recommendation: Ages 12 and over
Bookings: Preferred, although walk-ins are welcome

Stroll Through The Rocks Markets

How about a little market shopping to brighten your Saturday or Sunday in Sydney? The Rocks Markets are on every Saturday and Sunday and have some of the best stalls in Sydney with killer views to boot.

At The Rocks Markets, you'll discover the finest in food, art, design, music, and wellness, all brought together for great weekend fun. Enjoy free yoga classes, mingle with traders, check out demonstrations, and shop for unique artwork and jewellery. And of course, don't miss out on the delicious market bites!

Where:  The Rocks, Sydney
When:   Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm
Cost:     FREE

Explore The Curious World of Pamela Allen at the State Library of NSW

Step straight into storytime at The Curious World of Pamela Allen, a delightful exhibition bringing her much-loved books to life for the very first time in Australia.

Now open at the State Library of New South Wales, this immersive experience invites families to wander through the playful worlds behind classics like Mr Archimedes' Bath, Alexander's Outing and Who Sank the Boat?

Little readers can slide beneath Mr McGee's tree, interact with oversized storybook pages, splash alongside familiar animal characters and dress up as their favourites, all while discovering cosy corners made for quiet reading. Equal parts exhibition and hands-on play space, it's a joyful outing designed for families to explore, imagine and share a love of storytelling together.

Where:  State Library of NSW, 1 Shakespeare Place, Sydney
When:   Until July 2027
Cost:     FREE

Celebrate 200 Years of the State Library With FREE Activities

The State Library of NSW is celebrating its 200th anniversary in serious style! 

Free entry gets you into two centuries of collecting and preserving Sydney's stories, plus a run of immersive exhibitions built just for the occasion. Kids can grab a 200 Kids Trail Card and go treasure-hunting through the building, get hands-on at the Drop-in Centre: 200 Years of Wonder, or swipe through 250-odd stories on the Digital Timeline, including a few brazen historical crimes thrown in for good measure. Little bookworms will love The Curious World of Pamela Allen, a free interactive exhibition that lets them step inside classics like Who Sank the Boat? with dress-ups and life-sized storybook scenes. Add in the cosy under-5s Family Room and the Children's Library with its free monthly Storytime sessions, and it's a full day out that costs precisely nothing.

Where:   State Library of NSW, 1 Shakespeare Place, Sydney
When:    Until October 2026
Cost:      FREE entry and activities 

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About ellaslist

ellaslist is a trusted local guide for families across Sydney and NSW, written by parents, carers and family lifestyle editors who understand what makes an outing with kids genuinely work. Our team researches and curates the best family-friendly events, attractions, playgrounds, restaurants and school holiday activities, with practical details on age suitability, accessibility, parking, public transport, facilities and family-friendly tips.

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