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.

It's a weekend for FREE festival hopping with loads of options to suit all families, including Winterfest, Hawkesbury Fest, and Harris Park Multicultural Festival. The Voltaren City2Surf is back this weekend, plus families can escape to the country at Back to Belgenny. Footy fans can catch the Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide, and it's your last chance to see the inspiring Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes!

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

1. Visit Paris Right Here in Sydney

 

Give the family a little taste of Paris this weekend in Sydney at La Renaissance Patisserie, where handmade croissants, delicate cakes and savoury French treats make morning tea feel like a special occasion.

At their Rocks location, you can order at the counter and settle into the charming sandstone courtyard before exploring the nearby markets and harbour, while the spacious Waterloo cafe offers easy parking and plenty of room for a relaxed pastry stop with the kids.

The Rocks: 47 Argyle St, Sydney
Waterloo: Shop 1, 197 Young St

2. Check Out the Young Archie Award

There are only two more weekends left to ogle some incredible local art at the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

With free entry for kids under 12, family tickets available, and the much-loved Young Archie exhibition also on display, it’s a brilliant family day out for creative kids, budding artists and art lovers of all ages.

Where:  Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney
When:   Must close 16 August 2026
Cost:     $30 per adult; $10 for 12-17 years; $70 for a family; under 12s go FREE

3. Step Into Lightfields at The Vineyard

Lightfields at The Vineyard is giving Sydney's north-west a glow-up this weekend, with a walk-through winter lantern trail lighting up the grounds after dark.

Wander past giant glowing sculptures, illuminated characters and playful surprises around the trail, then settle in for dinner, drinks or a cosy family night out at The Vineyard. It's pram-friendly, family-friendly and best seen once the sun goes down, with tickets required and advance bookings recommended.

Where:   The Vineyard, 725 Windsor Road, Vineyard
When:    Until 30 August 2026. Weeknights 5 pm - 10 pm, weekends 4 pm - 11 pm.
Cost:      General Admission (16+) $10, Kids (3-15 yrs) $5, Infants (0-2 yrs) FREE

4. 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:    20 June 2026 - 5 October 2026
Cost:     Adult: $35 / $37 | Youth (12–17 years): $10 | Children under 12: Free | Family (2 adults + up to 3 youth): $80

5. Save at Sydney's Restaurants Where Kids Eat FREE

Give the kitchen the weekend off and take the family out for a meal where the kids eat free! 

Saturday night options include Blue Gum Hotel and Dee Why Hotel, while Sunday deals can be found at The Grounds of Alexandria, The Light Brigade, Macarthur Tavern, Criniti's and several other family-friendly venues across Sydney. With everything from pizza and pasta to pub favourites on the menu, it's an easy way to turn lunch or dinner into an outing without sending the family budget into meltdown. Make sure you check the individual offer before visiting, as conditions and availability can change.

Check out more Sydney restaurants where kids eat FREE.

6. 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

7. Enter a Barbie™ Dreamscape at The Grounds

Barbie™ x Megan Hess has taken over the laneways this winter, turning every corner into a fashion moment worthy of Barbie™'s own closet!

Wander the laneways, and you'll find illustrations that seem to have stepped straight off the page. Fashion-inspired backdrops sit around every turn, built for photos, giggles and a little Barbie™-fuelled imagination. Kids and parents alike can spot fashion moments inspired by Barbie™'s most iconic looks, all rendered through Megan's signature elegant style.

Where:  The Grounds of Alexandria
When:   Daily until 30 August 2026
Cost:     Entry is FREE for guests dining at The Grounds

8. Animal Crossing™ Villagers Take Over SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Grab your Island Excursion Guide and swap the Nintendo Switch for a real underwater adventure! Animal Crossing: New Horizons has returned to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium from 1 July to 23 August, sending familiar island residents like Fang, Stitches and Flip into the SEA LIFE Isles trail.

Kids can chase a stamp rally around the aquarium for an exclusive postcard, hunt down a shipwrecked Gulliver, and learn from Blathers as he matches Animal Crossing creatures to the real marine life swimming past. Isabelle also drops in for daily meet-and-greets in the Day and Night on the Reef zone. 

Where:  SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
When:   Until 23 August 2026
Cost:     Included with general admission. Family tickets from $99 online

Things to do on Saturday in Sydney

9. Escape to the Country at Belgenny Farm

 

History comes off the page at Back to Belgenny, returning to Belgenny Farm in Camden South this Saturday.

Families can watch sheep shearing, working dog trials, blacksmithing, whip cracking and Red Coat demonstrations, then meet farm animals, explore steam machinery and join a historic tour or Macarthur Cemetery tour. There will also be damper making, live music, local makers, market stalls, food trucks and CWA scones with Devonshire tea.

Where:  100 Elizabeth Macarthur Avenue, Camden South
When:   Saturday, 8 August from 11 am to 3 pm
Cost:     $10 for adults, $5 for children aged 5 to 12, $20 for a family of 4, under 5s go FREE

10. Watch Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide

Saturday afternoon footy returns to the SCG as the Sydney Swans host Port Adelaide in Round 22 of the AFL season.

The family-friendly 4.15 pm start leaves plenty of time to soak up the pre-game atmosphere before settling in for a lively twilight match in one of Sydney's most iconic sporting grounds. Tickets still available.

Where:  Sydney Cricket Ground, Moore Park
When:   Saturday, 8 August, 4.15 pm
Cost:     Ticket prices vary by seating area

Things to do on Sunday in Sydney

11. Cheer in the Voltaren City2Surf

It's that time of the year again! The Voltaren City2Surf is on this weekend in Sydney for families and competitors to test their endurance!

Even without a race bib, families can soak up the huge community atmosphere as City2Surf sends a sold-out field of 90,000 runners, walkers and colourful characters from Hyde Park to Bondi Beach. The first competitors set off at 7.35 am before tackling the famous 14-kilometre route, with music and entertainment adding to the party along the course.

Find a spot to cheer on friends, admire the costumes or head towards Bondi to watch participants celebrate their finish. General race entries are sold out, although spectating is FREE.

Where: Hyde Park to Bondi Beach
When:  Sunday, 9 August from 7.35 am
Cost:    FREE to watch; general race entries sold out

12. See Your Favourite Furry Friends at the Top Dog Film Festival

Dog lovers can settle in for an afternoon of tail-wagging cinema when the Top Dog Film Festival arrives at the Hayden Orpheum this Sunday in Sydney.

The program brings together more than two hours of short films from independent filmmakers around the world, sharing funny adventures, remarkable rescues and moving stories about the bond between dogs and their humans. The screening runs for approximately two and a half hours and is very family-friendly, although sensitive children may find some rescue stories emotional.

Where:  Hayden Orpheum, 380 Military Road, Cremorne
When:   Sunday, 9 August, 2-4.30 pm
Cost:     $33.50 for adults; $24.50 for children

13. Enjoy Some Winter Fruit Picking

Now that it's officially winter, there's no better time to grab the whole family and go on a winter fruit-picking adventure!

Farms such as TNT Produce, Ford's Farm and Watkins Family Farm are open on the long weekend, so grab your baskets and get ready for a big haul of fresh winter fruit.

Check out our full list of the top farms for winter fruit picking in Sydney and NSW. 

FREE & Cheap This Weekend in Sydney

14. Winterfest at Ed.Square

Winter nights are glowing at Ed.Square as Winterfest fills the precinct with free family entertainment until 15 August 2026.

Kids can hit the dance floor at the Glow Disco, watch roaming magicians and LED performers, enjoy neon balloon creations and glow-in-the-dark face painting, or catch spectacular fire-breathing and bubble shows. Live acoustic music, festive dining offers and a weekday promotion rewarding a $40 Eat Street spend with a $20 voucher add even more reasons to rug up and make a night of it.

Where:  Ed.Square
When:   Until 24 August 2026 | 5.30-9 pm
Cost:     FREE entry

15. Hawkesbury Fest 2026

Hawkesbury Fest is bringing a huge day of free family fun to Governor Phillip Park in Windsor this Sunday.

Kids can tackle the giant slide and new parkour course, explore emergency service vehicles and try activities in the brand-new sports zone, while local performers take over the community stage. There will also be market stalls, hands-on community displays and plenty of street food, from dumplings and gozleme to doughnuts and poffertjes. A quieter sensory hour will run from 10 am to 11 am, before the music and performances begin, making the festival more welcoming for visitors with sensory sensitivities.

Where:  Governor Phillip Park, Windsor
When:   Sunday, 9 August 2026, 10 am to 3 pm
Cost:     FREE entry

16. Harris Park Multicultural Festival

Wigram Street will come alive with colour, flavour and community spirit when the Harris Park Multicultural Festival returns on Saturday.

Families can wander between food stalls, browse local makers and enjoy a lively program of music and cultural entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening. Entry is free, making it an easy weekend outing for anyone keen to explore the vibrant heart of Sydney's Little India.

Where:  Wigram Street, Harris Park
When:   Saturday, 8 August, 12-9 pm
Cost:     FREE entry

17. 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

18. 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:    From Thursday, 18 June, 2026
Cost:      FREE entry and activities 

19. Free Bunnings Kids' Activities

Did you know that your local Bunnings holds the key to a fun and stress-free morning out with the kids? Every weekend, your local store runs free Bunnings kids' activities and events. These DIY workshops and activities are genuinely one of Sydney's best-kept weekend secrets for families.

Kids get hands-on with real projects, learn practical skills, and best of all, take home something they made themselves. So if you're looking for something free and fun for the kids to do this weekend in Sydney, look no further!

Where:  All Sydney Bunnings stores — Find your local
When:   Every Saturday and Sunday (times change per store)
Cost:     FREE, bookings recommended

20. Watch Badu Gili at the Sydney Opera House

For a beautiful free Sydney moment this weekend, head to the Opera House for Badu Gili: Healing Spirit.

The six-minute projection lights up the eastern Bennelong sails with vivid animation and First Nations storytelling, weaving together works by local and international First Nations artists. Grab a spot on the Monumental Steps after dark and make it an easy harbour-side stop before or after dinner.

Where:  Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney
When:   Nightly at 5.40 pm, 6 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm, and 7.30 pm
Cost:     FREE 

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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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