Whats on in Sydney this Week Guide for week 05 to 12 December
Posted Friday 05 December and refreshed on 07 December,2025
Sydney has an incredibly vibrant and diverse “What’s On” scene. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you explore the best of the city’s arts, culture, markets, events, and more.
*This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Sydney’s dynamic events landscape. The events and dates listed (like the concerts and December seasonal events) are based on the current available data for late 2025/early 2026, so be sure to check specific ticketing websites for the most current times and booking details!
Arts & Culture: Galleries, Theatre, and Museums
Sydney’s cultural heart beats around its iconic institutions and hidden artistic pockets.
Galleries & Museums
- Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW): A must-visit. It houses extensive collections of Australian, European, Asian, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.
- Current Highlight: Ron Mueck – Encounter (lifelike sculptures) and the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition are currently running.
- Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA): Located right on Circular Quay, this is the premier destination for modern and contemporary art from Australia and the world.
- Australian Museum: Explore natural history, First Nations culture, and science. They often have major family-friendly exhibitions, such as RELICS: A New World Rises (LEGO® worlds inside old objects).
- Aboriginal Culture: Look for Waranara: First Nations Tours at the Australian Museum or check out galleries for dedicated Aboriginal arts and crafts.
The Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) currently has several major and exciting exhibitions on view, including:
Key Featured Exhibitions
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Ron Mueck: Encounter What it is: The largest ever exhibition in Australia of the internationally renowned hyperrealist sculptor, Ron Mueck.2 It features his incredibly lifelike and often monumental or miniature sculptures, and is presented as part of the Sydney International Art Series.3
Dates: December 6, 2025 – April 12, 2026
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Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under the Mat
What it is: A major, site-specific commission by Sydney-based artist Mike Hewson for the AGNSW’s subterranean Tank space.6 It transforms the former wartime oil bunker into an immersive, anarchic, and generous ‘art park’ where visitors are encouraged to meet, dwell, play, and explore.7 It is an interactive, social sculpture.8Dates: December 6, 2025 – June 30, 2026
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Data Dreams: Art and AI
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What it is: An exhibition at MCA the Rocks exploring the intersection of art and Artificial Intelligence, showcasing AI-inspired artworks that delve into themes of humanity, technology, and machine creativity.MCA the Rocks
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Dates: December 6, 2025 – April 27, 2026
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Other Significant Current Exhibitions
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Christopher Kulendran Thomas’ Safe Zone
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What it is: A show that blends painting, television, and AI to explore the unseen global aftermaths of contemporary culture.9
Dates: December 6, 2025 – February 15, 2026
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Dangerously Modern – Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–194010
What it is: This exhibition celebrates pioneering Australian women artists who shaped modern art while working abroad and back home during a pivotal period
Dates: December 6, 2025 – February 15, 2026
Entry to the general exhibition space, which includes the Gallery’s extensive collection of Australian art (including Indigenous Australian art), European, and Asian art, is free.12 Note that some of the major temporary exhibitions, like Ron Mueck: Encounter and Data Dreams: Art and AI, are ticketed.
Performing Arts -
- Sydney Opera House: Beyond the major opera and ballet, check their schedule for contemporary music, comedy, and theatre.
- Upcoming Concerts: The search results indicate a strong lineup of concerts and live music extending into 2026, including The Living End, Architects, Boy & Bear, Garbage, Hot Chip, and many others across venues like the Sydney Opera House, Hordern Pavilion, and Enmore Theatre.
- Theatres (Sydney Lyric, Capitol Theatre, Belvoir St Theatre): Major musicals and plays are always in rotation. Current Musicals: Back to the Future The Musical and The Book of Mormon are noted as running now.
- Outdoor Spectacle: Keep an eye out for Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour (e.g., The Phantom of the Opera), which features dazzling productions on a purpose-built stage over the water.
Weekend Markets: Food, Fashion, and Finds
Sydney’s markets are a perfect way to spend a weekend morning, offering local produce, artisan goods, and delicious street food.
🌟 Top Weekend Markets
| Market Name | Location | Focus | Days |
| The Rocks Markets | The Rocks (historic precinct) | Art, beats, eats, unique gifts, music. | Saturday & Sunday (also some Fridays) |
| Carriageworks Farmers Market | Eveleigh/Redfern | High-quality fresh produce, gourmet foods. | Saturday mornings |
| Kirribilli Markets | Kirribilli (Milsons Point) | Art, Fashion, Design, second-hand goods. | 1st & 2nd Sunday of the month |
| Northside Produce Market | North Sydney | Fresh produce, gourmet food, artisan products. | 3rd Saturday of the month |
| Surry Hills Vintage Market | Shannon Reserve, Surry Hills | Vintage fashion, accessories, and bric-a-brac. | 1st Saturday of the month |
| Martin Place Christmas Markets | Sydney City | Festive food, gifts, and fun (seasonal). | Check December dates |
Major Events, Festivals & Concerts
Sydney has a packed annual calendar of blockbuster events, plus concerts from global stars.
Key Annual Festivals
| Festival | Time of Year | Focus |
| Sydney New Year’s Eve | December 31 | World-famous fireworks on Sydney Harbour. |
| Sydney Festival | January | Vibrant arts, performances, and free public events across the city. |
| Australia Day | January 26 | Cultural events, ferry races, and fireworks on the Harbour. |
| Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras | February – March | World-renowned celebration of LGBTQIA+ communities, culminating in the dazzling Parade. |
| Vivid Sydney | May – June | The world’s largest festival of light, music, and ideas. |
| Good Food Month | October | Extensive food festival with fine dining events and casual gatherings. |
| Sculpture by the Sea | October – November | Outdoor sculpture exhibition along the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. |
Upcoming Concerts & Live Music
For specific dates, check the sources for the most up-to-date information, but venues like the Qudos Bank Arena, Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Opera House, and Enmore Theatre host major acts year-round. Some examples mentioned include:
- Lewis Capaldi (Dec 2025)
- Lady Gaga: The MAYHEM Ball (Dec 2025)
- OneRepublic (Feb 2026)
- Lorde (Feb 2026)
- Linkin Park (Mar 2026)
- Machine Gun Kelly (Apr 2026)
Everything Else: Outdoor Activities & Unique Experiences
Coastline & Parks
- Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk: A spectacular walk featuring stunning beaches, cliffs, and ocean pools.
- Royal Botanic Garden Sydney: The oldest botanical garden in Australia, offering beautiful harbourside walks and a great location for a picnic.
- Barangaroo Reserve: A beautifully re-imagined headland park with walking paths and great harbour views.
Icons & Attractions
- BridgeClimb Sydney: For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, climb to the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge for panoramic views.
- Sydney Opera House Tour: Go behind the scenes of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Sydney Harbour Cruises: Take a ferry or book a dining/party cruise to appreciate the skyline from the water. Christmas Party Cruises are popular in December.
- Darling Harbour: Home to the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, and the Australian National Maritime Museum, plus regular fireworks displays.
Food and Nightlife
- Eat Streets & Precincts: Explore Chinatown for authentic Asian food, Barangaroo for modern waterside dining, or the diverse cuisines of Inner West suburbs like Enmore and Newtown.
- Nightlife: Check out secret bar tours in The Rocks or comedy clubs like Harvey Comedy for a laugh.
- Themed Events: Keep an eye out for unique food and drink events like the Oxford Street Night Market or various popup bars and high teas.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Sydney’s dynamic events landscape. The events and dates listed (like the concerts and December seasonal events) are based on the current available data for late 2025/early 2026, so be sure to check specific ticketing websites for the most current times and booking details!
