The first full week of March brings a surge of energy to Sydney, with major festivals, high-profile music residencies at the Opera House, and the final stretch of summer-style outdoor events.
Here is your guide to what’s on from March 5 to March 12, 2026.
🎭 Arts and Culture
The city is currently a hub for international cinema and local stage productions.
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Alliance Française French Film Festival: Running across multiple venues (Palace Cinemas, Hayden Orpheum), this week features the latest in French cinema, from sweeping dramas to quirky comedies.
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Julius Caesar (Bell Shakespeare): Previews begin this week (March 7–10) at the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre. This high-octane production reimagines the political conspiracy for a contemporary audience.
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Europa! Europa Film Festival: Continuing at the Ritz Cinemas in Randwick, showcasing the best of European world cinema.
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Red Poppy Film Festival (March 6–8): A unique international film festival at the Art Gallery of NSW, dedicated to films made by veterans and stories of remembrance.
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A Mirror: A gripping tale of censorship and surveillance theatre showing at the Sydney Opera House.
🥦 Markets and Providores
From artisan crafts to farm-to-table produce, this weekend is particularly busy for market-goers.
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Northside Produce Market (Saturday, March 7): One of Sydney’s best, held at North Sydney Community Centre. This Saturday features free “Behind the Scenes” tours for adults and seniors.
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Holi Festival Sydney (March 7–8): Tumbalong Park transforms for the Festival of Colours. Expect vibrant multicultural performances, street food stalls, and “Holi After Dark” with UV lights and glow-in-the-dark colours.
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Blak Markets (Sunday, March 8): Taking place at La Perouse, this Indigenous market features authentic Aboriginal artworks, bushfoods, and cultural performances.
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The Rocks Markets: Open Saturday and Sunday (10 am – 5 pm). Look out for artisanal jewellery and the Friday Food Market for a quick harbor-side lunch.
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Chiswick Wine Market: A special “Women in Wine” event this week celebrating female winemakers and local produce.
🏛️ Museums and Libraries
This is a landmark week for the State Library of NSW as it celebrates its 200th anniversary.
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The Library That Made Me: A new exhibition at the State Library of NSW featuring 10 photographers capturing the personal impact of libraries across the state.
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Mervyn Bishop: Close Up: A powerful retrospective of the pioneering Aboriginal photographer’s work, currently showing at the State Library.
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Ron Mueck: Encounter: The MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) is hosting these hyper-real sculptures. Note: The MCA is now open late on Thursday nights.
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Alchemy of a Rainforest: An immersive experience at the Royal Botanic Garden‘s Calyx, blending plants, sculpture, and sound.
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The Australian Dream?: An exhibition at the State Library exploring the history and challenges of home ownership in Australia.
🎸 Entertainment and Nightlife
The Opera House Forecourt is the place to be this weekend for major music fans.
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Pulp (March 6–7): Jarvis Cocker and his legendary Britpop outfit take over the Sydney Opera House Forecourt for two massive nights.
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Basement Jaxx (March 5): Catch the electronic duo’s high-energy show at the Opera House Forecourt tonight.
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Sydney Philharmonia Choirs: Gloria (March 7): For something more classical, head to Walsh Bay Arts Precinct for a powerful choral performance.
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Sydney MindBodySpirit Festival (Starting March 6): Australia’s largest health and wellness event begins at the ICC Sydney, featuring 200+ exhibitors and guest speakers.
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Moonlight Cinema: Nightly screenings continue at Centennial Park. A great way to enjoy the mild March evenings.
The Alliance Française French Film Festival (AF FFF) is officially in full swing this week, running across Sydney’s best boutique and arthouse cinemas. For 2026, the festival boasts 38 films, ranging from star-studded psychological dramas to playful social satires.
Here is a curated guide to the must-see events and screenings for this week.
🎬 Key Events This Week
If you are looking for the “festival atmosphere” with a glass of wine in hand, these are the standout sessions:
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Opening Night Reception (Warriewood): If you missed the city gala, United Cinemas Warriewood holds its official Opening Night tonight, Thursday, March 5, at 6:00 pm. It features a glass of wine followed by the festival’s flagship film, Colours of Time.
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Centrepiece Premiere: The Richest Woman in the World screens on Sunday, March 8 at 3:00 pm. This is a high-society drama starring Isabelle Huppert, inspired by the real-life L’Oréal scandal. Sessions include a reception at the Hayden Orpheum and Palace Central.
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Ladies’ Night: A special screening of Cycle of Time on Thursday, March 12 at 6:00 pm. This session at the Hayden Orpheum and Palace Moore Park includes French delicacies and a glass of wine on arrival.
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Special Event: Leave One Day: On Tuesday, March 10, catch this special screening at 6:30 pm (Hayden Orpheum), which includes a glass of wine on arrival.
📽️ Top Film Picks for Your Itinerary
Based on early reviews and festival buzz, these are the titles to prioritize:
| Film Title | Genre | Why See It? |
| Colours of Time | Dramedy | Cédric Klapisch’s luminous family saga that jumps between 1895 and 2025. |
| The Stranger | Noir Drama | A stunning black-and-white adaptation of the Albert Camus classic. |
| Jean Valjean | Period Epic | A powerful “origin story” for the Les Misérables protagonist starring Grégory Gadebois. |
| A Private Life | Psych-Drama | Features Jodie Foster in a rare, magnetic French-language leading role. |
| The Party’s Over! | Satire | A sharp, dark comedy being compared to Parasite for its look at class struggle. |
📍 Participating Venues
You can catch these films throughout the week at the following locations:
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Palace Cinemas: Central (Chippendale), Moore Park (The EQ), and Norton Street (Leichhardt).
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Independent Gems: Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace (Cremorne) and Roseville Cinemas.
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Northern Beaches: United Cinemas Warriewood.
💡 Festival Pro-Tip
If you are planning to see more than three films, it’s worth looking into the 5-film e-ticket bundle (approx. $99) available through the Palace Movie Club. It significantly drops the price per session for the general screenings.
