Clear your calendars this weekend because boyyyy do we have some bangers in store for you. From baba ganoush dumplings to drunk painting and boozy tea, this weekend is chock-a-block with a bunch of things to do ie. there is little time to rest friends.
And our solid advice to you? Get cracking. Because judging from this list, you’ll need a weekend from your actual weekend.
Here are 18 awesome things to do this weekend in Sydney.
All Weekend
Middle Eastern Yum Cha @ Theivery
This is exactly what it sounds like and more. Thievery in Glebe is heating things up this month with a Middle Eastern twist on everyone’s fave, yum cha. Executive chef, Julian Cincotta, is cooking up glorious creations such as baba ganoush dumplings and lamb kofta pancakes. There is a range of tea cocktails, yep, in tea pots, our favourite being the Turkish sour cherry iced tea with rye whisky. Get yo’self there ASAP. For more, head right over here.
When: All of August Where: Thievery, 91 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe
Spacemakers And Roomshakers
The AGNSW has dug out some of its favourite installations made from air, light, sound and scents. You’ll also find the insanely colourful room full of 50,000 suspended balls by the incredibly talented Nike Savvas and confirm, it’s even better in person. Tickle and treat your senses to a whole lotta fun and even more jaw dropping… you’ve gotta see it to believe it. For more deets head here.
When: Thursday 16 August Where: AGNSW, Art Gallery Rd, Sydney Cost: free
Thursday 16 August
Crayfish Dinner @ Three Blue Ducks
This will be an absolute crayfish extravaganza and therefore, all the deliciousness at Three Blue Ducks. Head chef and co-owner Mark LaBrooy and LongSong’s head chef David Moyle have spent an entire week meeting local producers to curate a perfect menu, showcasing whole crayfish, green abalone, salt-water brined lamb and BBQ lobster which means this an epic produce feast that shouldn’t be missed. For more deets head here.
When: Thursday 16 August, 6.30pm Where: Three Blue Ducks, 141/143 Macpherson St, Bronte Cost: $140 per person
The Morrison Oyster Festival
What’s better than your average happy hour? Oyster happy hour! We’re talking $1 oysters from 6-7pm every single night for all of August. Seeing as oysters are seriously on trend, The Morrison is also presenting special oyster dishes all month long, including fried oyster tacos and chowder. For extra info, head right here.
When: Thursday 16 August, 6-7pm Where: The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room, 225 George St, Sydney
Thursday 16 August
Bright Ideas: Organism
The day has finally come to make like Joyce Byers (don’t tell us you haven’t watched Stranger Things yet...) and have at it with an insanely epic installation of coloured lights. The interactive space—filled with trees, light and music actually responds to people walking through it— and will take over Usyd’s iconic Courtyard (the resident waterhole for skipping lectures) for this entire week. In other words, run, don’t walk to the University of Sydney. Head here for more.
What: Organism by Antony Youssef When: Until Friday 17 August, 4-7pm Where: Courtyard Restaurant & Bar, Science Road, University of Sydney, Camperdown
Friday 17 August
Truffle Tasting Menu
Oh, truffle, you have stolen our hearts. If we could choose our favourite season, it would truffle season (juuust in front of summer). 117 Dining at the Intercontinental is giving you a whole five-courses showcasing hand-selected black truffles from The Truffle Farm. Each course has shaved or infused truffle… get a mushroom that can do both. Book your spot here.
When: Fridays and Saturdays throughout August Where: 117 Dining, 117 Macquarie Street, Sydney Cost: $139 per person
Mr Miyagi x Messina
And you thought Messina already had it all. Psych, cos this weekend the gelato juggernauts are pairing with a Melbourne fave. Melbourne’s Japanese-fusion eatery Mr Miyagi is popping up at Messina’s Rosebery HQ, offering Japanese-inspired hot dogs (Japa-Dawgs… the name makes it that much better) each served in a bao roll, spider crab tacos and wasabi fries. Then in comes Messina with its easy cheesy Japanesy baked cheese tart with strawberry yuzu gelato. For more, jump over here.
When: Friday 17 and Saturday 18 August, 12pm-late Where: Gelato Messina Rosebery (HQ), 58 Mentmore Ave, Rosebery
German Christmas Market
What’s better than Christmas? A German white Christmas. You can find yourself drinking a mug of warm and spicy mulled wine and nibbling on a bratwurst and a pretzel this Friyay night and yes, you’ll be living your best life. You can get a real feel for a German Chrissy by stepping inside a giant snow globe with ‘fake’ (tell us it’s fake… we dare you) snow and some roasting marshmallows on the bonfire. For more, head over here.
When: Friday 17 August, 5-9pm Where: German International School, 33 Myoora Road, Terrey Hills Cost: free
Saturday 18 August
Round She Goes
If you love vintage curated fashion, we’re talking to you right about now. Marrickville’s Round She Goes Market is the perfect opportunity to spice up your wardrobe and hunt down some high-end (like Zimmermann, Yves Saint Laurent, Moschino, Balenciaga and Salvatore Ferragamo) to high-street farshun. After some vigorous shopping, you’ll also find coffee and Nutie Donuts so there is no way you will be walking out of this preloved fashion market empty-handed. For more, head over here.
When: Saturday 18 August, 10am-3pm Where: Marrickville Town Hall, 303 Marrickville Road, Marrickville Cost: $2 entry (cash only)
Rumble In the Jungle Indoor Plant Party
This one is our kinda party and should be yours too… here’s why. Hosted by The Jungle Collective, this indoor plant party is showcasing a whole range of plants for you to admire and purchase. If you have a tendency to over-water or you’re a serial cacti killer, come and learn a thing or two from the horticulturalists who are absolutely ready to school you on all things lush and green. For more details, head over here.
When: Saturday 18 August Where: St Peters Warehouse, Unit 2E, 1-7 Unwins Bridge Road, St Peters Cost: free
Sunrise At The House
This is not just yoga at the house but yoga at THE house. Our Sydney Opera House is offering indoor winter yoga classes to watch Syd’s sparkly sunrises in the Concert Hall’s harbourside northern foyer. The flow goes for one hour and is led by Crawf Weir from Barefoot Yoga in Paddington. So unravel your yoga mat, get into downward dog and see the harbour from upside down. For more, jump right in here.
When: Saturday 18 August Where: Sydney Opera House, 2 Macquarie St, Sydney Cost: $25 per person
NOMAD Wine School
The only school we would be happy to go back to… NOMAD is taking you on a tasting tour of Australian wine, along with a charcuterie plate (we’re talking coppa, prosciutto, sopressa and bresaola), lunch and cheese being served. In the 5.5-hour structured course, 10-12 wines will be tasted throughout the day, all of which will be available for purchase. To book your spot, head right here.
When: Saturday 18 August, 11am Where: NOMAD, 16 Foster Street, Surry Hills Cost: $250 per person
Sunday 19 August
The Sydney Hills Curry Festival
Yes, there is an actual festival dedicated to curry *picks up jaw off floor*. Brace your taste buds for a little bitta spice at the Sydney Hills Curry Festival this Sunday. Whilst choosing from the biggest selection of curry you have ever seen, you can also watch various traditional Indian and Bollywood fusion performances. Check right here for more details.
When: Sunday 19 August, 11am-6pm Where: Castle Hill Show Grounds Cost: $5
Sydney Tea Festival
If you’re a loose leaf kinda human, or maybe more of a tisane lover, this is the festival for you. Your serial ninja taste testing at T2 no longer has to be a secret with Sydney Tea Festival featuring dozens of stallholders with teas of all styles. If that hasn’t gotten you excited enough, there are also sweet and savoury treats on offer, as well as food trucks for something more substantial. Although a porcelain cup is included in your ticket, ceramic tea-ware is available for purchase too. We’ll see you in the Brew Lounge. For more details, head here.
When: Sunday 19 August, 9am-4.30pm Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh Cost: $16.50
Racks & Records 003
Racks, espresso martinis, bellinis, records and more racks. The Forresters is giving you complete access to designers and labels featuring Shotti Not Vintage, Pep Shop Earrings, Sydney Steals and Glory Box Designs. There will be vinyl DJs spinning from 2pm and $12 bloody marys or espresso martinis and $10 bellinis and mimosas from 11am… it’s cocktail o’clock somewhere. For more, head here.
When: Sunday 19 August, 11-4pm Where: The Forresters, 336 Riley Street, Surry Hills Cost: free
Sydney Vegan Market
Calling all vegans and almost-vegans (it’s alllll about the willpower guys). Not only is this market overflowing with edible vegan goodness (including a vegan sausage roll eating competition), there will also be beverages, homewares, fashion, art, cosmetics, skincare and education. And for a little bit of fitspo, there will be free yoga and pilates with Plant Based Life. Head here for more.
When: Sunday 19 August Where: The Entertainment Quarter Cost: free
Paint Your Inner Queen
If you don’t have an inner queen, you’re lying. Bring her out this Sunday night at Cork and Chroma’s Paint Your Inner Queen. Sydney’s iconic drag queen, Hannah Conda will be leading the session making us literally want to shout “yaaas qween”. Who can say no to painting and wine sipping? Definitely not us. For more, jump here.
When: Sunday 19 August, 7-10pm Where: Cork & Chroma, 55 Holt Street, Surry Hills Cost: $70
Beyond Cinema Gatsby Party
Get ready to don your finest glitzy flapper attire and transport yourselves to a space full of all the 20s throwbacks. There are secret rooms and gardens to explore along with dancers, jazz and fireworks to get y’all amongst all the action of the jazz age. There is a bunch of dining packages so you can choose to indulge in incredible food and four hours of unlimited booze, that is unless you decide to get your inner aristocrat on and dine in Gatsby’s private guest suite. Head here for more details.
When: Sunday 19 August, 4-11pm Where: Curzon Hall, Marsfield Cost: Tickets from $108 - $198 (various dining options)
And just so you know, this iconic fried chicken and champagne joint is serving up vegetarian ramen for two weeks.
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