We feel it but we can’t see it. It has six letters and two syllables. What are we talking about? Yep, you guessed it, winter. We don’t know about you guys, but we’re burrito-ing ourselves in blankies and amping up the heater to the highest temp because this winter is gonna be a big one. In preparation for the cold months, we’ve gathered one big bundle of reasons to get out of your warm, cosy bed all through this June.
Here you go Sydney, here are all the best things to do in our city this June. Go crazy.
Surf Movie Nights
Catch a flick at the Cloey every Thursday night as they showcase some of the best surf films literally ever. There will be Corona specials, FREE popcorn and bean bag seating (disclaimer: you may not be able to get up from the comfort of the bean bag because we couldn’t). Details here.
When: Thursdays weekly Where: 318 Clovelly Road, Clovelly Cost: Free entry with a plastic bag donation
Left of Field x N2 – Queen’s Feast
Left of Field and N2 Gelato are having a baby and they are calling it the Queen’s Feast (No not the Queen as in the Queen of England. Queen the greatest band that has ever lived, that Queen). This is a five-course shared dinner, with a welcome drink on arrival, Queen tunes pumping and two incredibly special collab desserts: “we are the champions” hotcake and “stone cold crazy” parfait. How could we resist? You’re right, we can’t. Grab your tickets here.
When: Friday 1 June Where: Left of Field, 7 Gauthorpe St, Rhodes Cost: $66.97
Firefly’s Festival Of 1000 Candles
Prepare to be whooshed into a magical Winter Wonderland at Firefly Bar & Dining this month. Told by its name (spoiler alert), the restaurant will be illuminated by one thousand candles and they’ll have a menu with blazing hot buttered rum cocktails, warm spiced wine and our absolute fave—the Bombe Alaska. To top it all off, a magician will be there on the night so get ready for your mind to be blown. Book here.
When: Friday 1 June – Saturday 2 June Where: Firefly Bar & Dining, 24 Young Street, Neutral Bay
Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley: Culinary Winter Festival
Bentley Restaurant + Bar has teamed up with executive chef Nancy Kinchela to create ‘Epicurean Escape with the Bentley Boys’. This is an weekend designed to delight both wine connoisseurs and foodies alike. Along with the finest local wines from Mudgee and Orange, there will be cheese (cheese platters are SO important) and as the sun begins to set, a six-course Australian-inspired degustation dinner. For details and to book, head here.
When: Friday 1 June – Saturday 2 June Where: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort Cost: Varies
Opera House Vivid: Goldie’s Music Hall
This is one snazzy pop-up bar at The Sydney Opera House, taking us back into the golden era of the 60’s and 70’s funk, soul and R&B. The glitzy theme of black and gold, extravagant lampshades and flamboyant peacock chairs will draw you into its indulgent style, whilst enjoying Sydney DJ’s like Gonz and specially-made cocktails like the ‘Golden Years’.
When: Friday 1 June – Monday 4 June, 6pm-late Where: The Sydney Opera House
Home Care Heroes
Home Care Heroes is a charitable cause supporting disability and social support and guys, they’re turning two this month! HCH is hosting a birthday party (y’all are invited) with free snags, games and activities plus live music performances too. They had us at free snags.
When: Saturday 2 June, 11am-2pm Where: Central Gardens Reserve, Cnr Merrylands Road & Cumberland Highway, Merrylands West Cost: Free with a donation
Gin Yoga
Goga? Yin? Whatever it is, we’re into it. This is literally a relaxing session of yoga but you get to drink gin at the same time (winning) and your ticket includes both your G&T and the yoga session. The distillery is open after class for healthy cocktails, nibbles and for meeting some friends. Spots are limited to 15 people per session so get in quickly! Book here and BYO yoga mat.
When: Sunday 3 June Where: Manly Spirits Co. Distillery, 4A/ 9-13 Winbourne Road, Brookvale Cost: $20
Young Hearts Run Free
You’re invited to a super nostalgic ‘90s masquerade-ball rock show, with the full soundtrack from Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet being performed live and it’s all thanks to Vivid. ‘Nuff said. Buy your tickets here.
When: Thursday 7 June, 8-11pm Where: Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Road, Newtown Cost: From $59.90
Negroni Week: Cheers To Charity
This is Italy’s iconic red apértif, Campari’s time to shine. Joining forces with Imbibe Magazine, Negroni Week 2018 is here to celebrate the perfect mix of Campari, gin and red Vermouth. This is a week-long international charity initiative taking place in bars and restaurants around the world to raise money for charity and if you want to find your closest spot to imbibe, head here.
When: Monday 4 June – Sunday 10 June Where: Palmer and Co. (for starters) Cost: Wine tasting (1pm-4pm) $50; Pizza party (4pm-late) free
Wet Dreams
DRNKS and The Dolphin presents Wine + Food Festival with 30+ wine makers, chefs, brewers and importers (you can find the full line up here). There’ll be wine tasting from 1pm till 4pm and a FREE pizza party (our kinda party) from 4pm to late. Buy tickets here.
When: Sunday 10 June, 1pm-late Where: The Dolphin, 412 Crown Street, Surry Hills Cost: Wine tasting (1pm-4pm) $50; Pizza party (4pm-late) free
“Viva la Vivid” Art Exhibition
The Tank Stream Hotel is hosting, for the first time, Art Exhibition and sale of works this month. Showcasing NSW South Coast artist, Jenny Asquith’s, work in honour of Vivid’s 10th anniversary, there’ll also be a masterclass held by the woman herself so you can learn all her top tips.
When: Saturday 2 June – Saturday 16 June, 11am-9pm Where: Tank Stream Hotel, 97-99 Pitt Street, Sydney Cost: Contact digital@tankstreamhotel.com for details and to book
RAW Sydney: Connect
This one-night event will feature more than 50 hand-selected local emerging artists covering topics from fashion to music, art, makeup, performing art and even photography. You’ll be all over the pop-up art gallery, but you can also watch live performances and a runway show here too. If you love supporting local legends too, buy your tickets here.
When: Thursday 14 June Where: Orion Function Centre, 155 Beamish Street, Campsie Cost: $20, $25 at door
TEDxSydney
The theme for this one is Human Kind and with a guaranteed incredible group of speakers and performers, we cannot wait to devour every single talk at this one. Expect talks covering social, political and creative topics, oh and an inspiring AF day. Details here.
When: Friday 15 June Where: ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour Cost: $350
Jurassic Lounge
Surround yourself in the sci-fi future (creeeeeepy) at the Australian Museum this month for revolutionary after-hours party. This super futuristic party will be decked out with scientists, Supanova stars, DJs, artists and performers alike, so get your grooviest gear on and fast-forward to the biggest party in 100 years. You can buy your tickets here.
When: Saturday 16 June, 7-10.30pm Where: Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney Cost: $25 online, $30 at the door
Cheese Lovers Festival
Yep, you read it right. A festival purely dedicated to our one and only love, cheese, is coming to Sydney this month. Get ready for cheese, cheese, cheese and more cheese from the good guys who usually put the famous fest on in the Hunter. We don’t know where we would brie without this one, TBH. Buy tickets and grab more details here.
When: Saturday 16 June Where: Centennial Park Cost: $30
Vibe Positive: 4th Birthday Day/Night Party
Back once again for its annual day/night party at Freda’s, prepare to be mesmerised by Bobby Vibe Positive’s decorative installations, live music and dance performances and welcome Melbourne-based Jon Watts & Pjenné to the decks for the night. Tickets are available at the door and you know what to do.
When: Saturday 16 June, 2pm-late Where: Freda’s, 107-109 Regent Street, Chippendale Cost: From $10
Sartorial: Fashion, Art and Technology
Celebrating the final night of Vivid Sydney, Sartorial is here to give you a taste of the future of fashion tech. You can enjoy included appetisers and an open bar from the MCA rooftop whilst experiencing new technologies used in interactive wearables. Is this even real? Oh, it sure is—buy your tickets here.
When: Saturday 16 June, 8.30-10.30pm Where: Museum of Contemporary Art, 140 George Street, The Rocks Cost: From $92
Sydney Film Festival
After 65 years of art on screen, the SFF is returning to Sydney once again this June and you won’t be surprised to hear there’ll be some cracking films playing. You must go see one, or three…or six films because it’s honestly the only way you’ll get through it all. Check out their website here to view the program and purchase tickets.
When: Wednesday 6 June – Sunday 17 June Where: Level 2, 10 Hickson Road, The Rocks Cost: $19.90
Hunter Culinary Association Food Fight
Four of Australia’s most well-renowned chefs are going head to head for the ninth annual HCA Food Fight and they’ve been tasked with creating the best twist on a classic dish. Four chefs. Four traditional dishes. Four different takes. Who will win? You’ll have to head there to find out.
Bookings: mail@hunterculinary.com.au
When: Monday 18 June Where: Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Pokolbin Cost: $175 for HCA members, $220 for non-members and $90 for apprentice chefs
Cornersmith: Bone Broths With Love & Bone Broths
In this workshop by foodie legends, Cornersmith, you’ll be learning everything you need to know to make Michelle Schoeps most famous protein, mineral and gelatine-rich bone broths. She will teach you the secrets to making her 24-hour broth and you’ll get to take home a whole TWO LITRES of your own. Plus, a lifetime of knowledge (we take bone broth this seriously, yes).
When: Saturday 23 June, 9am-12pm Where: 314 Illawarra Road, Marrickville Cost: $175
Craft & Quilt Fair
Back for its 25th year (!), the Craft & Quilt Fair has got more game than ever. With workshops and classes lead by some of the most skilled artists in the biz, you will walk out of there with a whole new groove. Promise. You can buy your tickets here.
When: Wednesday June 20 – Sunday June 24, 9am-4.30pm Where: International Exhibition Centre, Hall 5 & 6, ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour Cost: $20 online, $22 at the door
Good Food & Wine Show
We would take good food and good wine over good company any day. Well, maybe not but once you treat yo’self to the Good Food and Wine Show, you will seriously be thinking that. This weekend will see some of the best chefs in Australia assemble at the ICC for masterclasses, talks and you better believe there’ll be samples too. Yep, you’ll be immersing yourself in food and wine in all of its glory. Just make sure you buy your tickets here first.
When: Friday 22 June – Sunday 24 June Where: International Convention Centre, 14 Darling Drive, Sydney Cost: $25 on Friday, $30 on Saturday and Sunday
Yogala
Ready to scrub up on your yoga skills? Over four weeks, Tamara Ogilvie and Maria Uribe will introduce you to a variety of meditation tools as you explore different approaches to the art, including a focus on concentration and personal meditation practices. Don’t forget to say “ommmm” (trust us, it makes you look like you know what you’re doing. Maybe).
When: Tuesday 5 June – Tuesday 26 June, 7.30-8.30pm Where: Level 1, 142 Maroubra Rd, Maroubra Cost: $110
Sydney Beer & BBQ Fest Treat yourself to a whole lot of local and international brews this month because the Sydney Beer and BBQ Fest is coming. The festival has a (you guessed it) BBQ theme, so you’ll be able to sample the best beers in the world. Side note: you may want to shut your eyes when the always popular Dad Bod Competition comes on… or at least pretend to look away. Or, you know, join it. You can buy your tickets here.
When: Friday 29 June – Sunday 1 July Where: The Entertainment Quarter, Cnr of Errol Flynn Boulevard and Lang Road, Sydney Cost: From $32.24
Looking for the best markets to hit up in Sydney next? Read this.
Firefly | Image credit: Kai Leishman