May in Sydney offers the perfect mix of comfortable temperatures and excellent value. As the city transitions toward winter, you’ll find fewer crowds and lower accommodation rates—except during the last week when the spectacular Vivid Festival begins.
The mild autumn weather creates ideal conditions for exploring the city on foot. Our harbour walks are particularly stunning this time of year, with clear skies and crisp air making the Rock’s self-guided walk and Cremorne Point even more enjoyable.
While the beach swimming season winds down, the cultural calendar heats up with the Writers Festival, Fashion Week, and numerous food events
For those willing to venture beyond the city, May brings a collection of vibrant regional festivals throughout NSW, from oyster celebrations on the South Coast to Celtic gatherings in the Central West.
Average Temperatures: 19.8 – 11.8 °C 54-67 °F
While each year varies the last May saw only one day of rain. This year we are expecting a little more.
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Major Annual Events in May
- Vivid Sydney – May- June 2025
- Sydney Writers Festival – 19–25 May 2025
- Australian Fashion Week – 12–16 May 2025
- Mother’s Day – Sunday 11 May 2025
Check out our guide to the best places to head for Mother’s Day dining
Sydney Writers Festival
The 28th Sydney Writers’ Festival returns with an exciting lineup of international and local authors. This year’s highlights include Kaliane Bradley discussing her genre-defying novel ‘The Ministry of Time’, bestselling espionage writer Ben MacIntyre with his latest work ‘The Siege’, Booker Prize-shortlisted author Yael van der Wouden, and acclaimed Japanese novelist Asako Yuzuki.
The week-long festival features author talks, panel discussions, workshops and special events across various Sydney venues, with both in-person and livestreamed sessions available.
The full program is available here.
When: 19–25 May 2025
Where: Sydney Town Hall, Sydney Opera House, Carriageworks and more
Vivid Sydney
Quite possibly the most popular event in Sydney. The Vivid Festival sees art installations and 3D projections light up the city’s landmarks.
Delight in the diversity of flavours at pop-up markets and dining events, celebrating our community’s cultural richness.
When: May – June 2025 (Dates to be confirmed)
Where: Sydney Town Hall, Sydney Opera House and more
Festivals, Fairs and community events
The Other Art Fair
The Other Art Fair brings together over 100 of Australia’s most exciting independent artists in one vibrant space. This unique event breaks down the traditional barriers between artists and art lovers, creating an accessible and dynamic environment where you can meet creators face-to-face.
The fair features a carefully curated selection of emerging and established artists, immersive installations, and unexpected creative experiences. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned collector, you’ll find something that speaks to you.
When: 8-11 May 2025, Thur. 5pm-10pm, Fri. 3pm-10pm, Sat. 10am-6pm, Sun. 10am-5pm
Where: White Bay Cruise Terminal James Craig Rd, Rozelle
Cronulla Jazz and Blues Festival
Eleven stages, over 100 artists, and everything from Jazz, Blues, Funk Soul, Alt-Country & Americana. Head to Dunningham Park, Monro Park, street buskers, or one of the ticketed performances at local venues.
When: TBC
Where: Cronulla Street Cronulla l Cost: Most events are free
More: Check the official website for the schedule.
Markets
Woodstock Artisan Market
The perfect opportunity to find a unique gift from the heart for Mum as the pre-Mother’s Day Woodstock Artisans Market is always a very special event.
Filled with quality goods crafted by local makers and designers, there’s no reason you cannot find amazing handmade homewares, jewellery, body care products, gourmet food and wine, ceramics, fashion, art, curios, and much more.
When: TBC
Where: Woodstock Community Centre, 22 Church St, Burwood
Tickets: Free Entry.
Theatre, Musicals and Drama
An Evening With: The Music of Peter Allen
A star-studded fundraising concert celebrating Australia’s legendary showman. Hear musical theatre’s brightest stars perform classics like “Tenterfield Saddler,” “I Go to Rio,” and “I Honestly Love You” in an intimate setting. Cast to be announced.
When: Friday, May 2, 2025 (One night only)
Where: Hayes Theatre Co, Potts Point
UPU at Sydney Opera House
Experience the Australian premiere of this powerful celebration of Māori and Pasifika poetry. ‘UPU’ brings together the words of 28 poets from across the Pacific, performed by six of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most celebrated actors.
Led by director Fasitua Amosa, this acclaimed production spans five decades of storytelling from Te Moana nui a Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean).
When: 7-10 May 2025
Where: Studio, Sydney Opera House
Cost: From $30.90 (+ booking fee)
Bookings: sydneyoperahouse.com
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Based on Pedro Almodóvar’s iconic film, this wild comedy follows Pepa, a heartbroken actress in 1980s Madrid, as her life spirals into chaos after her lover vanishes. Expect vengeful ex-wives, terrorists, spiked gazpacho, and pure mayhem. Directed by Alexander Berlage (American Psycho, Cry Baby).
When: May 9 – June 8, 2025 Wed.-Sat. 7:30pm, Thur. 1pm, Sat. 2pm Sun. 1pm & 6:30pm
Where: Hayes Theatre Co, Potts Point
Artist to Artist: Megan Cope and Raven Chacon
Quandamooka artist Megan Cope (creator of Opera House’s 50th anniversary work ‘Whispers’) joins Pulitzer Prize-winner Raven Chacon for a powerful discussion on First Nations cultural practice and resistance. Together they explore how Indigenous art can challenge erasure and reassert traditional knowledge.
When: May 20, 2025, 6:30pm
Where: Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House
Eureka Day
Eureka Day Fresh from Broadway and West End success, this New York Times Critics’ Pick arrives in Sydney. When a mumps outbreak hits a progressive prep school, parental politics explode in Jonathan Spector’s razor-sharp comedy about vaccination, values and viral social media moments.
When: 29 May-21 June
Where: Seymour Centre, Cnr City Rd and Cleveland St Chippendale
The Lover & The Dumb Waiter
A double bill of Harold Pinter’s darkly comic one-acts starring Nicole da Silva and Gareth Davies. Watch a marriage unravel in ‘The Lover’ while two hitmen await instructions in ‘The Dumb Waiter’.
When: May 2 – June 7, 2025
Where: Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli
The Wrong Gods
A powerful new play from S. Shakthidharan (Counting and Cracking) about tradition, progress and sacrifice. In an ancient Indian valley, a mother and daughter face difficult choices when outsiders arrive with new technologies and new gods, asking what price we’re willing to pay for progress. Stars Nadie Kammallaweera, Radhika Mudaliyar and Vaishnavi Suryaprakash.
When: May 3 – June 1, 2025
Where: Belvoir St Theatre (Upstairs), Surry Hills
Cost: $41-97
Music, and Dance
Illume – Bangarra Dance Theatre
A groundbreaking collaboration between artistic director Frances Rings and visual artist Darrell Sibosado exploring light as a bridge between physical and spiritual worlds. This world-premiere production marks Bangarra’s first visual arts collaboration and their debut in the Joan Sutherland Theatre, combining dance, music and visual art to examine our connection to sky country.
When: May 24-28, 2025 – Roslyn Packer Theatre June 4-14, 2025 – Sydney Opera House
Where: Roslyn Packer Theatre & Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Generations and Dynasties at Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House’s celebration of First Nations musical families returns to the Utzon Room this May. Watch renowned musician Bunna Lawrie, founding member of Coloured Stone, perform and share stories alongside his children. These intimate evenings blend live performance with conversation about culture, creativity, and family legacy.
May’s featured performers include Bunna Lawrie performing with his children Jason Scott, Jhindu-Pedro Lawrie, Yirgjhilya and Catherine Satour.
When: 14 May 2025, 7:30pm
Where: Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House
Cost: $25 + booking fee l Bookings: sydneyoperahouse.com
Red Hot Summer Tour
Series two boasts international rock legends ZZ Top and George Thorogood & The Destroyers, along with Australian acts The Living End, Baby Animals, Rose Tattoo, and Dallas Frasca.
When: 3 May- 4 May 2025, 12:30pm to 8pm
Where: 3 May Roche Estate Hunter Valley, 4 May Stuart Park Wollongong
More: check the festival site
Kids Proms: Epic Quest
The Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra presents their popular Kids Proms concerts, featuring an ‘Epic Quest’ theme. These family-friendly performances are hosted by children’s entertainer Emily Who-McKnight and conducted by Edward McKnight, making classical music accessible and enjoyable for young audiences.
When: Sunday 25 May 2025 (1pm and 3:30pm)
Where: Turramurra Uniting Church
Cost: Visit kpo.org.au for tickets
Art & Exhibitions
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Three new exhibitions celebrate Australian contemporary art this autumn: Kamilaroi artist Warraba Weatherall’s first solo museum show, contemporary paintings by 14 women artists in ‘The Intelligence of Painting’, and Diena Georgetti’s striking entrance wall commission.
The MCA’s autumn program features 34 artists from across Australia, including significant works from First Nations artists and new acquisitions from emerging and established contemporary painters. Don’t miss the new displays in the Level 2 galleries, showcasing highlights from the permanent collection.
When: Throughout May 2025
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, The Rocks
FoodCrafting Life: Stories from the Japanese Studio
The Japan Foundation’s latest exhibition explores contemporary Japanese craft through three distinct practices: Karatsu ceramics, traditional lacquerware, and sashiko needlework.
Each artisan and collective showcases how traditional techniques are being reimagined for modern life, from functional everyday objects to technically masterful artworks.
When: Until September 27, 2025
Where: The Japan Foundation Gallery, Central Park Mall, Level 4, 28 Broadway, Chippendale
Cost: Free admission and Drink Events
FOod and Drink
Meatstock 2025
Australia’s biggest BBQ and music festival returns with three days of smoke, sound and spectacle. Headliners Bliss n Eso and Illy lead a massive music lineup, while international pitmasters battle it out in BBQ Wars.
Features Fire Kitchen tastings, Butcher Wars, Dad Bod Contest, and the Australia’s Strongest competition.
When: May 9-11, 2025 Friday 3pm-10pm Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 10am-6pm
Where: Sydney Showground, Olympic Park.
Cost: from $55
Pyrmont Food and Wine Festival
The Pyrmont Festival returns for its 13th year, transforming Pirrama Park into a celebration of NSW food and wine. This year’s event features 24 wineries and breweries, five local distilleries, and an impressive lineup of food vendors including a Japanese Aburi Bar and Cheeky Naked Oyster Bar from Sydney Fish Market.
Beyond wine tasting and gourmet food, visitors can enjoy live music across two stages, art exhibitions, family activities, and cooking demonstrations. The festival is dog-friendly and includes a jumping castle and face painting for kids. Local artists will host workshops and exhibitions throughout the weekend.
More: Throughout May, enjoy special “Nights in the Peninsula” events including wine tastings at Pyrmont Cellars and masterclasses at Sydney Seafood School.
When: 17-18 May 2025
Where: Pirrama Park Pyrmont l Free entry
Find all Sydney’s best autumn dining deals here
Sports and Outdoors
The Mother’s Day Classic
Celebrate Mother’s Day and raise funds for breast cancer research. Choose to walk or run either the 4.8km or 7.5km course. The main Sydney event will start from the Domain. The Western Sydney event will start at Lizard Log, Western Sydney Parklands, Abbotsbury with slightly different course lengths on offer.
When: Sunday 11 May 2025
Where: The Domain
Million Paws Walk
The Million Paws Walk event is for fur parents and animal lovers. Whether your pet dog likes to strut, crawl or bolt, they will be more than welcome on this fun-filled day out.
When: tbc
Where: Various locations in NSW including Sydney
Yoga in the Park
Get fit and flexible every Sunday morning with FREE Yoga in The Park!
The focus on breathing, the concentration required to find balance in certain poses, the flow of the movements – it’s all an active meditation that can help clear the mind, quieten anxieties and strengthen your body.
When: 9:30am, every Sundays(All Year)
Where: Corner of Lower Fort St and George St at Dawes Point Park, right under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Tickets: FREE. More Info here
A-League Men Finals Series
When: TBC
Where: Semi-finals- Allianz Stadium/ Finals- Sydney at CommBank Stadium
NSW Regional Events
The first weekend in May is packed with fabulous regional festivals, so if you are considering an autumn getaway this is a great time to jump in the car and check out regional NSW.
Australian Celtic Festival
Each year at the Australia Celtic Festival they highlight a different area. The 2025 festival will celebrate Brittany, Cornwall & Wales.
When: 1-4 May 2025
Where: Australian Standing Stones, Glen Innes, NSW
Robertson Potato Festival
It’s time to head to Robertson and join this celebration of the humble potato at the now annual Robertson Potato Festival. While people joke about the town’s Big Potato, which let’s face it is not exactly a draw card, the town’s edible potatoes are something special.
There is plenty to see in the surrounding southern highlands towns, so why not stay a few days?
When: 4-5 May 2025
Where Robertson Showgrounds, 2315 Kangaloon Rd, Robertson
Tickets: Free
Narooma Oyster Festival
Narooma is the heart of Australia’s Oyster Coast, and the Narooma Oyster Festival has won three tourism awards, so you know it’s well worth the drive. Live music, local art and culture, fresh produce, and the world’s best oysters!
When: May 2 & 3, 2025
Where: Narooma NSW
Ironman Australia Port Macquarie
Australia’s oldest IRONMAN event takes place in the stunning town of Port Macquarie. At the home of the Oceania TriClub Championship, you’ll experience a truly unique swim in the calm water of the Hastings River, a spectacular ride alongside the Pacific Ocean and a high-energy run in the heart of Port Macquarie, with crowds cheering you all the way to the line.
When: 4 May 2025
Where: Port Macquarie
Sail Port Stephens
Sail Port Stephens is an annual yachting regatta held every April and May on the pristine waters of Port Stephens.
When: 2-4 May 2025
Where: Port Stephens
More info on their website.
Ride Wollongong- Festival of Cycling
Ride Wollongong’s Festival of Cycling offers competitive road races, a free community ride, food stalls, live entertainment, bike expos, and cycling workshops. Celebrate Wollongong’s cycling legacy and UCI Bike City status.
When: 17 – 18 May 2025
Where: Marine Drive Wollongong
Thirroul Seaside Arts Festival
The Thirroul Arts Festival is a weekend celebration of arts and seaside life. The festival features an art show with paintings, sculptures, photography, and miniatures available for purchase, plus craft stalls.
When: 30 May (7pm opening, $25 entry), 31 (10am-4pm), and 1 June (10am-2pm), 2025
Where: Thirroul District Community Centre, 352-358 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Thirroul
Cost: Gold coin donation (except opening night)
Berry Celtic Festival
Experience the sights and sounds of the Celtic world at the Berry Celtic Festival. Enjoy pipe bands, clan representatives, medieval knights, jousting, dancing, music, crafts, and more. The festival kicks off with a grand street parade.
When: 24 May 2025
Where: Berry Showground
More: Visit the festival website
Moree on a Plate
Producers from around the New England North-West Region will turn Moree into a food & wine lover’s delight when they gather in the most productive agricultural shire in Australia, Moree NSW. Come along and enjoy the tasty delights of the region at Moree on a Plate, a relaxed, social day out the whole family can enjoy.
When: Saturday, 10 May 2025
Where: Moree Secondary College Albert St, Moree
Cost: $2
Mudgee Classic Cycling
Set in New South Wales’ beautiful Mudgee wine region, the Mudgee Classic will surely be a bike ride to remember. Catering for all levels of cycling ability, the event offers four courses: 175km Maxi Classic, 125km Challenge Classic, 65km Rouleurs Classic, 55km Dirty Mudgee and the 35km Social Classic. More information
When: 3 – 4 May, 2025
Where: Mudgee
More info on their website.
Nooroo Garden Open Days
Nooroo Garden is one of Australia’s best-known gardens and showcases the beauty and spectacle of plant and flower species from around the world, as well as Australian native plants. Come along with your family and friends and admire the wonderful maples, forsythia, liquid amber, and many other rare plants in all their autumn splendour.
When: May 2025
Where: Church Lane, Mount Wilson, NSW, Australia
More info on their website.
Start planning how you will spend winter in Sydney – Check out the lists of June and July events.
Have you got questions about Sydney in May? Pop over to our Facebook group and we would be happy to help.
Main Image Credit: Spinifex Group via Destination NSW
Excited to go to that Wellness Festival, gonna tell my friends to join me. Thanks!
are there any classic music concerts in sydney in the 2nd half of May