October in Sydney means warm spring days and later sunsets, with daylight saving starting on the 5th. The month starts busy with Labour Day (first Monday) and school holidays running until October 10th. Expect higher prices and more visitors during these dates – book your accommodation early.
This month features some of Sydney’s biggest events including Sculpture by the Sea, SXSW Sydney and plenty of food festivals and markets. We’ve listed all the key dates below to help you plan your visit.
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We update this page as new events are made available to us. If you would like to have your event added, please send us an email.
Major October Events in Sydney
Sculpture by the Sea
With 100 artworks by Australian and international sculptors, the world’s largest free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition begins this month for its 27th year. Approximately 450,000 visitors expected to attend the free three-week exhibition.
Among the highlights of this year’s exhibition are 39 first-time exhibitors, along with celebrations of significant artist milestones. Japanese artist Takeshi Tanabe and Sydney local Paul Bacon will join the Decade Club, marking their tenth exhibition at Bondi.
When: 17 October – 3 November 2025
Where: Bondi to Tamarama Coastal Walk
Cost: Free, get our tips for visiting here.
SXSW Sydney Unlocked Public Program – Tumbalong Park
The free public program at Tumbalong Park offers over 85 hours of entertainment. Each weekday features lunchtime live music and talks, followed by after-work entertainment including DJ sets and special performances.
Highlights include:
- FOMA fashion showcase (October 13)
- International Stage featuring Asian pop stars (October 15)
- First Nations film and music night (October 16)
- Country music evening with line dancing (October 17)
- Family day with Phil Jamieson and The Rubens (October 18)
- K-pop dance events (October 19)
The Innovation Expo and Games Showcase open to the public on Saturday October 18, offering hands-on experiences with robotics, gaming, and space technology.
When: October 13-19, 2025, Weekday lunchtimes 12-1:30pm, evening events from 4:30pm
Where: Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
Cost: Free l Program: sxswsydney.com/tumbalong-park
Halloween Events
Sydney transforms for Halloween with events across the city from family-friendly activities to adults-only haunted experiences.
Jurassic Lounge: Halloween Edition
The Australian Museum transforms for a spooky after-dark party featuring drag performances, silent disco, and hands-on science activities. This adults-only event includes entry to the RELICS exhibition, where LEGO® Masters winners have created a post-apocalyptic miniature world.
Highlights include special effects makeup demonstrations, scientific illustration workshops, and storytelling sessions featuring Indigenous scary bush yarns. DJs Aunty Jonny and Jason de Cox provide the soundtrack under the museum’s iconic whale skeleton.
When: Saturday October 25, 2025, 6:30pm – 10pm
Where: Australian Museum, 1 William St, Darlinghurst
Cost: $38 Members, $48 Non-Members (includes exhibition entry) Strictly 18+
Ghost in The Rocks Festival
The historic Rocks district comes alive with Halloween festivities including haunted houses, ghost tours, and themed markets.
Highlights include:
- Haunted attractions: Abandoned Hospital, Slaughter House, Ghost Room and Vampire Den
- Two-Faced Halloween Market with crafts and treats
- Murder Mystery Party in a hidden pop-up bar
- Zombie Silent DJ Party (ticketed event)
- Ghost Parade costume competition
When: 30 October – 2 November 2025
Where: The Rocks
Cost: Free entry, some events ticketed
Halloween Ghost Tours
Several operators offer spooky walking tours during Halloween:
- The Rocks Ghost Tours – Two-hour guided walks through historic laneways and cobblestone streets.
- Haunted Sydney Pub Tour – visit historic pubs including the Hero of Waterloo’s haunted cellar.
- Vagabond Cruises Halloween Boat Party – Costume party and dancing on Sydney Harbour.
Q Station Halloween Events
The former quarantine station in Manly offers a range of Halloween experiences in its historic buildings. Their Halloween Night Tour includes a costume contest, while families can join the Little Ghostbusters Event or try the Spookyween treasure hunt (ages 7 years and above).
The Family Spooks ghost tour welcomes children as young as seven. For overnight guests, the Heritage Suite and Terraces rooms in the old doctors’ quarters add an extra layer of atmosphere to your Halloween experience.
Where: Sydney Harbour National Park, Manly
Bookings: qstation.com.au
Cockatoo Island After Dark
This UNESCO World Heritage-listed island reveals its convict history through special Halloween tours. Choose between family-friendly experiences (suitable for ages 7+) or more intense adult-only tours exploring the island’s brutal past.
Stay overnight in a restored Federation-style Heritage Holiday House or harbour-view apartment to fully immerse yourself in the island’s atmosphere.
Transport: Ferry from Circular Quay or Barangaroo
Old Government House Ghost Hunt
Join paranormal investigators for experiments in Australia’s oldest public building.
Where: Parramatta
Sydney Zombie Walk
The streets of Sydney’s CBD transform into an apocalyptic scene on November 1st as 10,000 zombies shuffle through the city centre.
This family-friendly event supporting kids with Cancer Foundation and Redfern Aboriginal Dance Group encourages participants to showcase their most creative undead costumes while raising funds for the Kids with Cancer Foundation and Redfern Aboriginal Dance Group.
When: November 1, 2025
Where: Sydney CBD
Festivals, Fairs and Community Events
Transport Heritage Expo
Two historic steam locomotives race through Sydney’s suburbs this October long weekend. The 124-year-old locomotive 3001 will compete against the 108-year-old express locomotive 3526 along the Illawarra Line to Hurstville in this rare heritage event.
The three-day expo offers several unique transport experiences:
- Steam train rides to Hurstville
- 1960s vintage railcar journeys
- Double-decker vintage bus tours of the CBD
- HarbouFr cruises on 120-year-old steam vessels
- High tea service in a 1960s dining car
- Tours of Central Clock Tower and Mortuary Station
When: October 4-6, 2025
Where: Central Station and various Sydney locations
Cost: Various prices l Bookings: transportheritageexpo.com
BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival
Sydney’s premier crime writing festival returns for its ninth year with an expanded program including Young Adult (YA) crime writing for the first time. The three-day event features major figures in crime writing including Michael Robotham, Candice Fox, Jane Caro, and Gary Jubelin alongside emerging voices.
Program Highlights:
- Panel discussions on violence against women, true crime cases, and justice
- Historical crime fiction talks with Radio National’s Kate Evans
- True-crime walks revealing Sydney’s scandalous past
- Writing workshops and manuscript feedback sessions
- Industry pitching opportunities
- The Danger Awards ceremony celebrating crime writing excellence
When: 11-13 September 2025
Where: Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts
Cost: Various ticket options available l Full program and tickets at badsydney.com
Parramatta Lanes
Over four fun-filled nights, explore new tastes, sounds, and artwork as Parramatta morphs into a labyrinth of free after-dark entertainment for Parramatta Lanes.
Sample new flavours from bars and food trucks, get your groove on to the beat of eclectic musical performances, and check out striking art displays tucked away within the alleys.
When: 22-25 October 2025
Where: Parramatta Square and surrounding laneways
Gymea Spring Fair
The Gymea Spring Fair, one of the biggest events in the Shire, returns this year, attracting over 50,000 visitors. On offer are more than 200 stalls stretching along Gymea Bay Road from The Kingsway to President Avenue, featuring a wide variety of goods from food to fashion, wine to flowers.
Explore an array of traditional and homemade items, arts and crafts, clothing, cakes, preserves, and more. The event also features live entertainment, including performances by jazz musicians and youth bands, as well as a world food section with delicious global eats. It’s a perfect family day out.
When: Sunday 26 October 2025
Where: Gymea Bay Road, Gymea
Sydney Ceramics Market
The Sydney Ceramics Market is set to return this October for its forth year, showcasing over 120 ceramicists from NSW and ACT as part of Sydney Craft Week.
This two-day event at Carriageworks offers a unique opportunity to discover and purchase stunning ceramic art, from sculptural pieces to functional tableware, directly from local artists and makers.
When: 8 –19 October 2025
Where: Carriageworks Bays 22–24, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW
Norton Street Italian Festa
Since 1986, the Norton Street Italian Festa has been helping the local community celebrate Italy and all things Italian. With four stages of music, dance and cooking to entertain you and 100s of stalls to fill your belly and your shopping bags, this is a great community day out.
When: 10am-5pm, 26th October 2025
Where: Norton Street in Leichhardt
More: Find more information on the event site
Theatre and opera
Calamity Jane at Sydney Opera House
Virginia Gay returns as the legendary frontierswoman in this award-winning production. Set in the Golden Garter Saloon, this adaptation of the classic Doris Day film combines wit, heart and Wild West adventure.
After multiple sold-out seasons across Australia and a Sydney Theatre Award for Best Actress, this production has become one of the country’s most celebrated musical revivals.
When: 14 October – 16 November 2025
Where: Studio, Sydney Opera House
Cost: From $89 + booking fee
The Addams Family at Teatro
Sydney’s newest theatre venue, Teatro, opens in Leichhardt’s Italian Forum with The Addams Family musical. This 300-seat venue launches with a professional production featuring graduates from their THEatreBRIDGE program.
The darkly delightful musical brings the iconic Addams Family characters to life in what will be Teatro’s inaugural production, setting the stage for this exciting new addition to Sydney’s Inner West cultural scene.
When: From October 3, 2025
Where: Teatro at the Italian Forum, Norton Street, Leichhardt
Cost: From $65 (+ $6.95 booking fee) l Bookings: teatroitalianforum.com.au
RENT at Sydney Opera House
Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking musical RENT arrives at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, bringing its raw energy and memorable songs to the Opera House stage. This new Australian production, directed by Shaun Rennie (Guys & Dolls), features Henry Rollo and Harry Targett leading a stellar cast.
Set in New York’s East Village during the 1990s, RENT follows a group of young artists navigating life, love, and loss against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis. The show features iconic songs including “Seasons of Love” and “La Vie Bohème.”
When: From 27 September to late October.
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Cost: From $49 (A Reserve $139, Premium $189)
How to Plot a Hit in Two Days
Step back to 1985 when A Country Practice’s writers, fueled by coffee, cigarettes and Fantales, crafted the most memorable death scene in Australian TV history – Molly Jones’ farewell.
Written by self-confessed ACP fanatic Melanie Tait and directed by Lee Lewis, this new comedy stars Georgie Parker in a fictional take on the writer’s room behind this defining cultural moment. While not affiliated with the original TV show, it promises plenty of laughs whether you watched the series or not.
When: 29 August – 11 October 2025
Where: Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli
Cost: $40-$90 l Book direct online
Shirley Valentine at Theatre Royal Sydney
Willy Russell’s beloved comedy stars Natalie Bassingthwaighte as a Liverpool housewife who trades her kitchen walls for a Greek adventure. This acclaimed one-woman show has earned standing ovations and rave reviews across Australia.
With equal parts humor and heart, it’s a story about finding the courage to chase dreams at any age.
When: 22-25 October 2025, Wed & Thurs 2pm and 7pm, Fri & Sat 7:30pm, Sat 2pm
Where: Theatre Royal Sydney
Cost: From $59 (plus transaction fees) l Book: Theatre Royal Sydney or 1300 163 808
Once Upon a Grimm Night
Old Government House transforms into an interactive fairy tale world this October. This intimate 60-minute experience by Odyssey Theatre lets audiences brew potions, solve riddles, and make choices that shape the story’s direction.
Characters from classic Grimm tales slip between their world and ours in this atmospheric heritage setting. The interactive performance makes clever use of the historic venue, though some areas have limited accessibility. Recommended for 12+ (mild peril, low lighting, audience interaction).
When: October 3-25, 2025, 5:30pm, 7:00pm, 8:30pm
Where: Old Government House, Parramatta
Cost: From $49, Limited capacity, advance booking essential
Fly Girl
Based on a true story, this new Australian play follows Deborah Lawrie’s groundbreaking journey to become Australia’s first female commercial airline pilot.
Starring Genevieve Hegney and Catherine Moore, who also wrote the piece.
When: 17 October – 22 November 2025
Where: Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli
Cost: $40- $90
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, hearing loop, audio described performances available
Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical
A wild new Australian musical about our most famous racehorse. This absurdist comedy follows the true(ish) tale of an awkward horse from New Zealand and his hapless trainer on their unlikely path to Melbourne Cup glory.
Features tap-dancing, gambling scandals, and a score mixing Duke Ellington with Daft Punk. World premiere directed by Sheridan Harbridge.
When: Oct. 17 – Nov. 15, 2025 Mon. 6:30pm Tues.-Sat. 7:30pm Thurs. 1pm Sat. 2pm
Where: Hayes Theatre Co, Potts Point
Cost:
True West
Sam Shepard’s darkly comic modern classic about two brothers colliding in the Californian desert.
Directed by Iain Sinclair (The Caretaker) and starring Simon Maiden, this Pulitzer Prize-winner explores family tension and American masculinity.
When: 8 September – 11 October 2025
Where: Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli
Cost: $40-90 l Book online
NATURISM
This new Australian comedy by Ang Collins follows a group of nudist baby boomers whose off-grid paradise is disrupted by the arrival of a Gen Z eco-influencer.
Directed by Declan Greene (The Lewis Trilogy), it’s a bold, funny take on climate crisis, generational divide, and survival – with an all-nude cast. Collins makes her mainstage debut after success with Blueberry Play and Spewy.
When: 25 October to 15 November 2025
Where: Griffin Theatre Company, Wharf 2 Theatre, 15 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay
Cost: $40-72
The Lovers at Theatre Royal Sydney
Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream gets a modern pop makeover in this new Australian musical. Written by Laura Murphy, The Lovers features an all-star cast including Jason Arrow (Hamilton) and Natalie Abbott (Muriel’s Wedding), backed by a live band.
Director Nick Skubij brings together award-winning creatives including choreographer Yvette Lee (Follies) and TONY® Award nominee David Bergman for this contemporary spin on Shakespeare’s beloved comedy of errors.
When: October 31 – November 15, 2025
Where: Theatre Royal Sydney
Cost: From $69 l Bookings: Via theloversmusical.com.au
Music, Comedy and Dance
The Tallis Scholars
After a 25-year absence from the Opera House, this acclaimed British vocal ensemble returns with a program spanning 900 years of sacred music.
Their performance moves from Hildegard von Bingen’s medieval chants through Renaissance polyphony to contemporary works by Arvo Pärt.
When: Sunday October 12, 2025, 5pm
Where: Sydney Opera House Concert Hall
Cost: from $99-$129
Mozart’s Requiem by Opera Australia
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience Opera Australia’s Orchestra and Chorus performing Mozart’s magnificent Requiem.
The one-night-only performance includes the dramatic ‘Dies Irae’, the famous ‘Lacrimosa’, and selections from The Marriage of Figaro and Tchaikovsky.
When: 7:30pm, Saturday 4 October 2025
Where: City Recital Hall, 2 Angel Place, Sydney
Cost: $65-$169 l Bookings: from 16 May via Opera Australia or call 02 9318 8200
Water Music
A powerful celebration of water featuring a world premiere by Arnhem Land Songman Rrawun Maymuru and composer Nick Wales, performed alongside Handel’s complete Water Music. Maymuru’s Yolŋu language composition meets Handel’s baroque masterpiece in this unique exploration of water’s cultural and spiritual significance.
When: October 14-18, 2025
Where: City Recital Hall, Sydney
Cost: $20-59
Art and Exhibitions
Coming soon
Film Festivals & Events
Irish Film Festival Australia
The Irish Film Festival showcases the best dramas, most compelling documentaries and of course, the famous Irish sense of humour.
Opening night will kick off with the Australian Premiere of Pat Collins’ That They May Face the Rising Sun. Based on the internationally acclaimed novel by Irish author John McGahern, this film captures the beauty of rural Irish life in the 1980s, with a breathtaking blend of nature, humanity, and the rhythms of daily life.
When: 9-12 October 2025
Where: Dendy Cinema, Newtown
More details on the event site
Pasifika Film Festival
Pasifika Film Festival returns, offering a unique opportunity to dive into the stories and cultures of the Pacific Islands. This festival celebrates the art of Pacific storytelling through an exciting mix of feature films, documentaries, and shorts, showcasing the vibrant heritage and diverse voices of the Pacific Islander communities.
When: 31 October – 3 November 2025
Where: Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
Jewish International film Festival
The Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) returns, offering an exceptional selection of films that explore the diversity and richness of Jewish culture.
From thought-provoking dramas to heartwarming comedies, you’ll experience a broad spectrum of Jewish stories, both historical and contemporary. Highlights include the festival’s opening night film A Real Pain and the closing night feature The Performance, along with special screenings and exclusive Q&A sessions with filmmakers.
When: 19 October – 21 December 2025
Where: Ritz Cinemas, Randwick
Events for Food lovers
Luna Lu’s Dumpling Classes
Looking for a fun, hands-on activity this October? Luna Lu, the popular Asian-fusion restaurant in The Rocks, is hosting an open Dumpling Masterclass. You’ll start with a glass of sparkling wine before diving into a 90-minute class led by Luna Lu’s experienced Dumpling Master.
Learn to make two types of dumplings, including the delicious Purple Fan Jiaozi Dumpling with slow-cooked duck. Suitable for all ages and experience levels, the class ends with a tasting session where you can enjoy your creations alongside stunning views of Sydney Harbour.
When: Sunday 27 October, 4pm – 6pm
Where: Luna Lu, 7-27 Circular Quay West, The Rocks
Cost: $100 for adults, $55 for children (plus booking fee)
Oktoberfest in the Gardens
Australia’s largest Oktoberfest celebration returns to The Domain for its 15th year. Recently named one of the world’s top five Oktoberfest events by Condé Nast Traveller, this Bavarian festival is expected to draw over 20,000 people for a day of German beer, food and entertainment.
When: 25 October 2025
Where: The Domain
Cost: $79.90 Full guide here
Sports and Outdoor Events
Our first sport-related event this week is fundraising for incredibly worthwhile causes. Why not get outdoors, get some exercise and do some good this month?
Seven Bridges Walk
The Seven Bridges Walk will challenge you to cover 28km as you walk around the spectacular harbour and across 7 iconic bridges.
A major fundraiser for the Cancer Council, the Seven Bridges Walk, is a fantastic event that, along with providing a great challenge for walkers and a source of funds for the Cancer Council, is just a brilliant walking route for anyone to take.
The walk is long, 28km in total, but there is plenty of fun along the way with entertainment set up at Pyrmont, Rozelle, Hunters Hill, Lane Cove, Wollstonecraft and Milsons Point. Buses will be available for transport along the route if needed.
When: 26 October 2025
Where: Choose your starting point from the list above.
Cost: $59 early bird or $99 last minute
Monster Jam – Sydney 2025
Get ready for the ultimate motorsports spectacle as Monster Jam returns to Sydney. This adrenaline-charged event features an all-star lineup of 12,000-pound monster trucks, including fan favourites like Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, Max-D, and Megalodon.
You can also enjoy the Monster Jam Pit Party before the main event, where you can see the massive trucks up close, meet your favourite drivers, and enjoy family-friendly activities like the Sand Box play area and remote control truck course.
When: 11 October 2025
Where: Accor Stadium, Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park
More Info: Visit MonsterJam.com
NSW Regional Events in October
Grafton Jacaranda Festival
If you are heading north, schedule a stop in Grafton for one of the most colourful festivals in the country. With the streets full of purple blooms, the markets, exhibitions, concerts and parade will play second fiddle.
When: 24 October – 2 November 2025
Where: Across Grafton
Check the festival website
Leura Gardens Festival
Leura is the prettiest village in the Blue Mountains and every October for the last 56 years, their gardens festival has attracted visitors keen to check them out in full bloom.
Highlights include stunning displays of azaleas, tulips, bluebells, rhododendrons and my favourite peonies. There is a festival bus to ferry visitors between the properties and art and music events to complement the garden displays.
When: 3-6 October 2025
Where: Leura, Blue Mountains
All details here
Spring at Nooroo Garden
Celebrate the beauty of spring at Nooroo Garden, one of Australia’s most renowned gardens. Established in 1880, Nooroo Garden offers a spectacular display of both international and Australian native plants, making it a must-visit destination this season.
Immerse yourself in over 100 years of horticultural history, enjoying spring blooms like daffodils, camellias, magnolias, and rhododendrons. Explore vibrant azalea banks, bluebells, and crocus beds, and admire century-old oaks, chestnuts, and beech trees.
Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Please remember to dispose of your rubbish responsibly. Nooroo Garden is also pet-friendly, with the requirement that pets are kept on a leash and supervised at all times.
When: Daily, mid Sept to mid Nov 2025 dates to be confirmed
Where: 11-15 Church Ln, Mount Wilson
Cost: $10 per adult or $2.50 under 12 year olds.
Wanderer Festival
Located six hours from Sydney or three hours from Canberra, this boutique music and arts festival transforms Pambula Beach on the Sapphire Coast for the October long weekend.
Alongside local and international music acts, expect theatre, comedy, circus performances and First Nations artists from the Yuin Nation. The festival includes local food and craft stalls, on-site camping and shuttle services to nearby accommodation.
When: 4-5 October 2025
Where: Pambula Beach, NSW Sapphire Coast
Griffith Spring Fest
See Griffith burst into bloom at this colourful festival with jaw-dropping citrus sculptures, incredible open gardens and an entertaining launch party featuring live music, local food and kids’ activities.
When: 12- 25 October 2025
Where: Corner Banna & Jondaryan Avenue
More details on the website
Savour The Tweed Food Festival
Following a successful launch in 2024, this five-day food festival returns to showcase The Tweed’s culinary scene.
Meet local farmers, producers, distillers and chefs through a series of curated food and drink events celebrating the region’s fresh produce and dining experiences.
When: 22-26 October 2025
Where: The Tweed region, NSW
More details coming soon
Bowral Classic
Hop on your bike and sign up for this year’s Bowral Classic cycling Gran Fondo. With three road cycling courses and The Criterium Race to choose from, all showcasing the most beautiful Southern Highlands scenery you can experience on two wheels, there’s a ride for everybody.
You can conveniently park at the intersection of Moss Vale Road and Eridge Park Road. Additionally, there will be parking spaces at Chevalier College, accessible from Moss Vale Road across from Riversdale Ave. Look out for the signs indicating parking areas.
When: 19 October 2025 – Register
Where: Southern Highlands in New South Wales
Have questions about things to see and do in Sydney?
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This is a fantastic resource, thank you!
Thanks Mel, it takes quite a bit of time to pull together but we think it’s worth it!