Easter in Sydney, it’s a popular time of the year, not just for the excuse the Easter bunny provides for us to gobble way more chocolate eggs than we should, but because for many Sydneysiders the Easter long weekend is a 4 day holiday.

The Easter long weekend is the perfect time for a getaway, but if you have not planned an escape, you can still make the most of those days off enjoying the Easter weekend out and about in Sydney. We have pulled together a list of fun activities and events for all the family.

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Easter Dates 2024

This year Easter falls at the end of March.

The Easter public holidays are:

• Good Friday 29 March (lots of places in Sydney close on this day)
• Easter Saturday 30 March (normal trading hours)
• Easter Sunday 31 March (some places close today)
• Easter Monday 01 April (normal public holiday trading hours)

This long break gives us plenty of time to enjoy Easter events.

The school holidays do not align with Easter holidays this year. The school holidays begin on Monday 15 April to Friday 26 April.

Check out one of the Easter Shows/Fairs

There used to be just one Royal Easter show, but over the last few years alternative shows have popped up across the city. Many of these other shows are much easier on the wallet but the Royal Easter Show is still the star.

The Royal Easter Show

A visit to the Sydney Royal Easter Show is an institution for Sydneysiders. Young or old, a visit to the Royal Easter Show is a must for many families.

The show offers something for everyone with animal judging, craft and food displays, carnival rides and sideshow alley games and of course the ever popular showbag pavilion.

Once you run out of energy, head to the stands and watch some of the live entertainment from woodchopping to the showjumping or super cars.

Tip: Avoid Good Friday and the final Tuesday to miss the biggest crowds.

Where: Sydney Showground, 1 Showground Rd, Sydney Olympic Park
When: 22 March – 2 April 2024

Sydney Family Show

Not up for a huge day at the Royal Easter Show? Well, the Sydney Family Show is a great alternative and much better suited to little ones. Entertainment Quarter plays host to heaps of free activities (after entry fee) and you don’t have to miss out on grabbing some showbags with a good range of offer.

Watch the pig racing or the rabbit jumping, visit the animal nursery or see the reptile show.

Where: 122 Lang Road, Moore Park
When: 23 March – 1 April 2024
Cost: Adult $30 | Child $15 (3-15 years) | Family (4) $70 l Ride coupons extra

Fairfield Easter Fair

From side show alley and fairground rides to daredevil performances and Little Big Rigs, the Fairfield Easter Fair is plenty for older kids and adults. For the younger ones, farm animals will be on hand along with ponies and alpacas.

Stave off hunger with a bunch of great food trucks, including Brisket Boys and Yee Haw Chicken.

Where: Fairfield Showground, 443 Smithfield Road, Prairiewood
When: 28 March – 2 April 2024
Cost: $2 per person entry, ride passes for sale

West Ryde Easter Celebrations

This family-friendly event promises to delight all ages with a diverse range of community performances, an animal farm, pony rides, a variety of food trucks, amusement rides, and a visit from a very special guest.

Where: Anzac Park, Wattle Street, West Ryde
When: 23 March 2024, 9am-3.30pm
Cost: Unlimited rides and entry into the animal farm for purchase on the day for $25.

Luddenham Country Show

The 118th annual Luddenham Country Show is a little early for Easter and offers a fun carnival for the whole family. Live bands, rides, face-painting, showbags and festival food (costs vary).

From a poet’s breakfast to dog high jump or pioneer woodcutters and V8 Supercars there is something for everyone at this classic show.

Where: Luddenham Showground
When: 2-3 March 2024
Entry: adults $15, kids $10, family pass $40 (2 adults & up to 4 kids)

Towradgi Beach Hotel Easter Show

Market stalls, show bags, and plenty of rides including Dodgem cars, Ferris wheel, giant slide, round up the storm, sideshow games, snow cones, fairy floss, 

Where: Towradgi Beach Hotel – 170 Pioneer Rd Towradgi
When: 30 March 2024, 11am-5pm l Entry: Free

Easter Markets

European Easter Market

Experience the charm of a European Easter at the Polish Club Ashfield European Easter Market, featuring a diverse array of inspired foods, goods, crafts, and entertainment.

Explore over 20 stalls offering handmade jewellery, Scandinavian homewares, crocheted toys, flowers, and more. The Easter Bunny will also be there with chocolate treats!

Indulge in pierogi, kielbasa, pączki, and European ciasto. For a heartier meal, visit Sto Lat for pork knuckles, schnitzels, and potato pancakes, or Polka Cafe & Deli for European chocolate, fruit-flavoured vodkas, and other delights.

When: Sunday, 24th March 2024, from 10am – 4pm
Where: The Polish Club Ashfield

Join an Easter Egg Hunt

The highlight of Easter celebrations for most children is the annual Easter egg hunt. While a hunt around the family garden is great fun there are a number of organised Easter egg hunts across the city. Check out these family friendly Easter activities to get you started.

Alice in Easterland

“I’m late, I’m late… for a very important date!”

The bunny’s tardiness, the Mad Hatter’s misplaced Easter bonnet, and the Queen of Hearts’ demand for red Easter eggs have thrown Easterland into chaos. Can Alice navigate the rabbit hole to solve these dilemmas?

Join Alice on an adventure to assist the Mad Hatter and appease the Queen of Hearts. Don’t be as late as the rabbit – secure your tickets now! This fresh interpretation of the cherished children’s tale is ideal for families with children aged 4 and above to celebrate Easter.

Following the interactive performance, participate in bonnet decorating and a parade to embrace the festive spirit.

Where: The WILD PLAY Discovery Centre, Centennial Park
When: Saturday 30 March, 10.30am or 1.30pm
Tickets: $20

Q Station Easter Egg Hunt

Enjoy a fun-filled day with the family! Hunt for hidden eggs, make bunny hats, jump on the castle, get face-painted, and be entertained by a live performer at the Glasshouse lawns.

Enjoy a hot cross bun or pastry with a coffee while admiring the harbour views. Enjoy a refreshing beverage and bite by the harbour at the bar and BBQ. Kids can indulge in an ice-cream or milkshake too!

Pre order an Easter Egg Hunt Hamper Cheese & Charcuterie or Seafood platter and kids Bento box.

Where: Q Station Sydney
When: Saturday 30 March 2024, book your easter egg hunt time slot at 10am, 10.30am, 11am
Tickets: from $10.50 – $21 – almost sold out!

Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures Easter Hunt

Just an hour north of the CBD and only 20 minutes from Hornsby the egg hunt at Glenworth Valley is probably the best value you will find. With 25,000 eggs hidden, there is plenty to go around.

Where: 69 Cooks Road, Glenworth Valley
When: 31 March 2024

Jamberoo Easter

No hunting required! Jamberoo will give each child aged (4-12 years) a bag of chocolate eggs. The Easter Bunny (and Sammy the Shark) will be in attendance and will hand out the eggs between 10-11am, you can also snap a pic with the bunny or shark. Buy your tickets in advance as they will sell out.

Where: 1215 Jamberoo Rd, Jamberoo 
When: 31 March 2024
Cost: Free with General admission

Easter High Tea in Sydney

High tea is pretty decadent any day, but at Easter things go up a notch!

Alice in Wonderland High Tea Buffet

Celebrate Easter at Shangri-La Sydney with a High Tea buffet inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

Little and big Kings and Queens of Hearts can enjoy a labyrinth of desserts, including white rabbit clock macarons, playing card cookies and Alice’s scones. The Mad Hatter has prepared a selection of tea, juices, hot chocolate, coffee, and gourmet bites such as Humpty Dumpty sandwiches.

Alice in Wonderland High Tea Buffet will take place in the Grand Ballroom, Shangri-La Sydney. Don’t be late!

Where: Grand Ballroom, Shangri-La Sydney
When: 18 Apr 2024 – 28 Apr 2024

Easter Restaurant Special Offers

While not as popular as dining out for Christmas, special meals with family and friends is becoming increasingly more common. A special weekend lunch with family or friends is a great way to celebrate and in Australia, Easter, like Christmas, seafood is often the star of the show.

This is by no means an exhaustive list but rather my personal favourites that I like to head to with family and friends that are open this Easter.

EASTER @ Sailmaker Restaurant

Celebrate easter with family and friends at Sailmaker Restaurant. They are offering a three-course dinner and Easter-themed dessert buffet on Friday and Saturday.

On Sunday a family brunch will be available.The buffet will offer a great range of the freshest seafood, family-favourite classics including mouth-watering roasts, and a decadent dessert buffet filled with Easter-themed sweets.

When: Good Friday & Easter Saturday 29-30 March, 6pm, Sunday from 11am
Cost: Adults: $110 / Children (7-12 years): $55pp / 0-6 years free

Centennial Homestead

Another great family get together option is Centennial Homestead in Centennial Park. They will be open for breakfast and lunch across the whole Easter weekend. Our usual morning when we visit starts with a long walk around the park to build our appetites and then a serve of their Turkish Yoghurt eggs, they also do a great breakfast burger.

When: Open across Easter from 8am – 5pm each day
See the menu – reservations recommended.

Brew dog

Just a few minutes’ walk from Redfern station BrewDog is a great spot to catch up with friends. This large venue is in one of the old locomotive workshops and has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating

Open daily across Easter they will have an guessing competition and Easter activity packs for kids. Dogs welcome.

When: Open from noon Good Friday and 11am Sat, Sun and Easter Monday
Where: Bays 1 & 2, Locomotive Workshop, 2 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh l Bookings recommended

Nomad

Another firm favourite for me is Nomad. This Easter they are offering a bottomless lunch meal with our without drinks.

When: Open from noon Good Friday and 11am Sat, Sun and Easter Monday
Where: 16 Foster Street, Surry Hills  l Bookings recommended

Anason

A favourite spot in Barangaroo Anason offers a modern Turkish menu with a focus on seafood and plenty of share plate options.

Everything I have eaten here has been delicious but please I implore you to save room for dessert!

You can order from the al la carte menu or indulge in their $99 feast.

Where: 5/23 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo
When: Open daily over Easter from noon.

North Bondi Fish

If you are looking to carve out the last of the summer like days we have been having this autumn head to North Bondi Fish for an upbeat Easter meal.

The autumn a la carte menu will be available all weekend, along with their Easter Bouillabaisse, twist on the classic but served with all the traditional accompaniments (including rouille, croutons and gruyere.

Dine on the freshest seafood, cocktail in hand while chilling to the music supplied by local DJs who will be spinning the decks from noon each day over the break.

Where: 120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi
When: Open daily over Easter from 11.30am

Easter Sunday Church Services

If Easter is one time you like to attend church, there are several services in the CBD you are welcome to join.

• St Mary’s Cathedral (Catholic) will offer five services on Easter Sunday and the very moving Passion of the Lord service at 3pm on Good Friday. All are welcome.
• St Andrews Cathedral (Anglican) will have at least three Easter Sunday services
• Wesley Mission will offer a sunrise service and services in Chinese, Indonesian and Samoan. There will also be a Good Friday service in Martin Place at 1pm.
• Historic St James Church, Sydney’s oldest church, will offer two Sunday services

What’s open at Easter?

Friday is the only day things generally close in Sydney over the four-day Easter long weekend. In recent years more venues are staying opening or opening for half a day, but staffing woes and penalty rates may see more businesses decide to close on Good Friday this year. Some shops and restaurants may also close on Easter Sunday.

Popular Sydney Attractions Easter Opening Hours

Many attractions are open every day over the Easter break. These details were correct at the time of publication, but please check for any changes before you head out.

• Taronga Zoo: 9:30am-5pm
• SEA LIFE Aquarium: 10am-4pm
• WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo: 10am-4pm
• Madame Tussauds: 10am-4pm
• Sydney Tower Eye: 10am-8pm
• Featherdale Wildlife Park: 9am-4pm
• Australian National Maritime Museum: 10am-4pm
• BridgeClimb Sydney: 9am-5pm
• Luna Park: 10am-10pm (Fri/Sat)

Easter in Sydney shopping

The most asked question every Easter is What’s open on Good Friday. If you are wondering where you can get the best seafood, the best chocolate treats or even where you can buy booze on Good Friday, we have your back.

Sydney Fish Market

Sydney Fish Market will offer extended ours over the holiday break. They will be open on Good Friday from 5am to 5pm. Saturday and Sunday are 7am-4pm daily.

It’s not just seafood either, along with the 6 fish retailers, the market is also home to a fruit and vegetable shop, butcher, bakery, gourmet deli and bottle shop so you can gather all the needs for a big Easter celebration.

Where to buy alcohol on Good Friday

Possibly the most asked question at Easter. NSW licencing laws prohibit the sale of take away alcohol, so Dan Murphy, BWS and your local bottle shop will be closed. However, if you have missed the memo and need drinks for a long weekend celebration you have options.

Some brewery’s and distilleries can get around this law because they fall under slightly different guidelines, so you will be able to buy craft beer, cider and spirits. Some of our favourite options which will be open include Archie Rose in Rosebery, Manly Spirits, Yulli’s, Young Henry’s and Batch Brewing are among the options for beer and ciders. Check your local favourites too as they may well be offering take away brews.

Wine lovers will have to head into a bar for a glass of vino. Bars and pubs may open from Noon to 10pm.

Sydney’s Best Easter Eggs

Sure, you can pick up your Easter Eggs from the supermarket, but perhaps it’s time for quality over quantity. Sydney has some fine chocolatiers, so why not support some fabulous local businesses?

The nearest options to the city include:

• Haighs – QVB, Strand Arcade and Bondi Junction
• KOKO Black – Strand Arcade, QVB, Sydney Airport
• Adora – Quay Quarter, Wentworth Connection CBD, and Newtown

Most of these have suburban options too, so check their websites for the closest to you.

Which shopping centres are open over Easter

These are the usual Easter trading hours in past years. We will update or 2024 as soon as they are released. This will likely be at the beginning of March.

• Closed Good Friday: QVB, Westfield Sydney City, Bondi Junction, Broadway, Parramatta, Macquarie Centre, , Chatswood Chase, Westfield Miranda
• Closed Easter Sunday: Westfield Sydney City, Bondi Junction, Parramatta, Macquarie Centre, Chatswood Chase, Westfield Miranda
• Open every day over Easter: World Square, Eastgardens, Hurstville, Chatswood, Warringah Mall, Moore Park Supa Centre

Where to get coffee on Good Friday & over Easter

Coffee lovers among us will be pleased to hear that you will be able to get a fantastic cup of coffee over the Easter break. It might be a little harder on Good Friday and Easter Sunday but most places will be open on the Saturday.

Single O – 60/64 Reservoir St, Surry Hills – Good Friday & Easter Saturday: 8am-3pm

For more ideas, check out our guide to things to do in Sydney in March

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