What’s On in Sydney February 2023
February sees the last month of summer and with the kids heading back to school, life is getting back to normal after the Christmas/school holiday period. Prices and availability of accommodation usually improve although World Pride this year has pushed price much higher than normal.
Weatherwise this month is one of the most humid of the summer. The warm temperatures make this a great time to explore some of the 100 plus beaches within the Sydney region.
You may also notice plenty of lanterns in the streets in honour of the Lunar New Year.
Average Temperatures: 26-19 °C ( 79-66°F)
While each year varies the last February saw six days of rain.
New events and updated content are added to these pages as they become available.
Annual Events in Sydney in February
February is all about love! With Valentine’s Day and World Pride filling the street with happiness.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival & World Pride
This year Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival is bigger than ever when Sydney hosts World Pride. This year the festival will take place from 17 February to 5 March 2023 with the parade returning to Oxford Street on Sat Feb 25 from 6pm
Over 16 days and nights, the city will host a variety of events, from talks and exhibitions to parties and, of course, the Parade.
Among the key events:
- Mardi Gras Fair Day – 19 Feb (10am-9pm)
- Out & Loud & Proud Gala Concert – Thu 23 Feb 23 (7pm – 8:40pm)
- Human Rights Conference – ICC 1-3 March
- Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert – Thu 2 Mar
- Pride March: across the Sydney Harbour Bridge – Sun Mar 5 (7am-10:00am) – Ballot has closed
Mardi Gras Parade
The last event of the Mardi Gras Festival, the parade features over 8,500 participants in outrageous costumes and an enormous variety of floats. Each float represents a community group, topical theme or political message to help raise wider awareness of issues important to the LGBTI community The after party is sold out!
Where: Oxford Street
When: 25 February
Check the festival site for more events.
Festivals, Fairs and Markets
MOPOKE: 24 Hours Arts and Culture Festival
Start the month with this fun 24hr arts and culture festival that will take place on Macquarie Street East on the first weekend in February.
Main activation sites for the festival are the State Library, Hyde Park Barracks, The Mint, Sydney Hospital and the Domain. Many free events and some ticketed shows are going on sale 18 January.
Highlight will include:
- Silent DJ party
- Sydney Hospital Artists Plaza
- 24 Hour Cinema
- Street Food Trucks
- Gourmet Bush Food
- Fire in the Domain: Cooking with Charcoal
The Mint Pop-up Native Garden and Nursery
One of Macquarie’s street’s less known sites, The Mint will become a native garden light by black light in the evening to showcase the photo-luminescence of its flowers. Literally glowing in the dark, this installation of flower sculptures can be viewed late into the night. Listen to classical music, meet the floral artists and enjoy the spectacle.
The festival will also feature life human sized flower figures, with ticketed bush food talks and a bush food cooking class.
When: From 6pm, February 4th, 2023, to 6pm February 5th, 2023
Where: The Mint, 10 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Sat 4th Feb 6pm to Midnight | Sunday 5th Feb 8am to 6pm
Cost: Free entry to the pop-up native flora market.
Art and Exhibitions
The Huxleys: Bloodlines
Will Huxley and Garrett Huxley (Yorta Yorta/Gumbaynggir) are Melbourne-based collaborative performance and visual artists. The Huxleys are a dynamic duo of cataclysmic proportions who present camp commentary and spectacle across the visual art, performance and entertainment sectors.
Their photography and performance art traverses the classifications of costume, film and recording. A visual assault of sparkle, surrealism and the absurd, The Huxleys saturate their practice and projects with a glamorous, androgynous freedom which sets out to bring some escapism and magic to everyday life.
When: 5 January – 5 March 2023 – Guided tour: Sun 19 Feb Stitch and Bitch session on 25 Feb (10am-1pm)
Where: Carriageworks
More: carriageworks.com.au
Paul Yore: Word Made Flesh
Paul Yore (born 1987 in Naarm/Melbourne) is a multidisciplinary artist from Gunaikurnai Country in Gippsland, Victoria. He studied painting, archaeology and anthropology at Monash University in 2010. Yore’s work explores religious art, queer identity, pop-culture, and neo-liberal capitalism, creating politically-charged assemblages that celebrate hybrid and fluid identities.
When: 5 January – 26 February 2023
Where: Carriageworks
More: carriageworks.com.au
“Before A Fall…”
Guy James Withworth, artist and author, examines Pride and the development of LGBTQI+ communities.
Whitworth’s renowned portraiture is showcased in a bold and colourful exhibition. This is a showcase for his newer neo-classical, abstract landscapes. Whitworth’s eighth solo show in Sydney has drawn enthusiastic crowds along with Media and buyer praise.
Where: The M2 Gallery, Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills.
When: 15-28 February 2023 from Noon to 6pm daily
More: https://guyjameswhitworth.com/
The Weaving Room
The Museum of Sydney celebrates NSW’s First Nations weaving traditions in the Weaving Room. Drop-in to join workshops where you can hear from Elders and artists, create a piece to take home, and make a special connection to First Nations culture.
Where: Museum of Sydney
When: 3 Dec -19 February 23
Cost: Free but bookings required
More: Museum of Sydney website
Van Gogh Alive
Where: Entertainment Quarter
When: 3 Jan – 19 Feb $39
Cost: $39 tickets from Ticketek
White Rabbit Gallery – SHUO SHU 说书
Since opening in 2009, the White Rabbit Gallery has bought us some of the most significant exhibitions of Chinese contemporary art on offer. The current show is no exception.
“The artists in ‘Shuo Shu’ map the evolution of the story from timeless myths and literary romances to political propaganda and modern-day censorship. Artists become shapeshifters, and their stories twist and turn to fit within codes and secret messages. Whilst a closed mind is like a closed book, stories reveal themselves to those who are open.”
Where: 30 Balfour Street, Chippendale NSW
When: to 14 May 2023
Cost: Free
Art in the Park – Barangaroo
Learn about the symbols used in First Nations art Free one hour lunch time art workshops hosted by Aboriginal educators in Barangaroo Reserve.
Participants will also learn about the cultural significance of creating art and telling stories through methods other than just speaking. Paint and canvases will be supplied and you’ll be able to take your masterpieces home with you.
Register here to attend one of the workshop at dates listed below (from 1-2pm):
When: Friday 3, Thursday 9, Friday 10, Thursday 16 Friday 17 February 1-2pm
Where: Meet at Marrinawi Cove near the Towns Place entrance to Barangaroo Reserve
Cost: Free – register now
Film, Theatre and Stage
Opera Australia – La Boheme, Don Giovani and Turandot
There are three Opera’s on offer this month from Puccini’s Turandot to La Boheme and Don Giovani.
Experience the world’s most famous aria, ‘Nessun Dorma’ at the Sydney Opera House
Puccini’s Turandot is is perfect for lovers of Ballet who have yet to cross over to the Opera experience. In this exotic fairytale discover if Will our brave suitor will melt the icy princess’ heart. Turandot is a fantasy of poetry and myth set in a world where love and death go hand in hand.
Photo Credit: Prudence Upton
When: 12 January – 14 March 2022
Where: Sydney Opera House Joan Sutherland Theatre
Cost: from $79
Bangarra’s Dance Clan 2023
Four stories. Four emerging storytellers. For the future. After a ten-year hiatus, Dance Clan returns to Bangarra Dance Theatre in 2023, presented at Bangarra’s own studio in Walsh Bay.
Dance Clan fosters the talents of a new generation of storytellers, designers, dancers, and choreographers – offering the unique opportunity for Bangarra’s artists to share their own stories alongside a brilliant team of Indigenous early career designers with the support of elders and mentors.
When: 3rd to 18th February / Tuesday to Friday 7:30pm, Saturday 1:30pm and 7:30pm
Where: The Studio Theatre at Bangarra, Gadigal Country, 15 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay
Cost: All tickets $54 (Community and Under 30s pricing available)
Macbeth – Bell Shakespeare
Bell Shakespeare presents a new production of Macbeth, in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First
“Directed by Artistic Director Peter Evans, the production is a terrifying portrayal of moral collapse and an intense and compelling journey into the dark heart of humanity. Shakespeare’s most haunting thriller follows the story of Macbeth, a Scottish general, famed for his exploits on the battlefield.”
Where: Sydney Opera House
When: 25 February – 2 April
Cost: Preview tickets $45 General admission 75-$110 Youth tickets available Sunday – Wednesday
More: https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/macbeth
HairSpray
Where: Lyric Theatre
When: Tickets on sale through to 27 Feb
Cost: from $70
The Rocky Horror Show
Rocky Horror celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and the Aussie cast of the 2023 production will feature starring Australian superstar Jason Donovan as Frank N Furter and Myf Warhurst as the Narrator.
Where: Theatre Royale
When: 14 Feb to 1 April 2023
Cost: from $70 more details here
Choir Boy
Choir Boy is a Tony Award® nominated play – threaded throughout with soul-stirring acappella gospel hymns. It is a moving story of sexuality, race, hope, gospel music, and a young gay man finding his voice.
Choir Boy is a part of Sydney World Pride 2023
Where: Riverside Theatres in Parramatta
When: 14 February – 11 March, 2023
More: https://riversideparramatta.com.au/NTofP/
World Pride at the Seymour Centre
To begin the festivities, Siren Theatre Co and the Seymour present the world premiere of CAMP, playing 15th February to 4th March and supported by the NSW Government, City of Sydney, Star Observer, LOTL, and Qtopia.
On the 18th February, the Seymour presents All Out Comedy, a spectacular night of stand-up featuring full sets from two of Australia’s leading comedians, Geraldine Hickey (What A Surprise) and Nath Valvo (I’m Happy For You), hosted by the extraordinary Coco Jumbo (RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under S1).
From the 18th to 23rd February, one of Australia’ greatest storytellers, William Yang (Friends of Dorothy), explores the vibrant history of Mardi Gras and the heady and turbulent scenes of 1970s Sydney and beyond, in his new work, Gay Sydney: A Memoir, supported by the NSW Government.
Finally, to round out the Seymour’s WorldPride celebrations, Dan Daw (Beast) returns to Sydney to bring audiences the highly anticipated Australian premiere of his critically acclaimed show, The Dan Daw Show, included in The UK Guardian’s top five dance shows of 2022.
Where: Seymour Centre University of Sydney
When: 15 February – 4 March, 2023
More: Seymour’s official site
Daddy
‘Daddy’ is a new one man show that is a combination of stand-up and character-based comedy. Strap yourself in: you’re about to meet Father Liberace O’Toole, Craig Faggot and even “Mosman housewife and self-funded retiree” Deirdre Flick – as Brent Thorpe takes you on a wild ride, discovering what life is like as a Daddy… and how much fun getting older really is!
When: 23 & 24 February 2023 and 1 March 2023
Where: Tap Gallery, Surry Hills / Meraki Bar, Darlinghurst
Cost: $35 Bookings: www.eventbrite.com.au
Twilight at Taronga
Tickets are selling fast for this popular summer series with performances from some of Australia’s much loved artists including Kate Miller Heidke, Daryl Braithwaite, Kasey Chambers and the Living End. This year there is also a fabulous drag show and comedy gala.
When: 10 February to 11 March, 2023
Where: Taronga Zoo
More: https://twilightattaronga.org.au/
Moonlight Cinema
Summer is outdoor cinema season in Sydney but the Moonlight Cinema is one of the classics. A good mix of new releases and golden oldies. BYO drinks make this spot a standout.
When: All February
Where: Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Park
All of Sydney’s Outdoor Cinemas are still on sale and are perfect for summer viewing!
Sport and Outdoors
KPMG Australia Sail Grand Priz
SailGP returns to Sydney Harbour in February for its fourth visit. Watch the world’s top sailors battle it out at the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix. Cheer on the Australia Team, helmed by Olympic sailor Tom Slingsby, as they defend their championship title in their homeland.
Key events:
- SailGP F50 ‘fly by’ parade
- Display of the SailGP race boats at Waterman’s Cove
- Daily craning of F50s in and out of the water
- Q&A and interactive programming with SailGP athletes
- Pop-up bar
- DJ, entertainment and exciting fan engagement activities
- SailGP fan shop and ticket box office
Barangaroo is the hub of SailGP Village, where you will find plenty of off water action. Join in the free activities and entertainment. You will also find the team bases and view the world’s fastest racing boats. Tours will run from 16 February book tickets asap as they are expected to sell out.
Where: Sydney Harbour – Barangaroo is the base
When: 18-19 February
Cost: Many activities are free although there are some ticketed spectator cruises
American Superbowl
Keen to catch all the Superbowl action in real time? Head to Watsons at EQ. A mega screen in the courtyard, fried chicken and loaded hot dogs and even Budweiser beer. Doors open at 10am and the game starts at 10:30am. Table bookings recommended.
Where: Watson’s EQ
When: 13 February
Cost: Meal and beer deals from $20
More: For further info and to book a table on the deck visit www.watsonseq.com.au
