February is 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 prices 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.

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Major February Events in Sydney

February is all about love! With Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras filling the street with happiness.

• Lunar New Year
• Valentine’s Day
• Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival

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 16 February to 3 March 2024 with the parade returning to Oxford Street on Sat 2 March from 6 pm

Over 16 days and nights, the city will host a variety of events, from talks and exhibitions to parties and, of course, the Parade.

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!

When: 2 March, 6pm-11pm
Where: Oxford Street – book your viewing area early for best positions

Festivals, Fairs and Community Events

Watsons Bay Summer Market

With 150 stalls, this market by the harbour’s edge at Watson’s Bay is a great spot for a day out by the sea. 

When: 4 February 10am-4pm
Where: Robertson Park

Rhodes 2024 Lunar New Year Dragon Carnival

This Chinese new year festival will be a celebration of feasting and good fortune, expect a lot of very good food. See our full list of Lunar New Year events for more

When: Rhodes Foreshore Park
Where: 24-25 February, 10am-9pm Saturday and 10am-4pm Sunday

Art and Exhibitions

Kandinsky

Drawing on the rich holdings of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, this comprehensive exhibition showcases the life and work of one of the most significant and best-loved European modernists, Vasily Kandinsky.

When: 4 November 2023 – 10 March 2024
Where: Art Gallery of New South Wales South Building Lower level 2
Cost: $35 adult, $88 family (2 adults + 3 children) | $16 youth (12–17 years) | under 12 free

Louise Bourgeois

Experience the strange beauty and emotional power of Louise Bourgeois’s art, in the largest exhibition of her work ever seen in Australia.

When: 25 November 2023 – 28 April 2024
Where: Art Gallery of New South Wales South Building Lower level 2
Tickets: From $35 available here

White Rabbit Gallery – A Blueprint for Ruins

In the rush towards modernization, a hidden narrative of violence and loss emerges. As cities demolish their old selves to build towering skyscrapers and sleek high-rises, a critical question surfaces: what happened to the people?

The empty streets and abandoned apartment blocks serve as eerie symbols of forsaken dreams. These desolate structures, reminiscent of ancient tombs, silently testify to the harsh reality of rapid urbanization. Each gleaming new development comes at the expense of something else, illustrating the steep price of relentless progress.

Where: 30 Balfour Street, Chippendale NSW
When: to May 12, 2024
Cost: Free

THE PEOPLE’S HOUSE: THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE AT 50

Hosted by the Musuem of Sydney, The People’s House: Sydney Opera House at 50 reflects on and celebrates the five decades since the opening of the iconic Opera House.

Visitors can also explore the intricacies of the architectural masterpiece through an interactive LEGO® model, practice design skills on a digital drafting table or try their hand at conducting a virtual orchestra.

Also featured on display are a series of specially commissioned artworks including a woven Opera House created by master First Nations weavers Steven Russell and Phyllis Stewart and a masterpiece shellwork Opera House created by the late Esme Timbery, renowned Bidjigal artist and elder.

Where: Museum of Sydney
When: Daily 10am – 5pm until 10 March l Cost: Free.

JURASSIC WORLD: THE EXHIBITION

Jurassic World: The Exhibition‘s stay at SuperLuna Pavilion in Sydney has been extended until February 18, 2024. Since its September debut, the exhibition has drawn thousands of visitors, captivating audiences of all ages with its immersive prehistoric environments and life-sized dinosaur experiences.

When: To 18 Feb. 2024,  Mon- Thurs 9am to 6pm (5pm in school term)  Fri-Sun 9am-7pm
Where: Super Luna Pavilion Sydney Olympic Park

Opera, Musicals & Theatre in Sydney in February

If you are visiting Sydney then nothing is better than being in the audience at the Sydney Opera House. Choose from an Opera Australia performance, Bell Shakesphere or

MOZART: The Magic Flute at the Opera House

Can a little magic make you see the world differently? Award-winning director Kate Gaul conjures an enchanting and eclectic world for Mozart’s great adventure, The Magic Flute. Performed in English, this bright new production will delight audiences with its big heart, adventurous spirit and memorable music.

When: 1 February–16 March 2024
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House l Tickets: From $79

Macbeth – Bell Shakespeare

Bell Shakespeare presents a new production of Macbeth, in celebration of the 400th anniversary.

“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 l Cost: Preview $45 General admission $75-$110

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

February 2024 sees the return of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland©” to the stage, delighting audiences with a ballet adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s cherished tale. This production captures the whimsy and eccentricity of the original story, making it a perfect experience for the whole family.

The Australian Ballet’s rendition of “Alice” received critical acclaim, winning the 2018 Helpmann Award for Best Ballet and earning nominations in five other categories, including Best Choreography, Best Scenic Design, and for Best Male and Female Dancer.

Where: Lyric Theatre
When: Opening 20 February – 5 March l Tickets: from $66

THE LEHMAN TRILOGY

“The Lehman Trilogy,” a five-time Tony Award®-winning Best Play, arrives in Sydney after acclaimed performances in London’s West End and Broadway. This National Theatre and Neal Street Productions’ masterpiece tells an epic American story, beginning in 1844 with a young Bavarian man dreaming of a new life in America. As he stands on a New York dockside, he is soon joined by his two brothers, marking the start of an extraordinary journey.

Where: Theatre Royale
When: 21 Feb to 21 March 2024
Cost: from $70 more details here

Agapi & Other Kinds of Love

“Agapi & Other Kinds of Love” is a unique show that blends history, music, and poetry to explore the various forms of love. Inspired by Plato’s “The Symposium,” the story begins with Socrates recounting lessons from his lover, Diotima.

The narrative then shifts to modern Athens, where two reincarnated ancient lovers rediscover each other amidst a riot. Australian storyteller Luka Lesson brings this tale to life, delving into different kinds of love like Eros, Filia, Filoxenia, Philautia, Storgi, Pragma, and the highest form, Agapi. The show is a vibrant mix of rap, poetry, and history, set against a backdrop that includes Aphrodite statues, Molotov cocktails, and the Parthenon. It’s a testament to love’s enduring power through time and challenges.

When: Thursday 29th February – Friday 1st March
Where: Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres – Corner of Church and Market St, Parramatta
Tickets: Members Tickets starting from $29 | Non-Members Tickets starting from $32

Tiny Beautiful Things

Tiny Beautiful Things delves into life’s intricacies through Cheryl Strayed’s alter ego, Sugar, an online advice columnist. Amidst domestic chaos, Sugar responds to strangers’ emails, guiding them through life’s paradoxes with raw, honest advice.

Her responses are a mix of tough love and sweetness, offering healing and sparking mini-revolutions. From navigating the awkwardness of role-playing as sexy Santa to addressing family tensions and coping with profound loss, Sugar’s advice seeks to comfort and challenge her readers.

Dates: 1 February – 2 March, 2024
Where: Upstairs Theatre, Belvoir St Theatre
Tickets: https://belvoir.com.au/productions/tiny-beautiful-things/

Music, Comedy and Dance

Twilight Concerts 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: 2 February to 2 March, 2024
Where: Taronga Zoo

Notre-Dame – Australian Brandenburg Orchestra

The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra will celebrate eight centuries of music from Notre-Dame de Paris in their first concert series of 2024, titled “Notre-Dame.” This world premiere theatrical event features spoken word by Helpmann Award-winning playwright and director Alana Valentine.

The renowned Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Brandenburg Choir, along with two actors, will bring these words to life, creating a memorable and moving performance.

When: 27 February – 2 March 2024
Where: Sydney’s City Recital Hall

The Man From Snowy River In Concert

One of Australia’s most loved and iconic films of all time. Experience the beloved Australian classic, the Man from Snowy River, on the big screen, accompanied by the powerful and emotive soundtrack played live by the Southern Cross Symphony.

When: 15-16 February 2024
Where: Concert Hall
Cost: from $119.00

Cinema

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.

Sydney’s Outdoor Cinemas are still on sale and perfect for summer viewing!

When: Jan- March 2024
Where: Bennelong Point Sydney

Europa! Europa Film Festival 2024

Europa! Europa 2024 brings a carefully curated collection of European cinematic gems to audiences, featuring a handpicked selection of entertaining, heartfelt, and thought-provoking films. These films are from some of the most compelling storytellers and fresh cinematic voices in Europe.

The festival showcases 47 films from 28 different countries, celebrating the best new European films over three exciting weeks. This includes prestigious European cinema and captivating Australian premiere screenings, offering a diverse and enriching cinematic experience.

When: 15 February – 10 March
Where: Ritz Cinemas Randwick
Cost: Tickets from $20-25

Antenna Documentary Film Festival

Antenna, Australia’s premier international non-fiction film festival, has announced its full lineup for 2024. With 52 innovative and thought-provoking documentaries from across the world, the 11-day festival will transform Sydney into a haven for documentary enthusiasts.

• Knit’s Island: Explores a digital world where communities engage in survivalist fiction, blending real and virtual fears and fantasies, with directors’ avatars spending 963 hours in this unique internet landscape.
• Kokomo City: D. Smith’s film gives voice to four Black transgender sex workers in NYC, offering an unfiltered look into their lives with vibrancy, sexuality, and raw wisdom.
• A Still Small Voice: Luke Lorentzen’s documentary follows chaplain Mati through her hospital residency, highlighting the importance of spiritual care and the impact of connection and its absence on people facing significant life changes.

When: 9-19 February
Where: Dendy Newtown, Randwick Ritz, Sydney Opera House

Queer Screen

Queer Screen’s 31st Mardi Gras Film Festival returns! Over 155 LGBTIQ+ films will be screening in cinemas across Sydney, including the iconic Sydney Opera House, Dendy, Event, OpenAir, and the Ritz.

The film festival will hold World Premieres, Australian Premieres, and Sydney Premieres and give screens to a season of glorious, showstopping, spectacular, never-the-same, unique, completely not ever been done before, conversation-starting and conversation-continuing films. See the full programme and buy your tickets now at queerscreen.org.au. 

When: 15 to 29 February
Where: Sydney Opera House, Dendy, OpenAir, Event Cinemas City and Hurstville & Randwick Ritz
See the full programme and buy your tickets now at queerscreen.org.au. 

Sport and Outdoors

Superbowl Live

Get set for the Super Bowl at Watson’s, where the big game will be broadcasted live & loud on a mega screen in the beer garden. Join us from 10am for an unforgettable NFL experience.

Enjoy Loaded Hot Dogs, Wings, Tenders, and Budweiser combos, or choose from our a la carte Summer menu featuring burgers, parmi’s, and more. Secure your spot for the NFL’s highlight event and immerse yourself in the game day atmosphere.

When: Monday, 12th February 2024, open from 10am, live screening from 10:30am.
Where: Watson’s, 1 Bent Street, The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park.

KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix

SailGP returns to Sydney Harbour in February for its fifth 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.

The SailGP Team Base Tour – a unique opportunity to get an insider’s view of the world of elite sailing in Sydney Harbour. This exclusive 30-minute guided tour takes you behind the scenes at the SailGP Technical Area and Team Bases. Here, you’ll explore the ‘pit lane garages’, where athletes and shore teams meticulously prepare the F50, one of the fastest sail racing boats in the world. Sold out!

Genesis Island places you front row on Shark Island with all-inclusive amenities, entertainment, and live broadcasts, ensuring an unparalleled experience in the heart of the race. Final tickets on sale now.

SailGP Village at Barangaroo is the focal point for race excitement, featuring free activities, luxury lounges, entertainment, and interactive challenges, making it a must-visit during the race weekend.

Where: Sydney Harbour
When: 24-25 February, 2024
Cost: Many activities are free although there are some ticketed spectator cruises

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