Things to do in Sydney in May 2026

May brings some of Sydney’s most anticipated annual events, from the lights of Vivid Festival to the thought-provoking Sydney Writers Festival. Whether you’re interested in arts, food, sport or family activities, this month’s calendar is packed with options for every interest.

There are also plenty of regional events worth planning a getaway around from oyster celebrations on the South Coast to Celtic gatherings in the Central West.

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Major Events in May 2026

• Mother’s Day – Sunday 10 May 2026
• Australian Fashion Week – 11-15 May 2026
• Sydney Writers Festival – 20-26 May 2026
• Vivid Sydney – 23 May–13 June 2026
• Sydney Comedy Festival – starts in April and continues for the first 2 weeks in May

Planning Mother’s Day celebrations?
See our guide to Sydney’s best Mother’s Day dining spots.

Sydney Writers Festival

The Sydney Writers’ Festival returns with an exciting lineup of international and local authors.

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: 20-26 May 2026
Where: Sydney Town Hall, Sydney Opera House, Carriageworks and more
Cost: Free – $45 per session, Festival passes from $140
Accessibility: Wheelchair access, hearing loops, Auslan interpretation available

Vivid Sydney

Sydney’s largest festival transforms the city into a canvas of light, music, and ideas for 23 nights. The Vivid Festival features over 50 light installations and projections, including the iconic Opera House sails and a number of new free events and areas.

Delight in the diversity of flavours at pop-up markets and dining events, celebrating our community’s cultural richness. One new space this year is Hollywood Quarter in Surry Hills. The festival offers audio description tours and sensory-friendly viewing sessions on Tuesday nights.

More info: read our Vivid Guide for this year’s highlights or view official full program

When: May 22 – June 13, 2026
Where: Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Surry Hills
Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible viewing areas at major sites, Audio description tours available, Accessible toilets at all major locations, Free companion cards accepted for ticketed events.

Australian Fashion Week

AFC Australian Fashion Week returns to Carriageworks this May, bringing together Australia’s leading and emerging designers. Led by the Australian Fashion Council and presented by Shark Beauty, this five-day event showcases world-class creativity and innovation in Australian fashion.

While the runway shows are invitation-only industry events, the public can experience the excitement at The Studio at Carriageworks. Here you can watch live streams of the shows and enjoy brand partner activations throughout the week.

When: 11-15 May 2026
Where: Carriageworks, Eveleigh
Cost: public access to The Studio is free
Accessibility: Wheelchair access available throughout Carriageworks

Festivals, Fairs and community events

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: usually last weekend in May
Where: Cronulla Street Cronulla l Cost: Most events are free
More: Check the official website for the schedule.

Sydney Comedy Festival at Riverside Theatres

The year the festival brings an exceptional lineup to Western Sydney’s Riverside Theatres,

Where: Riverside Theatres, Corner of Church and Market St, Parramatta
Cost: Tickets range from $25-65 depending on the show
More: Book tickets at Riverside Parramatta website

Have you got questions about Sydney in May? Pop over to our Facebook group and we would be happy to help.

Markets & Fairs

Barangaroo Artisan Market

The Streets of Barangaroo transforms into a vibrant marketplace with over 60 local artisans and makers showcasing their work. Perfectly timed for Mother’s Day shopping, this waterfront market combines shopping, live music, and gourmet treats.

Highlights include:

• Sustainable home fragrances from CandleXchange
• Award-winning local salami by Goose on the Loose
• Upcycled glassware art
• Interactive sand art for children
• Raw honey from Maya Sunny Honey

When: TBC
Where: The Streets of Barangaroo
Cost: Free entry More: Visit the market website

Theatre, Musicals and Drama

Steel Magnolias

Robert Harling’s beloved story of female friendship returns to Australian stages in a new production directed by Lee Lewis. Set in Truvy’s beauty salon in a small Southern town, the play follows six women navigating life’s joys and tragedies with humour and unwavering support for each other. The original 1988 Australian production at Sydney’s Seymour Centre featured Nicole Kidman’s professional stage debut.

This touring production from Neil Gooding Productions and Woodward Productions features composer and sound designer Brady Watkins. The cast will be announced closer to opening. Following Sydney, the production continues to Wollongong, Canberra, Perth and Melbourne through mid-2026.

When: 13-31 May 2026
Where: Theatre Royal Sydney
Cost: From $59 (+ transaction fees)

Gutenberg! The Musical!

Sydney Theatre Award winners Stephen Anderson (Titanique) and Ryan Gonzalez (In The Heights) star in the first Australian production of this Broadway hit since its record-breaking 2024 season. Created by the team behind Beetlejuice: The Musical, the show follows two ambitious writers staging a musical about Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press.

The production celebrates the chaos and determination of putting on a show against all odds. Anderson and Gonzalez tackle multiple roles in this two-hander that combines sharp comedy with genuine heart, exploring what happens when passion meets ambition in community theatre.

When: 10 April – 10 May 2026
Where: Hayes Theatre,  19 Greenknowe Avenue, Elizabeth Bay
Cost: $69-$89

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

This Tony-nominated musical comedy brings the 1988 film starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin to the Hayes Theatre stage. Elegant conman Lawrence Jamieson and unpredictable hustler Freddy Benson compete on the French Riviera in a high-stakes game targeting a seemingly innocent American heiress.

Set in a world of deception and reinvention, the show explores what happens when two masters of the con collide. As their schemes escalate, nothing and no one proves to be quite what they seem. The production features the musical’s blend of sophisticated charm and chaotic comedy.

When: 22 May – 21 June 2026
Where: Hayes Theatre Co, Potts Point
Cost: $75-$99

Music, and Dance

The Other Side of Me

Gary Lang NT Dance Company presents an intimate duet exploring the Stolen Generations experience through dance. Choreographed by Larrakia man Gary Lang, the work centres on a man removed from his Aboriginal family as a child and raised by a white family in England, drawing from personal letters and poems to examine identity, displacement and trauma.

This international collaboration between Gary Lang NT Dance Company and Northumbria University features a soundscape by Yolŋu songman Banula Marika and sound designer Arian Pearson, with composition by Sam Pankhurst. Cultural consultant Josie Cranshaw and Jesse Norris provided cultural dramaturgy. The production forms part of a seven-centre Australian East Coast tour.

When: 6-9 May 2026
Where: Studio, Sydney Opera House
Cost: Standard $45, Concession $39 (+ booking fee)

Baroque Without Borders

An international early music ensemble performs baroque repertoire on period instruments in the Utzon Room. Czech violinist Helena Zemanová joins Australian violinist Julia Fredersdorff, Australian dulcian specialist Jane Gower and Danish harpsichordist Lars Ulrik Mortensen for this specially formed collaboration.

The programme features works by Daria Castello, Giovanni Battista Fontana, Michelangelo Rossi, Diego Ortiz and Johann Heinrich Schmelzer. This Utzon Music series concert brings together early music specialists from Australia, Denmark and the Czech Republic working in historically informed performance.

When: Sunday 10 May 2026, 3pm
Where: Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House
Cost: Early bird Standard $94.50, Standard $105, Under 35s $55, Students $25.90 (+ booking fee)

Australian String Quartet: Interwoven

The Australian String Quartet’s national tour features Elizabeth Younan’s shimmering Interwoven alongside Haydn’s defining quartet work. The second half pairs Prokofiev’s folk-infused String Quartet No. 2, written during wartime exile, with Clara Schumann’s Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, a heartfelt tribute to her husband’s melodic beauty.

When: Wednesday 20 May 2026, 7pm
Where: The Neilson, ACO on the Pier
Cost: Adult $95 ($85.50 early bird), Concession $75 ($67.50 early bird), 40 & Under $40 ($36 early bird), Student $15 ($13.50 early bird). Early bird pricing until 31 December 2025

Art, Exhibitions and Talks

In Conversation with Michelle Obama

Former First Lady Michelle Obama makes her first public appearance in Australia, presented by Growth Faculty. The conversation explores her time as First Lady, her advocacy work supporting emerging leaders, and her latest book The Look, which examines how she crafted her most memorable public appearances.

Growth Faculty brings the event to Melbourne and Sydney following similar successful conversations with President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Malala Yousafzai. Attendees can expect discussion of her distinguished career in public service, life in the White House, and her ongoing work to strengthen the next generation of leaders.

When: 7:30pm Wednesday 20 May 2026
Where:  ICC Sydney (Sydney)
Cost: $195

Film Festivals

South African Film Festival (SAFF)

The South African Film Festival returns for its 7th year, showcasing compelling stories from South Africa through both in-cinema and online screenings. The festival features award-winning films including South Africa’s Oscar submission “Old Righteous Blues” and the Oscar-nominated short “The Last Ranger.”

When: May 2026 (exact dates not yet released)
Where: Select cinemas in Sydney and online
Cost: In-cinema: $20-45 Online options from $6-90 for a full festival pass. More: Visit the festival website

Palestinian Film Festival Australia

The 13th Palestinian Film Festival returns with a powerful program of new cinema exploring resilience, love, and freedom.

The Sydney program features acclaimed international works and new voices in Palestinian cinema.

When: TBC
Where: Dendy Newtown
Program Highlights: Visit festival website

Food and Drink

Meatstock

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: 1-2 May 2026
Where: Sydney Showground, Olympic Park.
Cost: from $55

Pyrmont Food and Wine Festival

The Pyrmont Festival returns for its 14th year, transforming Pirrama Park into a celebration of NSW food and wine.

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.

When: 23 – 24 May 2026
Where: Pirrama Park Pyrmont l Free entry

Find all Sydney’s best 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 10 May 2026
Where: The Domain

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 

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 2026 festival transforms Glen Innes into a Scottish wonderland. The main festival on Saturday includes over 75 market stalls selling Celtic crafts and food, poetry readings, fashion parades, and a Celtic dog show, all set around the Australian Standing Stones.

Beyond the main festival site, events spread throughout Glen Innes with workshops in the Celtic Cauldron marquee covering everything from music and dance to language lessons. Evening entertainment includes the Saturday Night ‘Sesh’ featuring Bush Gothic and Austral performing Celtic music with an Australian twist.val will celebrate Brittany, Cornwall & Wales.

When: 30 April – 3 May 2026
Where: Australian Standing Stones, Glen Innes, NSW
Cost: $45 daypass $82 for a weekend pass

Make Good Festival at Bundanon

The inaugural Make Good Festival brings together authors, artists, and makers for a weekend of talks, workshops, and hands-on experiences focused on sustainable and mindful living.

The festival offers accommodation packages in Bundanon’s award-winning Bridge building, including special dining experiences and guided tours.

When: 2026 TBC
Where: Bundanon, Shoalhaven
Cost: Some events free, ticketed events from $18 (includes Art Museum and Homestead entry)

Narooma Oyster Festival

The Narooma Oyster Festival celebrates the South Coast’s famous rock oysters with a week of special events starting April 26. Visitors can enjoy estuary adventures, masterclasses, and shucking lessons at various locations from Shoalhaven River to Pambula Lake during Rock Oyster Week.

When: Main Festival: May 1-3 2026
Where: Quota Park, Narooma NSW

Sail Port Stephens

Sail Port Stephens returns to the pristine waters of Port Stephens with both keel boat racing and the Bay Series for off-the-beach classes. The Bay Sailing Centre at Salamander Bay hosts sports boats, trailer sailers, dinghies and windsurfers in this popular autumn regatta.

Competitors in the Bay Series can register Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning, with racing taking place over the weekend of May 3-4. The event showcases the beautiful Port Stephens waterways and brings together sailing enthusiasts from across the region.

When: 2026 TBC
Where: Bay Sailing Centre, Salamander Bay, Port Stephens
Registration: Friday 4pm-5pm Saturday 7:30am-9am.

Ride Wollongong- Festival of Cycling

Ride Wollongong’s Festival of Cycling combines community rides with competitive racing, offering routes for all skill levels. Choose from the family-friendly 1.8km Loop the Lighthouse or challenge yourself with 10km, 20km, and 29km community rides. All participants receive a finisher medal and can enjoy the festival’s recovery station and expo area.

Where: Marine Drive, Wollongong
Cost: Various entry fees (supports SYFS charity)

Berry Celtic Festival

The Berry Celtic Festival kicks off at 9:30am with a grand street parade featuring pipe bands in kilts, clan representatives, medieval knights, and Scottish Terrier dogs. Throughout the day, the Berry Showground transforms into a castle keep with Scottish soldiers’ camps, Celtic musicians, spinners and weavers, and artisan stalls surrounding the main parade ground.

Highlights include thrilling jousting displays by armoured knights, pipe and drum bands performances, Highland dancing, and traditional craft demonstrations. The festival, organized by the Rotary Club of Berry, raises funds for disaster relief projects and community development.

When: Saturday 23 May 2026
Where: Berry Showground
Cost: Adults $15, Children under 15 free

Moree on a Plate

One of regional Australia’s premier food and wine festivals returns to Moree, celebrating the diverse produce of North West NSW. Food writer Roberta Muir headlines this year’s event, which brings together regional producers, cooking demonstrations, and wine tastings in one delicious day out.

When: 2026 TBC
Where: Moree Racecourse, Boggabilla Rd, Moree
Cost: $2

Mudgee Classic Cycling

The Mudgee Classic offers a full weekend of cycling through NSW’s picturesque wine country. Saturday features the Dirty Mudgee Gravel ride showcasing rural charm and vineyards, while Sunday’s road events cater to all abilities with routes through historic towns like Gulgong.

Cyclists can choose from multiple Sunday courses including a family-friendly vineyard ride, mid-distance routes for enthusiasts, and challenging gran fondos through rolling countryside. Those doing both Saturday’s gravel ride and Sunday’s road event can save 20% on registration.

When: TBC
Where: Mudgee, NSW

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: 2026 dates Not yet available
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.

Main Image Credit: Spinifex Group via Destination NSW