Viivd 2025

Things to do in Sydney in May 2026

May brings Vivid Sydney, the city’s biggest annual festival. From May 23 to June 13, light installations transform the Opera House, The Rocks, Circular Quay and Darling Harbour into an after-dark spectacle with over 50 projections, music events and ideas talks.

Sydney Writers Festival runs May 20-26 with author talks and panels across multiple venues. Australian Fashion Week takes over Carriageworks May 11-15, and Mother’s Day falls on May 10.

Temperatures cool to around 20°C as autumn settles in—perfect weather for exploring the city’s festivals and events without summer crowds.

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Major Events: Vivid Sydney & Writers Festival

  • Mother’s Day – Sunday 10 May 2026
  • Australian Fashion Week – 11-15 May 2026
  • Sydney Writers Festival – 17-24 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.

under the theme Show Me the Truth, with more than 200 events and over 250 authors across the week. The program spans international bestsellers, emerging writers and public figures, with sessions covering politics, fiction, history and culture.

SWF 2025 MarianKeyes Credit: Prudence Upton
SWF 2025 MarianKeyes Credit: Prudence Upton

Opening weekend sales broke all previous records — multiple sessions have already sold out, including appearances by Jacinda Ardern and Randa Abdel-Fattah, so book early if there’s something specific you want to catch.

People looking at books at the Sydney Writers Festival Credit Jacquie Manning
Sydney Writers Festival Credit Jacquie Manning

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: 17-24 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.

Vivid 2025
A sneak peek of 2025 Sydney Opera House Installation

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.

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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 and community events

Buddhas Birthday Festival

Two days of free, family-friendly events at Tumbalong Park, with lion dances, guided meditation, cultural performances, a vegetarian food fair, and a marketplace of crafts and Buddhist artworks.

Saturday opens with the VegRun and builds to the Harmony, Peace and Coexistence Ceremony in the afternoon. Sunday is quieter, with a Baby Blessing Ceremony and the Voices of Peace finale to close. Open to visitors of all backgrounds.

When: Saturday 2 May (10am–7pm) & Sunday 3 May (10am–4pm)
Where: Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
Cost: Free entry (food and drink available to purchase)

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: 27-31 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.

Artisan Market at Barangaroo just before Mother’s Day

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: 9 May 2026
Where: The Streets of Barangaroo
Cost: Free entry More: Visit the market website

The Great Artist Market

The first Sydney edition of this community-driven market takes over the Felons Barrel Room at Manly Wharf with more than 40 artists and makers selected from across Greater Sydney and the Northern Beaches. Expect original art, ceramics, fashion, homewares, jewellery, textiles and handcrafted goods — a mix of emerging and established names selling work you won’t find in shops. Free PasteUp workshops for kids, food, drinks and live entertainment throughout the day.

When: Saturday 2 May 2026, 8am–3pm
Where: Felons Barrel Room, Manly Wharf Cost: Free entry

Le Marché French Market

A monthly French market at Woolwich Dock with food stalls running croissants, crepes, raclette, French cheeses and saucisson alongside artisan and craft stalls. The setting at Woolwich Dock adds to the appeal — it’s a working heritage precinct with harbour views, and the market draws a regular crowd who treat it as a Sunday morning ritual rather than a one-off event. In May it falls on the 11th.

When: Sunday 11 May 2026, 9am–1pm (second Sunday monthly)
Where: Woolwich Dock and Parklands, Hunters Hill
Cost: Free entry

Cambridge Markets

  • Maroubra Beach Market – Saturday 2 May
    Beachside Saturday market with a mix of artisan, food and retail stalls, a short walk from the beach.
  • Wentworth Point Autumn Market – Sunday 3 May
    Waterfront market on the Parramatta River with food, produce and artisan stalls.
  • Bankstown Nights – Saturday 9 May
    An evening food market with street food, desserts and a lively atmosphere.
  • Ryde Wharf Market – Sunday 10 May & Sunday 24 May
    Riverside market with fresh produce, gourmet food and artisan retail running two Sundays this month.
  • Heffron Park Market – Sunday 17 May
    Undercover market at Heffron Park with retail, food and community stalls — weather-protected under the netball canopy.
  • Engadine Autumn Markets – Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 May
    Two-day market with retail and food stalls across the weekend.
  • Watsons Bay Autumn Market – Sunday 31 May, 9am–3pm
    Harbour-side market at one of Sydney’s most popular Sunday destinations. See full listing above for details.

Check the Cambridge Markets website for details

Theatre, Musicals and Drama

Anastasia – The Broadway Musical

Georgina Hopson stars as Anya in this Australian production of the Broadway musical, joined by Rhonda Burchmore as Countess Lily and theatre veteran Nancye Hayes as the Dowager Empress.

The story follows a young woman who may or may not be the surviving Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, tracking her journey from post-revolutionary Russia to 1920s Paris with the help of a conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Based on the 1997 animated film, with music and lyrics by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.

When: 7 April – 18 July 2026.
Where: Sydney Lyric Theatre, Pyrmont
Cost: From $69.90 (transaction fees apply) Tickets: anastasiathemusical.com.au

The Lion King

Disney’s flagship musical returns to the Capitol Theatre with a strong local cast. Daniel Frederiksen plays Scar, Buyi Zama returns as Rafiki for the third time in Australia, and Nick Afoa — who debuted on the Sydney stage as Simba twelve years ago — comes back as Mufasa. Aphiwe Nyezi takes on Simba, with Emily Nkomo as Nala and Jamie McGregor and Rutene Spooner as Timon and Pumbaa.

Julie Taymor’s production has been running on Broadway for nearly 30 years and has been seen by over 127 million people worldwide.

When: From 18 April 2026 (ongoing through May and beyond)
Where: Capitol Theatre, Sydney
Cost: $60 Tickets via the show website or Ticketek

Cluedo

The classic board game comes to the Theatre Royal with a cast that includes Rhys Muldoon as Colonel Mustard, Rachael Beck as Mrs White, Genevieve Lemon as Mrs Peacock, Olivia Deeble as Miss Scarlet and Grant Piro as Wadsworth.

Rachael Beck stars in the Sydney production of Cluedo

Based on the 1985 cult film Clue, the stage adaptation puts the suspicious dinner guests of Boddy Manor through a night of murder, misdirection and farce. Fast-paced comedy-thriller directed by Luke Joslin.

When: 24 April – 10 May 2026
Where: Theatre Royal Sydney
Cost: From 69.90 Tickets: theatreroyal.com.au

84 Charing Cross Road – Ensemble Theatre

Blazey Best and Erik Thomson lead this adaptation of Helene Hanff’s memoir about a decades-long postal friendship between a sharp-tongued New York writer and a reserved London bookseller.

Blazey Best and Erik Thomson in 84 Charing Cross Road
Blazey Best and Erik Thomson

Told entirely through real letters exchanged across two decades and an ocean, the story unfolds against post-war rationing, royal coronations and Beatlemania. Directed by Mark Kilmurry, with Katie Fitchett, Angela Mahlatjie and Brian Meegan completing the cast.

When: 1 May – 13 June 2026, 2hrs 20mins including interval
Where: Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli
Cost: $46–$95 Tickets: ensemble.com.au

An Iliad

Still running into June, this Sydney Theatre Company production puts David Wenham alone on stage at Wharf 1 to retell the Trojan War — the same story, over and over, because humanity keeps needing to hear it.

Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare’s adaptation is spare: one actor, one musician, no interval. If you missed it in April, it runs through to 7 June.

When: To 7 June 2026, approx. 100 mins, no interval
Where: Wharf 1 Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company
Cost: From $74 under 30, $94 concession, $124 adult Tickets: sydneytheatre.com.au

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.

Steel Magnolias

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.

Ryan González and Stephen Anderson - Gutenberg Credit: John McCrae
Ryan González and Stephen Anderson – Gutenberg, Credit” John McCrae

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.

Dirty Rotton Scondrels

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: $60–$79

Romeo & Juliet – Come you Spirits

Come you Spirits sets Shakespeare’s play in a fractured, post-apocalyptic city, stripping the cast back to seven central characters. Each performance opens with a shared breathing practice and closes with a meditation — the company treats the emotional intensity of the material as something audiences move through together, not just watch.

An original score runs throughout. The production plays two venues across two weeks.

When: 20–24 May, Darling Quarter Theatre | 27–30 May, The Lounge, The Concourse Chatswood
Where: Darling Quarter Theatre, Darling Harbour / The Concourse, Chatswood
Cost: From $45 direct from the venues

Music, and Dance

Mitski

Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Mitski makes her Sydney Opera House debut with four exclusive Australian shows as part of Vivid LIVE. The cult generational talent performs with her full band in the Concert Hall, featuring songs from her eighth studio album alongside highlights from her beloved back catalogue. Known for gut-wrenching lyrics and visceral theatrical performances, Mitski has built a global following with hits like the four-times platinum My Love Mine All Mine.

Mitski makes her Sydney Opera House debut
Mitski makes her Sydney Opera House debut

These Australian exclusive shows mark Mitski’s first performances here since 2019. Her collaborations include co-writes on Florence and the Machine’s latest album and work with David Byrne on the Oscar-nominated This Is A Life. She’s currently writing music and lyrics for the musical adaptation of The Queen’s Gambit. High demand expected for these intimate Concert Hall performances.

When: 29-31 May, 1 June 2026
Where: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
Cost: From $159.90 (+ booking fee)

Beethoven’s Ghost – Musica Viva Australia

Pianist Aura Go, cellist Timo-Veikko Valve and violinist Kristian Winther perform together for the first time in a national tour built around two chamber music cornerstones. The program pairs Beethoven’s Piano Trio in D Major “Ghost” with Ravel’s Piano Trio, bookending a world premiere of Regnare by Australian composer Melody Eötvös, inspired by the life cycles of the Mountain Ash tree.

Go and Valve released a critically noted recording of Beethoven’s complete cello sonatas for ABC Classic in 2024; this is their first outing as a trio with Winther.

When: Wednesday 6 May 2026, 7pm
Where: City Recital Hall, Sydney
Cost: Check musicaviva.com.au for pricing Tickets: musicaviva.com.au

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.

The Other Side Of Me  Credit: Paz Tassone
The Other Side Of Me Credit: Paz Tassone

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

INDance – Sydney Dance Company

Sydney Dance Company’s fifth INDance season puts four independent choreographers centre stage at the Neilson Studio. The program splits across two weeks, each pairing two full-length works on the same night.

Wet Hard Long will be performed in week 1
Wet Hard Long will be performed in week 1

Week One features Emma Harrison’s High Octane, a physically driven look at ambition and hyper-masculinity rooted in V8 racing culture, paired with Jenni Large’s Wet Hard Long, an endurance piece examining power and feminine resilience — performed in eight-inch heels.

Week Two brings Christopher Gurusamy’s 5 Arrows, which fuses classical Bharatanatyam with his biracial queer perspective, alongside Oli Mathiesen’s The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave — a one-hour compression of a three-day rave set to Suburban Knight’s Nocturbulous Behaviour album.

Tickets are priced to bring in new audiences.

When: Week One: 30 April – 2 May (High Octane 6:30pm / Wet Hard Long 8pm). Week Two: 7–9 May (5 Arrows 6:30pm / The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave 8pm)
Where: Neilson Studio, Sydney Dance Company

Art, Exhibitions and Talks

World Press Photo Exhibition

The World Press Photo Exhibition returns to Sydney, showcasing striking global photojournalism and the power of visual storytelling. This internationally renowned exhibition brings together award-winning images selected from more than 59,000 entries across 141 countries, offering fresh perspectives on the world’s most pressing issues.

When: 23 May – 5 July 2026
Where: State Library of NSW l Cost: Exhibition entry is free

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

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.

Meatstock 2025 in Sydney
Meatstock at Olympic Park

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.

Pyrmont Festival Sydney
Pyrmont Festival in 2024 Credit: Tim Pascoe

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

Botanica Gin & Spirits Journey

Twenty-five Australian craft distillers take over the historic tunnels and chambers of the Coal Loader Centre in Waverton for a 2.5-hour tasting session.

Botanica Gin & Spirits festival

Work your way through gins, vodkas, rums, whiskeys and liqueurs, stop at botanical sensory stations to learn about the native ingredients behind the spirits, and browse artisan producers along the way. Each ticket includes all tastings, a tasting glass to take home, and a showbag. Sold out last year, so book early. Must be 18+.

When: 22–24 May 2026. Multiple sessions Friday–Sunday (afternoon and evening)
Where: The Coal Loader, Tunnel One, 2 Balls Head Drive, Waverton
Cost: From $69 + booking fee Tickets: Botanica Festival website

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

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: 1-3 May 2026
Where: Bay Sailing Centre, Salamander Bay, Port Stephens

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: 9 May 2026
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: 2-3 May 2026
Where: Mudgee, NSW

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

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2 Comments

  1. Excited to go to that Wellness Festival, gonna tell my friends to join me. Thanks!

  2. Greg Weppner says:

    are there any classic music concerts in sydney in the 2nd half of May

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