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 2025
- Mother’s Day – Sunday 11 May 2025
- Australian Fashion Week – 12–16 May 2025
- Sydney Writers Festival – 19–25 May 2025
- Vivid Sydney – 23 May–14 June 2025
- Sydney Comedy Festival continues until 18 May
Planning Mother’s Day celebrations?
See our guide to Sydney’s best Mother’s Day dining spots.
Sydney Writers Festival
The 28th Sydney Writers’ Festival returns with an exciting lineup of international and local authors. This year’s highlights include Kaliane Bradley discussing her genre-defying novel ‘The Ministry of Time’, bestselling espionage writer Ben MacIntyre with his latest work ‘The Siege’, Booker Prize-shortlisted author Yael van der Wouden, and acclaimed Japanese novelist Asako Yuzuki.
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: 19–25 May 2025
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.
Hollywood Quarter Events
The Surry Hills precinct comes alive with Hollywood Dreaming, which will feature a lunch event on 31 May A Taste of HQ, where Foster Street will transform into an al fresco dining paradise with top restaurants including Firedoor, Nomad, Gildas and more offering delicious eats.
You will also find:
- The Neon Trail: Movie-themed light installations
- The Food Trail: Exclusive menus at precinct restaurants
- The Gig Trail: Live performances across venue
More info: read our Vivid Guide for this year’s highlights or view official full program
When: May 23 – June 14, 2025
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: 12-16 May 2025
Where: Carriageworks, Eveleigh
Cost: public access to The Studio is free
Accessibility: Wheelchair access available throughout Carriageworks
Luna Park – Stranger Things Takes Over
This autumn, Luna Park is transforming into the world of Hawkins with the Australian premiere of Stranger Things: The Experience. Opening May 23rd, this immersive adventure takes visitors through six themed rooms in the Crystal Palace, featuring live actors, special effects, and iconic locations from the hit Netflix series.
After braving the Upside Down, families can explore Mix-Tape, an 80s-themed area complete with Scoops Ahoy ice cream, Surfer Boy Pizza, and the Palace Arcade. Of course, all the regular Luna Park favourites are still running, including the park’s nine new rides.
Note: While this event is suitable for ages 5+ (under 14s must be accompanied by an adult) Contains some mature content, strobe effects, and sudden loud noises
When: From May 23rd, 2025
Where: Crystal Palace, Luna Park Sydney
Cost: From $53 (general admission), $81 (VIP package)
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible venue with accessible toilets, Service animals welcome, Companion cards accepted.
Transport: Milsons Point train station (accessible) or ferry
Combine your visit with a walk through Wendy’s Secret Garden or across the Harbour Bridge for a full day out.
Festivals, Fairs and community events
The Other Art Fair
The Other Art Fair brings together over 100 of Australia’s most exciting independent artists in one vibrant space. This unique event breaks down the traditional barriers between artists and art lovers, creating an environment where you can meet creators face-to-face and buy artwork directly from them.
The fair features emerging and established artists, immersive installations, and hands-on experiences. There’s a café on site, and the venue is close to several good local pubs and restaurants if you want to make a day of it.
When: 8-11 May 2025, Thur. 5pm-10pm, Fri. 3pm-10pm, Sat. 10am-6pm, Sun. 10am-5pm
Where: White Bay Cruise Terminal James Craig Rd, Rozelle
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible venue, ramps throughout
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: 28 May – 1 June 2025
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, including:
- Brown Women Comedy (22-25 April): Award-winning showcase of Indian & South Asian Australian comedians featuring Daizy Maan, Kru Harale, Niv Prakasham & Ramya Ramapriya
- Gladys – A Musical Affair (24 April): A hilarious musical satire about former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, complete with tap dancing and musical press conferences
- Malaysian Comedy All-Stars (8-10 May): Featuring three of Malaysia’s finest stand-up comedians – Kavin Jay, Andrew Netto, and Mad Sabah
- Swamplesque (10 May): An award-winning ogre-inspired burlesque and drag parody that’s taken Australia by storm
- Ivan Aristeguieta: All Bangers, No Mash! (10 May): The Venezuelan comedy sensation returns with his signature high-energy stand-up
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
Markets
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: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Where: The Streets of Barangaroo
Cost: Free entry More: Visit the market website
The Ultimate Autumn Market at Wentworth Point
One of the season’s largest community markets features over 100 stalls offering everything from artisan products and gourmet treats to fashion and homewares. The family-friendly event includes live music, entertainment, and children’s rides.
When: Sunday 18 May 2025, 9:00am to 3:00pm
Where: Wentworth Point
Cost: Free entry
Theatre, Musicals and Drama
An Evening With: The Music of Peter Allen
A star-studded fundraising concert celebrating Australia’s legendary showman. Hear musical theatre’s brightest stars perform classics like “Tenterfield Saddler,” “I Go to Rio,” and “I Honestly Love You” in an intimate setting. Cast to be announced.
When: Friday, May 2, 2025 (One night only)
Where: Hayes Theatre Co, Potts Point
UPU at Sydney Opera House
Experience the Australian premiere of this powerful celebration of Māori and Pasifika poetry. ‘UPU’ brings together the words of 28 poets from across the Pacific, performed by six of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most celebrated actors.
Led by director Fasitua Amosa, this acclaimed production spans five decades of storytelling from Te Moana nui a Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean).
When: 7-10 May 2025
Where: Studio, Sydney Opera House
Cost: From $30.90 (+ booking fee)
Bookings: sydneyoperahouse.com
Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular
The world’s longest-running musical comes to Sydney in a spectacular new arena production featuring a cast and orchestra of over 65. Experience this beloved story of redemption and revolution with stunning new staging specifically created for larger venues.
When: April 30 – May 11, 2025
Where: ICC Sydney
Cost: From $90
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Based on Pedro Almodóvar’s iconic film, this wild comedy follows Pepa, a heartbroken actress in 1980s Madrid, as her life spirals into chaos after her lover vanishes. Expect vengeful ex-wives, terrorists, spiked gazpacho, and pure mayhem. Directed by Alexander Berlage (American Psycho, Cry Baby).
When: May 9 – June 8, 2025 Wed.-Sat. 7:30pm, Thur. 1pm, Sat. 2pm Sun. 1pm & 6:30pm
Where: Hayes Theatre Co, Potts Point
Heaven at Qtopia Sydney
Following acclaimed seasons in Dublin, New York, Edinburgh, and London, this award-winning Irish play arrives in Sydney. Winner of both the 2023 Irish Times Award for Best New Play and Scotsman Fringe First Award, “Heaven” tells the story of a 20-year marriage quietly unraveling during a rural Irish wedding weekend.
Directed by Kate Gaul (CAMP, Opera Australia’s Magic Flute) and starring Lucy Miller and Noel Hodda, this touching examination of identity, regret, and secret desires unfolds through alternating monologues.
When: May 14-31, 2025, 7pm, Previews: May 14-15, regular performances: Tuesday-Saturday
Where: The Loading Dock Theatre, Qtopia Sydney, 301 Forbes St, Darlinghurst
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: $45 General Admission, $35 Concession, $30 Previews Bookings
And Then There Were None
Agatha Christie’s best-selling crime novel comes to life in this gripping new production. Ten strangers are lured to a solitary mansion where their dark secrets come back to haunt them.
Note: Contains references to suicide, gunshot effects and flashing lights
When: May 3 – June 1, 2025
Where: Theatre Royal Sydney
Cost: from $69.90
Artist to Artist: Megan Cope and Raven Chacon
Quandamooka artist Megan Cope (creator of Opera House’s 50th anniversary work ‘Whispers’) joins Pulitzer Prize-winner Raven Chacon for a powerful discussion on First Nations cultural practice and resistance. Together they explore how Indigenous art can challenge erasure and reassert traditional knowledge.
When: May 20, 2025, 6:30pm
Where: Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House
Romeo & Juliet by Come You Spirits
Come You Spirits brings their acclaimed interpretation of Shakespeare’s most famous love story to The Lounge. Set in a post-apocalyptic steampunk world, this immersive production blends dynamic physicality with innovative staging to create an intimate theatrical experience.
Fresh from their five-star season of Antony & Cleopatra, the company presents a visceral take on this timeless tale of love, fate, and family conflict. The production features Ciaran O’Riordan as Romeo and Charlotte Edwards as Juliet.
When: May 21-24, 2025
Where: The Lounge, Chatswood Concourse
Cost: Students $25, Concession $35, Adults $45
Eureka Day
Eureka Day Fresh from Broadway and West End success, this New York Times Critics’ Pick arrives in Sydney. When a mumps outbreak hits a progressive prep school, parental politics explode in Jonathan Spector’s razor-sharp comedy about vaccination, values and viral social media moments.
When: 29 May-21 June
Where: Seymour Centre, Cnr City Rd and Cleveland St Chippendale
Yes Yes Yes
This thought-provoking theatrical experience tackles the complexities of relationships, desire, and consent through the interweaving stories of two couples. Blending documentary-style storytelling with intimate solo performance and audience interaction, the show creates a safe space for discussing challenging topics.
Developed through interviews with teenagers, this humorous yet moving production is specifically crafted for young adults and their caregivers.
Note: Age recommendation 14+ accompanied by an adult. Contains adult content & discusses themes of sexual violence.
When: Tuesday 27 May 2025, 7:00pm
Where: Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres Parramatta
Cost: From $28
The Lover & The Dumb Waiter
A double bill of Harold Pinter’s darkly comic one-acts starring Nicole da Silva and Gareth Davies. Watch a marriage unravel in ‘The Lover’ while two hitmen await instructions in ‘The Dumb Waiter’.
When: May 2 – June 7, 2025
Where: Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli
The Producers
Following a sold-out season at Hayes Theatre Co, this Tony Award-winning Mel Brooks musical transfers to Riverside Theatres. The production stars Anton Berezin (The Phantom of the Opera) as Max Bialystock and Des Flanagan (Moulin Rouge!) as Leo Bloom in this outrageous comedy about two theatrical producers scheming to create Broadway’s biggest flop.
When: May 15-18, 2025
Where: Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
Cost: From $79
The Wrong Gods
A powerful new play from S. Shakthidharan (Counting and Cracking) about tradition, progress and sacrifice. In an ancient Indian valley, a mother and daughter face difficult choices when outsiders arrive with new technologies and new gods, asking what price we’re willing to pay for progress. Stars Nadie Kammallaweera, Radhika Mudaliyar and Vaishnavi Suryaprakash.
When: May 3 – June 1, 2025
Where: Belvoir St Theatre (Upstairs), Surry Hills
Cost: $41-97
Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out LIVE!
Celebrating 21 years of Peppa Pig, this brand new stage show arrives direct from London’s West End. Join Peppa and friends for an oinktastic adventure at the zoo and beach, complete with singing, dancing, and of course, muddy puddles!
This Australian production features special new puppets and an all-Australian cast.
When: May 17-18, 2025 at 10am, 1pm, and 4pm daily, Newcastle: May 14, 2025, 10:00am
Where: Sydney: The Coliseum and Newcastle: Civic Theatre
More: Book tickets at peppapiglive.com.au
Music, and Dance
Illume – Bangarra Dance Theatre
A groundbreaking collaboration between artistic director Frances Rings and visual artist Darrell Sibosado exploring light as a bridge between physical and spiritual worlds. This world-premiere production marks Bangarra’s first visual arts collaboration and their debut in the Joan Sutherland Theatre, combining dance, music and visual art to examine our connection to sky country.
When: May 24-28, 2025 – Roslyn Packer Theatre June 4-14, 2025 – Sydney Opera House
Where: Roslyn Packer Theatre & Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Generations and Dynasties at Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House’s celebration of First Nations musical families returns to the Utzon Room this May. Watch renowned musician Bunna Lawrie, founding member of Coloured Stone, perform and share stories alongside his children. These intimate evenings blend live performance with conversation about culture, creativity, and family legacy.
May’s featured performers include Bunna Lawrie performing with his children Jason Scott, Jhindu-Pedro Lawrie, Yirgjhilya and Catherine Satour.
When: 14 May 2025, 7:30pm
Where: Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House
Cost: $25 + booking fee l Bookings: sydneyoperahouse.com
Manon
The Australian Ballet presents this passionate story of love and ambition, following a young woman’s journey through the glittering heights of Parisian society to tragedy in New Orleans.
Note: Contains adult themes and sexually explicit content
When: April 30 – May 17, 2025
Where: Sydney Opera House
Red Hot Summer Tour
Series two boasts international rock legends ZZ Top and George Thorogood & The Destroyers, along with Australian acts The Living End, Baby Animals, Rose Tattoo, and Dallas Frasca.
When: 3 May- 4 May 2025, 12:30pm to 8pm
Where: 3 May Roche Estate Hunter Valley, 4 May Stuart Park Wollongong
More: check the festival site
Hollywood Songbook – Musica Viva Australia
Join Signum Saxophone Quartet and Australian opera star Ali McGregor for an enchanting evening of music spanning from Berlin to Hollywood.
This unique collaboration features works by Kurt Weill, Hanns Eisler, Leonard Bernstein, Cole Porter, and more, celebrating the impact of European émigrés on 20th-century music.
When: Monday 12 May 2025, 7:00pm
Where: City Recital Hall, Sydney
More: Tickets available through Musica Viva Australia’s website
Piaf! The Show
A one-night-only celebration of legendary French singer Edith Piaf’s extraordinary life and music.
When: May 15, 2025
Where: State Theatre Sydney
Under the Milky Way – Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir
The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir presents an extraordinary celebration of Australian music featuring over 100 singers performing 24 iconic songs from the nation’s greatest artists. This powerful concert includes choral arrangements of classics from Cold Chisel, Kylie Minogue, AC/DC, and Indigenous artists Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu and Yothu Yindi.
The repertoire spans from protest anthems like “Beds Are Burning” to beloved ballads like “The Day You Went Away,” showcasing the diverse musical heritage that has shaped Australia’s cultural identity. The non-auditioned choir has been a vital part of Sydney’s LGBTQI community for over 30 years.
When: Saturday May 31, 2025, shows at 4pm and 8pm
Where: Petersham Town Hall, 107 Crystal St, Petersham
Cost: $45-$55 Bookings: Available through Humanitix
Accessibility: Venue is wheelchair accessible
Kids Proms: Epic Quest
The Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra presents their popular Kids Proms concerts, featuring an ‘Epic Quest’ theme. These family-friendly performances are hosted by children’s entertainer Emily Who-McKnight and conducted by Edward McKnight, making classical music accessible and enjoyable for young audiences.
When: Sunday 25 May 2025 (1pm and 3:30pm)
Where: Turramurra Uniting Church
Cost: Visit kpo.org.au for tickets
Art & Exhibitions
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Three new exhibitions celebrate Australian contemporary art this autumn: Kamilaroi artist Warraba Weatherall’s first solo museum show, contemporary paintings by 14 women artists in ‘The Intelligence of Painting’, and Diena Georgetti’s striking entrance wall commission.
The MCA’s autumn program features 34 artists from across Australia, including significant works from First Nations artists and new acquisitions from emerging and established contemporary painters. Don’t miss the new displays in the Level 2 galleries, showcasing highlights from the permanent collection.
When: Throughout May 2025
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, The Rocks
Titanic: The Human Story
This compelling exhibition brings the legendary Titanic’s story to life through over 200 original artifacts from passengers and crew members. The exhibition features life-size recreations of the ship’s interiors, personal belongings, and untold stories of those aboard during that fateful journey.
Visitors can explore detailed recreations, hear passenger testimonies through audio guides, and view photographs and handwritten letters that paint a deeply human picture of the historic tragedy. The exhibition, created by award-winning Musealia, arrives in Sydney following its successful Australian debut in Brisbane.
When: Opens May 2025 (Opening date TBC)
Where: Walsh Bay Pier, Sydney
Cost: Adults $49, Children $39
Tickets: Available from April 9, 2025
FoodCrafting Life: Stories from the Japanese Studio
The Japan Foundation’s latest exhibition explores contemporary Japanese craft through three distinct practices: Karatsu ceramics, traditional lacquerware, and sashiko needlework.
Each artisan and collective showcases how traditional techniques are being reimagined for modern life, from functional everyday objects to technically masterful artworks.
When: Until September 27, 2025
Where: The Japan Foundation Gallery, Central Park Mall, Level 4, 28 Broadway, Chippendale
Cost: Free admission and Drink Events
Discover the Treasures of Machu Picchu
The Australian Museum’s summer exhibition, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, brings over 3,000 years of Peruvian history to life.
Created by Peru’s Museo Larco and Museo de Sito Manuel Chavez Ballon in collaboration with Neon Global, this immersive experience features 134 rare artifacts, including golden treasures from royal tombs, intricate jewels, masks, and ancient objects of worship.
A highlight is the Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor VR experience, offering a breathtaking bird’s-eye journey through the iconic Inca city and an introduction to the life of Emperor Pachacuti.
When: Closing 11 May 2025
Where: Australian Museum, 1 William St, Sydney NSW 2000
Tickets: Off peak: Adult $37.50, Child $20, Family $94; Peak: Adult $42.5
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The world’s most prestigious wildlife photography exhibition arrives at the Maritime Museum, celebrating its 60th year. The exhibition features extraordinary images capturing animal behavior and spectacular species from around the world, including work from three Australian category winners.
2025 Category Winner by Justin Gilligan
Highlights include Jannico Kelk’s winning shot of a greater bilby, Justin Gilligan’s powerful image of ocean pollution’s impact on seabirds, and Matthew Smith’s captivating underwater photograph of a leopard seal. The exhibition is on loan from London’s Natural History Museum and features winning entries from 117 countries.
When: Opens May 15, 2025
Where: Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour
Cost: Included with museum entry
Seeing Sydney, Knowing Country
This thought-provoking exhibition at the Museum of Sydney explores the complex history of land ownership and dispossession in colonial Sydney, from Governor Phillip’s first territorial claim at Manly Cove to contemporary understanding of First Nations custodianship.
Created in collaboration with the Sydney Coastal Aboriginal Women’s Group, the exhibition examines the impact of colonial boundary-making and land ownership, starting with Governor Phillip’s first territorial claim at Manly Cove in 1788. It offers visitors a deeper understanding of Sydney’s landscapes from both colonial and First Nations perspectives.
When: April 1 – August 3, 2025
Where: Museum of Sydney
Cost: Museum entry fees apply
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.”
Opening night in Sydney features a special double-bill screening with festivities including drinks and snacks. Throughout the month, the festival presents nine feature films, 11 documentaries, and 13 short films, with some screenings featuring filmmaker Q&As.
When: May 4-31, 2025
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, including:
- “The Teacher” – Oscar-nominated Farah Nabulsi’s latest drama
- “Passing Dreams” – A lyrical road movie (Sydney exclusive)
- “Thanks for Banking With Us” – A feminist drama about sisterhood and resistance
- “From Ground Zero” – A compilation of 22 short works by Palestinian artists
When: May 1-4, 2025
Where: Dendy Newtown
Program Highlights: Visit festival website
Food and Drink
Meatstock 2025
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: May 9-11, 2025 Friday 3pm-10pm Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 10am-6pm
Where: Sydney Showground, Olympic Park.
Cost: from $55
Pyrmont Food and Wine Festival
The Pyrmont Festival returns for its 13th year, transforming Pirrama Park into a celebration of NSW food and wine. This year’s event features 24 wineries and breweries, five local distilleries, and an impressive lineup of food vendors including a Japanese Aburi Bar and Cheeky Naked Oyster Bar from Sydney Fish Market.
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.
More: Throughout May, enjoy special “Nights in the Peninsula” events including wine tastings at Pyrmont Cellars and masterclasses at Sydney Seafood School.
When: 17-18 May 2025
Where: Pirrama Park Pyrmont l Free entry
Find all Sydney’s best autumn 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 11 May 2025
Where: The Domain
Million Paws Walk
The last Million Paws Walk ever! This event is for fur parents and animal lovers to help the fight against animal cruelty. Whether your pet dog likes to strut, crawl or bolt, they will be more than welcome on this fun-filled day out.
When: 25 May 2025
Where: Various locations in NSW including Sydney
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 2025 festiThe Australian Celtic Festival transforms Glen Innes into a Celtic wonderland, starting with Friday night’s traditional Cèilidh featuring live music, fire pits, and dancing. 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: 1-4 May 2025, Friday 5pm-10pm, Saturday from 8:30am
Where: Australian Standing Stones, Glen Innes, NSW
Cost: $45 daypass $82 for a weekend pass
Robertson Potato Festival
It’s time to head to Robertson and join this celebration of the humble potato at the now annual Robertson Potato Festival. While people joke about the town’s Big Potato, which let’s face it is not exactly a draw card, the town’s edible potatoes are something special.
There is plenty to see in the surrounding southern highlands towns, so why not stay a few days?
When: 4-5 May 2025
Where Robertson Showgrounds, 2315 Kangaloon Rd, Robertson
Tickets: Free
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.
Highlights include:
- Twilight Feast featuring local produce and zero-waste dining
- Workshops on traditional crafts and sustainable practices
- Talks by Costa Georgiadis, Kirsten Bradley (Milkwood), and Indigenous leaders
- Cultural bushwalks and wellness activities
- Providore Marketplace showcasing regional produce
The festival offers accommodation packages in Bundanon’s award-winning Bridge building, including special dining experiences and guided tours.
When: May 17-18, 2025
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.
The main festival kicks off Friday May 2 with live music, fireworks, and plenty of fresh oysters. Alongside the Narooma Rocks Oyster Bar and Champagne Bar, you’ll find food markets offering everything from BBQ octopus to Japanese cuisine. A free shuttle bus runs between Dalmeny and Narooma.
When: Main Festival: May 2-3, 2025
Where: Quota Park, Narooma NSW
Transport: Free shuttle bus 4:30pm-9:30pm, Friday Hours: 4pm-9pm
Ironman Australia Port Macquarie
Australia’s oldest IRONMAN event returns to Port Macquarie, hosting both the full IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 races. Athletes will tackle a swim in the calm waters of Hastings River, followed by a spectacular ride along the Pacific Ocean, and finish with a run through the heart of Port Macquarie.
This family-friendly coastal town is home to the Oceania TriClub Championship and known for its incredible community support during race week. The enthusiastic local crowds and laid-back atmosphere keep competitors returning year after year.
When: 4 May 2025
Where: Port Macquarie, Start Hastings River
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: 2-4 May 2025
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.
This charity event supports Southern Youth and Family Services’ education and employment programs for vulnerable young people in the Illawarra region. Beyond the cycling, visitors can enjoy food stalls, live entertainment, bike expos, and workshops celebrating Wollongong’s UCI Bike City status.
Where: Marine Drive, Wollongong
Cost: Various entry fees (supports SYFS charity)
Includes: Finisher medal, recovery station access, expo entry
Thirroul Seaside Arts Festival
The Thirroul Arts Festival is a weekend celebration of arts and seaside life. The festival features an art show with paintings, sculptures, photography, and miniatures available for purchase, plus craft stalls.
When: 30 May (7pm opening, $25 entry), 31 (10am-4pm), and 1 June (10am-2pm), 2025
Where: Thirroul District Community Centre, 352-358 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Thirroul
Cost: Gold coin donation (except opening night)
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.
Note: No dogs allowed except assistance dogs and participating Scottish Terriers due to gunfire and horse activities
When: Saturday 24 May 2025
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.
Families can enjoy the Kids Korner entertainment area while adults explore The Mixed Grill and meet local producers. The festival combines inspirational food, wine, and arts in a relaxed country setting at the Moree Racecourse.
When: Saturday, 10 May 2025
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: May 3-4, 2025
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: Daily, Saturday, 5 April 2025 until Sunday, 25 May 2025
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.
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Main Image Credit: Spinifex Group via Destination NSW
Excited to go to that Wellness Festival, gonna tell my friends to join me. Thanks!
are there any classic music concerts in sydney in the 2nd half of May