What’s on in Sydney in October

October in Sydney means warm spring days and later sunsets, with daylight saving starting on the 4th. The month starts busy with Labour Day (Monday 5 October) and school holidays running until October 9th. Expect higher prices and more visitors during these dates, book your accommodation early.

This month features some of Sydney’s biggest events including Sculpture by the Sea, and plenty of food festivals and markets.

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Major October Events in Sydney

Sculpture by the Sea

With 100 artworks by Australian and international sculptors, the world’s largest free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition begins this month for its 28th year. This year also marks 30 years since the very first Bondi exhibition. Around 450,000 visitors are expected to attend the free exhibition, which runs over more than two weeks.

Japanese artist Keizo Ushio will celebrate his 50th Sculpture by the Sea exhibition this year.

When: 16 October until 2 November 2026
Where: Bondi to Tamarama Coastal Walk
Cost: Free, get our tips for visiting here.

Halloween Events

Sydney transforms for Halloween with events across the city from family-friendly activities to adults-only haunted experiences.

Ghost in The Rocks Festival

The historic Rocks district comes alive with Halloween festivities including haunted houses, ghost tours, and themed markets.

When: TCB
Where: The Rocks
Cost: Free entry, some events ticketed

Halloween Ghost Tours

Several operators offer spooky walking tours during Halloween:

• The Rocks Ghost Tours – Two-hour guided walks through historic laneways and cobblestone streets.
• Haunted Sydney Pub Tour – visit historic pubs including the Hero of Waterloo’s haunted cellar.

Q Station Halloween Events

The former quarantine station in Manly offers a range of Halloween experiences in its historic buildings. Their Halloween Night Tour includes a costume contest, while families can join the Little Ghostbusters Event or try the Spookyween treasure hunt (ages 7 years and above).

The Family Spooks ghost tour welcomes children as young as seven. For overnight guests, the Heritage Suite and Terraces rooms in the old doctors’ quarters add an extra layer of atmosphere to your Halloween experience.

Where: Sydney Harbour National Park, Manly
Bookings: qstation.com.au

Sydney Zombie Walk

The streets of Sydney’s CBD transform into an apocalyptic scene on November 1st as 10,000 zombies shuffle through the city centre.

This family-friendly event supporting kids with Cancer Foundation and Redfern Aboriginal Dance Group encourages participants to showcase their most creative undead costumes while raising funds for the Kids with Cancer Foundation and Redfern Aboriginal Dance Group.

When: 10am – 5pm Saturday, 1st November 2025
Where: St Mary’s Cathedral Square, Sydney Australia l More details here

Festivals, Fairs and Community Events

Transport Heritage Expo

Two historic steam locomotives race through Sydney’s suburbs this October long weekend. The 124-year-old locomotive 3001 will compete against the 108-year-old express locomotive 3526 along the Illawarra Line to Hurstville in this rare heritage event.

The three-day expo offers several unique transport experiences:

• Steam train rides to Hurstville
• 1960s vintage railcar journeys
• Double-decker vintage bus tours of the CBD
• Harbour cruises on 120-year-old steam vessels
• High tea service in a 1960s dining car
• Tours of Central Clock Tower and Mortuary Station

When: October dates to be confirmed
Where: Central Station and various Sydney locations
Cost: Various prices l Bookings: transportheritageexpo.com

Parramatta Lanes

Over four fun-filled nights, explore new tastes, sounds, and artwork as Parramatta morphs into a labyrinth of free after-dark entertainment for Parramatta Lanes.

Sample new flavours from bars and food trucks, get your groove on to the beat of eclectic musical performances, and check out striking art displays tucked away within the alleys.

When: 21-24 October 2026
Where: Parramatta Square and surrounding laneways

Gymea Spring Fair

The Gymea Village Festival, one of the biggest events in the Shire, has attracted over 50,000 visitors in past years. On offer are more than 200 stalls stretching along Gymea Bay Road from The Kingsway to President Avenue, featuring a wide variety of goods from food to fashion, wine to flowers.

When: Sunday 26 October 2025
Where: Gymea Bay Road, Gymea

Sydney Ceramics Market

The Sydney Ceramics Market is set to return this October for its fifth year, showcasing local ceramicists from NSW and ACT as part of Sydney Craft Week.

This two-day event at Carriageworks offers a unique opportunity to discover and purchase stunning ceramic art, from sculptural pieces to functional tableware, directly from local artists and makers.

When: 17-18 October 2026
Where: Carriageworks Bays 22-24, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh

Norton Street Italian Festa

Since 1986, the Norton Street Italian Festa has been helping the local community celebrate Italy and all things Italian. This year marks the festival’s 40th anniversary, with four stages of music, dance and cooking to entertain you and 100s of stalls to fill your belly and your shopping bags.

When: 10am-5pm, 25th October 2026
Where: Norton Street in Leichhardt
More: Find more information on the event site

Theatre and opera

We Are The Tigers

Cheers Productions brings the cult-hit musical to Hayes Theatre this October. Set at a cheerleading squad’s annual sleepover, the story follows the team after a teammate turns up dead. As rivalries build and secrets come out, the squad has to find the truth before someone else becomes a target.

Brianna Bishop (Grease, Hairspray) leads the cast as team captain Riley, alongside Olivia Vásquez (Moulin Rouge! The Musical, In the Heights) as Cairo. The show is directed and choreographed by Chiara Assetta, making her directorial debut, with a pop-rock score by Preston Max Allen.

Part cheer competition, part whodunnit, the show has built an international cult following for its sharp humour and twist-filled plot.

When: 9 October – 8 November 2026
Where: Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point
Cost: Previews from $69, in-season from $79 (concession from $74)

Music, Comedy and Dance

DanceRites

Australia’s only national dance competition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups returns to the Sydney Opera House Forecourt for its ninth year.

Dance groups compete on the sand circle stage, performing traditional Cultural Dance and Song Cycle pieces alongside an optional Wild Card showcase, judged by a panel of First Nations dance experts on language, culture and technical skill.

When: Saturday 24 – Sunday 25 October 2026
Where: Sydney Opera House Forecourt
Cost: Free for spectators

Mode Festival

Cockatoo Island transforms into a full-day electronic music festival for Sydney’s Labour Day long weekend. Headliners include Barry Can’t Swim, Interplanetary Criminal and Richie Hawtin, backed by a lineup mixing international names with Sydney talent.

When: Sunday 4 October 2026 (Labour Day weekend)
Where: Cockatoo Island/Wareamah, Sydney
Cost: Tickets via modefestival.com.au

Strummingbird Festival

Australia’s largest touring country festival rolls into Newcastle Foreshore this October, headlined by Post Malone alongside Bailey Zimmerman and Cooper Alan.

The lineup mixes international country names with Australian acts including Sydney’s Sons of the East, plus line dancing sessions between sets.

When: Saturday 17 October 2026
Where: Newcastle Foreshore, Newcastle
Cost: Adults from $249, kids from $55 l Tickets via strummingbird.com.au

Mozart, Salieri & Pleyel

The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra brings a large-scale classical program anchored by Mozart’s Symphony No. 39, alongside the Australian premiere of a Salieri sinfonia unheard until 2024 and the world premiere of a newly rediscovered Pleyel concerto, played by the Brandenburg’s Principal Bass Robert Nairn. Expect an expanded orchestra with full winds, brass, timpani and a 19-piece string section.

When: Wed 21 Oct 7pm, Fri 23 Oct 7pm, Sat 24 Oct 2pm & 7pm, Tue 27 Oct 7pm
Where: City Recital Hall, Sydney
Cost: More at brandenburg.com.au

Art and Exhibitions

Primavera 2026: Young Australian Artists

The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia presents the 35th edition of its annual Primavera exhibition, spotlighting emerging artists aged 35 and under. Curator Antares Wells brings together artists working across photography, film, installation, textiles and painting, exploring history, memory and the archive.

The exhibition features work by Mark Maurangi Carrol, Stanton Cornish-Ward & Trent Crawford, Callum McGrath, Jahkarli Felicitas Romanis, Linda Sok, Jack Wansbrough and Rudi Williams.

When: 4 September 2025 – 8 March 2026, Mon & Wed-Sun 10am-5pm (Closed Tuesdays)
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, 140 George St, The Rocks

Film Festivals & Events

Irish Film Festival Australia

The Irish Film Festival showcases the best dramas, most compelling documentaries and of course, the famous Irish sense of humour.

Opening night will kick off with the Australian Premiere of Pat Collins’ That They May Face the Rising Sun. Based on the internationally acclaimed novel by Irish author John McGahern, this film captures the beauty of rural Irish life in the 1980s, with a breathtaking blend of nature, humanity, and the rhythms of daily life.

Jewish International film Festival

The Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) returns, offering an exceptional selection of films that explore the diversity and richness of Jewish culture.

From thought-provoking dramas to heartwarming comedies, you’ll experience a broad spectrum of Jewish stories, both historical and contemporary. Highlights include the festival’s opening night film A Real Pain and the closing night feature The Performance, along with special screenings and exclusive Q&A sessions with filmmakers.

When: Dates to be confirmed for 2026
Where: Ritz Cinemas, Randwick

Food and Drink Events

Oktoberfest in the Gardens

Australia’s largest Oktoberfest celebration returns to The Domain for its 15th year. Recently named one of the world’s top five Oktoberfest events by Condé Nast Traveller, this Bavarian festival is expected to draw over 20,000 people for a day of German beer, food and entertainment.

When: 31 October 2026
Where: The Domain l Cost: TBC, Full guide here

Sports and Outdoor Events

Our first sport-related event this week is fundraising for incredibly worthwhile causes. Why not get outdoors, get some exercise and do some good this month?

Seven Bridges Walk

The Seven Bridges Walk will challenge you to cover 28km as you walk around the spectacular harbour and across 7 iconic bridges.

A major fundraiser for the Cancer Council, the Seven Bridges Walk, is a fantastic event that, along with providing a great challenge for walkers and a source of funds for the Cancer Council, is just a brilliant walking route for anyone to take.

The walk is long, 28km in total, but there is plenty of fun along the way with entertainment set up at Pyrmont, Rozelle, Hunters Hill, Lane Cove, Wollstonecraft and Milsons Point. Buses will be available for transport along the route if needed.

When: 25 October 2026
Where: Choose your starting point from the list above.
Cost: $49 early bird or $99 last minute

Get ready for the ultimate motorsports spectacle as Monster Jam returns to Sydney. This adrenaline-charged event features an all-star lineup of 12,000-pound monster trucks, including fan favourites like Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, Max-D, and Megalodon.

You can also enjoy the Monster Jam Pit Party before the main event, where you can see the massive trucks up close, meet your favourite drivers, and enjoy family-friendly activities like the Sand Box play area and remote control truck course.

When: 10 October 2026
Where: Accor Stadium, Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park
More Info: Visit MonsterJam.com

NSW Regional Events in October

Grafton Jacaranda Festival

If you are heading north, schedule a stop in Grafton for one of the most colourful festivals in the country. With the streets full of purple blooms, the markets, exhibitions, concerts and parade will play second fiddle.

When: 30 October – 8 November 2026
Where: Across Grafton 
Check the festival website

Leura Gardens Festival

Leura is the prettiest village in the Blue Mountains and every October for the last 56 years, their gardens festival has attracted visitors keen to check them out in full bloom.

Highlights include stunning displays of azaleas, tulips, bluebells, rhododendrons and my favourite peonies. There is a festival bus to ferry visitors between the properties and art and music events to complement the garden displays.

Spring at Nooroo Garden

Celebrate the beauty of spring at Nooroo Garden, one of Australia’s most renowned gardens. Established in 1880, Nooroo Garden offers a spectacular display of both international and Australian native plants, making it a must-visit destination this season.

Immerse yourself in over 100 years of horticultural history, enjoying spring blooms like daffodils, camellias, magnolias, and rhododendrons. Explore vibrant azalea banks, bluebells, and crocus beds, and admire century-old oaks, chestnuts, and beech trees.

Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Please remember to dispose of your rubbish responsibly. Nooroo Garden is also pet-friendly, with the requirement that pets are kept on a leash and supervised at all times.

When: Daily, mid Sept to mid Nov – dates to be confirmed
Where: 11-15 Church Ln, Mount Wilson
Cost: $10 per adult or $2.50 under 12 year olds.

Griffith Spring Fest

See Griffith burst into bloom at this colourful festival with jaw-dropping citrus sculptures, incredible open gardens and an entertaining launch party featuring live music, local food and kids’ activities.

When: 11-24 October 2026
Where: Corner Banna & Jondaryan Avenue l More details on the website

Savour The Tweed Food Festival

This five-day food festival returns to showcase The Tweed’s culinary scene.

Meet local farmers, producers, distillers and chefs through a series of curated food and drink events celebrating the region’s fresh produce and dining experiences.

When: 21-25 October 2026
Where: The Tweed region, NSW l More details