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

Ghost in The Rocks, Australia’s biggest Halloween street festival, takes over Circular Quay and The Rocks for four nights, with Halloween itself falling on the Saturday this year. More than 250,000 people visited in 2025, and organisers are expecting over 300,000 for 2026.

The festival draws its story from The Rocks’ own history rather than importing generic Halloween decor. This year’s theme centres on Anne Kirkman, said to have haunted the Hero of Waterloo on Lower Fort Street since 1849, and Thomas Warne, murdered in The Rocks in 1844.

Daytime is family friendly, with the precinct shifting into an adults after dark atmosphere once the sun goes down. Visitors pick from four realms across the festival: food and drink, horror, nightlife and family classics.

When: Thursday 29 October – Sunday 1 November 2026 (George Street and the Overseas Passenger Terminal close to traffic 7pm–midnight on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October)
Where: Circular Quay and The Rocks, Sydney
Cost: Free entry across all four nights, including all live street performances.

Halloscream at Luna Park Sydney

Halloscream turns Luna Park into an after-dark Halloween festival, combining unlimited rides with dedicated scare mazes, immersive Halloween experiences and entertainment. It’s pitched at adults and older teenagers rather than young children, with Sydney Harbour as the backdrop.

When: 29–31 October 2026
Where: Luna Park Sydney, 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point
Cost: Ticketed, prices vary by session and ticket type.

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. This year there are two Halloween tours this year, one for thrill seekers and one toned down for families, plus a separate daytime trick or treat hunt for kids.

• Halloween Tour (Adults): A 90 minute guided walk through the site’s most chilling stories, with a pop-up bar before or after and a best dressed costume prize.

• Halloween Tour (Family): The same 90 minute Halloween format with toned down scares, interactive moments and costume prizes, aimed at all ages.

When: Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October 2026
Where: Q Station, Manly l Cost: Adults $50, child $50, family rate $149

Spookyween Trick or Hunt: A drop-in treasure hunt around the wharf area, with kids following clues to swap discoveries for treats. No booking required.

When: Sunday 25 October 2026, 10am–3pm, drop in any time
Where: Q Station, Manly l Bookings l Cost: $5

Sydney Zombie Walk

Thousands of zombies take over the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay for the day, with Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House as the backdrop.

Expect stunt zombie horses and riders, a zombie dance troupe, the Ghostbusters and their Ecto-1, guest celebrities and a full afternoon of general entertainment before the walk itself sets off.

When: 12pm-5pm Saturday, 24th October 2026
Where: Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay 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:

When: 3-5 October 2026
Where: Central Station and various Sydney locations
Cost: From $15 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

Merrylands Spring Market

Cambridge Markets brings its first indoor market to Merrylands, taking over a full floor of the Mason & Main precinct with fifty stalls across fashion, food, homewares and more. It’s under cover, so it goes ahead regardless of weather.

When: Saturday 17 October 2026, 10am–4pm
Where: Level 1, Mason & Main precinct, 40 McFarlane Street, Merrylands

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

Sydney Festival of Magic & Illusion

Sydney gets its first Festival of Magic & Illusion this October, with more than 20 shows across four days at the Regent Theatre in Richmond. Magicians, illusionists, mind readers and family entertainers from Australia and overseas cover everything from close-up sleight of hand to comedy magic and full-scale theatre shows. Daytime programming includes family shows like Academy of Magic and ABRA-KID-ABRA!, while evening shows lean into close-up magic, mentalism and adult comedy. The festival closes with Stars of Magic, a showcase of the season’s top performers.

When: 8–11 October 2026
Where: Regent Theatre, 145 Windsor Street, Richmond
Cost: Varies by show.

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)

Islander

Islander makes its Sydney debut with Australian Theatre for Young People, in a new Australian adaptation of the UK musical. Two actors, Georgia Laga’aia and Rebecca Ordiz, use loop pedal technology to build an entire town on stage, following two friends as they confront old family rifts and the pull of the sea.

This version explores Australian Pacific identity and climate change, with one song performed in Samoan. Suitable for ages 8 and up.

When: 6–17 October 2026
Where: The Popsy, Pier 2/3, Dawes Point
Cost: $30–35

Dangerous When Wet: The Musical

This all female, vaudeville style musical comedy tells the true story of Australian swimmers Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie, who fought to represent Australia and won gold and silver in the 100m freestyle at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

It’s a world premiere staged at Randwick Town Hall, close to Wylie’s Baths in Coogee, the pool named after Mina Wylie herself.

When: 8–18 October 2026 (previews 2pm and 7pm Thursday 8 October, opening night Friday 9 October)
Where: Randwick Town Hall
Cost: $25–100

A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen

Theatre maker Joshua Hinton and his brother Dominic blend storytelling, music and live cooking in this show about family, migration and identity.

Hinton cooks his grandmother’s chicken curry recipe on stage each night, tracing his Persian, Indian, South African, Jewish and Baháʼí heritage, and audiences share a bowl as they leave. Suitable for ages 12 and up.

When: 14–17 October 2026
Where: Studio, Sydney Opera House
Cost: $59 plus booking fee

Cruise

Cruise returns to the Seymour Centre after a sold out, five star Australian premiere. The solo show follows Michael Spencer, a man diagnosed with HIV in 1984 and given four years to live, moving between more than twenty characters across a single 90 minute monologue set in London’s Soho nightlife.

It’s a tribute to queer community and the generation lost to the AIDS crisis.

When: 9–31 October 2026
Where: Seymour Centre, Chippendale
Cost: $41–59, concessions available

Show Up!

Show Up! is a new monthly variety show launching at Darling Quarter Theatre, created and hosted by entertainer and producer Nick Hardcastle and presented by Century Venues. Each night blends music, comedy, cabaret, circus and surprise guest appearances, with a different lineup every month and no fixed idea of who or what will turn up.

The launch night on 19 October marks a 20th anniversary tribute to Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical, with appearances from original cast members Tony Sheldon, Marney McQueen and Genevieve Lemon. Past contributors to the format include Phil Burton, Jason Arrow, Tyrone Noonan and Catherine Alcorn, with Nikki Webster and her dancers as regulars.

When: Launches Monday 19 October 2026, then monthly on Mondays (16 November, 14 December and into 2027)
Where: Darling Quarter Theatre, Sydney
Cost: $50 Tickets at showuplive.com.au

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

Japan Jazz Nights

Japan Jazz Nights is a national touring series marking 50 years of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Japan and Australia, presented by The Japan Foundation and Eight Islands Co. The tour brings four contemporary Japanese jazz acts across seven Australian cities, with collaborations alongside local musicians along the way.

Sydney’s confirmed date features pianist, producer and singer Misaki Umei performing alongside Cracked Suzies, as part of the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival. Umei was named one of Rolling Stone Japan’s Future of Music artists in 2025 and released her debut album Asleep Above Creatures the same year.

When: Thursday 29 October 2026, 7pm–10pm
Where: Heaps Normal Health Club, 2/10 Brompton St, Marrickville
Cost: $49 Tickets

Paul Lewis: Mozart+

British pianist Paul Lewis, known for his recordings of Beethoven and Schubert, brings his international recital tour to Sydney with a program centred on Mozart. Presented by Musica Viva Australia.

When: Monday 12 October 2026, 7pm
Where: City Recital Hall
Cost: $65–135 (under 40s $49, children $20, plus booking fee)

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, Exhibitions and Talks

Curious

The Sydney Opera House’s ideas festival returns across two dates this year, with conversations covering consciousness, politics, food and AI. The October session includes chef Sami Tamimi discussing his cookbook Boustany, and a session on the succession battle inside the Murdoch media empire. The wider program features Magda Szubanski, Michael Pollan and Zayd Ayers Dohrn.

When: Sunday 4 October 2026 (a second date runs Wednesday 4 November)
Where: Sydney Opera House, various venues
Cost: From $39 plus $8.95 booking fee

Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize

Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf marks the 25th anniversary of Australia’s most prestigious small sculpture award, with 49 finalists selected from 724 entries across Australia, the US and Ireland. Work spans bronze, glass, ceramics and assemblage, including pieces made from recycled materials, 3D printing and kinetic elements. The winner takes home $25,000 and a place in Woollahra Council’s public art collection, with the winner announced on 1 October, ahead of the exhibition opening.

Free public programs run throughout the season, including director’s tours, gallery tours, artist talks and workshops for adults, plus a new Super Small Sculpture Prize for primary school-aged children, exhibited alongside the main show from 4–29 November.

When: Exhibition 2 October – 29 November 2026 (winners announced 1 October)
Where: Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf, 548 New South Head Road, Double Bay

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.

The Jewish International Film Festival opens its 2026 season early with a launch screening of Cancelled, a documentary following musician Deborah Conway, visual artist Nina Sanadze, writer Joshua Dabelstein and circus artist Talia Sofizade as they navigate rising antisemitism in Australia’s arts sector, culminating in the Bondi terror attack.

The screening is followed by a panel discussion with director Danny Ben-Moshe, documentary subject Joshua Dabelstein, producers Jamie Bialkower and Nicki Roller, and AJN journalist Jessica Abelsohn as moderator.

When: Ritz Cinemas, Randwick, Monday 19 October – Thursday 26 November 2026
Where: Ritz Cinemas, Randwick, and Roseville Cinemas, Roseville

Food and Drink Events

Wahroonga Food + Wine Festival

The Wahroonga Food + Wine Festival marks its 12th year with a full day in Wahroonga Park. More than 30 NSW wineries pour upwards of 130 wines, alongside craft beer, small batch spirits, global food stalls and live music on the rotunda stage.

Entry is free, and dogs on a leash are welcome.

When: Sunday 25 October 2026, 11am–5pm
Where: Wahroonga Park, Wahroonga
Cost: Free entry. Wine tasting packages sold separately on the day or in advance.

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

Repco Bathurst 1000

Supercars racing returns to Mount Panorama for the Repco Bathurst 1000, one of the biggest events on Australia’s motorsport calendar. The race weekend draws thousands of fans to the Central West, and Bathurst is worth a proper stay rather than a quick dash up and back if you can spare the time.

When: 8–11 October 2026
Where: Mount Panorama, Bathurst
Cost: Ticketed. Children 12 and under get free general admission with a paying adult.

Horizontal Festival Family Day

Horizontal Festival’s Family Day brings art classes, circus workshops, working dogs and live music to Centennial Vineyards for one afternoon of its three day regional food and wine festival.

Parents can explore more than 80 wineries, distillers and producers while kids join workshops or the Main Stage show.

When: Sunday 4 October 2026, 12pm–4pm
Where: Centennial Vineyards, Bowral, Southern Highlands
Cost: $59 adults $25 for children aged 3–14, free for children 2 and under

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

Day Well Spent: Around the World

Berry’s free, family-friendly live music day returns for its final 2026 edition, with the Around the World theme closing out a series that’s brought artists from as far as Western Australia and Canberra to the town. The program runs across multiple venues in the village, with audiences encouraged to wander between performances and make a day, or a weekend, of it.

When: Saturday 31 October – Sunday 1 November 2026
Where: Venues across Berry, South Coast NSW
Cost: Free More: extendtheweekend.berry.org.au

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