What’s on in Sydney in September 2026
September heralds the beginning of spring and after a few quiet months where we all tend to hide indoors, the events start coming thick and fast. It’s one of the nicest months of the year. It is also the official beginning of the swimming season, but only the bravest locals hit the water before October.
September is a very affordable time to visit however prices for accommodation and flights rise the week before the school holidays begin at the end of the month.
The Spring school holidays are from Monday 28 September to Friday 9 October 2026
Average Temperatures: 23.4°C (74.12°F) While each year varies September 2024 saw six days of rain.
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New events and updated content are added to these pages as it becomes available. If you have an event, you think our readers may be interested in, please contact us.
Major September Events in Sydney
Sydney Fringe Festival
The Sydney Fringe Festival returns this September with an extraordinary lineup of over 400 events across theatre, music, comedy, dance, visual art, circus, and cabaret.
Sydney Fringe Festival has created four distinct precincts—Inner West, Central, Eastern, and Greater Sydney.
When: 1 – 30 September 2026
Where: Various locations across Sydney, including Inner West, Central, Eastern, and Greater Sydney Precincts
Cost: varies from $12 up More info on the official site
Festival of the Winds
Festival of the Winds, one of Sydney’s most-loved and colourful festivals, is back bigger and better than ever in the new Bondi Pavilion and surrounds.
Check out for all-day entertainment on two stages, children’s activities, kite-making workshops, food and kite stalls, and of course amazing kite displays on Bondi Beach.
An all-inclusive event for young, old and everyone in between, come along and celebrate Spring in Bondi.
When: 13 September 2026, 11am-4pm
Where: Bondi Pavilion Park and Beach
Festivals and Special Events
Yellamundie Festival
Australia’s only national First Peoples storytelling festival returns to Carriageworks, showcasing six groundbreaking new works across theatre, movement, and sound. This biennial celebration provides a platform for First Nations playwrights, composers, and movement directors to develop and share their stories.
The 2025 program features works by H Lawrence Sumner, Jacob Boehme, Jo Clancy & Stuart McMinn, Luke Currie-Richardson, Waverly Stanley Jr, and Maddison Fraser & Harlisha Newie-Jo. Each piece undergoes a two-week development before being presented during the three-day festival.
When: TBC
Where: Carriageworks
Cost: Standard tickets $40, Pay What You Can tickets from $6
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition
Experience the awe-inspiring masterpieces of the Sistine Chapel without leaving Sydney. This immersive exhibition features 34 of Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes recreated in stunning true-to-size detail using innovative printing techniques that capture the texture, color, and intricacy of the original works.
View iconic pieces like The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment at eye level, discovering details often missed in the Vatican’s crowded chapel. Each piece is accompanied by informative signage and optional audio guides, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace.
When: From 29 August 2025
Where: Fever Pavilion, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park
Duration: 60-90 minutes
Cost: Various ticket options available l Age: Suitable for ages 8+
Markets & Fairs
Glebe Artisan Market
Artisans Market Glebe features over 60 stalls offering original handmade products. Nothing is mass-produced.
You will find everything from fashion and ceramics to jewellery and homewares. This quarterly market is in its fourth year, and it’s a great chance to find some original Christmas gifts or souvenirs. As well as checking out the goods and talking to the stallholders, you can relax and listen to live music.
When: 6 September 2025
Where: Foley Park, corner of Bridge Road and Glebe Point Road
The Big Design Market Sydney
Australia’s ultimate shopping destination is back – bigger, bolder and brighter than ever where there will be over 200 stallholders & delicious food & drink experiences. Expect a fresh lineup of boutique homewares, handmade ceramics, limited-edition art prints, Australian-made fashion, unique jewellery, stationery and much more.
Plus, for the first time, there’ll be a fashion parade showcasing gorgeous pieces from our apparel brands which you definitely won’t want to miss!
When: TBC
Where: Carriageworks, Wilson St, Eveleigh
Cost: Adults: $6, Kids (0-12 yrs) free tickets online at here or at the door.
The Coal Loader Artisans Market
This sustainable quarterly market, held at the historic Coal Loader site in Waverton, brings together some of Sydney’s finest artisans and makers. Set against stunning harbour views, it’s one of Sydney’s most unique market experiences.
Meet the makers and browse stalls featuring: art and ceramics, eco-friendly products, fashion and jewellery, textiles and homewares and more.
The market maintains a strict single-use plastic-free policy – remember to bring your keep-cup, reusable water bottle, and cloth bags.
When: TBC
Where: The Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability, 2 Balls Head Drive, Waverton
Cost: Free entry
Watson’s Bay Spring Market
This annual spring market held at one of the city’s most beautiful harbour locations features over 100 stalls selling handmade homewares, art, and clothing for the whole family, even your pets!
Plenty of Christmas gift ideas including candles, skincare products, gifts, wrapping paper and gourmet food.
When: TBC
Where: Robinson Park, Watson’s Bay (right next to the ferry wharf)
While you are there take a walk out to the lighthouse for some of the finest views in the city.
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Theatre: Musicals, Opera, and Drama
Musical and Dance
Night at the Barracks
Find yourself captivated once more by some of the biggest names in music set against this mesmerising backdrop steeped in history and natural beauty, perched high above Sydney Harbour in Manly. A premium open-air experience like no other!
When: Mid Sept 2026
Where: The Barracks Precinct, North Head Sanctuary, Manly
Cost: from $79. More details here.
SongRites at Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House presents an extraordinary celebration of First Nations songlines and storytelling. The four-day festival features performances that blend ancient traditions with contemporary artforms, including the Sydney premiere of Song Spirals, a mesmerizing dance and projection work based on the songlines of North East Arnhem Land.
A highlight is Arrkula Yinbayarra (Together We Sing), featuring the Borroloola Songwomen and Dr Shellie Morris AO, presenting a powerful reclamation of endangered Indigenous languages through music and story.
When: TBC
Where: Western Foyers, Sydney Opera House
Cost: From $35, Kids under 12 free for most performances Bookings: sydneyoperahouse.com
Art and Exhibitions
Sydney Contemporary
Sydney’s premier art fair celebrates its ninth edition with an unprecedented showcase of contemporary art. Over 500 artists from galleries across Australia and New Zealand will transform Carriageworks into an immersive art experience, featuring everything from traditional paintings to cutting-edge installations and live performances.
A highlight includes internationally acclaimed artist Dr Christian Thompson AO performing his work Recital, which weaves his endangered Bidjara language into a powerful vocal performance. Award-winning artist Lisa Reihana CNZM debuts a spectacular site-specific installation at the entrance, featuring thousands of shimmering discs that create a mesmerizing gateway inspired by traditional Māori architecture.
When:
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh
Cost: Tickets available online at sydneycontemporary.com.au
Oz Comic-Con
Oz Comic-Con caters to all, whether you identify as a Muggle, a Marshmallow, an Earper, a Jedi, a Whovian, or even if you’re completely unfamiliar with these terms. As long as you have a love for popular culture and enjoy a fun-filled day out, we have something exciting waiting for you!
When: TBC
Where: Sydney Showground
Film Festivals
Africa Film Festival Australia (AFFA)
A vibrant celebration of African cinema returns to Sydney, showcasing contemporary films, animation, and cultural events across multiple venues. The festival features Australian premieres, industry talks, and special events that highlight the diversity and creativity of African storytelling.
When: TBC
Where: Multiple venues including Sydney Opera House and Riverside Theatres Parramatta
Cost: from $20 More Info: Visit africafilmfest.au
Sydney Underground Film Festival
The 19th annual celebration of bold, boundary-pushing cinema returns with over 400 events including Australian premieres, documentaries, and experimental films.
Highlights include opening night’s zombie comedy “Queens of the Dead”, scratch-n-sniff screening of “UHF”, and special 45th anniversary showing of “Xanadu”.
When: TBC – More on the official site
Where: Dendy Newtown, King St, Newtown
Food and Drinks
Coastal Forage at Jervis Bay
This unique progressive dining experience combines a 6km coastal walk with a 10-course degustation featuring the South Coast’s finest chefs and producers. Journey from Moona Moona Creek to Orion’s Beach, enjoying dishes that celebrate local seafood and native ingredients, with whale watching opportunities along the way.
The experience concludes with a scenic boat transfer back to the starting point. Note: 18+ only. Stay packages available at Bangalay Luxury Villas.
When: TBC
Where: Jervis Bay, NSW
Cost: $225pp (includes all food, drinks and boat transfer)
Bookings: experiencenature.com.au
Five Dock “Little Italy” Food Tour
Discover one of Sydney’s original Italian Communities on this walking tour of Five Dock and discover their passion and taste their delicious products!
This is a great experience for locals or visitors to Sydney wanting to see a slice of everyday life.
When: TBC
Where: Meet in front of Fred Kelly Place, just back off Great North Road Five Dock
Tickets: $50 per person (includes one coffee and 4 tastings Book here
Sports and Outdoors
Regional Events
Kiama Folk Festival
This intimate folk festival showcases a diverse range of folk, world, roots, Celtic, and bluegrass music. Around 30 folk music artists from across Australia.
Folk by the Sea is proudly presented by volunteers from the Illawarra Folk Club Inc., the same dedicated group that brings you regular folk music concerts in the Illawarra region and the world-renowned Illawarra Folk Festival.
When: TBC
Where: Kiama Showground
Dapto Country Show
Experience a day of agricultural fun at the Dapto Country Show. Get up close with farmyard favorites at the animal petting zoo, witness the skills of sheep shearers and whip crackers, and learn about reptiles at the live shows. Meet Charlie the Braham Steer and Hephner the Alpaca.
When: TBC
Where: The Groundz Precinct “Dapto Showground” 89 Princes Highway, Dapto
Tulip Time
Experience a burst of colours and floral enchantment at the Tulip Time Festival in the Southern Highlands. The focus of Tulip Time is the spectacular display of 80,000 mass-planted tulips. The breathtaking display of colours and designs is based on a bright spring theme.
Tulip Time will feature daily entertainment, popular food and market stalls, along with the Country Women’s Association (CWA) homemade scones and sandwiches to raise funds for their wonderful community organisation.
When: TBC
Where: Corbett Gardens, Bendooley Street, Bowral
Main image credit: Festival of the Winds Bondi Beach – Supplied Destination NSW
