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. People are happy to be out and about again enjoying the slightly warmer weather. 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. Prices for accommodation and flights rise the week before the school holidays begin.
The Spring school holidays are from Monday 29 September to Friday 10 October 2025
If you are visiting Sydney in late September, book ahead for the best rates as September is also finals season for winter sports, including the Australian Rugby League and AFL competitions. Perhaps make the most of this and grab a chance to watch a game. Attending a footy final in Australia is a great cultural experience.
Average Temperatures: 23.4°C (74.12°F) While each year varies September 2024 saw six days of rain.
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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.
This year’s festival features headline performances by the triple Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, an expanded takeover of The Rocks for the vibrant Sydney Fringe Sideshow, and the festival’s first-ever Queer Hub at Qtopia Sydney, spotlighting LGBTQIA+ storytellers.
Sydney Fringe Festival has created four distinct precincts—Inner West, Central, Eastern, and Greater Sydney. We have included more of these events below.
When: 1 – 30 September 2024
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
Queer Hub at Qtopia Sydney
This year, Sydney Fringe Festival proudly introduces the Queer Hub at Qtopia Sydney, presented by QNews. This vibrant new hub celebrates LGBTQIA+ storytellers, featuring an exciting lineup of both international and local artists.
Highlights include MONSTER by Melbourne cabaret star Florian Wild, a show that blends drag, debauchery, powerhouse vocals, and quickfire standup. Also featured is A Shark Ate My Penis: A History Of Boys Like Me, a one-person musical comedy by trans musician and actor Laser Webber, offering a humorous and insightful look at the history of trans men.
When: 5-28 September, 2024
Where: Qtopia Sydney 134 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney
Cost: Ticket prices vary; tickets are available now.
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.
Your MC for the event is MC Costa Georgiadis and there will be performances from:
- UNSW Balinese Gamelan Suwitra Jaya – traditional Balinese music
- Te Aranganui – Contemporary and traditional music from New Zealand
- Ganathipan- a global musical journey
- Stiff Gins – a unique blend of harmonies, stories and soul
- Mucho Mambo – 14-piece Latin Big Band features Australia’s best Latin and Jazz musicians.
An all-inclusive event for young, old and everyone in between, come along and celebrate Spring in Bondi.
When: 12 September 11am-4pm
Where: Bondi Pavilion Park and Beach
Festivals, Fairs and Markets
Moon Festival at Darling Square
A Celebration of Gratitude and Connection
Darling Square will come alive this month with the vibrant celebration of the Moon Festival, a two-week event honoring gratitude, family, and friends.
This Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the most significant holidays in Asia, will be marked by a stunning lantern installation, live music, illuminated lion dancing, free kids’ activities, and special food and drink offerings.
Throughout the festival, over 20 food retailers at Darling Square will create exclusive Moon Festival-themed menu items.
Families can enjoy KIDS EAT FREE Sundays at Auvers Dining
Highlights include:
- Gelato Messina’s limited-edition mooncake gelato
- IIKO Mazesoba’s tsukimi-inspired dishes
- Lilong by Taste of Shanghai has golden puff pastry mooncakes with white lotus seed paste and salted egg yolk, red bean paste, abalone and pork fillings.
Don’t miss the acrobatic LED lion dancing lighting up the nights on 7, 14, and 17 September, along with live music every Friday and Saturday evening. Free family-friendly activities such as mooncake clay-making workshops and face painting will also take place every Saturday.
Capture the magic of the festival by taking a photo among the colorful lanterns and tagging #dsqmoonfestival for a chance to win a $500 Darling Square gift voucher.
When: 6 September – 22 September
Where: Darling Square, Sydney
Cost: Free entry; special offers and food available for purchase
Power Up Festival – Explore White Bay Power Station
Sydney’s iconic White Bay Power Station will open its doors for the Power Up Festival, a FREE event celebrating the Inner West’s best in art, music, food, and drinks for 2 days this month.
This is a unique opportunity to explore the historic building and enjoy a lineup featuring over 100 artists and 200 musicians and performers.
Key Highlights:
- Friday, 20 September: Start your weekend with variety and fun! Enjoy the groovy, worldbeat sounds of Azadoota and be mesmerized by enchanting circus acts, magic, and cabaret from Electrify Cabaret by night.
- Saturday, 21 September: For indie and rock music lovers, Saturday is packed with acoustic classics from four-time ARIA award-winning singer/songwriter Josh Pyke, extraordinary acrobatic choreography by Legs on the Wall, and much more.
- Sunday, 22 September: Perfect for families, Sunday features Meet The Orchestra babies proms sessions by the Sydney Youth Orchestra and vibrant sounds from the Inner West Community Band in the Boiler Room.
In addition to the entertainment, indulge in delicious food and drinks from local favorites like Mary’s, Mapo Gelato, and White Bay Brewery.
Don’t miss the free Behind the Scenes Heritage Tours and Community Engagement Tours, where you can learn about the building’s fascinating history.
When: 20 -22 Sept. 2024, 10:30am-9:30pm (6pm on Sunday)
Where: White Bay Power Station, Sydney
Cost: Free entry, for tour registrations and more details, visit the event website.
St Ives Food and Wine Festival 2024
Get ready for a bigger and better celebration of delicious food, tantalising wine and family fun! This spectacular spring event attracts visitors from near and far thanks to its stellar showcase of over 50 food, wine and lifestyle stalls and an awesome line-up of entertainment for the young to the young at heart!
Get ready for a bigger and better celebration of delicious food, tantalising wine and family fun!
When: Sunday, 22 September 2024
Where: St Ives Village Green, Memorial Avenue St Ives
Check their website for more details
Real Festival 2024 – Penrith
One of Penrith’s favorite family-friendly events is back! Nestled along the picturesque banks of the Nepean River, the Real Festival 2024 promises a weekend full of fun and excitement.
This free event features a jam-packed program, including the hugely popular open-air Roller Rink by Busways, interactive art installations, arcade games, and captivating performances. Visitors can also enjoy hands-on workshops, on-water activities, and a bustling marketplace with unique handcrafted goods. The festival will also offer a drool-worthy lineup of food trucks, a pop-up Festival bar, and plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained.
When: 20-21 September 2024: Fri. 4pm-10pm, Sat. Noon-10pm
Where: Tench Reserve, Nepean River, Penrith
Cost: Free
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: 14 September, 10am-3pm
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: 20-22 September, 10am-5pm (11am to 8pm on Friday)
Where: Carriageworks, Wilson St, Eveleigh
Cost: Adults: $6, Kids (0-12 yrs) free tickets online at here or at the door.
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: 15 September, 10am-3pm
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.
The Makers and Shakers Market
Support local creators at the Spring Makers and Shakers market. Over 120 stalls of slow fashion, homewares, food and best of all, it is all Australian Made!
When: 26-27 October
Where: White Bay Cruise Terminal
Cost: $5 for adults, $2 for kids, and no pets allowed – More info on the event site
Theatre: Musicals, Opera, and Drama
Frankenstein
Following a sold-out season at QPAC, critics have described this production of Frankenstein as “a hauntingly captivating masterpiece” (The Fame Reporter) that merges cutting-edge technology with masterful storytelling to bring Mary Shelley’s iconic tale to life.
In this faithful retelling, witness Victor Frankenstein, a driven young scientist, as he explores the limits of scientific and moral boundaries to create life from death. Shunned by society and tormented by rage, his creation becomes a force that threatens to destroy everything Frankenstein holds dear. The consequences of playing God unfold in this gripping narrative.
When: 28 September to 13 October
Where: Theatre Royal Sydney
Tickets: From $69-169
Unwrapped
Featuring 14 works, including 11 new commissions, from over 20 cutting-edge independent Australian artists and technologists, this spring’s UnWrapped series at the Sydney Opera House promises to be an extraordinary showcase of creativity and innovation.
The season explores notions of identity, artistic ownership, and concepts of time through multidisciplinary mediums spanning film, dance, performance, AI-generated choreography, music, and installation.
- Tender, Western Foyers (6-15 September): An anthology of four immersive documentaries examining Western Sydney-based stigma and stereotypes.
- Shortwave, Studio (8 September): New short films from Australian interdisciplinary artists exploring themes of resistance, reclamation, and renewal.
- Plagiary, Studio (12-14 September): A live performance experiment by Alisdair McIndoe and Sam Mcglip, featuring AI-delivered choreography.
- New Mountain, Studio (15 September): A large-scale, real-time video work by Rachel Peachey and Paul Mosig, with a live soundtrack exploring human and environmental relationships.
When: 4-15 September 2024
Where: Various venues, Sydney Opera House
Tickets: From $25 + $8.95 booking fee
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: Dates TBC
Where: The Barracks Precinct, North Head Sanctuary, Manly
Cost: from $79. More details here.
Art and Exhibitions
Horizon of Khufu: An Immersive Expedition to Ancient Egypt
Explore the Great Pyramid of Giza as if you were really there. Step into the ancient world of Egypt like never before with Horizon of Khufu, a groundbreaking virtual reality experience making its Australian debut.
This meticulously crafted VR adventure takes you on a journey back 4,500 years to explore the iconic Great Pyramids of Egypt. With cutting-edge technology, you’ll soar over the Giza Necropolis, explore hidden chambers, and witness the majestic splendour of Ancient Egypt.
When: Opens Thursday 5 September and runs until the end of the year
Where: Fever Pavilion, Sydney Olympic Park
Cost: Tickets start at $27 per person, suitable for ages 8 and up.
Sydney Contemporary
Australasia’s premier art fair returns to Carriageworks this September. Featuring over 90 leading galleries from across the region, visitors can explore thousands of artworks by more than 500 contemporary artists throughout the Carriageworks precinct.
Alongside gallery presentations, Sydney Contemporary offers daily performance art, installations, talks, workshops
When: 5-8 September 2024
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh
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: 21-22 September 2024
Where: Sydney Showground
Thin Ice VR at the Australian Museum
Thin Ice VR is an immersive virtual reality experience following Sir Ernest Shackleton’s famed Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. This award-winning 22-minute film created by adventurer Tim Jarvis AM, uses advanced VR technology to bring Shackleton’s incredible journey to life.
This is your chance to experience the challenges Shackleton and his crew faced as their ship, Endurance, was trapped in Antarctic ice.
When: 6 July – 13 October 2024
Where: Australian Museum, Sydney
Cost: Included with museum entry
Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Discover the beauty, ferocity, and fragility of the natural world at the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year (AGNPY) exhibition. This free exhibition, produced by the South Australian Museum, features over 95 finalist images selected from more than 2,882 submissions, showcasing the astonishing flora, fauna, and landscapes of Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, and New Guinea.
The exhibition includes categories such as Animals in Nature, Urban Animals, Landscape, Threatened Species, and more. Highlights include Matty Smith’s shot of courting male cuttlefish and Tom Owen Edmunds’s iPhone 11 photo of a green tree frog in a steel toilet bowl.
The overall winning image, My Country Burns, taken by NSW photographer Samuel Markham during the 2019 bushfires, also won the ‘Our Impact’ category.
When: 22 June – 13 October 2024
Where: Australian Museum
Cost: Exhibition free, Photography classes from $140- 4175
Film Festival
Sydney Underground Film Festival
Lots of good things happen at the Factory Theatre in Marrickville, and this 4-day festival is most certainly a good thing! The event will showcase the best of independent and alternative films from Australia and overseas.
Featuring a full-scale cinematic smorgasbord of must-see feature and documentary films from around the globe, exciting Australian premieres and unforgettable shorts and live events, this not-for-profit annual film festival is an integral part of Sydney’s film industry and screen culture.
When: 12-15 September 2024 – More on the official site
Where: Dendy Newtown, King St, Newtown
Food and Drinks
Grape, Grain & Graze Festival 2024
Sip and sample your way through award-winning wines, beers, ciders, cheese, and fine foods from the 2024 Sydney Royal Wine, Dairy, and Fine Food Shows. Relax with live music, enjoy the grazing stations, and soak up the atmosphere of this premier boutique festival.
Your ticket includes:
- A take-home wine glass
- Unlimited* tastings of medal-winning wine, beer, and cider
- Grazing tables featuring award-winning cheese and charcuterie
- Live music and WSFM Silent Disco
- Access to the Sydney Royal Marketplace with more delicious products to try
Don’t miss out on this celebration of Australian-grown and produced excellence!
When: Saturday, 21st September
Where: Howie Pavilion, Sydney Showground, Olympic Park
Feast
This year’s Made in Sydney program at Sydney Fringe also includes the highly anticipated return of FEAST. Presented by Chinese-Australian writer, comedian, and food enthusiast Jennifer Wong, FEAST is a delicious blend of comedy and food culture that promises to delight audiences.
When: 19 September 2024
Where: Hurstville Entertainment Centre
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: Saturday 7 September 2024
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
Botanica Gin & Spirits Journey
Get ready for a gin tasting like no other! Botanica Gin & Spirits Journey is a botanically inspired immersive experience coming to North Sydney this September.
Ticket holders can indulge in a 2-hour tasting session. Explore the rich flavors of native botanicals from Australia’s finest craft distillers, artisans, and makers while wandering through 150 meters of historically preserved tunnels and chambers. It’s an experience that engages all your senses!
When: 20 – 22 September 2024
Where: Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability, North Sydney
Sports and Outdoors
Sydney Running Marathon
Run across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and finish at the Sydney Opera House. Join the fun at the Sydney Marathon, an event for all runners!
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced runner, there’s a distance for you. Choose from the Sydney Marathon, the 21.1k (formerly Half Marathon), the 10k (formerly Bridge Run), or the Family Run 3.5k. Experience the thrill of finishing at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
When: Sunday 17 September
Where: Bradfield Park Alfred Street South, Milsons Point
Cost: $125pp More details here
Ironman 70.3 Western Sydney
The course is set at the base of the stunning Blue Mountains and features the iconic Penrith Lakes for the swim, located at the International Regatta Centre. The bike route offers breathtaking views of the Nepean River and the Blue Mountains. The run course circles the renowned Sydney International Regatta Centre (SIRC), providing a scenic and memorable experience for all participants.
When: 22 September 2024
Where: Old Castlereagh Road, Castlereagh
More Info here
Regional Events
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: 13 Sep – 30 Sep 2024
Where: Corbett Gardens, Bendooley Street, Bowral
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