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 on Monday 25 September to Friday 6 October 2023

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: 21-11°C (50-68 °F)

While each year varies last September saw only four days of rain.

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. 

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Annual festivals in September

Annual festivals in September include:

• Festival of the Winds – 11 September
• Sydney Underground Film Festival
• Sydney Fringe
• Blackmore Running Festival
• Pyrmont Festival

Sydney Fringe Festival

The Sydney Fringe Festival is the largest independent arts festival in NSW annually hosting over 400 events across 21 postcodes during the  30-day festival. Everything from stand-up comedy and theatre to cabaret and performance art.

Where: Various locations including hubs in Newtown, Paddington and The Rocks
When: 2022 dates TBC
Cost: various from $12 up More info on the official site

Markets and Fairs

Dulwich Hill Fair

Celebrating all things local this fair features two stages, one with will highlight the talent of the local food and drink producers and the other with some great music. Where: Dulwich Hill Village – Marrickville Road and Seaview Street, Dulwich Hill

Check out the official site for news of the 2022 dates

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.

Where: Foley Park, corner of Bridge Road and Glebe Point Road
When: 10 am to 3 pm
More info on the Official site

Watson’s Bay Spring Market

This annual 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.

Where: Robinson Park Watson’s Bay
When: 10 am to 4 pm
More info on the event site

While you are there take a walk out to the lighthouse for some of the finest views in the city.

Comedy, Music and Dance

Sydney Drag Ball 2023

Get ready for an unforgettable night! The iconic Raja, season three’s acclaimed winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, is making an exclusive appearance on Australian soil. Known for pushing the boundaries with fearless and awe-inspiring performances, Raja is sure to captivate the audience like never before.

Where: Studio
When: 16 September 2023 at 19:00
Cost: from $99.99. More info on the official site.

Nights at the Museum

Enjoy live music and a drink at the pop-up bar as Sydney’s favourite FREE after hours culture fix is back! Explore our incredible galleries and exhibitions and be inspired by our natural history and cultural collections.

Where: Museum-wide
When: Every Wednesday at 5pm – 9pm
Cost: Free. More info on the official site.

Art and Exhibitions

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.

More on the official site

HIDDEN Rookwood Sculptures

Rookwood is the oldest, largest and most multicultural cemetery in Australia. Hidden Rookwood sees 36 sculptures set in place through the oldest part of the cemetery. Join photo tours, heritage tours and art-making sessions most for free.

Where: Rookwood Cemetery
Cost: free The full program of events on the official site

Australian Life

This photography exhibition showcases the 28 finalist images from both amateur and professional photographers. The photos range from intimate portraits to sharp observations of Australian Life. Will you choose the same winner as the judges?

Where: Hyde Park North
When: 19 September to 13 October 2023
Cost: Free
More: on the official site

Sydney Contemporary

Defined by the vibrancy of its host city, Sydney Contemporary provides collectors, industry professionals and the art-loving public access to cutting-edge art from some of the world’s most respected artists and galleries as well as the opportunity to discover new, emerging talent.

You don’t need to be an art buff to enjoy Sydney Contemporary. Three hundred artists, from more than 30 countries with everything from performance art to large-scale installations. The Fair is also home to restaurants, cafes and bespoke bars making it an all-encompassing art and dining experience.

Where: Carriageworks , 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh NSW
When: 7 – 10 September 2023
More: on the official site

Waranara Tours

Expand your understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures on this unique tour of objects from the Australian Museum’s exhibitions, led by a First Nations guide.

Where: LG, Patricia McDonald Education Rooms
When: Saturday 20 May 2023 at 10.30am – 1pm & 2pm – 4.30pm
Tickets: $100 Members, $125 non-Members$100 Members, $125 non-Members. For more details, check their website.

Food and Drink

Pyrmont Festival

A two-day extravaganza of food, wine and art in a lovely waterfront location. The Pyrmont Festival brings the very best of Orange in Central NSW to the city. Organic wine from our favourite Tamburlaine Organic and over 40 other great vineyards will be here to share their best along with cheeses and small goods and plenty more.

Where: Pirrama Park Playground
When: TBC

Check the Official site for the program.  

If nothing here takes your fancy, then why not check out our list of self-guided walks. September is a fine month for walking. Stay tuned for our October listing shortly.  

Sports and Outdoors

Sydney Rides Festival

Light the night – grab your bike and head to Mrs Macquarie’s Road in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Walk or ride through the tunnel of light, the field of beams and more along the 2.5km loop. Discover the rainbow path and don’t miss the Glitter Ball Arena and a silent disco.

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: 9:30 am, every Sunday (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 

Regional Events

• Big Picture Fest Street Art Festival: 30 Sept-2 Oct (Newcastle)

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