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 30 September to Friday 11 October 2024

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.

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Major September Events in Sydney

Annual festivals in September include:

• Festival of the Winds
• The Sydney Fringe Festival
• Blackmore Running Festival

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: 10 September 11am-4pm
Where: Bondi Pavilion Park and Beach

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.

When: 1-30 September
Where: Various locations including hubs in Newtown, Paddington and The Rocks
Cost: varies from $12 up More info on the official site

Festivals, Fairs and Markets

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

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

The Coal Loader Artisans Market

This sustainable and unique market is held four times a year, on the first Sunday of the season at the beautiful historic site of the Coal Loader.

When: 1 September 2024
Where: The Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability 2 Balls Head Dr, Waverton

Musicals, Opera, and Theatre in Sydney in September

Carousel: A Concert

Don’t miss Australia’s theatrical powerhouses, Anna O’Byrne and Marina Prior, in a grand concert rendition of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic, CAROUSEL, hailed as one of the most cherished musicals ever.

Transporting you to a picturesque seaside town in Maine, this timeless tale unfolds the romance between Billy Bigelow, a charismatic yet troubled carousel barker, and Julie Jordan, a spirited mill worker. O’Byrne and Prior take centre stage as Julie and Nettie Fowler, embodying the essence of love, redemption, and the quest for belonging. Featuring iconic tunes like “If I Loved You” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, CAROUSEL is on for just 3 performances. Bookings open late May 2024.

Where: State Theatre, Sydney
When: 2 September at 7:30pm or Wednesday 3 September at 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Tickets: From $99 (plus booking fee)

Frankenstein

Following a sold-out season at QPAC, critics have described this production of Frankenstein as “a hauntingly captivating masterpiece” (The Fame Reporter) and “a formidable production” (ArtsHub).

It 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.

• Auto-Tune, Studio (4-7 September): Mark Rogers and reperformance collective present a ‘gig theatre’ work through the eyes of a teenage Silverchair fan.
• 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

PICKLED ﻛﺑﯾس

Experience this powerfully hilarious and thought-provoking dramedy that delves into family, culture, and queerness.

The compelling new production of PICKLED ﻛﺑﯾس, is the story of Sammy and Yousif, two queer Middle Eastern brothers who reunite after their mother’s sudden passing. Their sole inheritance—a jar of pickles—leads them to uncover hidden family truths and navigate their cultural and personal identities.

PICKLED ﻛﺑﯾس explores themes of preservation and authenticity, blending cooking, family dynamics, and moments of grief and reconciliation. Concept creator and star Najee Tannou describes it as “a dramedy that unravels the truths of two estranged brothers, whose decade-long absence has left them clinging to fragmented memories, as they prepare for their mother’s funeral.”

Produced by PYT Fairfield and part of Belvoir’s 25A initiative, this production supports independent and emerging artists, allowing them to develop their talents with full box office proceeds and free theatre space.

When: 20 August – 8 September, 2024
Where: Belvoir St Theatre
Tickets: Available now at Belvoir St Theatre

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: TBC – More on the official site
Where: Dendy Newtown, King St, Newtown

Music, Comedy 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: 13 September – 16 October 2024
Where: The Barracks Precinct, North Head Sanctuary, Manly
Cost: from $79. More details here.

27 Club Live

The biggest music show of the Adelaide Fringe is coming to Sydney for the first time! Rock the night away with the high-octane music extravaganza 27 Club LIVE as part of the Sydney Fringe Festival.

Celebrate the electrifying music and lore of legendary artists Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, and Jimi Hendrix. This spectacular show features performances by many of Australia’s top rock icons, including Sarah McLeod (The Superjesus), Kevin Mitchell (Jebediah), Carla Lippis (Mondo Psycho), Dusty Lee Stephensen (Wanderers), Justin Burford (End of Fashion, Rock of Ages), Virginia Lillye (The Voice), and Bek Jensen.

Join them for the first time in Sydney as they salute the fated members of the 27 Club with music’s greatest set list ever!

When: 30 August – 29 September
Where: Sydney Spiegeltent, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, Sydney
Tickets: $59-79

Twofold – Sydney Dance Company

Experience a monumental double bill with Sydney Dance Company’s Twofold, featuring the return of Rafael Bonachela’s beloved Impermanence and a new work, Love Lock, by renowned choreographer Melanie Lane.

Impermanence
A visceral and thrilling exploration of the juxtaposition of beauty and devastation, Rafael Bonachela’s critically acclaimed Impermanence features an evocative score by Grammy Award-winning Bryce Dessner, performed in association with the Australian String Quartet.

Love Lock
What does the future of Folk Dance look like? Love Lock re-imagines this art form, absorbing the complex fabric of our diverse cultures, an accelerating world, and disappearing lands. Choreographed by renowned artist Melanie Lane, this dance draws upon collective experiences, celebrating the binding act of dance to move, warn, and empower us.

When: 18 – 28 September 2024
Where: Roslyn Packer Theatre Sydney

Titanique: NYC’s Must-See Musical Comedy

All aboard for NYC’s must-sea musical comedy! When the music of Céline Dion blends with the eleven-time Oscar®-winning blockbuster film Titanic, you get Titanique, off-Broadway’s most award-winning splash hit. This show turns one of the greatest love stories of all time into a hysterical musical fantasia.

Curious about what really happened to Jack and Rose on that fateful night? Let Céline Dion enchant you with her wild take, recharting Titanic’s beloved moments and characters through her iconic song catalogue.

Featuring fierce powerhouse voices delivering show-stopping performances of hits like “My Heart Will Go On,” “All By Myself,” and “To Love You More,” and backed by the unparalleled energy of a full live band, Titanique offers a unique theatrical voyage bursting with nostalgia, heart, and campy chaos.

When: Limited season starting September 2024
Where: The Grand Electric, Sydney

Art and Exhibitions

Zahalkaworld – an artist’s archive

The National Art School (NAS) is excited to host a major survey exhibition of Anne Zahalka, one of Australia’s most esteemed photo-media artists.

Zahalka’s work, known for its critical and humorous approach, explores cultural and environmental tensions, reimagining familiar scenes to reflect on cultural diversity and the climate crisis.

The exhibition features 15 different series, studio ephemera, six NAS artworks, and five new pieces created between 2023-2024. Following its display at NAS, the exhibition will tour nationally.

When: 16 August – 19 October 2024
Where: NAS Gallery, National Art School, Forbes Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney

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.

This VR film also showcases the current environmental changes in Antarctica, underscoring the immediate necessity for climate action. The exhibit was developed with the South Australian studio Monkeystack, supported by Torrens University Australia.

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

The Australian Museum is also offering Digital Wildlife Photography Workshops led by Angela Robertson-Buchanan. These interactive workshops cover foundational and advanced techniques in ethical wildlife photography and include sessions for both beginners and intermediate photographers.

Workshop Details:

• Beginner: 27 July, 7 & 8 September | 10:30am – 1:30pm
• Intermediate: 27 July, 7 & 8 September | 2:30pm – 5:30pm
• Cost: Members: $140, Adult: $175, Concession: $157.50

Food and Drinks

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

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. As the only Australian running event broadcast live annually, the Sydney Marathon, presented by ASICS, attracts over 40,000 participants from 66 countries and has raised over $23 million for charities since it began.

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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