June is here which means we’re nearly halfway through the year and Sydney is beginning to get crisp and cold. Despite the frosty weather, there’s heaps on around the city — from giant light festivals to sparkly winter experiences. Plus, Sydney is bustling with things to do thanks to Vivid Sydney. Expect dazzling drone shows, light walks, dance parties, foodie events and heaps more. Embrace the start of winter by heading out and making the most of all the cool happenings around town. Here are some exciting things to do this June in Sydney.
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1. See Sydney’s skies light up with an epic drone show
Did you spot the southern hemisphere’s biggest drone show over Circular Quay last month? If not, we’ve got some good news. More shows have been planned this June, so don’t miss out.
- Sunday, June 4
- Wednesday, June 7
- Monday, June 12
- Wednesday, June 14
Vivid Sydney has taken over the city, from the skies to the gardens. Even the long-abandoned underground tunnels are getting a glow-up. The event is titled Dark Spectrum, a 900m immersive experience that combines perfectly choreographed light displays, music and technology to deliver a visual feast for visitors. Read more about it here.
Sydney’s streets, waters and skies are currently drenched in colour and light courtesy of Vivid Sydney. This year’s theme, ‘Vivid Sydney, Naturally‘, will be reflected throughout the festival’s 300+ events across the 23-day program from May 26 – June 17. On the agenda: Immersive exhibitions, dazzling light shows, live entertainment, foodie events and so much more. Read all about it here.
4. Witness the northern lights just 90 minutes from Sydney
The Northern Lights are shining bright over Bowral’s night sky until June 30 thanks to a dazzling new event called Borealis in the Vines. Just a 90-minute drive from Sydney, you can experience surreal 360-degree auroras displayed alongside a soundtrack created by French composer Guillaume Desbois. It sounds seriously dreamy and an excellent date-night idea if you want to switch things up.
One of Sydney’s most popular markets is returning for Vivid Sydney but for one night only so don’t miss out. 50 of Sydney’s leading restaurants, bars and producers are joining forces for the exclusive event along with music, food demonstrations and live entertainment. It’s all happening on Friday, June 16. Get more information here.
It’s been a long wait but Disney’s Beauty And The Beast Musical is finally set to premiere in Sydney this June at the Capitol Theatre. Expect stunning new sets, costume designs and state-of-the-art technology breathing fresh life into the classic tale. The musical features a stellar all-Australian cast and tickets are now on sale. Grab them here.
7. Get your fill of cheese at Bon Fromage
If you love cheese, good views and wine, you’ll want to clear out this weekend for the Bon Fromage festival. Guests will get a chance to sample a variety of cheesy dishes with spectacular harbour views in the backdrop. There’s also masterclasses, entertainment and a cheese market to explore. Read more about it here.
Steve McCurry is an established contemporary photographer whose work has won numerous accolades over the years. Photography lovers will now get a chance to witness his work up close through the ICONS exhibition. This exhibition is a tribute to McCurry’s career and showcases a collection of over 100 images that you can experience while listening to audio descriptions from 42 selected exhibitors who will narrate the stories behind these stellar photos.
Tickets are selling out fast, grab yours here.
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On Saturday, June 24, the Greenwood Hotel will host a giant celebration of Latin American culture. This outdoor fiesta will include live performances, food, music, art and lots of dancing. For only AU$35 you can transport yourself to Latin America for the day. ¡Vamonos! Grab your tickets here.
The Bondi Festival returns from June 30-July 16 with a variety of exciting events on offer. There’s a Ferris wheel overlooking the ocean, an ice rink by the beach and options to eat, drink and play along the iconic Bondi Beach. Plus there’s First Nations music, and a First Nations food truck slinging delicious food throughout the event.
Love getting spooked? The Old Government House in Parramatta is hosting ghostly night tours every month throughout winter and it’s guaranteed to give you the creeps. This month the tour takes place on June 16 with snacks and hot drinks afterwards. Read all about it here.
Australia’s first slow fashion market returns to Sydney this June with 40 independent brands showcasing their goods. The market will offer a variety of thoughtfully made clothing along with jewellery, accessories and more on Saturday, June 3. Get your tickets here.
13. Go on a late-night tour of Wild Life Sydney Zoo
See some beloved Aussie animals after dark with Wild Life Sydney Zoo’s torch-lit tours called Wild Nights this June. On these exclusive 60-minute tours led by zookeepers, you can see animals like Tassie devils, Sydney’s only crocodilian throuple, an endangered tree-kangaroo and an adorable koala joey up close. Read more here.
Get working on your Nutbush City Limits routine because the long-awaited Tina Turner musical has finally opened at the Theatre Royal. The musical premiered in London in 2018 to widespread critical and commercial acclaim; it tells the story of the singer’s humble beginnings in Tennessee to her meteoric rise to global fame and a comeback story like no other.
The Magician’s Cabaret is super popular for its extravagant shows and excellent dinners. There’s no other show in Sydney quite like The Underground Burlesque Experience or La Belle Rose—Sydney’s longest-running cabaret show. Grab your tickets before they sell out.
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Attend one of Sydney’s beautiful Candlelight concerts and get lost in a number of familiar tunes this June. Tickets are available to tribute shows to Queen, Coldplay, Joe Hisaishi and more.
🕯️Candlelight Orchestra: Tribute to Queen
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Fleetwood Mac at SMC
🕯️Candlelight: Hans Zimmer’s Best Works at SMC
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Joe Hisaishi
🕯️Candlelight Central Coast: A Tribute to Queen
🕯️Candlelight : A Tribute to The Jackson 5
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift at the Eveleigh
🕯️Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros.
🕯️Candlelight Parramatta: Best of Hans Zimmer
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay at The Grounds
🕯️Candlelight Soundtracks: Rings & Dragons
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay & Imagine Dragons at The Grounds
🕯️Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at The Linseed House
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Joe Hisaishi at Sydney Masonic Centre
Walking through the Blue Mountains never gets old. On this guided tour, you’ll be accompanied by an astrophysicist who will answer all your questions and witness the beauty of the world heritage site after dark. Get all the details plus tickets here.
Darkfield has brought two of its acclaimed 360-degree sensory experiences to Sydney and they’re not for the faint of heart. Taking place in dark shipping containers, Flight has made its NSW premiere and Séance makes its long-awaited return since its huge debut in 2017. Read more about this immersive experience here.
Love all things Wes Anderson? Now’s your chance to check yourself into The Grand Budapest Hotel again because a Sydney cinema is doing a special retrospective of his work in celebration of his upcoming release Asteroid City in June. From May 4 through to June 15, take a dive into Anderson’s whimsical world’s once again at Palace Central. See the full program here.
Ever wondered what it’s like to dine in complete darkness? If science is to be believed, it can elevate your dining experience to a whole other level of deliciousness. A sensational new experience at Capriccio Osteria is putting this to the test with a blindfold and a surprise menu for guests.
Make your reservation for Dining in the Dark’s Italian edition here.
The days are getting colder and shorter and The Old Fitz in Woolloomooloo is keeping punters cosy and warm with an excellent Sunday offer. Choose from beef striploin, chicken Maryland, or slow-roasted Japanese squash, sip on wines and enjoy soulful jazz music by the fire in this crowd-favourite spot every Sunday.
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Want to get in on the Vivid Sydney action but not a fan of crowds? There’s a groovy glow-in-the-dark pottery class in Bondi where you can create your next ceramic masterpiece under UV lights. Head here for more info.
The whales are back and you can get a glimpse of these majestic creatures right here at home. From Palm Beach to Manly, check out the best spots to see whales in and around Sydney here.
For a cheeky night out, head to Blanc de Blanc Encore. There’s dance numbers, risqué acrobatics and sultry cabaret performances in this no holds barred theatre show. Grab your tickets here.
It’s getting chilly in Sydney so if you’re keen to beat the cold, head out of town to the picturesque Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool in NSW. Located in the Kosciuszko National Park, you’ll find two pools at the venue, heated to a consistent 27 degrees all year round. Plan your trip here.
26. Head to a silent disco on Sydney’s tallest building
Dance the night away on the Sydney Tower Eye’s silent disco surrounded by Vivid lights on June 2, 9 and 16. Guests will receive light-up accessories and get a bird’s-eye view of the Sydney Harbour and city skyline. Read more here.
A Magical Soirée, by Bruce Glen combines fantastic stories with fascinating magic tricks to leave audiences in awe and wonder inside a heritage building. Grab your tickets here.