We’re already into April, and 2024 continues to serve a massive lineup of events and activities in Sydney/Eora to keep your calendar absolutely loaded.
April in Sydney is packed with delicious pop-ups, world-class exhibitions, and plenty of school holiday fun. Here are Urban List’s picks for the best things to do in Sydney this week, in April, and further into 2024.
What’s On In Sydney This Week
Ramadan Nights Lakemba
19 Haldon Street, Lakemba | Thursdays–Sundays, 6pm–3am until Monday 8 April
Experience the unparalleled atmosphere of Ramadan Nights Lakemba, returning in 2024 for a month-long cultural extravaganza. Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Ramadan and enjoy culinary delights from 65 food stalls including the iconic stretchy knafeh, camel burgers, and Arabian coffee.
Whether you’re breaking a Ramadan fast or just heading along to explore new foods and enjoy the festive atmosphere, Ramadan Nights is a must for Sydneysiders to experience; 1.4 million people went along in 2023. They stay running until 3am, so consider poking along for the ultimate late-night feast.
Cherry Bomb
Goros, 84–86 Mary Street, Surry Hills | Wednesday 3 April–Saturday 18 May
Image credit: Goros | Supplied
It’s cherry blossom season at Surry Hills’ Goros, where they’re hosting Cherry Bomb: a sakura celebration with Bombay Sapphire complete with a festive menu and special events running for six weeks, and a pink takeover of the space with cherry blossoms, carp fish kites, and neon photo moments.
On the Cherry Bomb menu there’s pink sushi, ice cream sando desserts, martinis and Cherry Pop cocktails with pearls, and a 90-minute all-you-can-eat skewer package with bottomless saké spritzes for $89pp. Events include a Barbie party on 13 April, a full moon party on 27 April, and an epic closing night celebration on 18 May—and there’s always the free, private karaoke rooms.
The Keel Masterclass Series: Caribbean Heavies
The Keel, 106 George Street, The Rocks | Wednesday 3 April, 6pm
Historic Sydney venue The Keel—once a key part of the city’s original rum trade—is giving rum lovers the chance to up their knowledge in a series of masterclasses, and this week’s theme is Caribbean Heavies. Each masterclass starts with a finger lime daiquiri on arrival before moving through a tasting of six rums, and a deep dive from host and renowned bartender Tom Bulmer.
The Keel’s rum masterclasses will run every Wednesday until 1 May for $65pp—check out the full lineup of classes and book your spot.
Peach PRC: Secret PRC Tour
Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Road, Newtown | Friday 5 April
Image credit: Peach PRC | Instagram
Current queen of Aussie pop Peach PRC is bringing her dreamy, fairy-core show to Sydney this week for her biggest headline tour to date.
Playing songs from her debut Manic Pixie Dream EP like “Kinda Famous”, “F U Goodbye”, and “Perfect For You” and new single “Like A Girl Does”, Peach will take to the stage with her signature laidback style. Even if you’re not a fan yet, it’ll be worth checking out the artist who’s generated 4 million-plus social followers. The Saturday show is sold out, but tickets remain for Friday from $69.90.
Beers And Bangers
Kyiv Social, 202 Broadway, Chippendale | Sunday 7 April, 1pm–9pm
Plate It Forward venue Kyiv Social is kicking off a monthly series of laneway Sunday sessions this week, with the inaugural Beers and Bangers.
The free event will feature beers from Young Henrys, snags by LP’s Quality Meats (including a Ukrainian-style gourmet hot dog with horseradish mayo, Kyiv slaw and fried shallots) and Ukrainian House DJs, offering a chance for the community to come together and celebrate the venue’s great work in welcoming and providing work to newly arrived Ukrainian refugees.
The party will continue on the first Sunday of every month in Grafton Lane, which the council will close off to make for a full outdoor dining and drinking laneway.
April Food Events And Markets
Maybe Cocktail Festival
Various locations | Tuesday 9–Sunday 14 April
Image credit: Maybe Sammy | Supplied
Some of the world’s most acclaimed bars will pop up in Sydney for six days of spirit-fuelled fun for the second annual Maybe Cocktail Festival. 12 of the World’s 50 Best Bars (including number three: Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy) will be hosted at nine venues across Sydney.
Highlights include London bar Kwãnt at Maybe Sammy (9pm–12am, Wednesday 10 April), Julio Bermejo, the creator of the Tommy’s margarita at El Primo Sanchez (5pm–9pm, Friday 12 April) and Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage at Busby’s (5pm–9pm, Saturday 13 April).
Over 30 international bartenders from Rome, San Francisco, Mexico City, Edinburgh, New York City, Florence and Hong Kong will shake up cocktails at free-t0-attend guest shifts when they will offer special cocktails priced $20-$25, with a few masterclasses and special parties in the mix too. You can try your luck walking in, or RSVP to secure a spot.
Cheese Degustation Dinner
Secolo, 94 Beattie Street, Balmain | Thursday 11 April
Image credit: Secolo Balmain | Vaida Savickaite
Balmain’s family-run Italian restaurant Secolo and Rozelle store Cheese Celebration are teaming up for a cheese-filled degustation dinner, offering rare and wonderful varieties from around the world.
The four-course meal will feature seven different cheeses, in dishes like fresh fig, gorgonzola and polenta chips, a “dairy bomb” entree of tortino filled with 18-month-old Parmigiano Reggiano, and a whisky risotto with a semi-hard cow and goat’s whisky cheese from Piedmont with scallop tartare, vanilla bean and salted pepitas. A seat at the cheese degustation are $149pp, with all food and matched wines included.
La Fiesta Pop-Up
The Grounds of Alexandria, 2 Huntley Street, Alexandria | Until early April
Image credit: The Grounds of Alexandria | Website
The Grounds has done it again, wheeling out a visually stunning activation of its winding laneways, this time with a vibrant Mexican theme that glows with neons after dark. As well as the pop-up elements, The Grounds’ venues all have Mexican-inspired elements running, like cactus sangria, taco Tuesday, mango margaritas and the cute-as Cancun Sunrise cake for two.
The laneways are accessible for paying customers of The Grounds—learn more about La Fiesta here.
Woollahra Hotel Tequila Fiesta
Woollahra Hotel, 116 Queen Street, Woollahra | Until Wednesday 24 April
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Image credit: Woollahra Hotel | Supplied
Celebrate the final weeks of warm weather in Sydney with a Don Julio Tequila Fiesta on the Woollahra Hotel’s upstairs terrace, transformed into a Mexican-inspired garden.
There’s a special menu with $15 frozen margaritas and $15 pomegranate margaritas, plus DJs from 4pm on Saturdays and live acoustic sessions from 2pm on Sundays. You can walk in, or book for your group.
April Film, Music, Theatre And Comedy Events
Sham Fest
Petersham Bowling Club, 77 Brighton Street, Petersham | Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 April
Beloved community hub the Petersham Bowling Club is planning its most significant accessibility upgrade since 1972—and it needs massive support through grants, fundraising, sponsorships, and community vibes to make it happen.
To get closer to their goal and kick off fundraising efforts, the club is throwing Sham Fest: a free two-day music festival with awesome local acts including Crocodylus, Good Pash, The Crooked Fiddle Band, and The Morrisons. There’ll be a big focus on inclusivity with live music Auslan interpretation, plus sea shanty singing, line dancing, lawn games and loads of opps to support the great cause.
Young Franco
Metro Theatre, G2/624 George Street, CBD | Friday 12 April
Image credit: Young Franco | Instagram
Kicking off the Smirnoff Future Fresh series in Sydney is Young Franco—one of the most in-demand producers and DJs right now, with a whopping 50 million streams of his uber-cool dance jams that blend the best of hip-hop, pop and electro.
The Future Fresh series features artists headlining shows across the country, and hand-selecting two emerging artists who will get the chance to be their opening acts, plus receiving industry mentoring to move their music to the next level. Not only is this an awesome platform for emerging artists, but tickets to a Future Fresh gig mean you’ll be getting in on the ground floor with some amazing up-and-comers. Tickets are still available from $39.90
Mov’In Bed Beach Cinema
Harbour Park, Barangaroo | Until Sunday 14 April
Image credit: Mov’In Bed Beach Cinema | Supplied
The home of cosy cinema is moving; Mov’In Bed Beach Cinema, which has won the hearts of many reclined Sydney cinema-goers in recent years, is shifting its furniture to the beach. The world’s biggest outdoor “bed cinema” is setting up shop on Barangaroo’s Harbour Park this summer, where 280 tonnes of white sand will be topped with a five-metre 4K screen and 150 queen-size beds, pillows and blankets.
Tuck yourself in for recent blockbusters like Napoleon, Killers of the Flower Moon and Ferrari, and enjoy luxury tableside service throughout the screening. Learn more here.
Phoenix Central Park Season XI
Phoenix Central Park, 37-49 O’Connor Street, Chippendale | Until Thursday 18 April
Image credit: Phoenix Central Park | Jordan Munns
Phoenix Central Park will host its 11th annual program of acclaimed, forward-thinking artistic performances. With tickets available via a free-to-enter ballot, this year’s line-up includes punk icon Mick Harvey, electronic auteur Tim Hecker, rising rapper Mulalo, and post-internet jazz duo DOMi and JD Beck. You can enter the free ticket ballot for upcoming performances here.
Noah Dillon
The Vanguard, 42 King Street, Newtown | Thursday 18 April
Image credit: Noah Dillon | Instagram
Before embarking on a European tour in May, singer-songwriter Noah Dillon will stop off at The Vanguard to share his indie rock/alternative folk songs with Sydneysiders.
You might remember him from his turn at Splendour in the Grass, and this show will be a perfect chance to reacquaint yourself with his raw, cathartic, and ultra-Aussie sound. There’s something a bit nostalgic and pub-rocky about this one – Dillon’s music finds the magic in the mundane and is best enjoyed with a beer in hand and a mate by your side. Tickets are going for $29.16.
April Art, Culture And Exhibitions
Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition
Level 5, 1-3 Smail Street, Ultimo | Wednesday 10 April–Thursday 30 May
Image credit: Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition | Supplied
Following sold-out tours in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Puerto Rico, Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition is bringing a never-before-seen glimpse into the life of Diana Spencer as captured by her Official Royal Photographer, Anwar Hussein, with bespoke art installations and artefacts.
The exhibition explores the relationship between the princess and her photographer, with an audio guide from Anwar to provide context to the famous and not-so-famous shots he captured. Tickets are $29 for adults, $24 for seniors or students, and $12 for children.
Fusion Rules
VANDAL Gallery, 16-30 Vine Street, Redfern | Until Thursday 11 April
Image credit: Craig Black | Website
A debut Aussie solo exhibition by Scottish artist Craig Black, Fusion Rules sees elements of Aussie sports culture—like balls from AFL, netball, cricket and more—covered in his unique Acrylic Fusion technique. The hand-poured practice creates a one-off, mesmerising visual effect that exaggerates the clashing of the worlds of sport and culture.
Dale Frank: Growers and showers
NAS Galleries, 156 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst | Friday 12 April–Saturday 1 June
Image credit: National Art School | Supplied
Check out the expanded painting practice of one of Australia’s foremost contemporary artists, Dale Frank, at this significant exhibition of over 40 large-scale works he developed since the ’70s. It’s his first solo institutional exhibition in over 20 years.
The vivacious collection includes various mediums and unexpected surfaces from poured epoxy-glass on metallic Perspex to CDs, human hair wigs, shattered glass and air vent ducts, showcasing his experimental approach to artmaking. Sculpture, sound and performance round out the experience to create immersive experiences to capture Frank’s maximalism. Dale Frank: growers and showers is free to visit at the National Art School, 11am–5pm daily.
Pepsi X Jackson Cowden X G Flip
Sydney Harbour | Wednesday 17 April, 6pm
In an epic all-Aussie combination of fashion, music and refreshing sips, Pepsi will unveil its new Pepsi Pulse Collection this month against the stunning backdrop of the Sydney Opera House with a spectacular free event.
The all-Australian collab to celebrate Pepsi’s first brand refresh in 15 years will see emerging fashion designer and digital fashion artist Jackson Cowden reveal his debut collection to the soaring soundtrack of G Flip performing live. As well as the visual spectacle, there’ll be street food snacks and a curated cocktail list inspired by AFL legends. Tickets are free and strictly limited to 150. Head to Pepsi’s Instagram from 12pm, Thursday 4 April to nab yours.
The Art of Banksy: Without Limits
Town Hall, 483 George St | Until Friday 26 April
Image credit: Fever | Supplied
The work of the world’s most famous—and mysterious—graffiti artist is coming to Sydney this week. Town Hall will host the massive exhibition The Art of Banksy: Without Limits, celebrating Banksy’s art, sharing over 150 pieces and unique installations.
As well as original works, prints, photos, lithographs, sculptures, murals and video mapping installations, there will be custom-built experiential areas including an infinity room where you can immerse yourself in Banksy’s most political works. Learn more here.
A Blueprint For Ruins
White Rabbit Gallery, 30 Balfour Street, Chippendale | Until Sunday 12 May
Image credit: White Rabbit Gallery | Instagram
Spanning four floors of the impressive White Rabbit Gallery, A Blueprint for Ruins explores a world without people, where only monuments and memories of culture and life remain, in a reflection on China’s race to embrace modernity.
The works curated by David Williams (including an abandoned nightclub scene, bronze, resin and marble sculptures, paintings, prints and more) provide an immersive and thought-provoking look into the effects of urbanisation on trade, the environment, culture and humanity. A Blueprint for Ruins is free to visit, 10am–5pm, Wednesday–Sunday.
Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs
The Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Darlinghurst | Until Sunday 19 May
Image credit: Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs | Supplied
After showing in Paris, Houston, and San Francisco, the incredible Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition is headed to Sydney. The blockbuster exhibition will feature the actual sarcophagus of Ramses II—one of the most impressive royal coffins from ancient Egypt ever to be discovered—plus 181 priceless artefacts including animal mummies, jewellery, spectacular royal masks, and exquisite amulets, making it the largest cultural exhibition to visit Sydney in over a decade. Buy tickets here.
The 24th Biennale Of Sydney
Various locations | Until Monday 10 June
Image credit: Biennale of Sydney | Daniel Boud
The cultural kaleidoscope that is the Biennale of Sydney makes a grand return for its 24th edition, titled Ten Thousand Suns. The Biennale is a completely free art festival showcasing 96 leading artists’ work from 50 different countries, spread over seven of Sydney’s most iconic spots including the Art Gallery of NSW, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney.
The Biennale is the largest contemporary art event of its kind in Australia, making it an unmissable event for art aficionados—and it’s all completely free to experience. Check out the full program of artworks or programmed events like after-dark sessions, tours, performances and workshops to plan your experience.
Sydney Spirits Festival
Overseas Passenger Terminal, 130 Argyle Street, The Rocks | Friday 10–Sunday 12 May
Sydney Spirits Festival makes its grand debut this year, showcasing 148 brands to unleash your inner spirit. With such a massive range of purveyors under one roof, we guarantee that even the most advanced connoisseur will find something new and exotic to surprise themself with. Sample the best from international and boutique distillers, and meet the stars of the spirits world who will be pouring samples of their internationally acclaimed drops.
Gastronomic delights like caviar bumps will accompany your tastings of German and Japanese gins, American peanut butter whisky, Australian gold medal-winning Negronis and more.
The Cat Empire X Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Sydney CBD | Friday 6 and Saturday 7 September
Image credit: Sydney Symphony Orchestra | Supplied
Legendary Aussie band The Cat Empire will play two very special shows with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, performing their much-loved tunes from the past two decades and new tracks blending world music styles including Afro-Cuban, Seychellois kreol, Brazilian and flamenco.
The Sydney shows will feature world-class flamenco artists Richard Tedesco, Johnny Tedesco, Chantelle Cano and Sydney Children’s Choir (Sydney only), with original The Cat Empire members Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill joined by newcomers Grace Barbe, drummer Daniel Farrugia and percussionist Neda Rahmani. Tickets are available from Tuesday 26 March from $49pp.
Coldplay: Music Of The Spheres World Tour
Accor Stadium, Edwin Flack Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park | Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 November
Image credit: Coldplay | Anna Lee Media
Coldplay has just confirmed stadium shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland for their record-breaking world tour which has electrified audiences in their sell-out shows in Perth, Tokyo, Kaohsiung and Jakarta. The band will be performing in Sydney at Accor Stadium on Wednesday 6 November 6 and Thursday 7 November, 2024.
Since the first Music Of The Spheres World Tour date in March 2022, the band have sold over nine million tickets—the most for any tour over the last two years. Register for presale tickets from 10am on Wednesday, 29 November here, or add 10am on 1 December to your calendar for general sale.
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Main image credit: The Grounds of Alexandria | Facebook
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George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
