November and December are certainly the time be in Sydney. Firstly, it’s been the place where we’ve enjoyed the spectacular 100 year anniversary of our national airline Qantas.
This Monday (16 November), we witnessed a spectacular birthday celebration with the lighting of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a larger-than-life birthday cake and a Qantas 787 Centenary aircraft dramatically blowing out the candles as it flew overhead.
Now with the warm weather and Sydney’s new outdoor dining initiatives, it’s the perfect time to join in on the fun and help reinvigorate Sydney and the all important recovery of the tourism industry.
Top 12 Events Not To Miss In Sydney
1. Great Southern Nights — Across Sydney and NSW
Throughout November until 5 December
Great Southern Nights has successfully launched across NSW, with more than 1100 COVID-safe gigs being held from the country to the coast. In Sydney, tickets are still available to a variety of shows, including Jessica Mauboy at Sydney Coliseum Rooty Hill, George Alice at Oxford Art Factory, Hot Dub Time Machine at State Theatre, Mahalia Barnes at Venue 505 Newtown, and more. See off the festival with tickets to two major concerts — the Greatest Southern Nights at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena. See psychedelic surf rockers Ocean Alley headline Saturday 28 November, along with rising Australian stars Jack River, Ruby Fields and Jack Botts. And watch one of Australia’s biggest stars Bernard Fanning take the stage on Saturday 5 December, along with multi-platinum-selling musician Matt Corby and support from Merci, Mercy.
2. Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop — Museum of Contemporary Art
Now until 26 April 2021
Australian Chinese artist Lindy Lee melds two cultures together in this mesmerising exhibition of more than 70 works including large-scale sculptures and wax paintings. Lee uses unique processes like burning paper and allowing rain to transform surfaces.
3. 2020 Rugby Championships — ANZ Stadium & Bankwest Stadium
5 December
Watch the final game of the 2020 Rugby Championships right from the sidelines, and cheer on the Wallabies as they take on Argentina at Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta on Saturday 5 December.
4. Streeton — Art Gallery of NSW
Now until 14 February 2021
See the most significant exhibition of Australian artist Arthur Streeton at the Art Gallery of NSW this summer. Featuring more than 150 works, take in Streeton’s sun-drenched impressionist landscapes from the 1880s and vivid scenes of Sydney Harbour in the 1890s.
5. PIPPIN — Sydney Lyric Theatre
From 24 November 2020
This Tony® Award-winning musical will premiere at the Sydney Lyric theatre at The Star this November. Full of extraordinary acrobatics, wondrous magical feats and soaring songs, this is a high-flying, death-defying musical not to be missed.
6. Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family — Australian Museum
From 28 November 2020
Get ready to travel back 66 million years as the most feared dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus rex, comes crashing out from the Cretaceous period and into the new blockbuster exhibition space at the Australian Museum. View a colossal collection of tyrannosaur skeletons, skulls, fossil eggs and more.
7. Van Gogh Alive: The Experience — Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park
Now until 20 December
See Van Gogh’s masterpieces like never before at this immersive, multisensory exhibition of light, sound, colour and fragrance. With paintings projected large scale onto walls, floors and ceilings, it will feel like you are walking right into the art.
8. Mov’in Boat Floating Cinema — Darling Harbour
From 3 December to 21 February
Watch your favourite films while floating on sparkling Cockle Bay at this brand-new cinema experience by Mov’in Bed. Hire a rowboat, laze on the floating pontoon, BYO boat or book a VIP day bed for this unique movie night under the stars.
9. Sydney Superfight — Bankwest Stadium
16 December
Cheer on Australia’s number one boxing superstar Tim Tszyu as he goes up against New Zealander Bowyn Morgan in what is slated to be the biggest boxing event of the decade. Plus, Ex-NRL star Paul Gallen will take on former UFC star Mark Hunt in an undercard battle of the big men.
10. Frozen The Musical — Capitol Theatre
From 1 December 2020
Disney’s award-winning animated movie Frozen will come to life in Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from 1 December, as the stage transforms to the magical icy kingdom of Arandelle. Featuring all the original songs — plus a dozen new numbers — an all-star Australian cast, beautiful costumes, amazing special effects, and a real-life telling of the inspiring story of sisterhood that will melt your heart — you’ve never seen Frozen like this.
11. The Rocks Christmas Markets — The Rocks
4 Dec to 24 Dec: 10am-8pm, Fri to Sat; 10am-5pm, Sun
Special Christmas Eve Market: Thu 24 Dec, 11am-6pm
Fill your Christmas stockings with locally made artisan crafts and wares at this year’s Christmas Markets at The Rocks. Pick up handmade fashion and jewellery, designer homewares, local art and gourmet goods.
12. New Year’s Eve — Sydney Harbour
31 December
This year, the NSW Government will host a pared-down firework display at midnight to ring in the new year at Sydney Harbour. The government is working through preparations to ensure there are no crowd management, safety, traffic and transport issues. You need to have a confirmed booking at a hospitality venue in the city, so make a night of it with dinner at your favourite Sydney restaurant.
