What's On This Weekend - 14 to 16 Aug

Sydney is keeping the weekend interesting with free live music, creative workshops, science, harbour views and plenty of reasons to get out of the house. Whether you’re looking for something cheap to do with friends, want to try something new, or just need a Sunday plan, here’s what’s actually worth checking out.

1. Retro Party at Harbour View Hotel 🪩

Retro Party

📍 Harbour View Hotel, Dawes Point
🗓 Saturday 15 August
⏰ From 7pm
💰 Free entry

Ready to throw it back?

Harbour View Hotel is turning up the nostalgia this Saturday with a free Retro Party featuring DJ Linsey spinning the biggest hits from the 80s, 90s and 2000s.

Expect throwback classics, a dance floor and plenty of songs you forgot you knew every word to. Grab your friends, dress up if you’re feeling it and settle in for a night of old-school hits without the old-school price tag.

2. Free Live Music Sundays at Foys 🎶

Live Music at Foys

📍 Foys Kirribilli, 76 McDougall Street, Kirribilli
🗓 Sunday 16 August
⏰ 3pm–6pm
💰 Free

Sunday plans sorted.

Foys Kirribilli is bringing back its free Live Music Sundays, with local musicians performing from 3pm to 6pm overlooking the harbour. This Sunday’s lineup features Sagar, with live tunes running through the afternoon and into sunset.

Whether you’re planning a long lunch, afternoon drinks or simply want somewhere scenic to spend your Sunday, this is an easy one for a relaxed weekend session.

3. National Science Week 🔬

science week

📍 Across Sydney
🗓 15–23 August
💰 Varies by event

Science is taking over Australia this week.

National Science Week runs from 15 to 23 August, bringing together thousands of events across the country, including talks, experiments, workshops, virtual tours, competitions and hands-on activities.

There’s no single place to go — instead, you can search the National Science Week program for events happening around Sydney and find something that matches your interests:

https://www.scienceweek.net.au/

From technology and space to the environment, health and innovation, there’s plenty for the curious to get stuck into.

And yes, science can actually be fun outside the classroom.

4. Discover Korea Festival 🇰🇷

Korea Festival web

📍 Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay
🗓 Saturday 15 August
⏰ Check event listing for session times
💰 Free

Fancy a little taste of Korea without booking a flight?

The Discover Korea Festival is bringing the flavours, culture and energy of South Korea to Circular Quay for one day only. Expect plenty to explore, whether you’re into Korean food, K-beauty, K-pop or simply looking for something different to do this Saturday.

The festival is designed to inspire your next Korean adventure, so come hungry, curious and ready to discover a little more of Korean culture right in the heart of Sydney. And the best part? It’s completely free.

5. Padel Takes Over the Opera House 🎾

Padel_Invitational_Hero Image_2560x854.jpg.webp

📍 Northern Broadwalk, Sydney Opera House
🗓 Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 August
⏰ From 10am
💰 From $30

Padel has officially made its way to one of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks.

The Padel Invitational presented by UBS is bringing world-class professional padel to the Sydney Opera House for the first time, with international Premier Padel stars, sporting legends and celebrity talent taking over the court against a seriously unbeatable harbour backdrop.

Saturday is all about the action, with elite matches, a One Point Padel showcase, food, drinks and live entertainment — plus a free harbourside afterparty from 5:30pm to 9pm, subject to capacity.

Sunday brings the finals, community matches and more exhibition games, making it a pretty unique way to spend the weekend if you’re keen to see what the world’s fastest-growing sport is all about.

Tickets start at $30 for Sunday and $50 for Saturday, or skip the daytime event and head along to the free Saturday afterparty instead.

So, what’s your weekend looking like? 👀

Whether you’re catching live music by the harbour, exploring Korean culture or watching padel with an Opera House backdrop, Sydney is giving you plenty of reasons to get out and about this weekend.

And if you’re keeping things budget-friendly, there are some seriously good free picks on the list — from the Retro Party at Harbour View Hotel to Foys’ Sunday session and the Discover Korea Festival.

Now the only question is: which one are you actually going to?

Save this list, send it to your group chat and start making those weekend plans.