What's On This Weekend - 28 to 30 Aug

Are you still figuring out your plans for this weekend? Consider this your sign to stop doomscrolling and make the most of Sydney!

This weekend, Sydney is taking things up a notch with plenty of things happening from 28-30 August. Think late-night markets, murder mystery activities, a Wild West night and even a chance to wander the wizarding world. Whatever your preferred weekend looks like, there's plenty happening around Sydney to keep you busy.

1. Epic Friday Food Run 🍡🏮

Chinatown Friday Night Markets

📍 Haymarket
🗓 Friday 28 August | 5pm–10pm

💰 Free

Kick off the weekend with a little stroll through Haymarket. The Chinatown Friday Night Markets are the perfect spot to wander between stalls with food in hand, soak up the atmosphere and grab a drink while you’re at it.

It’s an easy go-to when you don’t really have a plan. Just bring your friends, grab some food and see where the night takes you.

2. Detective, Your Next Case Awaits 🔎

Three Ways to Die Murder Mystery

📍 Five Dock
🗓 Friday 28 August & Sunday 30 August

💰 $30/pp entry (+ booking fee)

Think you cracked the case? You might want to think again.

Three Ways to Die drops you straight into the middle of the mystery, where every clue, conversation and suspicious detail has you second-guessing what you thought you knew. Your job is to work out the truth on what actually happened.

Sessions run on Friday 28 Aug 7 PM-8:30 PM , or Sunday at 4 PM-5:30 PM and 7 PM-8.30 PM in Five Dock.

Detective tip: Trust the clues. Question the stories. 🔎

3. Howdy, Partner 🤠

This Is Texas: Rodeo Night
📍 Side Bar
🗓 Friday 28 August | 8pm–4am
💰 Free entry before 9pm

Put on your cowboy boots and get ready for a trip to the Wild Wild West at Side Bar this Friday! A mechanical bull awaits, so rally up your friends and take it for a spin. It’s the perfect excuse to spice things up on a Friday night.

Entry is free before 9pm, so get there early to see who can stay on the longest.

4. Discover Your Next Favourite Artist 🎤

Alex Warren Finding Family on the Road Tour
📍 Afterpay Arena
🗓 Friday 28 – Sunday 30 August | 8pm
🎟️ Tickets from $89.90

Got Ordinary saved in your playlist? Now’s your chance to hear it live.

Alex Warren is bringing his Finding Family on the Road World Tour to Sydney for three nights at Afterpay Arena. Expect live music, big singalongs and all the songs you’ve had on repeat.

Just a heads up, there’s a big chance he’ll be stuck in your head all weekend.

5. Run, Sydney, Run! 🏃

Sydney Marathon Weekend
📍 North Sydney Oval
🗓 Sunday 30 August | From 6:15am

💰 Free to watch

The day starts bright and early from 6:15am. Grab a coffee, find a spot along the route and watch the spectacle of thousands of runners take on Sydney’s streets.

This weekend, runners are lacing up for the Sydney Marathon. Whether you’re taking part or cheering from the sidelines, there’s plenty of action to get amongst as runners take over Sydney’s streets.

Take this as a sign to get a move on!

6. You’ve Been Accepted to Hogwarts 🪄

Harry Potter: The Exhibition

📍 Sydney Showground

🗓 Until 11 October | 10am–6pm

🎟️ Tickets from $34

Dear Future Wizard,

Good news! you’ve been accepted into the wizarding world.

Step inside Harry Potter: The Exhibition to explore costumes, props and immersive experiences from the films.

Your letter has arrived. Now, all you need to do is pick a date.

7. Hakuna Matata, The Show is Here! 🦁

The Lion King Musical

📍 Capitol Theatre
🎟️ Tickets from $60

Something wild is hitting the stage! Step into the Pride Lands with The Lion King at Capitol Theatre and enjoy the iconic songs, colourful costumes and unforgettable story.

Showtimes:
• Wednesday — 1pm & 7pm
• Saturday — 2pm & 7:30pm
• Sunday — 1pm & 6:30pm

8. Something Sweet is Coming Up 🍦

Melrose Central Anita Gelato Grand Opening

📍 Upper Ground External

🗓 Saturday 29 August | From 10am

💰 Free*

Anita Gelato is opening its doors at Melrose Central, and the first 300 people can grab a scoop for free! If you have a sweet tooth, this activity may be for you! 

Bring your friends and get there early, once those 300 scoops are gone, they are gone!

9. Overdue: Give Your Closet a Switch-Up ‼️

Ultimo Clothes Swap

📍 Ultimo Community Centre
🗓 Saturday 29 August | 11am–12:30pm

The Ultimo Clothes Swap is the perfect excuse to refresh your wardrobe while clearing out some space. Bring along up to 5 pieces you no longer wear and swap them for something new to you.

Whether you’re clearing out clothes that have been sitting in the back of your wardrobe or just feel like switching up your style, it’s a simple way to give your old favourites a second life. Plus, you might just find something you actually want to take home with you.

10. Not Quite The Cullen Family, but Close Enough. 🦇

Bloodsuckers: Nature's Vampires

📍 Australian Museum
🗓 Every day | 10am–4pm
🎟️ Tickets from $31

Did you know vampires are real? Just not quite how they look in the movies.

Forget Edward Cullen, the Bloodsuckers: Nature's Vampires exhibition lets you take a closer look at nature’s real bloodsuckers, from bats to leeches. There’s actually some surprisingly fascinating science behind how they survive!

No love-triangle drama, no mysterious vampire romance, just real bloodsuckers and the science behind them. 🦇 If your Twilight era never really left, this one might be worth your time.

So many things to choose from, we bet you’re now left with one problem: what to do first? 👀

So pick a plan, text the group chat and make it a good one.

Your weekend plans are sorted, now just send this to the group chat.