October in Sydney: top events in your city this month
There are well over a thousand events on around Sydney this month, and a long weekend right at the start of it. These are the fifty-odd we'd actually message the group chat about.
Every pick below links to its live page on Keen, with dates, prices and the ticket link. The links retire once an event is done, so if one tells you it's been and gone, that's the truth doing its job. For the always-current version, what's on in Sydney is rebuilt from the catalogue nightly.
Grand Final Sunday: where to watch
Roosters v Knights at Accor Stadium on Sunday 4 October, kick-off 7:30pm. The clocks go forward that same morning, so set a reminder for the new time, not your body clock. No ticket? These are the rooms worth being in, and the full list is on where to watch the Grand Final in Sydney.
The Locker Room x VB Grand Final Party
Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park · Sunday 4 October, from midday
DJs, food and outdoor bars on the stadium's doorstep from midday until late, before and after the game. From 5pm there's a Supercar tug of war, which is exactly as sensible as it sounds. Walk in, and get in early.
Roosters' official watch party
Easts Bondi Junction · Sunday 4 October, from 4pm Free
The Roosters are in both deciders, and this is their own watch party at the home club: the NRLW at 4pm, then the big one. Free for Easts members plus one guest each, no reserved seats, so arrive early and together.
Grand Final family day at Waverley Greens
Waverley Greens, Waverley · Sunday 4 October, from 4pm Free
The Roosters' family-friendly spot for the day, with both deciders on big screens around the club and under-18s welcome with an adult. First come, first served.
Grand Final at Felons Manly
Manly Wharf · Sunday 4 October, from 3:55pm
Both grand finals on the big screen right on the wharf, with live music after the game for whoever's celebrating. Come early for a feed.
Grand Final at The Orient Hotel
The Rocks · Sunday 4 October, from 6pm
The game at one of The Rocks' old pubs, a short walk from the Quay, then live music until 1am. Handy if Monday's a public holiday for you. It is.
Grand Final at Winghaus
Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park · Sunday 4 October
Twenty screens and an outdoor one on the Upper Deck, across the road from the Roosters' home ground. Wings, burgers, cold beer; book a table.
The big nights
Missy Higgins: Live at the Point
Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point · Thursday 1 October
Her only Sydney show this year, out on the harbour with the Opera House over your shoulder. Hard to think of a better way to start a month.
The Teskey Brothers: Live at the Point
Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point · Friday 2 October
Soul and blues on the same harbourside stage the very next night. Two nights, two gigs, one excellent week.
Noah Kahan
Afterpay Arena, Sydney Olympic Park · 2, 3, 5 and 6 October
Anthemic, heart-on-sleeve folk-pop, four nights across the long weekend. The whole arena sings; so will you.
Night at The Barracks: Jet
North Head Sanctuary, Manly · Saturday 3 October
Aussie rock anthems under an open sky at North Head, on the long weekend Saturday. The Cruel Sea and Magic Dirt play the same spot the night before.
Post Malone's BIG ASS World Tour
ENGIE Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park · Thursday 15 October
A stadium night with Don Toliver as special guest. A Thursday, which means Friday at work is going to be a write-off.
Tame Impala
Afterpay Arena, Sydney Olympic Park · 19 to 21 October
Psych-rock spectacle across three arena nights. The one gig everybody seems to be going to this month.
5 Seconds of Summer
Afterpay Arena, Sydney Olympic Park · Friday 30 October
A hometown arena show from one of Sydney's biggest exports, on their Everyone's a Star world tour.
BIGBANG: XX Cosmos World Tour
Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park · Saturday 31 October
A massive K-pop stadium night from one of the biggest names in the genre. The Halloween plans just got competition.
Olivia Dean
Afterpay Arena, Sydney Olympic Park · 9 and 10 October
British soul-pop, two nights, a voice that makes a room this big feel small.
Portugal. The Man
Roundhouse, Kensington · Wednesday 14 October
A big international band back at the Roundhouse. A school night, which makes it better.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (Rave Show)
Liberty Hall, Moore Park · Wednesday 14 October
The late half of a two-venue day, starting at half past ten and turned all the way up. Not for the faint-hearted or the early risers.
Jazz, voices and film scores
Dee Dee Bridgewater Duo with Helen Sung
State Theatre · Thursday 22 October
A legendary jazz vocalist in an intimate duo, inside one of the grandest theatres in the country.
Rebirth Brass Band with Dink
Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst · Tuesday 20 October
New Orleans brass at full tilt in a room that will not sit still. The best Tuesday of the month, easily.
Sumi Jo: 40th Anniversary Recital
Sydney Town Hall · Friday 2 October
A Grammy-winning soprano marking forty years on stage. The dress-up option for the long weekend.
Hans Zimmer
Afterpay Arena, Sydney Olympic Park · 28 and 29 October
Epic film scores played live at arena scale. Expect goosebumps and at least one person in your row conducting.
NARUTO: The Symphonic Experience
ICC Sydney · Saturday 3 October
A live orchestra behind Naruto on a giant screen. For the mate who has been waiting their whole life for someone to take this seriously.
On stage
Disney's The Lion King
Capitol Theatre, Haymarket · sessions all month
The puppetry, the songs, the moment the animals come down the aisles. It earns its reputation every single night.
My Fair Lady
Sydney Opera House · sessions all month
The beloved musical in the Joan Sutherland Theatre. An Opera House night out with songs you'll be singing on the ferry home.
Monty Python's Spamalot
Sydney Event Centre, Pyrmont · 15 to 18 October
Killer rabbits, knights who say Ni and a lot of tap dancing. Take the mate who quotes it at dinner.
Cirque Alice
Sydney Lyric Theatre · until 11 October
Aerialists, contortionists and puppetry loose in Wonderland, across the school holidays.
Blanc de Blanc
The Grand Electric, Surry Hills · from 28 October
Champagne, acrobatics and cheeky cabaret. The ideal "we should do something fancy" night that isn't actually that fancy.
The Elevator
Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli · until 18 October
A sharp new Australian office satire: the boss is stuck in the lift and the whole place starts to unravel. Very cathartic if you work in an office.
Galleries and museums
Nolan: Origins
Art Gallery of NSW · from 3 October
Ned Kelly, the outback and around a hundred major works from Sidney Nolan's early years. Wednesday nights run late, with two-for-one tickets.
Connections: MCA x Tate
Museum of Contemporary Art, The Rocks · all month
Thirty-three Australian artists filling the MCA. Thursday nights are two-for-one, which is basically an invitation.
Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard
Australian National Maritime Museum · until 11 October
Real Viking-age treasure and the stories buried with it, in its final fortnight.
BODY WORLDS: The Anatomy of Happiness
The Rocks · until 31 October
Real anatomy, up close. Plenty to argue about on the walk out, which is the point.
Definitive Dupain
State Library of NSW · daily Free
Two hundred Max Dupain prints tracing sixty years of Australian life. A proper free wander through the country's photographic memory.
Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Australian Museum · daily Free
A hundred stunning shots of the wild places next door. A good rainy-day backup that costs nothing.
Comedy and close to it
Kitty Flanagan: Glad Game
State Theatre · 23, 24, 30 and 31 October
Sharp, dry stand-up in a grand old theatre. Four dates, so no excuses.
Aaron Chen: Technology
State Theatre · 7, 8 and 14 October
Deadpan, gloriously odd stand-up from a familiar comedy face.
The Year in Tatters
Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli · until 24 October
Satirists shredding the year in sketches and songs. Therapeutic, frankly.
Pam Ann: Celebrating 30 Years of Flying
Universal, Darlinghurst · Saturdays 3, 10 and 17 October
Thirty years of airline roasts, unfiltered and very loud, three Saturdays only. The 17 October show has its own page too.
Food and drink
Hunter Valley Uncorked Balmoral
Rotunda at Balmoral Beach, Mosman · Sunday 18 October
Two dozen Hunter wineries, live music and lunch by the beach. The Hunter came to you; the least you can do is turn up.
Chardy Party
The International, Sydney · Saturday 3 October
Thirty winemakers, a hundred chardonnays and a long spring afternoon, on the long weekend Saturday.
Oktoberfest in the Gardens
The Domain · Saturday 31 October
Two big-top bier halls, German food and a silent disco in the Domain.
Latin Nights: Block Party at Hay St
Hay St Market, Haymarket · Saturday nights Free
A free salsa lesson, two dance floors and dinner in between. Two left feet welcome.
Markets and free days out
Spring Sessions
State Library of NSW · Wednesdays until 21 October Free
Free sunset sets on the forecourt, a pop-up bar and somewhere to sit. The best-value after-work drink in town.
Le Marché French Market
The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park · Sunday 4 October Free
Pastries, crêpes and Parisian stalls at a monthly French market, on the long weekend Sunday.
Moon Festival Darling Square
Darling Square, Haymarket · until 4 October Free
Lanterns, mooncakes and free entertainment across the square, in its last few days.
Alchemy of a Rainforest
Royal Botanic Garden · daily Free
A shimmering reimagined rainforest of art and eighteen thousand plants. A slow, pretty wander with nothing to pay.
Firestick
The Mint · Thursday 8 October Free
First Nations voices on truth-telling, then drinks in the courtyard.
Late ones
HOT SAUCE ft. Carl Cox and Eric Powell
Selina's, Coogee Bay Hotel · 15 and 16 October
Seven hours of disco and house with a genuine legend on the decks, a stroll from the beach. The Friday night is the second chance.
Terminal V Sydney
ivy · Saturday 17 October
A global techno brand taking over ivy for one night.
POOF DOOF Halloqween Ball
ivy · Saturday 31 October
An all-out queer Halloween costume rave. The costume is not optional, spiritually.
Something different
Alcotraz
Chippendale · sessions all month · 18+
Don the orange jumpsuit, dodge corrupt guards and smuggle in the makings of your cocktails. Deeply silly, executed completely straight.
Candlelight: Ed Sheeran Meets Coldplay
St Stephen's Uniting Church · Friday 2 October
Two stadium catalogues rearranged for strings by candlelight in a church. The soft landing into the long weekend.
All-Star Circus
The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park · until 11 October
Human pyramids, spinning wheels and acrobats making it look easy, across the school holidays.
The part where you actually go
That's the list. The gap between reading it and standing in one of those rooms is the same as ever: someone has to pick a date and make the call.
That's the job Keen does. The quickest way in is Find a time: pick two or three dates that could work, add an idea or two from this page, and drop one link in the group chat. Everyone answers from their browser, no app and no account needed. You see which date wins, tap once, and it's a real plan with RSVPs and a chat of its own.
And once your mates are on Keen too, it starts doing the noticing for you: everyone marks the nights they're free, and when yours line up, Keen tells you, along with what's on that actually suits the crew. The Labour Day long weekend (3 to 5 October) is the obvious place to start.
October's fifty-odd best excuses are above. Pick one, name a night, and send the message.
Start closer in. See what's on in the next few days, pick a night, send the link.
What's on in Sydney this weekendGet Keen free on the App Store or Google Play.
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