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Our ‘Best Things to Do’ in Sydney, Melbourne, and cities all around Australia is a weekly article series where we break down the most exciting things happening each weekend. Whether it be a cultural event, a culinary experience, or just an excellent chance for a sunny day at the pub with some mates to see some live music, you’ll find it in this series.
This week, we’ve a metric ton of Christmas-related fun times ahead, with the biggest display of Christmas lights in the Southern Hemisphere open for business, as well as regional holiday markets serving up great food, drinks, and shopping times ahead.
These are the best things to do this weekend.
What’s On in Sydney
Factory Theatre’s Freekin Weekends!, Sydney
- Where is it? The Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville 2204
- When is it? Every Weekend
What is it? Free live music at the Factory Theatre! Every weekend, the Factory Theatre opens up its courtyard bar, hosts food trucks, and brings in local Sydney bands to put on a free community concert. If you RSVP via the Factory Theatre website, you’ll even get a $5 credit at the bar.
This weekend, The Factory will play host to a grassroots live music initiative on Saturday, featuring Gordi, Dan Sultan, Battle Snake, and Chloe Parché; and on Sunday it’ll be a collection of Sydney’s best hip-hop artists.
Martin Place Christmas Markets, Sydney
- Where is it? Martin Place, Sydney NSW, 2000
- When is it? Thursday to Saturdays, 11am to 9.30pm, ends 20 December
What is it? The name is pretty self explanatory, right? It’s a Christmas market in Martin Place, and brings together artisan shopping with deliciously festive food.
Open over the course of four weeks, the Martin Place Christmas Markets is a great family friendly activity to check out during the weekends in the lead up to the holidays: with plenty of entertainment, cuisine, and a higher-than-normal chance of seeing Santa and his elves. Plus, entry is free, so you just have to turn up and you’ll get to enjoy the festivities!
‘BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical’ Stay and Dine at Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park
- When: September 26, 2025 – January 25, 2026
- Where: 161 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
If you’re looking for things to do in Sydney this weekend, or maybe you’re lining up your next date night, then we have you covered with an epic stay and dine package for Back to the Future: The Musical. You’ll stay at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park, which offers epic views of Hyde Park and out to the harbour (depending on your room). Check in, then travel downstairs to Sydney Common, where you’ll dine with a two-course pre-theatre dining experience.
The highlight of the night is 2x A Reserve tickets to BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical at The Star Sydney. However, the fun doesn’t end there, as there’s a buffet breakfast for two the next morning, and even overnight self-parking for one vehicle in the downstairs carpark below the hotel. That’s date night sorted, if you ask us.
Hunter Valley Gardens’ Christmas Lights Spectacular, Hunter Valley
- Where is it? Hunter Valley Gardens, 2090 Broke Road, Pokolbin, NSW
- When is it? 5.30-10.30 pm, every day until 26 January 2026 (Closed 25th December)
What is it? The largest display of Christmas lights in the Southern Hemisphere, Hunter Valley Gardens’ Christmas Lights Spectacular, is now open until January 26, 2026.
Featuring more than 4.5 million Christmas lights spread over eight acres of themed installations, such as HO HO Harvest, Mistletoe Meadow, Santaville, Holiday Hollow, and a very festive display of the ongoing Ashes Tests for game days. Beyond that, the gardens will also host several rides every day, as well as delicious food and drinks, effectively turning it into one giant Christmas carnival.
What’s On in Melbourne
National Gallery of Victoria’s ‘Westwood | Kawakubo’ Exhibit, Melbourne
- Where is it? National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St. Kilda Road, Southbank 3006
- When is it? Sunday, 7 December to Sunday, 19 April
What is it? Bringing together the works of two of the most influential fashion designers in recent history, Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo, the NGV is presenting an exhibition bolstered by loans from international museums and private collections, showcasing over 140 pieces of art. Both designers express unconventional ideas and originality through the medium of fashion, and you’ll now have the chance to check out their work in person.
The exhibition will be on display until April, and guided tours will be available throughout to help fans and newcomers alike appreciate the works more deeply.
Basement Comedy Club, Melbourne
- Where is it? 120 Exhibition Street, Melbourne 3000
- When is it? Every Friday & Saturday, 8pm – 10pm
What is it? If you’re looking for a laugh this weekend, look no further than Basement Comedy Club. Every Friday and Saturday, the club brings together a collection of comedians, ranging from big local names like Dave Hughes, Sam Pang, Kitty Flanagan, and Melanie Bracewell, to international comics on the road.
And, over the holiday period, Basement is ratcheting things up: it’ll be doing live shows across December 26th, 27th, 29th, and January 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
Darkfield, Melbourne
- Where is it? Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank 3004
- When is it? Thursday, 18th December to Sunday, 11 January
What is it? The internationally acclaimed multi-sensory audio experience, set inside a shipping container, returns to Melbourne. Darkfield is delivering two experiences at the moment, ‘Invisible’ and ‘Flight’. Invisible sees you bathed in complete darkness, and guided through the experience, and responsibility, of being invisible. Flight, on the other hand, puts you in the uncomfortable position of being a passenger of a crashing plane—it’s more fun than it sounds.
If you’re after an unforgettable experience, this is just about as unforgettable as it comes.
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