Max your summer in Sydney

One of the biggest visitor drawcards for the gorgeous State Library of NSW, the World Press Photo exhibition is back in Sydney for its most powerful year yet, with more award-winning photographers and unforgettable images that shook and shocked the world.  From war zones to the climate crisis, gender politics to migration, this stunning annual exhibition showcases the most astonishing, thought-provoking, and often beautiful images published by photojournalists in the past twelve months. Run by the World Press Photo Foundation, this year’s exhibition drew in a whopping 59,320 entries captured by 3,778 photographers from 141 countries, with 42 finalists selected by an independent jury.  World Press Photo is just one of seven free exhibitions on now at the Library. From Monday to Thursday, the exhibition is open 'til 8pm; plus, for three Friday nights during Vivid Sydney (May 30, June 6 and 13) the Library will be open for rare after-hours viewings from 6–9 pm. On Thursday, June 5, the Library is also teaming up with Fujifilm Australia for a special event with award-winning Australian photojournalist Dr. Michael Coyne, as part of the State Library Unplugged series. The Fujifilm Light and Lens Photowalk and Talk starts off with an immersive photo walk around the city, taking in the sights of Vivid Sydney, followed by a keynote address from Dr. Coyne, drawing on his 40-year career documenting international events. (Find out more about the event over here.) The 68th World Press...

If you’re of a certain age, you have history (HIStory, perhaps?) with Michael Jackson. I remember getting ‘Thriller’ on cassette as a kid. ‘Dangerous’ was one of the first CDs I ever owned. I remember seeing the extended music video for ‘Thriller’ on VHS, which came packaged with a behind-the-scenes documentary. One woman, cornered for a quick vox pop at one of the filming locations, asserted that she loved Jackson because he was “down to earth”, which is darkly hilarious in hindsight.  Down to earth? The press called him “wacko Jacko” – we all did. He slept in a hyperbaric chamber. He owned the Elephant Man’s skeleton. His skin kept getting paler, his nose thinner. What a weird guy! Was any of it true? Hard to say. Even today, when a careless tweet is like a drop of blood in a shark tank to fans and journos alike, the media furor around Michael Jackson stands as one of the most frenetic in living memory, eclipsing the likes of Beatlemania. Jackson wasn’t bigger than God, he was God to a lot of people – the King of Pop, the first Black artist to smash through the MTV colour barrier, an artist, an icon, a living legend. Then came the allegations of child sexual abuse, which first began in August 1993, and continue to this day. For those who were still on the fence, the documentary Leaving Neverland, released in 2019, saw many more fans abandon Jackson, who died in 2009 at the age of 50. And so, it makes sense that MJ the Musical would set Jackson’s relationship with the...

This winter, the esteemed five-star hotel located in the former General Post Office, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, is teaming up with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved mega-musical Cats to present a whimsical, feline-inspired afternoon tea that’s straight out of your Broadway dreams. Timed to celebrate the show’s spectacular return to Sydney for its 40th anniversary, the Cats Inspired Afternoon Tea promises a claw-some culinary adventure into the magical world of the Jellicle cats. Indulge in an imaginative menu of treats inspired by the world-conquering production’s most memorable characters, including a Victoria sponge cake with jam and mascarpone mousse, a nod to Victoria the White Cat. There’s also a choux with Dulcey whipped ganache in honour of the dapper Bustopher Jones, and a lobster medallion worthy of the glamourous Bombalurina. To top it all off, sip on the limited-edition Jellicle Ball cocktail, a refreshing mix of melon and lychee margarita. The Cats Inspired Afternoon Tea is served daily at The Bar on No.1 Martin Place, inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, from June 1 through September 2025, with sittings available from 12pm to 4pm. Prices start at $90 per person, including tea or coffee, $102 with a flute of Chandon, or $112 with a flute of Veuve Clicquot. Book your afternoon tea here. 

It has been more than a century since the Titanic sank into the icy depths of the North Atlantic Ocean, claiming the lives of 1,496 people, and the legend continues to captivate us.  Sydneysiders can explore detailed life-size recreations of the ship’s interiors and take a deep dive into the stories of the people on board at Titanic. The Human Story, open from May 30 at the historic Pier 2/3 in the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct. Created by award-winning exhibitions producer Musealia alongside one of the world’s foremost experts on the Titanic, renound Swedish historian and author Claes-Göran Wetterholm, the exhibition features a selection of around 200 never-before-seen objects and personal artefacts that unveil touching human stories of the ship’s passengers and crew. Far more than just a display of historic items, this is a unique narrative experience, sharing tales from history’s most legendary ship and its ill-fated maiden (and final) journey. The experience encourages guests to travel back in time through photographs, handwritten letters, cherished keepsakes, and other personal belongings. Having captivated audiences with previous iterations across America and the UK, this exhibition welcomed more than 146,000 visitors during its Australian debut in Brisbane in 2024. (Not to be confused with the similarly immersive Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition in Melbourne.) Tip: you'll want to allow about an hour and a half to explore the exhibiton, and you can book ahead for sessions...

Many of us try not to think about death too much. Even if it is discussed or thought about, it’s considered in the abstract – a distant experience we will deal with someday, maybe later. From beloved Australian novelist Helen Garner, The Spare Room brings the later to now in an unflinchingly raw and brutal confrontation with death. Adapted and directed by Belvoir St Theatre’s artistic director Eamon Flack (Counting and Cracking), these heavy themes are carried with compassion, humour and drama in an evocative performance that lingers long after the final moment.  After going through multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, Nicola (Elizabeth Alexander) decides to stay with her old friend Helen (Judy Davis) in Melbourne for three weeks while she undertakes an alternative cancer treatment. From Vitamin C-infused IV drips to sitting naked in “ozone saunas”, these alternative therapies claim to destroy cancer much in the same manner an octopus can break rocks. (Their words, not mine.) The three weeks force both Nicola and Helen to go beyond the platitudes and formalities, and to confront the raw and infuriating experience of both having a terminal illness, and supporting a loved one through it. a provocative portrayal of the communal experience of death  The play commences with a profound silence, held by Helen for a moment longer than comfortable. Davis’s command and authority are masterfully established in this stillness, and do not falter for the rest of the...

You know you’re adulting when you find joy in browsing through homewares and furniture stores. Supa Centa Moore Park is like a massive playground for adults and it’s just been made even more of a great day out thanks to an immersive sculpture trail throughout the centre's public spaces.  This autumn, more than 25 contemporary sculptures crafted by renowned Australian artists will be arranged throughout the space in the Supa Sculpted Moments exhibition. The free, public collection includes work from artists Stephen Glassborow, Sonia Payes, Michael Vaynman, Margaret Sheridan, Mela Cooke and Hugh McLachlan, whose works have been displayed in some of Australia’s best galleries and prestigious exhibitions like Sculpture by the Sea.  There’s even an opportunity to get the scoop from the artists themselves, with a Meet the Makers series. For $10 (which includes a coupon for The Depot Cafe – so it’s basically free, right?) you can snag a limited spot for insight on the creative process (hello, home decor inspo).  Like what you see? Tell Supa Centa Moore Park which work is your favourite and you’ll go in the running to win a $2,500 art curation package including a discovery session, site inspection with an art curator and digital mock-up of suggested artworks for your home, bringing the spirit of Supa Sculpted Moments into your everyday living spaces. Supa Sculpted Moments is showing at the Supa Centa Moore Park from May 3 to July 20. It’s free to check out. You can find out more...

A week-long winter festival is going down soon across the banging venues in Redfern’s shiny new drinking and dining mecca, Wunderlich Lane, to celebrate the winter solstice. Kicking off Monday, June 16 and running through to Sunday, June 22, Nightshift will feature fun, wacky and delicious events (that’s you, noodle rave at Island Radio) every night of the week – all to get you off the couch and outta the house for some after-dark fun. Monday night begins with a bang: a full-on Greek feast at one of Sydney’s hottest new restaurants, Olympus. Round up a gang of nine mates and sit down to a theatrical banquette with loads of Greek hits under a 50-year-old bougainvillaea. On Tuesday, retro Australiana bar Baptist Street Rec Club will be hosting ‘The Best Music Quiz Everʼ, led by music legends Myf Warhurst and Zan Rowe. Bondi’s S’wich is opening a brand-new store in Wunderlich Lane, so Wednesday night will see the crew turn their space into a vinyl pizza party. Think pizzetta sandwiches made with oven-fired bread from nearby Regina La Pizzeria, backed up by vinyl bangers played by locals Barney Kato and Adi Toohey. Also on Wednesday is a late-night jazz session at Bar Julius, with multi-instrumentalist Setwun taking over the groovy bar for a night of soothing experimental tunes. Head to dreamy lifestyle and homewares flagship Saardé on Thursday night for hot toddies, mulled wine and snacks by Saltbox and Cook and Waiter. Saturday night’s a biggie, beginning with a noodle rave...

If you can’t quite hack the requisite international airfare and/or annual leave to explore the Amazon, meet polar bears, or go deep sea diving right now, there is another method for getting up close and personal with some of the world’s most incredible animals.  For the 60th year in a row, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition will arrive in Sydney on loan from London’s Natural History Museum. Taking root at the National Maritime Museum, this stunning collection of photographs will be on show in Sydney from Thursday, May 15 until Sunday, October 19.  This incredibly prestigious photography event is centred on drawing attention to the wild beauty and fragility of the natural world. This year, judges had to look at a baffling 59,228 entries from photographers of all ages and experience levels from 117 countries and territories, and were faced with the near-impossible task of whittling these down to just over 100 photo finalists. The images that made this year’s exhibition captures mesmerising snapshots of fascinating animal behaviour and stunning secret moments in the hearts of the world’s most unreachable places.The prestigious Grand Title this year went to Canadian Marine Conservation Photojournalist, Shane Gross, for his incredible underwater image of a community of western toad tadpoles. The award for Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year went to German photographer Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas for his up-close image Life Under Dead Wood. Of the talented Aussie...

Australia’s most popular arts event is back in action for 2025, with the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes bringing a fresh batch of painterly expressions to the walls of the Art Gallery of NSW from May 10 to August 17.  They call it “the face that stops the nation”, and the Archibald Prize has indeed been courting controversy and conversation for more than a century now. This popular portrait prize is always filled with famous faces, with artists from all over Australia (and also New Zealand) capturing the spirit of the times through paintings that capture the likeness of the personalities that define their communities. Julie Fragar is the winner of the 2025 Archibald Prize – she won over the judges with a stunning portrait of fellow artist Justene Williams (read more). RECOMMENDED: A beginner's guide to the Archibald Prize. The winner of the 2025 Packing Room Prize was announced a week earlier, with the Packing Room Pickers (a.k.a. the Art Gallery staff who receive, unpack and hang the entries) selecting Abdul Abdullah's striking painting of fellow finalist Jason Phu as their favourite Archibald portrait this year (read more here). Meanwhile, the Wynne Prize awards the best landscape painting of Australian scenery or figurative sculpture, and the Sulman is awarded to the best genre painting, subject painting or mural project. (Find out more about the 2025 winners over here.) The annual finalists exhibition is a real must-see, with each prize attracting diverse entries...

You can celebrate Pride Month in Sydney with this month-long celebration of identity, creativity and inclusion at Qtopia Sydney. Pride Fest is rounding up more than 150 events and over 400 participating artists with a colourful program spanning theatre, cabaret, visual art, music, comedy, drag, literature, burlesque and more.  In Sydney, we have long celebrated LGBTQIA+ pride earlier in the year with the world-famous Sydney Mardi Gras Parade during the final weeks of our summer, and this often means that International Pride Month in June can be a little glossed over down here. However, Qtopia Sydney wants to change this.  Now in its second year, Pride Fest is designed to reflect Qtopia’s standing as a world-class cultural institution and a hub for the LGBTQIA+ community. We reckon more rainbow gatherings throughout the year can only be a good thing, especially when queer rights are under attack internationally. (Not to mention, the first ever Sydney Mardi Gras – a radical protest – was held in June, commemorating the Stonewall Uprising.) Pride Fest is packed with opportunities for LGBTQIA+ folks and allies to connect, celebrate and learn together. In addition to shows and exhibitions, the festival’s program includes a literary salon series in collaboration with The Bookshop Darlinghurst, film nights, live podcast recordings, and workshops.  To get the most out of your queer outing, we recommend booking in for a couple of back-to-back events that perk your interest (perhaps...