What’s On in Sydney This Week July 24 – July 31, 2025
Sydney 24 July,2025 -Compiled using Google Gemini AI Information
Sydney is buzzing with activity this week, offering a diverse array of events to suit every taste, from festive markets and captivating art exhibitions to world-class theatre and lively live music. Get ready to explore, experience, and enjoy all that our vibrant city has to offer!
Markets: Shop, Feast, and Explore!
The Loco Markets (Eveleigh): This is your last chance to experience the magic of “Christmas in July” at The Loco Markets. Running from Thursday, July 24 to Sunday, July 27, you can wander through festive stalls, enjoy live music with a merry twist, ride a Christmas-themed trackless train, and even decorate your own gingerbread. Don’t miss the unique industrial heritage experiences, including live foundry demos, hands-on coin pressing, and open weekends at Eveleigh Works. There are also heritage walking tours available.
- Dates: Thursday, July 24 – Sunday, July 27
- Times: Thursday-Saturday: 10am-7pm; Sunday: 10am-4pm
- Location: South Eveleigh
The Entertainment Quarter Markets (EQ Markets) (Moore Park): Head to the EQ Markets on Saturday, July 26 for a fantastic selection of fresh, seasonal produce and gourmet treats. It’s the perfect spot to fill your basket and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
- Date: Saturday, July 26
- Location: The Entertainment Quarter
Kings Cross Market (Fitzroy Gardens/Elizabeth Bay): Also on Saturday, July 26, the iconic Kings Cross Market offers a delightful mix of fresh food, gourmet produce, antiques, and art from local artists and artisans.
- Date: Saturday, July 26
- Location: Fitzroy Gardens, Kings Cross / Elizabeth Bay
Yoga under the Bridge (Dawes Point): Start your Sunday the right way with a free stretch and flex yoga session under the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday, July 27. While not strictly a market, it’s a popular community gathering point.
- Date: Sunday, July 27
- Location: Dawes Point
Cultural & Art Events: A Feast for the Senses
Exhibitions:
- Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes (Art Gallery of NSW): Australia’s most engaging art event continues! Immerse yourself in the nation’s most prestigious art prizes, celebrating portraiture, landscape, and subject painting.
- Dates: Ongoing (from July 24)
- Location: Art Gallery of New South Wales
- “Tender Comrade” (White Rabbit Gallery): Explore contemporary Chinese art at the always intriguing White Rabbit Gallery.
- Dates: Ongoing (from July 24)
- Location: White Rabbit Gallery
- “Actions for Water” (Tin Sheds Gallery): This exhibition unites artists, architects, and cartographers to examine swamps, ponds, wetlands, and subterranean waters as vital ecologies of renewal, fostering a deeper understanding of our relationship with water.
- Dates: Ongoing (until July 25)
- Location: Tin Sheds Gallery
- “Yolŋu Power: The Art of Yirrkala” (Art Gallery of NSW): A major exhibition showcasing the extraordinary artists of Yirrkala in north-east Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.
- Dates: Ongoing (from July 24)
- Location: Art Gallery of New South Wales
- “Alchemy of a Rainforest Exhibition” (The Royal Botanic Garden): Explore a vibrant tapestry of life through this immersive exhibition.
- Dates: Ongoing (from July 24)
- Location: The Royal Botanic Garden
- “Chrome City II” (Darlinghurst): A group exhibition of contemporary artists.
- Dates: Ongoing (from July 24)
- Location: Darlinghurst
- “Kerameikos the potters’ quarter” (Chau Chak Wing Museum): This exhibition offers new ways of understanding Australia’s oldest collections, pushing the boundaries of ceramics.
- Dates: Ongoing (from July 24)
- Location: Chau Chak Wing Museum
- “MCA Collection: Artists in Focus” (Museum of Contemporary Art): A changing display that illuminates histories, trajectories, and highlights of the MCA’s collection artworks.
- Dates: Ongoing (from July 24) Location: Museum of Contemporary Art
- “Ultimate Depth – A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea” (Australian National Maritime Museum): Dive deep and explore the five ocean zones, extraordinary creatures, and deep-sea technology.
- Dates: Ongoing (from July 24)
- Location: Australian National Maritime Museum
- “The Hermannsburg Potters” (Arthouse Gallery, Rushcutters Bay): A new exhibition opening this week, showcasing the unique ceramic works of the Hermannsburg Potters.
- Dates: July 24 – August 16
- Location: Arthouse Gallery, Rushcutters Bay
Talks & Workshops:
- ‘Truth-Telling Through Fiction’: Anita Heiss in Conversation (Museum of Sydney): Join award-winning writer Dr. Anita Heiss as she explores truth-telling in First Nations fiction.
- Date: Thursday, July 24
- Location: Museum of Sydney
- “Legendary Stories Behind Iconic Art: Art Appreciation 2025” (Art Gallery of NSW): Uncover epic tales and masterworks in this year-long art lecture series. You can attend a single lecture or the whole year!
- Dates: Ongoing (from July 24)
- Location: Art Gallery of New South Wales
- Little Sydney Lives Exhibition 2025 (Customs House): A glimpse of daily life through the eyes of young Sydneysiders aged 5 to 12.
- Dates: Ongoing (from July 28)
- Location: Customs House
Performing Arts & Theatre:
- “MJ The Musical” (Sydney Lyric Theatre): Don’t miss this hit musical celebrating the King of Pop.
- Dates: Ongoing (from July 24)
- Location: Sydney Lyric Theatre
- “The Book of Mormon” (Capitol Theatre): The Tony®, Olivier®, and Grammy® award-winning production returns to Sydney.
- Dates: Ongoing (from July 24)
- Location: Capitol Theatre
- “Cats” (Theatre Royal Sydney): Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical continues its 40th Australian Anniversary season.
- Dates: Ongoing (from July 24)
- Location: Theatre Royal Sydney
- “Rusalka” (Sydney Opera House): Dvořák’s lyrical opera about a water nymph longing for human love.
- Dates: Ongoing (from July 24) Location: Sydney Opera House
- “The Play That Goes Wrong” (Inner Sydney): A hilarious comedy of errors promising chaos, mystery, and non-stop laughter.
- Dates: July 26 – August 24
- Location: Inner Sydney (check specific venue)
- “Grief is the Thing with Feathers” (Inner Sydney): A poetic tale of loss, healing, and a mysterious visitor.
- Dates: July 29 – August 17
- Location: Inner Sydney (check specific venue)
- “The Marriage of Figaro” (Opera Australia): One of the most playful operas ever written, featuring Mozart’s famous melodies.
- Dates: Ongoing (from July 31)
- Location: Sydney Opera House
Live Music:
- Bear McCreary (Enmore Theatre): The acclaimed composer of film and television scores.
- Date: Thursday, July 24
- Location: Enmore Theatre
- Red Slim Trio (Chuck Trailer’s CBD): Enjoy live blues and roots music.
- Date: Thursday, July 24 (8:30 PM)
- Location: Basement 36 York St, Sydney City
- Broken Angle (Live Jazz) (Potts Point): Ricardo’s live jazz returns with a new groove-driven set.
- Date: Thursday, July 24
- Location: Potts Point (check specific venue)
- Jazz Sessions in The Rocks (The Rocks Square): Unwind with soulful Australian jazz in a picturesque setting.
- Date: Thursday, July 24
- Location: The Rocks Square
- 10cc – The Ultimate Ultimate Greatest Hits Tour (State Theatre): Legendary art-rock band 10cc brings their iconic hits to Sydney.
- Date: Friday, July 25
- Location: State Theatre
- The Dreggs (Enmore Theatre): Catch this popular folk-rock duo.
- Date: Friday, July 25
- Location: Enmore Theatre
- Ash Grunwald (Mangrove Mountain Hall): An opportunity to see the acclaimed Australian blues musician.
- Date: Saturday, July 26
- Location: Mangrove Mountain Hall (Central Coast Hinterland)
- Buddy Knox Blues Band (Pyrmont Bridge Hotel): Enjoy a night of dynamic blues.
- Date: Saturday, July 26 (9:00 PM)
- Location: Pyrmont Bridge Hotel, Pyrmont
- Liam Cooper’s KING OF THE KEYS (Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace): Australia’s piano-man plays a thrilling live concert celebrating music legends, backed by a killer live band.
- Date: Saturday, July 26
- Location: Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace
- Baby Live Music Playground (Sydney): Introduce your little ones (1.5-4 years old) to the exciting world of classical music.
- Date: Sunday, July 27
- Location: Sydney (check specific venue)
- Nadya Golski at Thunderbolt Club (Birchgrove): Take a romantic journey to Paris with the “Queen of Gypsy Soul and French Chanson.”
- Date: Tuesday, July 29
- Location: Thunderbolt Club, Birchgrove
- Big Band Night at St Stephen’s – Ella Fitzgerald Tribute (Sydney): An exciting night of jazz and swing with a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald.
- Date: Wednesday, July 30
- Location: St Stephen’s Uniting Church (check specific venue)
- Dope Lemon (Enmore Theatre): Experience the laid-back indie sounds of Dope Lemon.
- Date: Thursday, July 31
- Location: Enmore Theatre
- Hat Fitz & Cara (Leichhardt Bowling Club): Enjoy the soulful blues and roots sounds of this dynamic duo.
- Date: Thursday, July 31 (8:00 PM)
- Location: Leichhardt Bowling Club, Lilyfield
Family-Friendly Fun:
- Bubble Planet (Sydney Olympic Park): Step into a fantastical world with interactive landscapes and an enormous ball pit – fun for all ages!
- Dates: Ongoing (from July 24)
- Location: Sydney Olympic Park
- Rhymetime & Storytime at various libraries (Glebe, Green Square, Darling Square, Surry Hills): Regular free sessions for babies and toddlers, combining rhymes, singing, and stories. Check individual library schedules for specific times.
- Dates: Throughout the week (from July 24)
- Locations: Glebe Library, Green Square Library, Darling Square Library, Surry Hills Library
- Ballet Classes for Little Ones (Various Locations): Introduce your children to the joy of dance with classes for ages 1.5 to 5 years.
- Dates: Throughout the week (from July 24)
- Locations: Harold Park Community Hall (Tramsheds), Glebe Town Hall, Abraham Mott Hall (The Rocks), Pyrmont
- Bush School: Connect Children to Nature (Centennial Park): Get your kids moving, creating, and thinking in a stimulating outdoor environment.
- Date: Friday, July 25
- Location: Centennial Park
- Family Sunday: The Power of Storytelling with Maryam Master (Sydney): Meet award-winning author Maryam Master and learn about the power of storytelling in this interactive session.
- Date: Sunday, July 27
- Location: Sydney (check specific venue)
- Seedlings Nature School (The Royal Botanic Garden): Explore nature experiences with you and your little one.
- Date: Wednesday, July 31
- Location: The Royal Botanic Garden
write more detail about the MSA exhibitions please
You’re absolutely right to ask for more detail on the MCA exhibitions! The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) is a cornerstone of Sydney’s art scene, and their “MCA Collection: Artists in Focus” is a significant ongoing display.
Here’s a more in-depth look:
MCA Collection: Artists in Focus (Museum of Contemporary Art Australia)
What it is: “MCA Collection: Artists in Focus” is a dynamic and evolving presentation of works drawn from the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia’s extensive collection. Unlike traditional chronological displays, this exhibition focuses on illuminating the practices of individual artists or specific artistic communities. Each dedicated room or section within the exhibition delves into a particular artist or group, showcasing key highlights from the MCA’s collection, often alongside major works borrowed from private collections or artists’ estates. This means you might encounter works that haven’t been publicly displayed before, offering a fresh perspective on the artists’ oeuvres.
Why it’s significant:
- Unique Focus on Contemporary Australian Art: The MCA is unique in Australia as the only public museum solely dedicated to collecting contemporary art. “Artists in Focus” therefore provides an unparalleled insight into the evolution of contemporary art in Australia since the MCA began acquiring works in 1989.
- Diverse Voices and Perspectives: The exhibition is designed to represent the varied materials, concerns, and approaches that underpin this history. It fosters new dialogues across different generations and artistic lineages, offering diverse insights into art and life.
- Spotlighting First Nations Artists: A significant portion of the MCA Collection, approximately one-third, is dedicated to works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. “Artists in Focus” prominently features these works, highlighting important cultural traditions and powerful storytelling. Past iterations have included a large selection of bark paintings from the significant Arnott’s Biscuits Collection, as well as works by individual First Nations artists such as Brook Andrew, Gordon Bennett, Timo Hogan, and Alick Tipoti.
- Evolving Display: This is not a static exhibition. The “Artists in Focus” display changes over time, meaning repeat visitors will always find something new to explore. This allows the MCA to continually bring fresh works from their vast collection to light and to respond to current artistic conversations.
What you might expect to see (current and recent artists): While the exact artists on display can change, recent and current iterations of “MCA Collection: Artists in Focus” have featured a compelling mix of established and emerging Australian artists, including:
- First Nations Artists: Timothy Cook, Kitty Kantilla, Raelene Kerinauia Lampuwatu, Nina Puruntatameri, Cornelia Tipuamantumirri, and Mulkuṉ Wirrpanda, as well as communal presentations by Tiwi artists.
- Other Contemporary Australian Artists: Brook Andrew, Joan Brassil, Timo Hogan, Rosemary Laing, David Noonan, and Lynne Roberts-Goodwin.
Curatorial Approach: The exhibition is curated by the MCA Australia curatorial team, which includes Anna Davis, Jane Devery, Anneke Jaspers, Rebecca Ray, Tim Riley Walsh, and Manya Sellers. Their collective expertise ensures a thoughtful and engaging selection of works that provide new ways to think about the world and the role of contemporary art.
Location and Admission:
- Location: Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Level 2 Galleries, 140 George Street, The Rocks.
- Admission: General Admission ticket required. Free for MCA Members and under 18s.
Why visit this week (July 24 – July 31): As an ongoing and evolving exhibition, “MCA Collection: Artists in Focus” offers a sustained opportunity to engage with significant works from one of Australia’s most important collections of contemporary art. This week is a great time to visit and see the current selection of artists and works on display, providing a unique lens through which to understand Australian artistic practice. You can also take advantage of free daily exhibition tours led by volunteer guides to gain deeper insights into the artworks.
