Max your summer in Sydney

With summer in full swing and Valentine’s Day around the corner, nothing says romance like a sweet treat that’ll cool you down and land you serious brownie points on a first, third or thousandth date. If the silly season left your wallet a little light, never fear. CommBank’s customer recognition program CommBank Yello is dishing out free scoops of Anita Gelato for everyone on February 7-8 and 14-15, so you can spoil your sweetheart without spending a cent. How's that for a cheap date idea? The dessert shop, which began as a mum-and-son home kitchen operation before growing into a global empire, now counts 10 locations across Australia – seven of which are right here in NSW. Now, Anita Gelato has launched two exclusive offers with CommBank Yello in the CommBank app — and in celebration, CommBank Yello is giving away free gelato to everyone at Cronulla Beach and Manly North Steyne. Just pop down on Saturday or Sunday (7-8 February at Cronulla Beach, or 14-15 February at Manly North Steyne from 9am to 5pm) and head to the bright-yellow ice cream cart. You’ll also have the chance to try CommBank Yello’s limited-edition Mango Cheesecake gelato. Can’t make it? Don’t stress. You may still be in for a chance to score a freebie, with two sweet deals available to eligible CommBank Yello customers. Each Tuesday until the end of summer, CommBank Yello is dropping 5,000 codes in the CommBank app to claim a free scoop at any Anita Gelato store before summer ends. Just go to the...

If the recent release of ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ left you craving even more time on Pandora, we’ve got the perfect summer escape. A brand‑new Avatar experience has just arrived at Madame Tussauds Sydney, ready to whisk you away into another realm, even if it’s just for a little while. Come face‑to‑face with Jake Sully, brought to life as a life‑sized, hyper‑detailed figure inspired by Sam Worthington’s unforgettable performance. From his powerful stance to his signature Na’vi detailing, it feels almost too real. Meanwhile, a stunning Pandora‑inspired environment transports you deep into the Avatar universe, where vibrant alien flora is paired with immersive soundscapes, making it feel as though you’ve stepped straight into the film. This installation was created in close collaboration with Disney, Lightstorm Entertainment, and Wētā Workshop, promising an experience that’s as awe-inspiring as the franchise itself. With the summer school holidays in full swing, this is the ultimate family activity, especially on those rainy Sydney days, offering a magical journey into one of the world’s most beloved cinematic universes. And yes, it makes for the perfect Instagram post. Whether you’re snapping photos, filming TikToks, or capturing Reels, this experience offers an endless stream of share‑worthy content for fans and pop‑culture lovers alike. Located on Aquarium Wharf in Darling Harbour, the experience runs until Monday, February 9, 2026. Tickets start from $49, or guests can...

The Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of our fave places to hang out year-round – and this December it welcomes a banging new exhibition from Melbourne-born artist Ron Mueck. Ron Mueck: Encounter is the artist’s largest exhibition ever in Australia, bringing together a stunning selection of his hyperreal human sculptures from around the globe.  The life-like and scaled up sculptures aim to challenge perceptions by offering a profound and observational look at the human experience. Grounded in realism, the captivating figures tenderly embody themes such as birth, death, alienation and togetherness.  After making his start in children’s television, Mueck trained under Jim Henson (The Muppets) in puppeteering and model making where he made a name for himself on major projects including Sesame Street and the film Labyrinth. Soon after he relocated to London to run his own animatronic studio, before finding his way to figurative sculptures in the late ‘90s and revitalising the medium.  Ron Mueck: Encounter runs daily from December 6 to April 12, 10am–5pm, and until 10pm on Wednesday nights, as part of the Sydney International Art Series, a government initiative that teams up with Destination NSW to bring the world’s most prolific artists exclusively to Sydney. Tickets are $35 for adults on weekdays, $37 on weekends and public holidays, with two-for-one Art After Hours deals on Wednesday evenings, or $45 flexi tickets (which are un-dated single entry tickets). You can book...

The Art Gallery of New South Wales’ newest exhibition – Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890-1940 – spotlights 50 trailblazing females who were among some of the first to draw attention to the fact that women can make some pretty bloody great art too.  The speedy rate of industrialisation in the 19th century meant a major shift in European society. Artists used it as a chance to reject traditional themes like religion, and instead focused on fresh ways to portray individuals (in a time where it felt like machines were going to rule the world). Meanwhile, women used it as their ticket to pull a seat up at the table. The focus of the exhibition is specifically on our very own Australian and New Zealander artists who made the journey to Europe to immerse themselves in the modernist movement. Gallery-goers can peruse works from historic names like Nora Heysen, Margaret Preston and Grace Cossington Smith, and also witness the work of some lesser-known but equally important creatives like CL Allport, Justine Kong Sing and Stella Marks. Featuring celebrated and rediscovered paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture and ceramics, the exhibition includes work by celebrated artists such as Nora Heysen, Margaret Preston and Grace Cossington Smith, alongside lesser-known but equally compelling figures such as CL Allport, Justine Kong Sing and Stella Marks. Dangerously Modern’s run in Sydney spans all the way to mid-February so a hot (art) girl summer awaits. You...

Dear gentle readers, if you’ve ever imagined being Her Majesty Queen Charlotte’s diamond of the season, then here’s your chance. While a trip back to Regency-era London isn’t on the cards, Pandora is set to bring the world of Bridgerton to life with an immersive pop-up at Queen Victoria Building from February 3 to March 8. Alongside the pop-up comes a swoon-worthy 14-piece collection inspired by the Netflix hit series, giving fans the chance to take a little piece of finery home – and you might even spot your new jewellery in the hotly anticipated fourth season, of which the first part lands in late January.  Drawing on the lavish universe of Shonda Rhimes’ period romp, the Pandora and Bridgerton Rules to Love By collection reimagines classic Regency-era jewellery through a modern lens. Crafted in 100 per cent recycled sterling silver and 14k gold plating, the range will feature pearls, bows and crystal accents in pastel shades, including lilac wisteria (a Bridgerton staple). There’ll be everything from ear climbers to necklaces, adorned with hand-finished flowers that nod to the secret love messages of Regency romance.  Watch the Pandora QVB space transform to a salon gorgeous enought to make all the ladies of the ton jealous. The QVB's romantic architecture is already a step back in time, but now the Pandora store will be adorned with wisteria wallpaper and flourishing wall mouldings. Don't miss the regal ceiling-to-floor drapery that's perfect to snap a pic in front...

If there’s one thing Sydney does spectacularly well, it’s slow summer evenings – the kinds that see the sky turn sherbet-pink and the whole city look a little softer around the edges. This summer, Cockatoo Island/ Wareamah is handing us a very solid excuse to make the most of it: Sunset Sessions is back, taking over the lawn of historic Biloela House with a weekly dose of live music in the open air. Running on Saturday evenings from January 10 2025 to April 4 2026 (except from Saturday, March 7), the island’s curated open-air gig series is one of those annual events that reliably sells out – and for good reason. The formula is foolproof: pack a picnic rug, stretch out on the grass and let a line-up of emerging local artists soundtrack the slow fade into night as the sun sets behind the city. RELATED READ: These are the best sunset spots in Sydney This year brings a particularly juicy mix of genres and rising talent to Sydney Harbour’s largest island. Expect lush vocals from Charlie Collins, dreamy pop by Mia Lovelock, and globe-spanning grooves courtesy of Immy Owusu and Dom Diaz. You’ll also catch Bella Amor, Mina Siale, PA777IENCE, Skyscraper Stan, Lady Lyon and Lucienne – with more artists still to be announced. If you’re not the type to pack your own snacks, Biloela House will have refreshments ready to go – or you can pre-order a hamper of treats when you book your ticket. And if you’ve ever entertained the fantasy of running away to an island for the night, Cockatoo...

If you've ever wondered what would happen if a kid's drawing of their wildest dream utopia suddenly came off the page and into real life, you're in luck, because that's pretty much what's happening right now beneath the Art Gallery of NSW.  Artist and professional disruptor Mike Hewson has taken over the weird subterranean world of The Tank with his one-of-a-kind new exhibition, Mike Hewson: The Key's Under the Mat, where for the first time ever, all the main lights in the normally pitch-dark Tank will be switched on, revealing a weird wonderland of interactive art pieces and play equipment that have to be seen to be believed. We're talking: A steam room with stained glass windows that you can actually sit in, a functioning sauna with bespoke church pews, five actual operating public barbeques that you can cook on, rushing water to play in (seriously, bring your swimmers), a working laundry,  and a free-to-use recording studio, plus a whole plethora of bright and delightful surprises that are all about getting community together, to do cool stuff, for free. Basically, break your imagination and delete all adult expectations. This is unlike anything we've ever seen.  Kids who aren't afraid of some risk are also one of Hewson's big targets with this show (although parents, rest easy, the floor is specially made out of recycled soft rubber that's rated for use in public playgrounds), with the space also home to a wild children's playground. Intrepid kidlets can test their...

The only artist with No.1 albums in six consecutive decades. More than 150 million records sold worldwide. Eleven Billboard No.1 albums. An EGOT winner consisting of two Academy Awards, ten Grammys, five Emmys, a (special) Tony Award, as well as nine Golden Globes. And now, a dedicated Hayes Theatre concert dedicated to her career. It’s the one, and only, Barbara Joan “Barbra” Streisand. If you’re in the theatre world, it’s impossible not to know her name. Outside of the stage, Barbra made her indelible mark in the music industry with her transformative voice and iconic sound. She’s an artist that’s crossed numerous genres and forms, which makes a Hayes Theatre tribute concert to her a perfect remedy for success. And ‘success’ is the most accurate word to use for Barbra: The Greatest Star. What type of show is Barbra: The Greatest Star? Barbra takes audiences on a melodic journey through the multitude of hits from Streisand’s career in an intimate evening of the “Best of Babs”. The song cycle journeys from roles she originated in on Broadway (Funny Girl), her numerous albums, iconic film roles (Yentl, Hello, Dolly!, A Star is Born), as well as her other star-studded collaborations with artists such as Celine Dion, Donna Summer and Neil Diamond. There’s enough Streisand here to make you fall in love with her all over again, or give you a crash course in Babs. Who are the cast and crew of Barbra? Directed by Brittanie Shipway (Once On This Island; The Pirates of Penzance)...

In a city where culture is constantly evolving, the Powerhouse Museum has no problem keeping up. Spanning four sites – including Sydney Observatory, Powerhouse Castle Hill, the heritage-listed Powerhouse Ultimo site currently undergoing a $300-million transformation and a brand-new Powerhouse Parramatta location set to open in late 2026 – it’s officially the largest museum group in Australia. Now, Powerhouse Castle Hill is taking centre stage with its latest instalment Powerhouse Materials – a new series of exhibitions and events that showcase the Powerhouse Collection (home to more than half a million objects!) through the lens of a guest curator and a chosen material. Actor and activist, Chloe Hayden was the first to curate a colourful and quirky exhibition focused on textiles, and now Andy Griffiths is in the hot seat. The second iteration continues to embody imagination and eccentricity with Powerhouse Materials: Paper. Curated by best-selling children’s author Andy Griffiths (the mind behind the Just! and Treehouse series), this exhibition dives deep into the world of paper. From November 22 to March 8, this free exhibition features a quirky collection of paper objects from the Powerhouse Collection, ranging from the ordinary to extraordinary. Every visitor will receive a self-guided activity book packed with drawing and story prompts developed in collaboration with Griffiths – perfect for sparking young imaginations, and giving older ones a blast from the past. For...

Sydney’s immersive art scene is on the up and up, with Balloon Story, Museum of Illusions and Mike Hewson’s The Key’s Under the Mat all alive and kicking in the Harbour City. Now, there’s more. Landing right in the middle of the CBD, DigiPark is a brand-new digital playground that blends science, art, education and entertainment into one futuristic, all-ages experience. Fresh from huge success across Asia, this is the first DigiPark to open in Australia, bringing 19 interactive attractions to Level 5 of Westfield Sydney, just steps from the centre’s ever-busy food precinct. Highlights include the Space & Time Cube, a trippy 3D holographic tunnel that pulls you into a swirling world of light and colour, and the Orbital Cinema (7D) – a flying adventure powered by a massive 180-degree curved screen, motion seats and special effects like wind, vibration and water spray (no VR headset required). There’s also a 3D Figurine Creator Studio, where you can scan yourself and walk away as a custom mini digital avatar, plus dreamy installations like Wandering Planet, Cosmic Space and the Holographic Studio, which blur the line between reality and the virtual world. According to DigiPark’s Head of Sales and Marketing, Jacques Wong, the venue is designed to hook everyone from curious kids to culture-hungry adults – with VR, holograms, kinetic light art, digital play and 3D printing all under one roof. Open seven days a week from 10am to 10pm, DigiPark welcomes all ages (kids under 12...