Things to do this Long weekend
The long weekend is here, allowing you to explore many fun activities, so if you can’t figure out what to do, there are many options. For instance, you can go on a short road trip and hit the road Saturday morning and head down to the Mornington Peninsula’s Winter Wine Weekend – running until Monday; you’ll be treated to the region’s best in produce, entertainment, and heavenly wine.
Similarly, many exciting activities such as various festivals and events, dancing, singing, and nightclubs are back in full swing. Hence, Sydneysiders are in for a real treat this weekend; have a look at some suggestions below, which we think you could do this weekend-
Vivid Sydney
Australia’s annual festival of light is making a glorious comeback this year after a long hiatus; the festivities started on May 27 and will continue till June 18, with mesmerising art displays, 3D light projections, and uplifting live music performances, and deep-dive discussions lighting up over 11 locations.
The longest continuous light walk in Vivid history will illuminate the Sydney foreshore, stretching over eight kilometers, linking the Sydney Opera House to Central Station, with more than 200 LED sculptural birds guiding the way as part of the Future Natives installation.
Also, the surrounding buildings that have never been lit before will shine with light this year, and an epic water sculpture on a scale never seen before in Australia will rise from the waters of Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour, the show-stopping Sydney Infinity by Oracle Liquid, incorporating twelve 80-meter high water shooters and dramatic lighting supported by a Sydney inspired soundtrack from DJ Pee Wee Ferris.
Furthermore, Sydneysiders can also experience one of the most daring installations in Vivid’s 12-year history, Ephemeral, which a Sydney-based artist Atelier Sisu created. Visitors can walk out over the harbour waters on a specially constructed jetty. More than 200 giant bubble-like spheres hover eight meters above this floating walkway, decorated with hypnotic, otherworldly patterns.
However, Vivid is not just about beautiful lights; The Vivid Ideas and Vivid Music programs bring big conversations, and major music acts to the fore. Additionally, the Vivid Live program will transform the Sydney Opera House inside and out, celebrating artists at the forefront of their genres.
Jim Beam Welcome Sessions
Listening to live music, dancing with your friends, and enjoying good food and drinks – is there anything better than that? If you are a music lover, you will be thrilled to know that Jim Beam is bringing its world-renowned Welcome Sessions back to Australia with three intimate gigs. Also, fans and music enthusiasts can catch local sensations- Flight Facilities, Client Liaison, and the Veronicas while enjoying delicious drinks and food.
The Harbour City iteration will take place at the Rooftop Sydney on June 11 (the Saturday of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend – the perfect weekend for a live music sesh with your mates if you ask us). Flight Facilities – the electronic duo behind dancefloor bangers such as ‘Crave You’ and ‘Clair De Lune’ – will take to the stage with an electrifying DJ.
Mornington Peninsula’s Winter Wine Weekend
If boozing and partying are not your thing and you want to spend the weekend with some wine, food, and good conversation, head to Mornington Peninsula for its Winter Annual festival. The festivities will kick off on Saturday, June 11, from 11 am with a showcase exhibition and tasting where you can taste more than 150 premium wines by 40 wineries from the region. Tickets are $126 and include a complimentary Riedel tasting glass, access to all wine tastings, a tasting book, and three entree-sized dishes.
Next, on Sunday (June 12), wine enthusiasts can go back to the Red Hill for an intimate lunch; they will get to sample wines from smaller producers that generally require an appointment to enjoy, including Dexter Wines, Woodhaven, Kyberd Hills, and Handpicked Wines. Tickets are $160 per person and include a three-course lunch, wines, and the opportunity to chat with the Winemakers.
Woodend Winter Arts Festival
Queen’s Birthday long weekend is the perfect mini-holiday for you to destress and enjoy your time; hence you can go to the charming village of Woodend, located just an hour’s drive from the CBD, for its annual Winter Arts Festival from June 10 to 13. Moreover, you can experience the fantastic festivities filled with vibrant fireworks, Japanese drummers, Cappella vocal performances, and food vans selling tasty treats. Also, the best thing about this is that it is free and bookings are not required.
The rest of the program is ticketed, with prices starting at $20 through the WWAF website; you can catch the rare and most exemplary performances of Schubert’s ‘Octet’.
Sydney Film Festival
If you are a cinephile (a person who loves cinema), you can attend the 69th Sydney Film Festival. This year’s Opening Night is devoted to the world premiere of ‘We Are Still Here’, a compendium film of eight stories by ten directors from Australia, New Zealand, Aotearoa and the South Pacific. Inspired by the 250th anniversary of Captain Cook’s arrival in the region, the film explores 1,000 years of kinship, loss and resilience.
Two of the biggest significant events on the program come from visionary auteur Baz Luhrmann. The first is the Aussie director’s latest masterpiece, Elvis, a biopic about the life of the world’s first music megastar, starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks. Also, part of the Classics Restored section of the program is a digitally remastered release of Strictly Ballroom, the ’90s cult favourite that launched Luhrmann’s storied career.
The film festival will also feature many must-see Australian movies, including Blaze, the first feature-length film by two-time Archibald-winning artist Del Kathryn Barton. In addition, you can watch Gracie Otto’s feature debut, Seriously Red, where Krew Boylan acts as a would-be Dolly Parton impersonator alongside Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale. Also, there will be a screening of Evicted!
Vivid Sydney Cruise under $50
Imagine seeing the Vivid light show while sitting on a cruise; the dazzling colourful lights decorating the Sydney architecture and skyline.
Harbourside Cruise’s leisurely Vivid Cruise package allows you to experience Vivid lights while sailing on the city’s most beloved waterway. The tickets are $49 per person for a two-hour cruise experience that will take you around three harbourside attractions – the Opera House, Luna Park, and beneath the Harbour Bridge. You can enjoy a buffet and a complimentary glass of bubbles or soft drinks upon arrival.
Note that the catamaran takes off every day from King Street Wharf No. 9 at Darling Harbour for a two-hour run at either 5.15 pm or 7.45 pm.
The weekend markets
If none of the above is your cup of tea, you can head to Sydney’s bustling weekend markets for farm-fresh produce, locally sustainable goods, or antique treasures.
Glebe Market has rows upon rows of eccentric and colourful vintage clothes alongside hand-crafted jewellery, accessories, and clothing designed by locals. On the other hand, Marrickville Organic markets have vintage clothes, books, rugs, eco food wraps, healing crystals, rice bread, and tarot reading.
You can also head towards Many Marketplace, located 50 meters away from one of Sydney’s most beloved beaches. You can get Hass avocados, lush green veggies like broccoli, leeks, fennel, and spinach, plus earthy Dutch cream potatoes and boxes of free-range eggs.