A little more art.
A little more Sydney.
Plan a weekend around Sydney’s art fairs, neighbourhood markets and open studios. Start with the weekly stalls at The Rocks, Paddington or Bondi, then look ahead to larger gatherings at Carriageworks in Eveleigh. Sculpture by the Sea brings outdoor works to the coast, while graduate shows offer a chance to see emerging practices in Darlinghurst and Paddington. The calendar brings these different kinds of outing together, with dates, venues and links to the organiser. Filter for free entry, choose a discipline, or save a few stops for later. Check the organiser’s latest details before setting out.
21 events in Sydney · This weekend
Sat
Free
SURPLUS brings independent design, art, objects and publishing to Burton Street and Foley Street in Darlinghurst. Saturday’s Marketplace includes the S.O.R community zine stand on Burton Street, alongside fashion and vintage sellers.
Fri, Sat
Last weekend
Free
Bill Henson’s current photography exhibition is on view at Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery in Paddington.
Fri, Sat, Sun
Free
Community art exhibition and prize showing works for sale by local and Sydney artists.
Fri, Sat, Sun
Varies
A citywide festival of workshops, open studios, exhibitions and markets celebrating craft. The 2026 festival is presented by UNSW School of Art & Design, following its founding by Australian Design Centre.
Sat
Free
Browse handmade tableware, sculpture, vessels and other ceramic work at Smith Street Studios during Sydney Craft Week. Hosted by Milly Dent and the studio community.
Sat
Opens and closes this weekend
Free
A photography and publishing stop within SURPLUS, pairing Shal’s photo exhibition and book launch with a Prop Records market at Space Mountain above Scarr’s Pizza.
Sat
Varies
The annual Zine Spooktacular is a Halloween themed zine fair held as part of the Hands-On program at Mothership Studios in Marrickville during Sydney Craft Week, alongside workshops and the Spineless exhibition by Sophie Cox.
Sat
Free
150+ stalls of local fashion, jewellery, art and craft since 1973, plus monthly special themed pop-ups.
Fri, Sat, Sun
Free
Weekly market of local artists, designers, makers and food vendors in Sydney's historic Rocks precinct.
Sun
Free
Weekly beachside market of clothing, designer vintage, handmade goods, art and homewares opposite Bondi Beach.
Sat
Free
Eclectic weekly market of vintage fashion, handmade jewellery and crafts by local artisans, original art and food.
Sat
Free
Long-running inner-west outdoor market for antiques, collectibles, art, photography and handmade crafts.
Fri, Sat, Sun
Ticketed
Tony Albert brings together sculpture, photography, painting and installation in a major exhibition examining the representation of Aboriginal people and culture.
Fri, Sat
Varies
A group exhibition at Ames Yavuz Sydney considers distance, memory and the experiences people carry, bringing together artists working across different materials and forms.
Fri, Sat, Sun
Ticketed
Hany Armanious transforms familiar everyday objects into sculptures that unsettle what we recognise and how we see. The exhibition is in the MCA’s Macgregor Gallery.
Fri, Sat, Sun
Free
A free outdoor sculpture exhibition along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk, featuring work by Australian and international artists.
Fri, Sat, Sun
Free
Contemporary Chinese art explores the darker side of myth and its place in modern life at White Rabbit Gallery.
Fri, Sat, Sun
Free
First Nations stories by Mervyn Street and Ningiukulu Teevee illuminate the Opera House’s eastern Bennelong sails in a free six-minute projection.
Fri, Sat, Sun
Free
25th edition; finalist small-scale sculptures on free public display, all works for sale, winners announced 1 Oct.
Fri, Sat, Sun
Ticketed
Explore Sidney Nolan’s formative years in Australia in a survey at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, on lower level 2 of the Naala Nura building.
Fri, Sat, Sun
Free
Lorrie Graham’s retrospective draws on five decades of photojournalism, combining images of public events and everyday life with reflections on the stories behind them.
Art fairs, regular markets and a few good reasons to go out. A Thursday email for your city, sent from 7am Sydney time.
For browsing and conversation, start with an artist or makers’ market. For a slower visit, choose an exhibition or open studio. Sydney’s calendar spans neighbourhood venues and citywide festivals, so the individual address matters as much as the event name.
A coastal sculpture exhibition is a different kind of visit from an indoor gallery. Check access information and the forecast for outdoor events. For workshops, look for the individual session’s booking link; the dates of a citywide festival do not tell you when every activity runs.
Choose one main event in the part of Sydney you can comfortably reach. Use its venue address to plan travel, then add another stop only if the opening times and route work. The calendar’s map can help you compare locations, while the organiser supplies current visitor details.
Ask about materials, dimensions, edition details where relevant, the full price and how the work will get home. Keep the artist’s details and any documentation supplied. Use our first artwork checklist ↗
Practical guidance by Art Fairs. Event details and sources are linked in the calendar. How we check listings ↗