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Arts and culture Sydney

Must do

Museum of Contemporary Art
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Best of arts and culture in Sydney

Outdoor performances, special exhibitions and annual festivals make summer an exciting time to experience art and culture events in Sydney. In winter the city is just as busy with film festivals, writers' events, new art exhibitions and plenty of shows and theatre to keep everyone entertained.  

Arts, culture and heritage in Sydney

Festival First Night, Image Hamilton Lund

Another opening, another show should be the theme song for Sydney's cultural scene. Blockbuster exhibitions, museums showcasing exquisite Aboriginal arts, seafaring history, interactive science displays and contemporary art galleries will capture your interest whatever it is. Best of all, you can experience Sydney's flourishing arts and culture scene at any time of the year. The performing arts attract audiences to shows in venues as iconic as the Sydney Opera House and The State Theatre and as innovative as The Sydney Theatre Company's home base at Walsh Bay.

Sydney in summer wouldn't be complete without Sydney Festival with international artists, free outdoor concerts and eclectic theatre, burlesque circus, indigenous performances and family programs all on offer. In winter, theatres buzz with shows and events such as Sydney Writers' Festival and the Sydney Film Festival attract keen followers of art and culture.

In 2013 and 2014, you'll have the opportunity to see some of the greatest operas ever written performed on one of the world's most breathtaking stages – Sydney Harbour. With the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge as backdrops, the magnificent spectacle of Verdi’s La Traviata was performed on a purpose-built stage on Sydney Harbour for 3 weeks from March to April, 2012. Set off by one of the world's largest crystal chandeliers, created by Swarovski, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour was an outstanding success. In 2013, Bizet’s Carmen will be performed on Sydney Harbour and an equally memorable night on the harbour is guaranteed.


Theatres and shows

Don’t miss the chance to see any performance by the Sydney Theatre Company. Bold and exciting theatre can be seen at the Stables in Kings Cross, home to the Griffin Theatre Company, and Belvoir St Theatre, home of Belvoir. Performances by the innovative Sydney Dance Company and Aboriginal group, Bangarra Dance Theatre, are always worth catching.

Mary Poppins by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh opening night 29th July 2010 Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne. Matt Lee as Bert and Verity Hunt-Ballard as Mary. Image Deen van Meer

Sporting events

Enjoy a full calendar of international sporting events in Sydney, including the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, a Boxing Day tradition, and the Australian Open of Surfing in February, showcasing the world's best surfers at iconic Manly Beach. Other big-sports events with world championship ranking include tennis, cricket and golf.

Manly beach, image Joel Coleman for Saltmotion

Art around Sydney

Discover art in unusual locations in Sydney - on the beach, in a laneway or a garden. Follow the Sydney Sculpture Walk to see artworks by leading Australian and international artists that form a circuit through the heart of the city. Also check out the wide range of exhibitions at the Art Gallery of NSW or the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

Fatih Semiz, 'State of Square', image S Burns, Sculpture by the Sea Bondi

Don't miss things to do

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