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Arts and culture Sydney

Must do

Museum of Contemporary Art
Art Gallery of New South Wales

Summer arts in Sydney

Outdoor performances, special exhibitions and annual festivals make summer an exciting time to experience art and culture in Sydney.  

Arts, culture and heritage in Sydney

Festival First Night, Image Hamilton Lund

You'll experience Sydney's flourishing arts and culture scene at any time of the year. But it's during summer that Sydney events really come alive with an array of spectacular performances and musicals not to be missed. The Art Gallery of NSW showcases the iconic works of Picasso presented in a landmark exhibition, Picasso, Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris until 25 March 2012.

Fans of all ages can get a taste of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at Harry Potter:The Exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum until 18 March 2012. Enter a fabulous world of magic with authentic artefacts, props and costumes from the Harry Potter films. Classic Broadway musical, ANNIE, will pull on the heartstrings of audiences at the Lyric theatre at The Star until the end of March 2012, while Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is Opera Australia's most anticipated outdoor opera event yet. Verdi's masterpiece, La Traviata, is the first opera in Australia to be staged afloat, adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney from 24 March, 2012. Summer in Sydney wouldn't be complete without Sydney Festival. International artists, free outdoor concerts and eclectic theatre, burlesque circus, indigenous performances and family programs all help to make Sydney sizzle during summer.

Theatres and shows

Don’t miss some thrilling performances in Sydney this summer.  Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will be performed afloat on the harbour while ANNIE - The Musical is on at the Lyric at The Star. Book your tickets now. 

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 2012, a new global event showcasing the world's best surfers at iconic Manly Beach.

Manly beach, image Joel Coleman for Saltmotion

Art around Sydney

Discover art in unusual locations this Summer in Sydney - on the beach, in a laneway or flying high above the city, with a range of exhibitions including the classic works of Picasso, Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris.

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

Don't miss things to do

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