Musicals & opera in Sydney

If you love your stage show to come with plenty of musical and theatrical highs – you’re in luck. Sydney hosts an impressive number of musicals each year, from the latest Broadway and West End shows to timeless classics. The best bit? You get to enjoy your entertainment in establishments that are just as alluring as the drama unfolding before you. Here’s what you can look forward to for the rest of the year. 

The Book of Mormon

Showing at: Capitol Theatre
Dates: now until 30 November 2025

In 2025, the Tony, Olivier, and Grammy award-winning production The Book Of Mormon is returning to Sydney once more. For those who have yet to see this outrageous musical comedy that took the world by storm after it debuted on Broadway in 2011, the international sensation follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of young missionaries sent on a two-year placement in Uganda, a place that's about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get. The tongue-in-cheek show is simply a must-watch: The New York Times calls it "the best musical of this century" and Entertainment Weekly claims it to be "the funniest musical of all time".

Cast performing on stage during the The Book of Mormon at the Capitol Theatre, Haymarket

The Book of Mormon is coming to the Capitol Theatre in 2025 - Credit: Paul Coltas/London Company

Back to the Future The Musical

Showing at: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Dates: 26 September 2025 to 25 January 2026

We all know the popular time-travelling tale: 17-year-old highschool student Marty McFly finds himself accidentally transported 30 years into the past, back to the year 1955, in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, where he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past and send himself… back to the future. And now you can watch the story play out on stage with the Australian Premiere of London’s Olivier Award winning best new musical.

Performers on stage at Back to the Future The Musical - Sydney, Lyric Theatre

Back to the Future The Musical - Sydney, Lyric Theatre - Credit: ACMN

Pretty Woman: The Musical

Showing at: Theatre Royal Sydney
Dates: playing from 30 November

Pretty Woman: The Musical is coming to Theatre Royal Sydney this November, bringing the iconic Hollywood classic to life with an electrifying score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and direction by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Hairspray). Starring ARIA Award-winning singer, songwriter and actress Samantha Jade as Vivian Ward and Ben Hall as Edward Lewis, this joyous musical features all your favourite scenes, lines and outfits from the original film – plus some spectacular new additions.

Cast performing Pretty Woman: The Musical - Credit: Pretty Woman: The Musical

Pretty Woman: The Musical - Credit: Pretty Woman: The Musical

Anastasia

Showing at: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Dates: 7 April to 10 May 2026

The hit Broadway musical Anastasia is making its Australian debut, bringing its sweeping romance and adventure to Sydney stages. Set against the backdrop of post-Imperial Russia and 1920s Paris, this dazzling production follows a young woman's quest to uncover her past, featuring beloved songs like 'Journey to the Past' and 'Once Upon a December'. Suitable for ages eight and up, Anastasia promises an unforgettable theatrical journey for the whole family.

Cast performing, Anastasia The Broadway Musical, Pyrmont - Credit: Anastasia

Anastasia The Broadway Musical - Credit: Anastasia The Broadway Musical

Disney's The Lion King

Showing at: Capitol Theatre
Dates: 18 April to 5 July 2026

Step into the heart of the Serengeti as Disney’s The Lion King – winner of six Tony Awards® – returns to Sydney in April 2026 at the Capitol Theatre, bringing its award-winning Broadway spectacle of puppetry, iconic score and family fun. As one of the world’s most popular musicals, with over 120 million viewers globally, don't miss this larger-than-life journey through the Pride Lands.

Rafiki, Disney's The Lion King Musical, Capitol Theatre - Credit: Disney's The Lion King

Disney's The Lion King, Capitol Theatre - Credit: Disney's The Lion King

Waitress

Showing at: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Dates: From 1 August 2026

Inspired by the beloved film, Waitress arrives in Sydney in 2026 and tells the story of Jenna, a small-town waitress and expert pie-maker who yearns to rewrite her life story. With an uplifting score by Grammy® winner Sara Bareilles and direction by Tony-winner Diane Paulus, the show blends humour, heart and hope in a celebration of friendship, resilience and fresh starts.

Woman with pie, Waitress Sydney Musical, Sydney Lyric Theatre - Credit: Waitress Sydney

Waitress Sydney, Sydney Lyric Theatre - Credit: Waitress Sydney

 

Where to eat and drink pre/post-show

Looking for the perfect spot to fuel up or enjoy a tipple before or after your show? Follow our guide below for nearby fine-dining, cheap eats, cocktail bars and more. 

Sydney Lyric Theatre

Head across from The Star to LuMi for a fine dining degustation based on seasonal ingredients and Italian inspiration. The waterfront location is the cherry on top. For a relaxed pre-show dinner, Bar Zini  in Pyrmont does simple but high-quality Italian, and wine bar Mister Percy offers a modern taste of the Mediterranean underneath the Woolstore 1888 by Ovolo hotel. 

State Theatre 

Named Gourmet Traveller’s NSW restaurant of the year in 2023, AALIA is a Middle Eastern restaurant that explores dishes and techniques from Arab and North African cuisines. Alternatively, head to French brasserie Manon for classics like mussels, steak frites and beef Bourguignon (and a TikTok-famous hot chocolate!). 

Chef preparing pasta at LuMi Dining, on a Pyrmont wharf
Friends enjoying food and drink at waterside restaurant LuMi Bar & Dining in Pyrmont
The Woolstore 1888 by Ovolo - Credit: Mister Percy
TikTok-viral French hot chocolate at Manon Brasserie
AALIA in City Centre, Sydney City
Credit: AALIA

Capitol Theatre 

The Capitol Theatre is located at the intersection of two of Sydney's most delicious neighbourhoods: Chinatown and Thaitown. Down some dumplings at Nanjing Dumpling off Dixon Street, or try authentic Thai noodles, soups and curries from Yok Yor, Show Neua, or award-winning Porkfat. Head down George Street to Regent Place, a food-focused shopping centre home to some of Sydney’s most underrated Asian eateries.

Just across Belmore Park will take you to the ever-trendy neighbourhood of Surry Hills. Try Nomad for elegant dishes cooked with fire or Pellegrino 2000 for intimate Italian (also a favourite post-show restaurant of Taylor Swift). Tio’s Cerveceria can provide the margaritas. 

NOMAD Feast at Surry Hills, Inner Sydney
Nomad in Surry Hills, Inner Sydney
Pellegrino 2000 in Surry Hills, Inner Sydney

Theatre Royal Sydney 

This CBD theatre is close to plenty of good eating and drinking options. Go where the locals are lining up: Soul Dining for modern Korean fine dining and Caterpillar Club for late-night drinks and live jazz in an underground speakeasy. 

The YCK Laneways are a five-minute walk from the theatre and a hidden maze of small bars and lively restaurants open until late. Try award-winning Mexican at Esteban, rum flights at The Lobo or artful Japanese and sake cocktails at Kuro. Not sure where to start? Try a secret bar tour here with Local Sauce. 

Credit: Local Sauce Tours
Kuro Bar & Dining - Credit: Oba | Kuro | Lounge 368 Pty Ltd
Kuro Bar & Dining - Credit: Oba | Kuro | Lounge 368 Pty Ltd

Seymour Centre 

Just down the road you’ll find award-winning Kindred, with a menu of hearty and shareable Italian dishes and freshly made pastas. Or head to Ester in Chippendale, a much-loved and constantly evolving fine diner that deserves to be on your bucket list. 

ICC Sydney 

Spend your pre- or post-show meal among the buzz and good vibes of Darling Square, a dining precinct adjacent to Darling Harbour. Top restaurant picks are XOPP, a next-generation venture from now-closed Chinese institution Golden Century; Nakano Darling, a lively Japanese izakaya; or 789 Korean BBQ, where you can cook your own dinner over a charcoal grill. 

Ester Restaurant at Chippendale, Inner Sydney
Dining room at Ester Restaurant, Chippendale
XOPP, Darling Square - Credit: Steven Woodburn
Dining area at XOPP, Haymarket
Nakano Darling - Credit: Nakano Darling
Credit: Nakano Darling