Public listings checked 25/10/2026. Dates use each event’s local time. Check organiser details before travelling.
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Free things to do
80 matching events listed in the next 60 days. Admission prices are shown where supplied.
Every Sunday people gather opposite the NSW Art Gallery to discuss all matters. It's a safe place for anyone who wants to engage in real debate, about any topic.
The ones standing on ladders are the speakers, and they believe it is their job to educate their 'grasshoppers' or 'groundlings'. The ones in chairs believe it's their job to point out why the speaker is wrong and to heckle. Both parties are kept busy.
And, if a passer-by has something to say, they might well be given five minutes to say it, up on The Ladder of Knowledge.
So, come along and argue with the ratbags. Or get on a ladder and be one!
If you decide you have had enough, they generously provide The New South Wales Art gallery across the road.
Sydney Open returns to the CBD with a program brimming with buildings and experiences that are set to unlock a new side to the city.
For one day only, go behind the scenes and explore places and spaces that are normally off limits to the public. Explore hidden heritage treasures, iconic landmarks, remarkable spaces and towering skyscrapers. Whether you're endlessly curious about architecture or passionate about Sydney's past, or simply love uncovering something new, Sydney Open is your invitation to see the city differently.
Discover all the buildings taking part in Sydney Open 2026 and purchase your tickets to join thousands of Sydneysiders and visitors for another unforgettable adventure.
Presented by Museums of History NSW, Sydney Open is a celebration of architecture and design. Since 1997, the Sydney Open program has welcomed over 115,000 attendees into some of the city's most architecturally significant and outstanding buildings.
Museums of History NSW members get more at Sydney Open, including exclusive access to a members-only building, discounted tickets and many more year-round benefits.
Experience a harmonious blend of nature and melody in the Chinese Garden of Friendship - with tranquil tunes curated by Dr Nicolas Ng.
Immerse yourself in the serene ambience of the Chinese Garden of Friendship at Darling Harbour with a special music series, curated by the acclaimed Dr Nicholas Ng. Join an enchanting performances on select Sundays throughout the year, where the lush garden setting enhances the beauty of each musical performance.
Experience a harmonious blend of nature and melody in this unique and tranquil oasis. Don’t miss these captivating afternoons of music and relaxation.
Celebrate the race that stops the nation at El Vista with an unforgettable Melbourne Cup experience.
This year, they are delighted to partner with De Beaurepaire Wines, showcasing their celebrated 2022 Blanchefleur Blanc de Blancs Sparkling and 2022 Annabelle Crémant de Rosé, perfectly poured for the occasion.
Enjoy free-flowing sparkling, red and white wines, and premium beers, complemented by an abundant grazing menu. Indulge in artisan charcuterie, farmhouse cheeses, freshly shucked oysters, and a selection of exquisite seafood canapés.
For an additional extra fee, elevate your experience with their free-flowing cocktail package, featuring a curated selection of cocktails served throughout the event.
Celebrate Melbourne Cup Day with exceptional food, premium beverages, and the vibrant atmosphere of El Vista.
This Melbourne Cup, swap crowded pubs and busy restaurants for an unforgettable celebration aboard Starship Sydney. Experience the race that stops the nation from the heart of spectacular Sydney Harbour, where exceptional dining, premium beverages and breathtaking views come together for an afternoon of elegance and excitement. Gather your friends, dress to impress and enjoy a Melbourne Cup celebration unlike any other.
Inclusions
Enjoy up to three hours cruising Sydney Harbour onboard Starship Sydney
An indulgent three-course lunch, including roaming canapés, entree, main & dessert.
Beverage Package featuring flowing Chandon, Young Henrys beer on tap, premium Australian wines, soft drinks and juices.
Large screens showing all the live race day action.
Fashions on the Harbour with plenty of prizes to be won
A top DJ bringing the vibe between races and keeping the celebration going afterwards!
An exhibition of landscape paintings with glimpses of birds and animals by artist Geoffrey Adams.
Alive in the Landscape explores Geoffrey Adams' fascination with the mystery of landscapes that feature birds and animals, sometimes prominent, but at other times their fleeting beauty almost hidden.
Using multiple layers of thin pigment, Adams slowly builds the texture and colour of each landscape by allowing the paint to run across the canvas in different directions. He often paints the canvases flat, drips pigment from different heights, then lifts and turns the works as the liquid paint forms unusual patterns and colour combinations.
His experimental process can be quite random, often producing unexpected results. Some paintings can take months to complete, with many glazes of thin pigment layered to create unusual colours and textures. Although the technique is prone to mistakes and involves a strong element of chance, it can also produce highly distinctive works that are almost impossible to replicate.
Image: Geoffrey Adams, 'Alizarin Herons', 2025, oil on canvas
With democracy under pressure internationally, what role do independent institutions play in maintaining trust in the democratic system? What challenges will they face in the lead up to the 2027 NSW State Election?
Join Dr Michael Warlters (Parliamentary Budget Officer), Rachel McCallum (NSW Electoral Commissioner) and Dr Harry Hobbs (Associate Professor, Faculty of Law & Justice, UNSW) for a timely conversation exploring the institutions that help underpin democracy in NSW.
Parliament Unpacked: The Architecture of Democracy offers an insight at the institutions, processes and safeguards that support fair elections, transparent decision-making and public accountability. The discussion will elaborate on the role of the Parliamentary Budget Office and the NSW Electoral Commission, examining how these organisations operate, why they matter, and how they help maintain public confidence in democratic systems.
As trust in democratic institutions is increasingly undermined around the world, our panel will explore the pressures facing these organisations, the importance of their independence and their role in safeguarding the legitimacy of electoral and parliamentary processes.
Whether you're interested in politics, public policy, elections or the future of democracy, this discussion offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from experts at the centre of some of New South Wale's most important democratic institutions
Come along to hear guest speakers give illustrated talks on Family History subjects. The exploration of your family history through the internet, journals and reference folios are available at the Society headquarters.
If you are looking to research your family history, come to the Saturday meeting where Society members will guide you. Meet on the first Saturday of the month from February to November.
Hambledon Cottage museum is also open on the day and the guided tour offers you a unique opportunity to experience life of the 19th century.
The Family History Group of the membership holds a meeting on the first Saturday of the months February to November in Hambledon Cottage Coach House. Afternoon tea is provided and everyone is welcome.
Parramatta and District Historical Society supports a programme of guest speakers delivering illustrated talks on a wide range of subjects.
Family History research is conducted on Tuesday in Hambledon Cottage Coach House where a team of volunteers use the library of local history.
How do you build one of the world's most significant new cultural institutions?
Designed by internationally acclaimed French-Japanese architecture practice Moreau Kusunoki (Lead Designer) in collaboration with Australian architecture firm Genton (Local Architect), the building's monumental exoskeleton announces a new architectural landmark for Western Sydney and the world. Engineers Arup and construction partner Lendlease brought the vision to life at a scale not seen since the Sydney Opera House.
Nicolas Moreau and Hiroko Kusunoki (Moreau Kusunoki), Steven Toia (Genton), Bruno Zinghini (Infrastructure NSW), Kimberley Blackburn, Kengo Takamatsu and Xavier Nuttall (Arup), Lendlease and Hannah Slater (Powerhouse) discuss the design and making of a building that is redefining what a museum can be.
Hosted by Benedict Hobson, co-CEO of Dezeen.
This is an Auslan interpreted event.
Presented in partnership with Dezeen.
This event ticket includes free entry to the museum and 4 exhibitions: The Mall, The Dark, Overflow and Es Devlin: The Turning.
An intimate morning ceremony to celebrate the arrival of a unique Kahu Kurī (dog skin) cloak made by artist Keren Ruki, commissioned by Powerhouse Parramatta. The cross-cultural Kahu Kurī has been meticulously handcrafted from harakeke flax harvested in Aotearoa New Zealand and finished with dingo skins provided by environmental trappers in the Southern Highlands of NSW. It took Ruki almost 3000 hours to weave the strong kaupapa base layer for this kahu, a cloak whose creation connects the lands of the Ngāti Maniapoto, Dharawal, Gundungurra and Muwinina.
To attend this event: Book a free opening weekend general admission ticket.
Irish writer Darran Anderson (Imaginary Cities, Inventory) and design critic Alexandra Lange (Meet Me by the Fountain: An Inside History of the Mall), in conversation with author Sarah Krasnostein, discuss how shopping malls shape the ideal city. Featuring 2 of the world's most insightful cultural commentators on cities and architecture, this conversation looks at malls as hybrid spaces and asks whether, in a world increasingly shaped by e-commerce, they still serve as vital civic and social spaces.
This is an Auslan interpreted event.
This event ticket includes free entry to the museum and 4 exhibitions: The Mall, The Dark, Overflow and Es Devlin: The Turning.
