More free summer fun is on the way, with activities and events for the whole community to enjoy.
The NSW Government’s free summer activities include live music, outdoor cinema, markets, fitness classes, and cultural celebrations held across Sydney’s iconic public spaces.
Family-friendly fun is on the menu during the school holidays, with opportunities to play, explore, and discover together. Learn more about the history of Sydney at The Rocks Discovery Museum, get to know our native plant species at the Botanic Gardens, or become a Junior Lifesaver at Penrith Beach.
Feeling active? Join a yoga session, run club, or pickleball competition, take a dip in the harbour at Marrinawi Cove, or visit one of the many stunning parks and nature trails across the Greater Sydney Parklands.
Top it all off by coming together to celebrate notable cultural festivals, with events marking New Year’s Eve, Lunar New Years, and Holi all in the calendar.
Free activities to explore this summer:
Barangaroo
- Barangaroo Run Club – Run club for runners of all levels with tips and support from experienced trainers on Friday mornings, 7.15am – 8.15am
- Yoga on Country – First Nations inspired yoga sessions on Wednesday lunchtimes at 12.30pm
- Pickleball – Pickleball competition with trainers and equipment on Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes 12.00pm – 2.00pm
- Swimming at Marrinawi Cove – Head to the sparkling waters of Barangaroo’s idyllic harbour coves to take a free access dip in the crystal-clear waters
Darling Harbour - Darling Harbour Run Club – Run club for runners of all levels with tips and support from experienced trainers on Monday mornings, 7.15am – 8.15 am
- Rhythm n Bubs – Interactive musical performance for bubs and carers on Wednesday mornings, 10.30am – 11.15am
- Kids Yoga at Darling Quarter – Let out your inner mini-yogi with this weekly 30 minute session to help kids connect with their body, breath and mind. Fridays 10.30am and 11.30am
The Rocks - The Rocks Laneway Cinema – Movies on Wednesday evenings 7.00pm with a free registered ticket
- The Rocks Yoga Under the Bridge – Free yoga lessons on Sunday mornings, 8.30am and 9.30am
- The Rocks Discovery Museum – A free family friendly museum that tells the story of The Rocks from pre-European days to the present, 10am – 5pm daily
Botanic Gardens Sydney and Domain
- Daily guided walk – Explore the Garden and its remarkable history, botany, and wildlife on an unforgettable 1.5-hour guided walk. 10.30am – 12.00pm daily (by donation)
- Alchemy of a Rainforest Exhibition – Explore a vibrant tapestry of life! Step inside this immersive, sensory exhibition featuring spectacular rare and unusual tropical and subtropical rainforest plants. 10.00am – 4.00pm daily (by donation)
Parramatta Park
- New Years Eve – Parramatta’s much loved NYE fireworks display and concert is back for another year of family friendly fun. This year the event is bigger than ever, with more ways to celebrate including a dedicated family zone featuring DJ Dorothy the Dinosaur, amusement rides, roving characters and more. Tuesday, 31 December, 5.00pm – 9.30pm
- Sydney Symphony Under the Stars, Sydney Festival 2025 – Gather your friends, family, set up a picnic and enjoy an evening of orchestral highlights that concludes with a dazzling fireworks finale. Saturday, 18 January 2025
Penrith Beach
- Bootcamp on the beach – Kickstart your summer fitness with exciting sessions and guest trainers most Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in January
- Wildlife Wednesdays –Learn more about turtles, snakes, birds, ochre and how to be a Wildlife Warrior with educational programs by visiting Sydney Zoo staff. 8, 15, 22 and 29 January 2025.
- Learn to Swim – Promoting water safety awareness and teaching essential lifesaving skills, these half day events will focus on beach and inland waterway safety, lifejacket usage, dryland rescues and CPR. 30 January, 27 February, and 22 March 2025
- Junior Lifesavers – One for the kids! Master essential water safety skills and practice lifesaving and rescue techniques with exciting games and scenarios – all in a safe, structured, and supportive environment. Suitable for ages 5 -12 years. Saturdays from 1 February until 5 April 2025
- Cultural Celebrations – Mark the Lunar New Year with a Kite Festival on Saturday, 9 February 2025, get active with a Valentines Day Fun Run for the Heart Foundation on Saturday, 15 February, and join in the celebrations for the Holi Festival with a colour run on Saturday 23 March 2025
Fernhill Estate
- Fernhill Estate Walking Trail – 2.6km self-guided weekend walking trail giving the community a look at one of Western Sydney’s most beautiful estates. Open Sundays from 10am – 12pm and 1.00pm – 4.00pm
Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan - Australian PlantBank tours – Find out how New South Wales flora are stored for preservation and for future plant security of threatened species and genetic diversity. 11.00 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 1.00 Saturdays and Sundays (by donation)
Metro North West
- Public Art Sydney Metro North West trail – Walk the trail and view the varied artworks in pockets along the Sydney Metro North West line. Open anytime
Acting Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“As part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitments to great public spaces, we are offering free entertainment for the whole community.
“This summer there is great fun in some of Sydney’s most iconic locations for families to enjoy without breaking the budget in a time when we know many people are doing it tough.
“We’re building better, more connected communities, with everything from large events like New Year’s Eve to weekly fitness classes to keep people moving.”