The best free things to do on the October Long weekend Sydney 2019
Free things to do on the October Long weekend 2019 in Sydney
The October Long Weekend has to be one of Sydney’s favourite weekends.
Spring weather has sprung and there are lots of great events to enjoy.
What’s on Across the weekend
Floral Displays
Spring is a fabulous time to get out and explore some of Sydney and NSW’s best gardens:
- Hello Koalas at Royal Botanic Garden launches on the 4th of October. You’ll also get to to see the Spring Floral Display
- Floriade is Australia’s largest display and is happening until 13 October in Canberra
- Australian Botanic Garden Paper Daisy Display is on until 31 October
- Tulips Time Festival at Bowral continues until Monday 7 October
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is the actually world’s largest beer festival! Sydney is starting to celebrate this fun weekend and there a few Oktoberfest celebrations across Sydney this weekend. Unfortunately there aren’t any free ones, but some of these sound pretty good nonetheless:
- Concordia Club Tempe offers authentic German beer, our famous pretzels, wurst, knuckles and all the trimmings
- Workers Huberus Club great food, live entertainment, free face painting for the kids, pony rides and more
- Oktoberfest In Camden will feature performances from Old Dirty Brasstards and No Limit Street Band – both 10 piece drum and brass bands – as well as a variety of other DJs and performers
- 4 Pines Brewing Co Manly is celebrating with some great food and entertainment
Exhibitions
If art is your thing then why not check out some of the great new exhibitions that are on across Sydney:
- Banksy Exhibition is the worlds largest touring exhibition of Banksy Art
- White Rabbit Gallery is having it’s 10th birthday with a fab new exhibition titled ‘THEN’
- Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre is also celebrating a birthday with an exhibition called ‘One Past Liverpool’
- Powerhouse Museum is show casing the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year 2019 until October 20 2019
- Centre for Contemporary Asian Art has launched a new exhibition ‘Dark Fantasy’
Events Across the October Long Weekend
Manly Jazz Festival
Come and enjoy a great weekend of music in the heart of beautiful Manly. There will be a variety of sounds on offer including traditional New Orleans jazz to funk, Latin, fusion, blues, gospel, swing and roots.
Dates: Saturday 5 Oct – Monday 7 October 2019
Cost: Free
More info: northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Food Music Dance Festival, Liverpool
The Food Music Dance Festival is an outdoor International Multicultural Food Festival with live entertainment and exclusive competitions.
Dates: Sunday 6 to Monday 7 October 2019
Cost: All indoor events are ticketed while outdoors is FREE to the general public
More info: nsw.gov.au
Outdoor Cinema on the Green, Coogee Beach Club
Some excellent movies to enjoy with both kids and adults sessions – how good is that! Movies will run from Wednesday 2 October to Monday 7 October with some great shows to see including Moana, Greatest Showman, Dirty Dancing and The Incredibles.
Dates: Wednesday 2 October to Monday 7 October 2019
Cost: Free
More info: coogeebeachclub.com.au/whats-on/
Lost and Rare Trades Fair, Clarendon
The Lost and Rare Trades Fair is an artisan event that aims to showcase rare artisan skills. Come along and see basket weavers, chair makers, tool and toy makers and much much more.
Dates: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October 2019
Cost: $15.00 early bird ticket
More info: losttradesfair.com.au/
HIDDEN Rookwood Sculptures
HIDDEN is an outdoor sculpture exhibition that takes place amongst the gardens and graves in Rookwood Cemetery. The exhibition invites artists to ponder the notion of history, culture, remembrance and love and allows audiences to witness creative expression hidden throughout Australia’s largest and most historic cemetery.
Dates: 7 September to Monday 7 October 2019
Cost: Free
More info: hiddeninrookwood.com.au/
Leura Garden Festival
The 55th Leura Garden Festival will feature cool climate spring gardens. The gardens will include new, returning and several old-favourite gardens. Festival proceeds go to the Blue Mountains District ANZAC Memorial Hospital and other local health-related organisations.
Dates: Saturday 5 to Monday 7 October and Friday 11 to Sunday 13 October 2019
Cost: Combined ticket: $30.00 (visit ALL Festival gardens), Single garden ticket: $8.00pp. Children 16 and under are free (except Everglades)
More info: euragardensfestival.com.au/
Sydney Model Railway Exhibition 2019, Sydney Showground
The longest running model railway exhibition in Australia, this 3 day event features model trains from around Australia. Enjoy showcases by the Sydney Tramway Museum, Railway Transport Museum, and the Australian Railway Historical Society. Plus, kids will love the Thomas-the-Tank Engine rides.
Dates: Saturday 5 Oct – Monday 7 October 2019
Cost: Adults: $18.00, Seniors: $12.00, Kids: $10.00, Family: $45.00
More info: sydneyshowground.com.au
Play World Australia, Darling Harbour
Made especially for kids ages 5-12, at Play World kids can take part in drumming workshops, learn the tricks to being a Kid Entrepreneur, play with the latest games from Nintendo or perhaps become the next Picasso.
Dates: Saturday 5 October to Sunday 6 October 2019
Cost: Family online ticket $69.95, Kids online ticket: $19.95
More info: playworldaustralia.com.au
What’s on Friday 4 October 2019
NRL Fan Fest
Celebrate the season at NRL Fan Fest, a dedicated footy festival taking over Sydney’s Martin Place.
Dates: Wednesday October 2 – Friday October 4 2019
Cost: Free
More info: nrl.com/finals/fan-fest/
What’s on Saturday 5 October 2019
Parramatta Scavenge
Come get amongst the local, live music, riverside cleaning and trash trading action. Not only will you help to stop rubbish ending up in our waterway, any litter you pick up, sort and catalogue at the event will become cash that can be used to purchase pre-loved clothing, toys, books and more!
Date: Saturday 5 October 2019
Cost: Free
More info: seasidescavenge.org
Long Weekend Vibes at Penrith Homemaker Centre
Join in for the grand opening of Pillow Talk, Kitchen Warehouse, Roni’s Home Depot Christmas Shop and Rose Furniture’s new look store. Enjoy FREE Frozen Yoghurt, FREE balloons, live music, jumping castle, face painting and family entertainment. Plus, say hello to The Edge 96.1 Street Crew on from 11.00am – 2.00pm.
Date: Saturday 5 October 2019
Cost: Free
More info: facebook.com/events
What’s on Sunday 6 October 2019
Illawarra Light Railyway Museum
Enjoy a day out at the Illawarra Light Railway Museum. Enjoy a ride on the locomotive ” With Ivanhoe”.
Date: Sunday 5 October 2019
Cost: Single ride: Adult $10.00, Child/Concession $5.00, Children under 3 years old ride free
More info: ilrms.com.au
Sunset Sessions at the Coal Loader
Enjoy locally brewed beer, organic wines, live acoustic music… and of course the whole event series is sustainable. All abilities, kid friendly, dog friendly.
Date: Sunday 6 October 2019
Cost: Free entry
More info: northsydney.nsw.gov.au
Ramzat 2019 Garba Night
Food Stalls, prizes and entertainment by the famous Gujarati Singer, Composer and Music Directors.
Date: 6 October 2019
Cost: Free, registration required
More info: everi.events
What’s on Monday 7 October 2019
Mamre Homestead Kids Zone, Orchard Hills
Huge family fun day at Mamre House. Gold coin entry will get you access to magic shows, DJ games, hula hoops, unicorns, lawn games and market stalls and food. Activity and rides passes are also available.
Date: Monday 7 October 2019
Cost: Gold coin entry, rides passes additional, early bird passes until 15 September with BIG savings
More info: visitpenrith.com.au
Australiana Pioneer Village
Take a day trip to the Australiana Pioneer Village and remember yesteryear and celebrate the way they did in the 1800s and early 1900s. Bring a Picnic Lunch and Blanket and join in our Games
Date: Monday 7 October 2019
Cost: Adults: $5.00, School-aged Children: $3.00, Family: $15.00 (2 adults and 2 school aged children), Children under 5 years: Free
More info: theapv.org.au
Still Looking for things to do?
It’s a great time to check out the best Free Gardens in Sydney.
Or why not spend a day in the city exploring the best free things to do in the CBD – The Rocks, Walking the Harbour Bridge and lots more.
Check out our blog for lots more great fun and free things to do in Sydney.
Do you know of any other free things to do on the October Long Weekend 2019 in Sydney?
Let us know your experience