The best times to go to Sydney

15.11.2023 - 18:59 / lonelyplanet.com

Sydney is a city made for summers. 

In the warmer months, you can make the most of outdoor dining, rooftop bars, dozens of beaches and Sydney's beautiful bronzed inhabitants. But of course, the iconic sights – from the Opera House and Harbour Bridge to tracts of bushlands and parks – can be enjoyed year-round. Whether you’re mad about boating and surfing or prefer to dive into arts and culture, we can help you pick the best time to visit this eclectic city.

Summer brings hot, humid days and balmy evenings. Sydney buzzes year round, but particularly over the Christmas and New Year period. First, the spectacular Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race departs the harbor on Boxing Day. Then New Year’s Eve goes off with a bang with show-stopping fireworks displays over the water. Next, cricket comes to Sydney in January, with the Test beginning on New Year’s Day, plus raucous T20 matches at Sydney Cricket Ground. If you’ve never been to cricket, this is an excellent place to start. If sports leave you yawning, you might want to book tickets to one of the many performances at the Sydney Festival.

This is the high season for Australian holidaymakers: schools close, so you’ll find major tourist attractions particularly busy with families. Pre-book any must-see sights or activities before you travel. Accommodation prices are steeper in the high season, and beaches can get a little crowded. Car parking will be nigh on impossible, so plan to use Sydney's public transportation system instead.

Summer may bring the crowds to Sydney, but the shoulder seasons between March and May and September to November attract plenty of interstate and international visitors, with major festivals being the big draw. The autumn months also deliver slightly cooler temperatures – but don't worry, you won’t need to pack winter woolies for subtropical Sydney. 

If there was ever a time to get flamboyant, it’s at Sydney’s famous and much-loved Gay and Lesbian Mardis Gras, which paints the city in queer pride every February and March. Sydney also hosts a slew of arts festivals in the fall, from electrifying Vivid to the cutting-edge art at Sydney Biennale and the star-studded Sydney Writers Festival.

The spring, September to November, is dominated by sporting events like the National Rugby League Grand Final (although Queensland is vying for it), the Sydney Running Festival, which takes runners over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and in late August, City2Surf. For something more sedate, check out the homegrown Sculpture by the Sea when Bondi transforms into a giant outdoor sculpture garden.

Cool wintery days mean lower tourist numbers, so you’ll find rainy day attractions like Sydney’s many museums and art galleries are less crowded. You’re also more likely to