Sydney is one of the most vibrant and bustling cities in the world, with a seemingly endless array of things to do on any given day or night. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, Fridays in Sydney are an opportunity to explore the city and take advantage of its many offerings! Here are some options to consider for a fun, inspiring and culturally rich Friday in Sydney.
5 Things To Do In Sydney On A Friday
Start the day off with a coffee and a deep-dive into Sydney’s history (Photo credit: @localsaucetours)
1. Discover Sydney’s best-kept secrets
Start your Friday off with the Ultimate Sydney Walking Tour, a 3.5-hour guided tour of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks and hidden gems. Instead of architecture and statues, the tour goes deeper into Australian history, culture, society & First Nations people. Starting from Customs House, you’ll wander through the Central Business District and hear rarely-told stories about some of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks.
You’ll also hear about Sydney’s colonisation by the British and how their arrival impacted the original inhabitants, the Cadigal people of the Eora nation. Finishing at The Rocks with a beer in hand and a view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, you’re in the perfect spot for your next adventure!
Take in awesome views of the Sydney Harbour, Circular Quay and the CBD (Photo credit: Pylon Lookout)
2. Experience breathtaking views
Walking around Circular Quay provides spectacular views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, but to get a vantage point from up high, we always recommend heading for the Pylon Lookout. The must cheaper alternative to the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb, the Pylon Lookout offers stunning views of Sydney Harbour and city centre for under $30 (compared to $350 to $450 for the official BridgeClimb experience). The lookout also doubles as a museum where you can learn about the history of the Harbour Bridge. There are about 200 stairs, though, so prepare those calf muscles!
If you prefer to see Sydney from a bird’s-eye view, the Sydney Tower Eye provides a 360-degree view of the city. Located 250 metres up in the air, you’ll be able to spot iconic landmarks and maybe even see the Blue Mountains in the distance. We don’t quite count this experience as a “tourist trap”, but definitely buy your tickets online in advance, as it is $29 on a weekday for adults bought online in advance, compared to $40 on the day.
If you’re in the mood for a ferry ride, jump on a ferry from Circular Quay to Watson’s Bay. Make sure you sit outside to take in the sea breeze and amazing views. Once you arrive, wander up to Camp Cove, a favourite beach amongst locals, and continue up towards the iconic red and white striped Hornsby Lighthouse. If you’re there between May and November, you might get really lucky and see some migrating whales.
Explore Sydney’s bustling Chinatown and try some authentic street food (Photo credit: Chinatown Friday Night Markets)
3. Check out the Chinatown Friday Night Market
If you’re looking for evening entertainment that’s a little bit different and off the beaten path, the Chinatown Friday Night Markets are a great choice. Located on Dixon Street, the markets showcase amazing local designers, delicious Asian street food and unique products. Frequented by locals and travellers alike, the markets also offer visitors the opportunity to taste their way through Asia without leaving the city.
The market includes its own Little Eat Street with more than a dozen stalls offering cuisines from Hong Kong to Hanoi, with favourites including yum cha, teppanyaki, sushi and pho. The markets are open from around 4 pm until late, so you can spend as much time as you like browsing, eating, and enjoying the atmosphere.
Experience Sydney’s vibrant cultural performances with a range of entertainment venues across the city (Photo credit: Sydney Opera House)
4. Soak up the theatre
Sydney is home to a number of great theatres and performance venues, offering everything from Broadway-style musicals to stand-up comedy and live music. The iconic Sydney Opera House is a must-visit for any culture lover, with a packed schedule of shows and events on most Friday nights. Contrary to what most people believe, there are actually multiple theatres within the Opera House, which gives you plenty of options to choose from!
Alternatively, check out what’s on at other venues like the Capitol Theatre or the Enmore Theatre, and enjoy a night of entertainment that will leave you feeling inspired and entertained. We recommend downloading the TodayTix app to check for rush or last-minute tickets.
Enjoy art after-hours, cocktails and live music in the heart of Sydney at the Museum of Contemporary Art (Photo credit: Liam Cameron)
5. Explore the city’s southern end on a secret bar tour
Local Sauce Tours has launched a Friday night bar tour, which means you can now explore the city in a small group, visiting some of the best bars five nights a week (Tuesday through Saturday). On Friday nights, our bar tour route starts at the Queen Victoria Building and then heads south, towards Chinatown and Thaitown.
You’ll get to wander through the buzzing Friday Chinatown night markets on Dixon Street, and visit an underground Thai live music bar, before finishing at an always lively Mexican bar in Surry Hills. Groups are capped at just 12 guests, and normally the group is a mix of solo travellers, couples, locals and groups of friends, with a wide range of ages, nationalities and backgrounds represented. This is not some boozy backpacker-style pub crawl – we only visit bars that we like to drink at, so no sticky floors or cheap shots. The first drink is included, then it is up to you to choose how you want to enjoy the night, so you don’t even need to drink to have a great time.
Enjoy after-hours fun and great cocktails on the Local Sauce Tours Friday night bar tour (Photo credit: Local Sauce Tours)
Fun things to do in Sydney on Friday
Sydney is a city that truly shines on Fridays with a rich range of activities and events on offer. Whether you’re in the mood for something low-key or something more adventurous, there’s something to suit every energy level and budget. So get out there, make the most of your Friday and explore all that Sydney has to offer!
About Local Sauce Tours
Local Sauce Tours offers Sydney and Brisbane’s “funnest” small-group experiences, bringing together locals and visitors to make friends and discover the city from a different perspective. Launched in 2018, walking tours explore vibrant inner-city pockets including Chinatown, Surry Hills, Newtown and The Rocks, along with an annual calendar of special events and exclusive dining experiences. Passionate and entertaining guides host groups of up to 12 guests on tours that blend foodie experiences with stories of the city’s history, culture, nightlife and street art. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop.
