Summer in the City: your ultimate what’s on guide to the best events and things to do in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and across Australia

We’re handpicking the most unmissable arts, festivals and gigs in every capital city all through December, January and February. Whether you’re looking for free things to do in Sydney today, family-friendly shows in Melbourne this weekend or what’s coming up this month in Brisbane or Perth, search our guide to find what’s on near you

Problems seeing this media? Click on the link below:

We’re sure you feel it too. After years of *gestures broadly at everything*, we need this summer to be the best one ever. Live arts, big festivals and major international tours are kicking off again, bringing life back to our dormant cities and bringing us all back together.

To celebrate, Guardian Australia’s arts writers and critics based all around the country are curating only the best in performing arts, live music, festivals and visual arts hitting every capital city (with a few regional treats thrown in). Ever-evolving – and focused on December, January and February – we’ve got you covered for free and ticketed events.

We’ll be updating this regularly, but some tickets will get snapped up, so get in quick. Also: there are a bunch of family-friendly events here, but if your kids are sensitive or squeamish, check the full details before you book.

default

Contributors

Steph Harmon, Sian Cain, Michael Sun, Janine Israel, Elissa Blake, Tim Byrne, Walter Marsh, Anna McGahan, Sarah Aitken, Rosamund Brennan and Carmen Ansaldo

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
Your ultimate Brisbane events guide: the best things to do this weekend, and what’s on through February
From blockbuster exhibitions and stage shows to a feast of live music – here are the best things happening in your city in February

Steph Harmon, Sian Cain, Janine Israel, Anna McGahan and Michael Sun

10, Feb, 2023 @1:11 AM

Article image
Your ultimate Brisbane events guide: what’s on this weekend, and the best things to do through January
Summer in the City is Guardian Australia’s handpicked guide to the best arts, gigs and festivals happening around the country. Here, we’ve selected some highlights for Brisbane in January

Steph Harmon, Sian Cain, Janine Israel, Anna McGahan and Michael Sun

18, Jan, 2023 @1:53 AM

Article image
Your ultimate Sydney events guide: the best things to do this weekend, and what’s on through January
From Sydney festival highlights to pop-up venues, shows for kids and street fairs – here are the best things happening in your city in January

Michael Sun, Sian Cain, Janine Israel and Steph Harmon

18, Jan, 2023 @4:05 AM

Article image
Your ultimate Melbourne events guide: the best things to do this weekend and what’s on through January
Highlights from Guardian Australia’s ultimate guide to the best arts, gigs and festivals happening around the country

Sian Cain, Steph Harmon, Janine Israel, Tim Byrne and Michael Sun

18, Jan, 2023 @1:51 AM

Article image
Your ultimate Sydney events guide: the best things to do this weekend, and what’s on through December
Summer in the City is Guardian Australia’s guide to the best arts, gigs and festivals around the country. Here are some highlights for Sydney in December

Steph Harmon, Michael Sun, Janine Israel, Elissa Blake and Sian Cain

08, Dec, 2022 @1:53 AM

Article image
Your ultimate Melbourne events guide: the best things to do this weekend and what’s on through December
Summer in the City is Guardian Australia’s ultimate guide to the best arts, gigs and festivals happening around the country. Here, we’ve picked out some highlights for Melbourne in December

08, Dec, 2022 @2:00 PM

Article image
The best things to do in Sydney in February: our handpicked guide to the hottest tickets in town
From Sydney WorldPride parties to live music, great plays, and family-friendly events – here are the best things happening in your city in February

Michael Sun, Sian Cain, Steph Harmon, Janine Israel and Elissa Blake

10, Feb, 2023 @1:12 AM

Article image
The best things to do in Melbourne in February: our handpicked guide to the hottest tickets in town
From Midsumma parties to live music, great plays, and family-friendly events – here are the best things happening in your city in February

10, Feb, 2023 @1:11 AM

Article image
Your ultimate Brisbane events guide: what’s on this weekend, and the best things to do through December
Summer in the City is Guardian Australia’s handpicked guide to the best arts, gigs and festivals happening around the country. Here, we’ve selected some highlights for Brisbane in December

09, Dec, 2022 @2:00 PM

Article image
Sydney festival 2018: Tree of Codes, Randy Rainbow and 100,000 toys lead lineup
Crowd-pleasing program heavy on circus and cabaret – along with breathtaking puppetry and brave Indigenous works

Steph Harmon

25, Oct, 2017 @1:00 AM