Things to do in Sydney this weekend: Visit Mardi Gras Fair Day 2019
Have you been looking forward to visiting the Mardi Gras Fair Day all year? Or does stopping by Australia’s first Instagram museum celebrating confectionery sound sweet? These are just two of the 19 events across Sydney which are happening this weekend.
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Have you been looking forward to visiting the Mardi Gras Fair Day all year? Or does stopping by Australia’s first Instagram museum celebrating confectionery sound sweet? These are just two of the 19 events across Sydney which are happening this weekend.
MARDI GRAS FAIR DAY
The pup-arazzi will be out in force when drag queen Varushka Darling puts entrants through their pawsy paces at Mardi Gras Fair Day on Sunday.
The MTV Verushka’s Closet star is hosting the Doggywood dog pageant at 11am and 12.30pm on Fair Day this Sunday.
She said there would be great prizes for both dogs and owners.
Fair Day creative director Greg Clarke said there would be two additions this year, a concert championing queer music artists and The Arena, an undercover area to house both Doggywood and Team Sydney’s sports demonstrations.
When: Sunday, February 17
Time: 10am — 9pm
Where: Victoria Park, Broadway
Price: Free
Info: mardigras.org.au
INSTA-WORTHY MUSEUM
Sugar Republic is Australia’s first Insta-museum celebrating confectionery, desserts and chocolate through 14 sensory spaces in Myer. Encounter Instagrammable art installations while sampling sweets and ice cream.
Where: Myer, 6th Floor, 436 George St, Sydney
When: Opened February 10, on until the end of May
Cost: $30-$39
Details: sugarrepublic.com.au
BEACH BEATLES
Boasting a huge marquee on the beach, Middle Harbour Yacht Club is hosting a night of live music, food and revelry, where shoes are optional with a stunning beach to dip your toes into.
The Beatnix will play The Beatles greatest hits from each era.
Where: Middle Harbour Yacht Club
When: Saturday 7pm-late
Cost: $35-$55
Details: Call 9969 1244 or mhyc.com.au
LUNAR PARADE
The inaugural Chatswood Lunar New Year Twilight Parade on Saturday will showcase the exciting fanfare of a traditional Chinese New Year street parade featuring lion and dragon dancers, drummers, marching bands and the God of Prosperity.
Where: Chatswood Interchange
When: 6.30pm
Cost: Free
Details: willoughby.nsw.com.au
WINX AT ROYAL RANDWICK
The world’s best racehorse, Winx’s highly-anticipated return to racing will be at The Star Apollo Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
ATC’s James Heddo said Sydney fans should not miss this opportunity to see Winx run.
Where: Royal Randwick
When: Gates open at 11.45
Cost: From $12
Details: australianturfclub.com.au
PERE RECEVEUR MASS
Help commemorate the death and burial of La Perouse’s chaplain, Pere Receveur, at the annual Pere Receveur Mass on Sunday at 11am at La Perouse Museum. The mass also celebrates the first Catholic mass and burial service on the Australian mainland.
Where: La Perouse Museum, 1542 Anzac Parade, La Perouse
Cost: Free
Details: historycouncilnsw.org.au
TOMATO FESTIVAL
Former My Kitchen Rules contestant Carol Molloy will be cooking up a range of tomato-inspired dishes influenced by her Japanese-Australian heritage at the Tomato Festival Sydney at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
New elements have been added to the festival, that is back for its sixth year on Saturday and Sunday, and all the favourites are coming back with a brand new theme — celebrating the magic of seeds.
Where: Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
When: From 10am
Cost: Free and some ticketed events
Details: rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/tomato
SYDNEY PROPS SALE
Sydney Prop’s yearly garage sale, on Saturday, is the place to go for ex TV/movie props, collectibles and lots of quirky things.
Where: Dock 3, 16 Carrington Rd, Marrickville
When: Saturday 8.30am-5pm
Details: sydneyprops.com.au
OPEN DAY AT LIBRARY
A special community day is being held at Avalon Community Library on Saturday. Come along and enjoy activities and refreshments.
When: 10am to noon on Saturday
Where: 59A Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach
Cost: Free
Details: 9918 3013
BEAR COTTAGE COMMUNITY DAY
Come for a visit to this special place and learn more about its role in the community. In particular, discover more about the support Bear Cottage Children’s Hospice provides children (and their families) with life-limiting conditions. Bear Cottage relies on donations from the community and members of the public can see first hand how their support makes a real difference.
When: Sunday, from 10am to 2pm.
Where: 2 Fairy Bower Rd, Manly.
Details: 9976 8350
MUSIC EVENT
Liverpool rap crew Freesouls will headline the first of a new series of live music events at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre on Saturday.
CPAC Live aims to provide a platform for up-and-coming artists from the southwest.
Freesouls will be joined by local rappers Chris Onano and Leeroy Perez from hip hop collective GLDN ODSY.
CPAC director Craig Donarski said the idea came about because there was a lack of opportunities for local artists.
Where: Casula Powerhouse
When: Saturday doors will open at 5pm.
Cost: Free
Details: casulapowerhouse.com
ICONS PLAYING AT THE DIGGERS
Rock’n’roll legends Gary Puckett and the Union Gap may have sold more records in 1968 than any recording act — including the Beatles — with hits such as Young Girl, Woman Woman, Lady Willpower and more.
Although the original line-up of the band has changed, the diehard fans are still loyal to the group’s music.
“The fans love coming to the shows because music has that ability to take you back to a time,” Puckett said.
Where: CabraVale Diggers
When: Sunday 3.30pm.
Cost: $49
Details: cabravale.com.au
FREE OUTDOOR CINEMA SCREENING
Enjoy a free outdoor cinema screening at St Marys of Mamma Mia! and relax under the stars on Saturday without spending a cent — not a bad thing after school holidays.
Mamma Mia! is an instant classic featuring an all-star cast set to the songs of ABBA.
Filmed in the beautiful Greek islands, this feel-good escape is the perfect chance to sail away from your work or school plans.
Where: Victoria Park, Great Western Highway, St Marys
When: Saturday from 6pm, screening from dusk (approximately 8pm).
Details: penrithcity.nsw.gov.au
CARNIVAL OF MIRACLES
Experience the prestigious Carnival of Miracles at Australia’s premier harness racing track. The carnival at Club Menangle culminates in the celebrated Ainsworth Miracle Mile, an event not to be missed. The carnival starts with the qualifying races for the Miracle Mile.
Where: Club Menangle, Racecourse Ave, Menangle Park
When: From 5pm
Cost: From $20
Details: Call 4645 2200
GIRLS NIGHT OUT
Watch the award-winning stage show Manpower Australia take ladies’ nights to a whole new level of entertainment. Watch your fantasies come true as these Aussies show off their chiselled bodies, seductive dance moves and cheeky humour and then some.
So get your friends, let your hair down and kick up your heels and prepare to be left weak at the knees. This is an over 18’s event.
Where: Wests League Club, 10 Old Leumeah Rd, Leumeah
When: Saturday at 7pm
Cost: From $35
Details: westslc.com.au or call 4628 4188
REPTILE EXPO SLITHERS TO STANHOPE
The indoor stadium at Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope will be home to many frogs, snakes, lizards and reptiles of all shapes and sizes when they host the 10th Annual Sydney Reptile Expo on Sunday.
The Sydney Reptile Expo organiser Adrian Hemens said usually thousands of people turn up to see hands-on reptile shows and up to 30 different reptile breeders selling hundreds of reptiles at the event.
Where: Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope
When: The expo will be running from 9am to 4pm on Sunday.
Cost: Adults $10, kids $5, family (2 adults, 2 kids) $25.
Details: blacktown.nsw.gov.au
EASTWOOD CELEBRATES LUNAR NEW YEAR
The Lunar New Year celebrations at Eastwood on Saturday will include music and dance performances, martial arts, dragon parade, lion dance, fire crackers and a visit from the God of Wealth.
Where: Eastwood Oval from 4pm to 9pm.
When: Saturday
Cost: Free entry
Details: ryde.nsw.gov.au
GUIDED WALK AT CUMBERLAND STATE FOREST
Remember when tweets didn’t mean Twitter? Ditch the digital distractions in your life and embark on a guided walk at Cumberland State Forest while taking to a melody of birds and nature instead.
Cumberland Bird Observers Club’s experienced bird watchers lead the walk through the forest on Sunday mornings in February.
NSW Forestry Corporation senior ranger Tim Liston said the walks were a perfect excuse to get the family up and out of the house early on a Sunday. The walk rounds out with a barbecue breakfast of bacon and eggs.
Where: The journey starts at Cumberland State Forest, 95 Castle Hill Rd, West Pennant Hills.
When: February 17 (there is also one on Sunday February 24) at 8.30am to 10.30am.
Cost: The walks are $11 a person or $35 for a family.
Details: Book at forestrycorporation.com.au
YEAR OF THE PIG FESTIVITIES
Celebrate the Year of the Pig at Cabramatta’s celebrations this weekend.
Freedom Plaza at Cabramatta will be transformed into a sea of red lanterns and marigolds for two days of Lunar New Year celebrations.
There will be cultural festivities including the God of Fortune, Lion Dancing, firecrackers, single-handed prawn peeling competitions, children’s chopstick challenge, traditional performers and loads of exciting entertainment for the whole family.
Cheeky pigs Peppa Pig and her brother George Pig will entertain families with live performances at 1.30pm and 3.30pm both days, with a meet and greet at 2.30pm
Dance group Dauntless Movement Crew, known for their street style and acrobatic dance, will perform a special Three Little Pigs Show at 12.25pm on Sunday.
Where: Freedom Plaza at Cabramatta
Time: Saturday and Sunday from 9am-4pm
Cost: Free
Details: fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
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