If you're reading this from Sydney, commiserations. Your legs are probably stuck to your chair and your brow is probably glistening and your sweat-tache is probably sprouting. It is humid. 

Pro tip: theatres and galleries have air con, and music gigs are best enjoyed sweaty.  

The best place for you is not face-planting into your freezer glaring at the frozen peas. It’s out and about – enjoying this sticky city you call home. Here's what's happening for the rest of the month. 

Exhibitions

Until 11 April – Searchers: Graffiti and Contemporary Art at National Art School. Opening as part of Sydney Festival 2026, this exhibitions brings together graffiti underground with celebrated contemporary artists, united by the medium of spray. 

Until 17 May – The Hooligans at White Rabbit Gallery. In the face of relentless restrictions, Chinese artists have learned to think beyond imposed boundaries.

Until 12 April – Ron Mueck: Encounter at Art Gallery of NSW. An unparalleled selection of the acclaimed Australian artist’s captivating and at times unsettlingly lifelike sculptures. 

Until 15 April – Primavera: Young Australian Artists at Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Thalia Smith guest-curates an electrifying showcase of work from Australian artists of 35 years and under. 

Music – standing (and probably dancing)

Thursday 19 February – Morcheeba supported by Unkle at The Enmore. UK trip-hop legends Morcheeba celebrate 30 years of genre-defying music with the perfect wash of nostalgia, innovation and pure sonic magic.

Friday 20 February – Crowded House supported by Thelma Plum at Bondi Beach. Iconic Australian musicians take the stage at golden hour on the most iconic Australian beach. 

Saturday 21 February – S.A.S.H presents Traumer All Day Long at Manning Bar. French selector and S.A.S.H stalwart Traumer slings an epic extended set. Wraps at 10pm – great result for the antique ravers and kick-on potential for the youths. 

Wednesday 25 February – De La Soul supported by Miss Kaninna and Odyssey & Good Company at The Enmore. Astral People present Droppin Science, a night dedicated to hip hop in its purest forms. 

Saturday 28 February – Grace Jones at Sydney Opera House Forecourt. The queen returns. No explanations needed. 

Music – seated

Until 27 March – Turandot at Sydney Opera House. Opening as part of Sydney Festival 2026, this remarkable Puccini opera is still captivating audiences with its grand spectacle and extraordinary music – it is the origin of Nessun Dorma, after all. 

10-14 February – Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody at City Recital Hall. ACO presents a musical revelation starring pianist Dejan Lazić, with a world premiere from John Luther Adams. Also playing at Sydney Opera House. 

Until Saturday 16 February – Tina A Tropical Love Story at Bondi Pavilion. A 2025 Festival favourite is hitting the beach. First Nations drag artist Miss Ellaneous (Ben Graetz) is back with his raucous cabaret tribute to Tina Turner, featuring Ursula Yovich.

Saturday 21 February – Northern Resonance at Riverside Live at Phive. Northern Resonance pushes the boundaries of Nordic trad music with explosive energy and an intense musical connection.

Wednesday 25 February – Joseph Tawadros at Camelot Lounge. 8 times ARIA Award winner and Festival favourite Joseph Tawadros returns to Camelot Lounge to shred some oud before heading back to the UK. 

25-28 February – Simone Young conducts Mahler's Song of the Earth at Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. Mahler’s powerful orchestral forces are best experienced live. The Song of the Earth is vast, moving and the perfect way to open Sydney Symphony Orchestra's 2026 Season.

Theatre

Until 14 March – The Normal Heart at Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre. Larry Kramer’s groundbreaking, semi-autobiographical drama is as a monumental tribute to those we lost, those who lived through the epidemic and a revelatory insight into the beginning of a world-changing movement.

Until 22 March – Purpose at Sydney Theatre Company Wharf 1 Theatre.On the heels of its award-sweeping Broadway premiere, 2025’s biggest theatre sensation is coming to Sydney Theatre Company. 

21 February - 22 March – A Mirror at Belvoir St Theatre. Clever, hilarious and serious, this new hit play about art versus power is a gem of contemporary theatre writing. 

21 Feburary - 29 March – The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin by Griffin Theatre Company at Belvoir St Theatre. A landmark work of Australian theatre returns to the stage starring Simon Burke. 

Arty mixed bag

Thursday 12 February – Bankstown Poetry Slam – Grand Slam at Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. The heart of Western Sydney beats louder than everin a one-night-only celebration of community, creativity and collective power.

Tuesday 17 February – Lesbians are Lovely! panel discussion at Carriageworks. Join UNSW’s Centre for Ideas for a celebration of queer identity and culture, fifty years since the rallying cry “Lesbians are Lovely!” was sprawled across walls, bodies and picket boards in the fight for recognition and liberation. Hosted by Mon Schafter. 

14 Feburary - 1 March – Sydney Lunar Festival across the CBD. Celebrate the Year of the Horse with fabulous feasts, spectacular shows and magnificent artwork across the city. 

All February – Ecstatica! Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras across Sydney. Sissy Ball, Heaps Gay, Might Hoopla, that big ole' parade... the rainbow-drenched events are coming thikk and fast, don't miss out.