If rainy days aren’t enough to make you reschedule your outings, Sydney’s vibrant arts and cultural calendar offers numerous must-see indoor happenings that won’t necessitate gumboots, umbrellas, or those tricky-to-repack rain ponchos. Take a look at our selection of top indoor concerts, theater productions, art exhibits, performances, and festivals scheduled for June—events guaranteed to lift your mood regardless of what’s outside.
Titanic. The Human Story
The Walsh Bay Arts Precinct at Pier 2/3 runs until July 6.
Enthusiasts of history (or admirers of James Cameron’s epic romance film from 1997) have the chance to delve deep into the tale of the Titanic during a four-week event that has journeyed across the United States and Britain. The exhibit showcases around 200 items and individual possessions belonging to both passengers and staff aboard the vessel. It includes meticulous recreations of various sections within the ship—from luxury accommodations for first-class travelers all the way down to more modest quarters used by third-class guests—that attendees may explore firsthand. Additionally, an audioguide immerses participants fully in the narratives of everyone involved in this fateful voyage.
titanicexhibition.com.au
Japanese Breakfast
The Sydney Opera House, on June 3
A handful of tickets remain available for catching Japanese Breakfast, the musical endeavor led by singer-songwriter Michelle Zauner. As this Grammy-nominated indie pop band makes their way into town for a performance at Vivid, fans can seize the opportunity. Additionally, Zauner gained significant recognition from her best-selling 2021 autobiography.
Crying In H Mart
, but has now refocused on music with their latest album from the band.
For Melancholic brunettes (and melancholic women)
, earning glowing reviews for a more sophisticated sound upon its release this year.
sydneyoperahouse.com
Sydney Film Festival
Various locations, June 4-15
Cinephiles will be out in full force guzzling popcorn and bathing in the big-screen glow as the film festival takes over Sydney’s movie theatres. The buzziest titles on this year’s program include the Australian premieres for Ari Aster’s straight-from-Cannes flick
Eddington
, with Joaquin Phoenix starring opposite Pedro Pascal, and Kelly Reichardt’s art heist drama
The Mastermind
However, with over 200 films from 70 different countries scheduled, there is ample variety for everyone to find something appealing regardless of their preferences.
sff.org.au
Illume
The Sydney Opera House will host an event from June 4th to June 14th.
Bangarra Dance Theatre reveals the world premiere of its first visual arts collaboration as Mirning choreographer and Bangarra artistic director Frances Rings and Goolarrgon Bard visual artist Darrell Sibosado merge their creative forces for what should prove an enlightening alliance. The new work
Illume
explores how the life-sustaining phenomena of light has been woven into Indigenous cultural existence and how light pollution has disrupted that connection.
bangarra.com.au
Cerith Wyn Evans… considering what is observable
The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia will be open from June 6 to October 19.
The MCA’s major winter exhibition presents a comprehensive look at the Welsh artist’s work, with the show set up as if attendees were strolling through a garden. Several major pieces, including his giant light sculptures, are on show alongside site-specific works intended to engage with the environment of Sydney Harbour. Those wanting a deeper insight can purchase tickets to hear Wyn Evans in conversation on June 7, when he will be taking questions from the audience.
mca.com.au
Bubble Planet
Paddington Pavilion, Sydney Olympic Park, from June 6
Instagram enthusiasts might want to ensure they save enough camera storage for self-portraits when they visit this highly Instagrammable interactive exhibit, which has been experienced by approximately two million individuals worldwide. Visitors have the opportunity to reconnect with their youthful spirit or share the fun with their kids as they navigate through vibrant neon-lit spaces featuring ball pools, a VR area, an endless corridor room, an aquatic-themed LED environment, and a massive bubble domed zone.
bubble-planet.com/sydney
The Fairy Queen
The Roslyn Packer Theatre will run from June 7-14.
Pinchgut Opera is stepping things up by relocating from their typical venue, the City Recital Hall, to premiere their performance at the Roslyn Packer Theatre. They plan to present an impressive new take on Henry Purcell’s opera.
The Fairy Queen
Directed by the renowned British filmmaker Netia Jones, famous for incorporating video projections into her work, this production features vocal performances from Cathy-Di Zhang, Morgan Balfour, and Kanen Breen. Conducting the baroque music is Erin Helyard.
pinchgutopera.com.au
The Spare Room
Belvoir St Theatre, June 7-July 13
Acting legend Judy Davis, adorned with an array of Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and AACTA Awards, is making her return to theater after a 14-year hiatus. She will be taking on this new challenge due to director Eamon Flack’s theatrical rendition of Helen Garner’s highly regarded book.
The Spare Room
This story revolves around two longtime friends where one visits the other for an unconventional cancer treatment. The film features Davis alongside Elizabeth Alexander, showcasing their powerful performances.
belvoir.com.au
Spacey Jane
Hordern Pavilion, June 13
The Perth-based group, which has won an ARIA award and is popular with Triple J listeners, has already sold out the Hordern Pavilion twice. However, tickets are still available for the additional performance scheduled due to high demand. They will be performing songs from their latest album during this concert.
If That Makes Sense
Music enthusiasts should seize the opportunity to see them during their Australian tour since they will soon be departing for North America and Europe.
ticketek.com.au
Spontaneous and Untamed with Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally
The ICC Sydney Theatre, on June 14
Television enthusiasts may know that
Parks and Recreation
Ron Swanson’s wife is
Will & Grace
Karen Walker’s counterpart in reality—actors Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally—are celebrating 21 years of marital bliss. This duo will take the stage together for the first time at Vivid Sydney in an interview hosted by presenter Zan Rowe. Expect a highly amusing exchange covering their professional journeys, personal bond, and activist endeavors.
Cats
Theatre Royal Sydney, June 17-September 6
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s long-running and somewhat divisive musical celebrates its 40th Australian anniversary with a new local tour starting at its original theatrical home of Theatre Royal Sydney. Join the Jellicle cat tribe and hum along to the megahit
Memory,
with Gabriyel Thomas starring as Grizabella, Mark Vincent as Old Deuteronomy, Lucy Maunder as Jellylorum and Todd McKenney in dual roles.
catsthemusical.com.au
Aphrodite
Carriageworks, June 20-28
Watch the world premiere of Sydney Chamber Opera’s latest work by Nico Muhly, which revisits the Greek deity Aphrodite and explores her influence on concepts of beauty and love. The libretto for this production was penned by Australian dramatist Laura Lethlean. The performance features members of the Omega Ensemble collaborating with singers Jessica O’Donoghue and Puerto Rico-born soprano Meechot Marrero, as she makes her first appearance Down Under.
carriageworks.com.au
Coriolanus
The Nielsen Nutshell, June 20-July 19
For the first time in almost thirty years, Bell Shakespeare presented Shakespeare’s political tragedy, a story about power that remains pertinent even today. This particular performance was staged in a setting evocative of 1990s Eastern Europe following the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Hazem Shammas, who has won a Logie award and is well-known to TV audiences through various roles, features prominently in this production.
Safe Harbour
and
The Twelve
, leads in the starring role with renowned actor Peter Carroll sharing the stage beside him.
bellshakespeare.com.au
Yolngu strength: the artwork from Yirrkala
Art Gallery of New South Wales, from June 21 to October 6
The AGNSW’s major winter show features over 300 pieces from approximately 70 Indigenous artists hailing from the small town of Yirrkala in the East Arnhem area of the Northern Territory. Discover a range of artworks including bark paintings, sketches, sculptures, and videos. A standout exhibit is an impressive fiberglass termite hill towering nearly three meters high, enhanced with animal and plant projections.
artgallery.nsw.gov.au
SupanovaComic Con and Gaming
Sydney Showground, June 21-22
Let your geek flag wave high at this beloved fan convention where cosplaying is highly encouraged. The lineup of celebrity guests attending the weekend’s Q&A sessions and various events includes
Lost’
s Evangeline Lilly,
The Phantom’
s Billy Zane,
Outlander’
s Sam Heughan and
Wayne’s World’
As seen with Tia Carrere. Besides celebrity sightings, participants can engage in cosplay contests, browse through an extensive marketplace of memorabilia and collectibles, or explore esports events.
supanova.com.au
