The 7 Best Things To Do In Sydney This July

Rebecca Russo is a freelance writer, editor, community radio dabbler,…

Despite the weather, Sydney’s proving itself to be a sure fire ringer this winter. Indulge in sweet treats, a cultural extravaganza and a birthday party for a fictional character – there’s no doubt one of these is going to get you out of your cold weather slump.

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Satisfy your sweet tooth

Sydney’s Sweet Street Festival is back for another year promising a cacophony of sweets from some of the country’s best dessert aficionados. Helmed by executive pastry chef and “punk princess of pastry”Anna Polyviou, the Sweet Street Festival will be filling the Shangri-La Hotel with mounds of confectionary treats on Friday July 8.

Joining Anna on the day will be Blackstar Pastry, N2 Extreme Gelato, Doughnut Time, Butter, Bearded Bakers (Knafeh Bakery), Good Times Artisan Ice Cream. MakMak Macarons, Cacao Barry Kids and Thievery. Taking over three huge rooms (including the Grand Ballroom of the hotel) desserts will be on sale in a street market style, with stalls and DJs, break-dancers and graffiti artists. Grab tickets here.

Photo: Shangri-La Hotel/Facebook

Happy birthday Harry!

As any respectable Potterhead would know, a certain Dark-Lord-defeating wizard’s birthday is coming up – July 31, for those of you playing at home – so it’s probably time to party, right? Right.

A delightful society known as Peeves’ Gang are throwing a few parties at the Kings Cross Hotel to celebrate the great wizard himself – they’re billing it as the Wizarding Event of the Year, so you know it’s going to be good. Guests are encouraged to don their best robes, wands and Golden Snitch costumes for an evening of what McGonnagall might call “well-mannered frivolity”. There’ll even be prizes for the best dressed.

The Kings Cross Hotel will be transformed into a Magical Wizarding World for two nights only – Friday 1 and Saturday 2 July. Grab your tickets here – butterbeer’s on us.

Sweet dreams are made of cheese

Get your hands a little dirty this winter and learn the age-old traditions of making cheese and yoghurt. The Work-Shop’s Cheesemaking course teaches you all there is to know about milk, yoghurts and cheese, and they promise that once you try the homemade stuff, you’ll never go back to store bought.

Patrons will get demos on how to make natural pot-set yoghurt, a hands-on demonstration on making labneh and even a few tips on what to do with the leftover whey. You’ll also get to take home everything you make during the class, as well as be treated to a nice glass of wine to wash it all down. At the end of the class you’ll be handed a bunch of recipes to take home to try it yourself. A cheese making class is undoubtedly the best thing you can do for yourself this winter. The class is on Saturday July 30 at 1pm – more info here.

Cheers to that

The Oak Barrel‘s Boutique Wine Fair is back for another round this July, serving up an array of delicious new wines to sniff, swish and sip from across the country. A lot of the exhibitors for this year’s wine fair sell organic, biodynamic, minimal intervention, preservative-free or no sulphite wines, which is representative of a new wave of winemakers taking over the Aussie wine industry.

Guests can mingle with fellow wine lovers, chat to the winemakers themselves and enjoy an afternoon of sheer wine-coloured bliss at the Oak Barrel’s Elizabeth Street store. Confirmed guests include James Erskine from Jauma, Tom Shoobrook, Stuart Olsen from Eloquesta and Andrew Burchell from Good Intentions. There’ll also be a host of the country’s top importers sharing a glass (or two) of their latest vintages. The Oak Barrel’s Boutique Wine Fair will take place on Saturday July 16 from 2pm to 6pm. Grab your tickets here.

Immerse Yourself In The Beauty Of Australia’s Landscape At The ‘Our Country’ Exhibition

Photo: Boutique Wine Fair

Frida and Diego are headed to Sydney

The Art Gallery of NSW is offering a rare insight into the lives of two of Mexico’s most famous artists this month. Thirty-three artworks will feature in the upcoming Frida Khalo and Diego Riviera exhibition including a number of self-portraits and drawings from Kahlo, as well as a number of Riviera’s canvas painting. Alongside the works will be over 50 photographs by the duo’s friends and family (including Frida’s father Guillermo Kahlo) which will provide a little insight into the artists’ worlds and their fascinating relationship.

Photo: Frida Kahlo’s Self-portrait with monkeys (1943)

NAIDOC in the city

Mark July 4 in your calendar for the wonderful NAIDOC In The City. Hyde Park will be hosting a lunchtime feast celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and achievements. This fabulous and free day outdoors will see live performances from Radical Son, Green Hand Band and Jessie Lloyd as well as chef Mark Olive bringing his signature contemporary Outback flavours to the forefront. Festivities kick off at 11am, with a host of activities for all ages. Check out more details and a full program here.

Skate your heart out

It just wouldn’t be Australian winter without popping an ice skating rink in a normally very sunny city. This year’s Winter Festival delivers that promise, with a delightful ice rink setting up shop with a number of wintery delights to while away your evening. Following a quick dash across the ice at St Mary’s Cathedral forecourt, dive into the Munich Brauhaus pop-up Bier Hall to soothe your wintery soul with hearty brews, mulled wine, german sausages and Belgian waffles. There’ll also be food and drink from Sake Restaurant & Bar, The Cut Bar & Grill, Cafe Ananas and the Argyle. Proceedings kick off on June 30 and run ’til July 17. More info here.