5 Best Times to Visit Sydney

September to early November in Sydney is usually warm but not hot, so you can enjoy the sights without your shirt sticking to your back. You can also expect to see the city’s greenery in bloom. There won’t be quite as many other tourists about in the leadup to summer, so you’ll find shorter lines for the major attractions, and there’s still plenty of events on. 

Oktoberfest is big in Sydney and celebrated at a range of venues, from bars hosting oompah bands to the carnival atmosphere of Oktoberfest in the Gardens, where you can enjoy rides and delicious German bratwurst. If this event falls during your vacation, be sure to pack your dirndl so you fit right in.

Fall, or "autumn," from March to May in Sydney, is a beautiful time to visit the city. The peaks of summer are fading, leaving fresh crisp air and a calmer vibe. Head to the sprawling fields, lakes and vistas of Centennial Park to take in some of the best autumnal colors, and get into the spirit of the season.

Before you book, check when Easter falls to see if you can visit the Sydney Royal Easter Show. This nearly 2 week-long festival has been running since 1823 and celebrates rural and agricultural life across New South Wales. If standup is more your style, check out who’s performing at the Sydney Comedy Festival at over a dozen different venues across the city.

If the height of summer is your favorite time of year, don’t let the cold of the northern hemisphere get you down in December to February, but head to Sydney. You’ll get all the peak season benefits of warm beaches full of friendly faces and long balmy evenings at bustling rooftop bars. It’s also grill season so be sure to try the barbecue snags; that's the local slang for an Australian sausage.

The city’s entertainment and cultural institutions will be out in full force as well. The Sydney Festival is held every January and offers a diverse program of live performances from theater and comedy to music and dance shows. Book ahead to catch the big-name headliners.

With daytime temperatures comfortably between 15 and 20 Celsius and plenty of sun to be had, winter in Sydney from June to August is pleasant and welcoming. Visiting during the off season comes with the benefit of more affordable hotel pricing and the advantage of Australian schools still being in session while your own kids are free to vacation.

Popular attractions like Luna Park and the Royal Botanic Garden will have smaller crowds at this time of year. These are also the best months for whale watching, so head to the coast and book a whale watching boat tour to get a closer look at humpbacks, southern right whales, and dolphins on their annual migration.

The biggest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere, Vivid Sydney festival celebrates culture, innovation, and boundary-pushing technology. The festival began many years ago with light shows around Darling Harbour, taking advantage of the darker evenings and broad canvases of the large buildings in the area to project 3D art displays. Now, it has expanded to include live music, panel talks discussing the most important questions of the current moment, and food markets that celebrate the city’s multicultural communities.

It’s a very approachable multiweek event concentrated in a walkable area, making it great for visitors. Picture yourself strolling along the water’s edge as the stunning displays unfold before your eyes.