Note Paper Co.

As Sydney eases into the cooler months, it also welcomes Sydney’s creative season — the perfect excuse to slip into your cutest cardigan and immerse yourself in the city’s festival spirit.

From bustling markets to hands-on workshops and intimate gatherings, here are our top 14 event picks worth adding to your calendar. Consider this your curated lineup of creative experiences across Sydney for the season ahead.

1. Vivid Sydney

Sydney’s biggest creative festival is making a comeback this winter, transforming the CBD into an after-dark playground of light, music and ideas. From massive projections across the Sydney Opera House to immersive installations throughout Circular Quay, The Rocks and Darling Harbour, Vivid Sydney remains the centrepiece of the city’s creative calendar.

Beyond the famous light walk, the festival also includes live music performances, talks, food events and experimental art experiences spread across the city.

• When: May 23 – June 13
• Where: Circular Quay, The Rocks, Darling Harbour and surrounding precincts
• Cost: Mostly free
• Website: Vivid Sydney

2. Unplugged at the NSW State Library

One of the understated gems happening during Vivid Sydney, Unplugged turns the State Library of New South Wales into a cosy creative retreat filled with books, crafts, acoustic music and vinyl DJs.

Head to the Bashir Reading Room to join the drop-in workshops led by crafty queen Martina Calvi, including zine-making, junk journaling and letter writing, or simply settle into the Mitchell Library Reading Room for origami, reading and board games (including No Flowers mahjong, one of Sydney’s most in-demand social experiences).

3. Sydney Writers’ Festival

The city’s biggest festival for readers, writers, and book lovers is here. The Sydney Writers’ Festival brings together authors, journalists, artists and thinkers from around the world for a packed week of conversations, workshops and storytelling events.

• When: May 20–26
• Where: Various venues across Sydney, including Town Hall and Carriageworks
• Cost: Free and ticketed events available
• Website: Sydney Writers’ Festival

4. Travel Journal Workshop: Japan Escape Edition

A creative workshop hosted by local stationery brand Swallow Wind Art and lifestyle hotel Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney. Designed for Japan lovers and scrapbook-ers, this journaling session lets you design your own travelling journal, inspired by Japanese origami aesthetics. You can also take home a travel-ready journal and a Japan goodie pack.  

• When: Saturday, May 23, 1pm – 3pm
• Where: Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney
• Cost: Starting from $33
• Website: Travel Journal Workshop

5. The Artist Way Creative Circle

Built around Julia Cameron’s cult-favourite book The Artist’s Way, this 7-day workshop encourages participants to reconnect with their inner artists through reflection, journaling and shared creative practice.

• When: Saturday, June 6, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
• Where: Little Big Foundation, Sydney
• Cost: $349 for seven fortnightly sessions
• Website: The Artist Way Creative Circle

6. Pottery Workshop by Makers Creative Studios

A social night with a ceramic twist. Learn how to shape and glaze your own ceramic creations in this hands-on, beginner-friendly pottery class. You will create functional clay pieces, decorate and paint your own ceramic creations. After the session, the ceramic pieces will be glaze fired in a kiln. Once they are sorted and packed, you will be contacted to pick them up from the studio.

• When: Saturday, June 27, 5pm – 7pm.
• Where: Makers Loft
• Cost: From $85
• Website: Pottery Workshop

7. Cut X Paste Collage Night

A cut-and-paste collage session for craftspeople, also perfect for a relaxed, low-key date night. Dive into a treasure-trove of materials and create wonderful collage arts while enjoying the stunning scene of the Sydney Harbour. Food and drinks will be provided but you will need to bring your own scissors. Hosted by collage artist Emma Anna.

• When: Thursday, June 25, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
• Where: Harbour View Hotel
• Cost: $22
• Website: Cut X Paste Collage Night

8. Inner West Artist Market

Local artists, designers and makers from the Inner West will gather and showcase their favourite work at this bustling market. Besides indulging in handmade goods, art prints, jewellery and homewares, participants can also join the hands-on Mami Guata Beading Workshop to learn the ancestral beading practice from Colombia dating back over 300 years.

• When: Saturday, May 30, 11am – 3pm
• Where: Balmain Town Hall
• Cost: Free entry
• Website: Inner West Artist Market

9. Sewing Class at North Sydney Centre

Always curious how clothes are made? Join this mini garment-making course in June to practice basic sewing skills. Across 4 sessions, beginners will learn how to thread your machine, creating a simple pattern to sewing zig-zag stitches. You can bring your own materials and tools or purchase them on the first day.

• When: Tuesday, June 9, 6:30pm – 9pm
• Where: North Sydney Community Centre
• Cost: $190 for 4 sessions
• Website: Sewing Class

10. Spoon Carving Workshop

Creativity doesn’t always start on a page. Swap pens for carving knives in this hands-on woodworking workshop, where participants learn to carve their own wooden spoon from fresh timber alongside professional woodworker David Searson.

• When: Sunday, May 31, 10am – 4pm
• Where: North Sydney Community Centre
• Cost: $190
• Website: Spoon Carving Workshop

11. Creative Writing Workshop

An intimate creative writing workshop designed to help you strengthen your storytelling skills, develop ideas and reconnect with writing habits. Led by Helen Connealy, the board director of the Irish Writer Centre.

• When: Saturday, June 6 and Saturday, June 13, 2pm – 4pm
• Where: North Sydney Community Centre
• Cost: $120
• Website: Creative Writing Workshop

12. Watercolour Class at Ultimo

For painting enthusiasts who want to expand their skills, this workshop provides guidance on foundational and more advanced watercolour techniques such as layering, light and shadow, perspective and brushwork.  

• When: Sunday, June 14, 11am – 1:30pm
• Where: Ultimo Community Centre
• Cost: $50
• Website: Watercolour Class

13. Jewellery Making Workshop

Create your own bespoke silver ring-making while being guided through jewellery techniques by experienced instructors.

• When: Sunday, May 31, 1:30pm – 3pm
• Where: Sydney CBD workshop venues
• Cost: $62.50
• Website: Jewellery Making Workshop

14. Enclosed Photo Booth Sessions

Not every creative experience needs to be a workshop. Caption by Hyatt’s enclosed photo booth offers spontaneous late-night fun, printed photo strips and nostalgic memories with friends after wandering the city.

• When: All May, 24/7
• Where: Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney
• Cost: Pay at booth
• Website: Enclosed Photo Booth Sessions

Which events are you heading to first? If you’ve discovered a hidden creative gem around Sydney, share it with us. And don’t forget to send this guide to a friend before planning your next wholesome weekend outing.

Words by: Nina Nguyen