What's On in the Inner West This Weekend: 15 - 17 May 2026

Inner West Council launched the Town Halls Alive series earlier this month with a literary showcase at St Peters, and this Saturday the program moves to Leichhardt for a full afternoon of local filmmaking. The idea behind the series is to open up all seven of the Inner West's town halls through a run of creative events across 2026 and 2027, and show the community what's actually happening in these buildings week-to-week.

Leichhardt Town Hall will be focused on film, and will be kicking off from 1pm on Saturday. A Young Creatives showcase will be pulling together standout entries from three years of the Inner West Young Creatives Film Awards with films from creators aged 12 to 25 covering animation, documentary, music video and comedy.

CineFlux follows with two short films shot in the Inner West: Rory Pearson's Mates, which won Best Director at the Sydney Film Festival last year, and Sean Burns' Lay Down and Rot, with both filmmakers on stage for a panel discussion about making work in this part of the city.

The afternoon closes with a selection of LGBTIQ+ shorts from Queer Screen's 2026 Mardi Gras Film Festival program. A great way to spend a day with the family, and best of all, it’s free.

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_{MUSICAL: CLOSING WEEKEND}
Jagged Little Pill: The Musical: Inner West Theatre Company closes its run with the final two performances this weekend at Petersham Town Hall. The rock musical built on Alanis Morissette's 1995 album has been one of the Inner West's more ambitious community productions this season.
Hours: Friday 15 May, Saturday 16 May, 7:30pm - 10pm
Address: Petersham Town Hall, 107 Crystal Street, Petersham
Entry: Ticketed

_{COMEDY: CLOSING WEEKEND}
Sydney Comedy Festival 2026: The Sydney Comedy Festival closes its run this weekend with acts from Dave Hughes, Dan Rath and others performing across multiple Inner West venues.
Hours: All weekend, various times
Address: Multiple venues
Entry: Ticketed

_EXHIBITION
Elements: Print Making Exhibition: The Print Circle presents a showcase of traditional and contemporary printmaking at Tiliqua Tiliqua on Enmore Road, spanning etching, linocut and more experimental approaches.
Hours: All weekend, various times
Address: Tiliqua Tiliqua, 257 Enmore Rd, Enmore
Entry: Free

_EXHIBITION
The Social Glue of Sydney Group Show: Group exhibition at Chrissie Cotter Gallery in Camperdown running across the weekend, with associated talks and workshops including an Auslan tour Saturday afternoon and an anarchival collage talk with Zoe Sadokierski on Sunday.
Hours: All weekend, various times
Address: Chrissie Cotter Gallery, 31A Pidcock Street, Camperdown
Entry: Ticketed

_EXHIBITION
GAS SYD presents LOUD: Twenty-nine local independent artists whose work draws on music and sound, brought together for GAS SYD's 10th group show.
Hours: All weekend, various times
Address: Studio 551, 551e King Street, Newtown
Entry: Ticketed

_WELLNESS
Golden Warriors: Karate Course for Over 55’s: A free 10-week karate program for adults aged 55 and over, focusing on mobility, confidence and community rather than competitive sport.
Hours: Friday 15 May, 11am - 12pm
Address: 358 Abercrombie St, Darlington
Entry: Free

_CREATIVE
Friday Evening Courses: Sydney Community College runs a range of short courses on Friday evenings at its Rozelle campus, including beginner and intermediate guitar, piano for beginners, portraiture drawing, and silver jewellery wax casting.
Hours: Friday 15 May, various times
Address: Sydney Community College, 2A Gordon Street, Rozelle
Entry: Ticketed

_EDUCATION
Energy Efficiency Consultations: The Inner West Sustainability Hub at Summer Hill is offering free one-on-one consultations, sharing practical advice on cutting energy costs and reducing environmental impact.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 10am - 2pm
Address: Inner West Sustainability Hub, 7 Prospect Rd, Summer Hill
Entry: Free

_FESTIVAL
CanYouAfro: Mini Festival: CanYouAfro presents a mini festival at Ashfield Town Hall, supported by Inner West Council through its Cultural Connection Grant, bringing together performers and audiences around Afro-cultural arts and community.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 11am - 11pm
Address: Ashfield Town Hall, 260 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield
Entry: Ticketed

_NIGHTLIFE
Live Pro Wrestling: Polish Club Ashfield is hosting live professional wrestling, billed as hard-hitting action with family-friendly drama.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 7:15pm - 9:15pm
Address: Polish Club Ashfield, 182 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield
Entry: Ticketed

_CREATIVE
Chocolate Piping and Decorating Class: A hands-on chocolate piping and decoration class in Alexandria run by a specialist chocolatier, covering technique in a creative food workshop format.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 12pm - 2:30pm
Address: 24 Anderson St, Alexandria
Entry: Ticketed

_EXHIBITION
DORÉ Fashion Presentation: Paris Jade Burrows presents Doré at Mothership Studios in Marrickville, an avant-garde fashion presentation drawing on the haunting theatricality of Gustave Doré's imagery through gothic garment design.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 7:30pm - 11:55pm
Address: Mothership Studios, 18–22 Sydney St, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

_NIGHTLIFE
Prime Time Burlesk Festival: The Prime Time Burlesk Festival celebrates performers over the age of 40 in burlesque and variety.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 7:30pm – 10:00pm
Address: The Gaelic Club, 64 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills
Entry: Ticketed

_MARKETS
Memory Lane Markets: A market event at White Bay Power Station embedded within the 25th Biennale of Sydney, combining creative market culture with the extraordinary heritage industrial setting on the Rozelle waterfront.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 10am - 5pm
Address: White Bay Power Station, Robert St, Rozelle
Entry: Free

_NIGHTLIFE
ODDBEAT: This feels illegal: Queer underground party open to all sexualities at the Red Rattler Theatre. Dress code includes leather, latex and neon.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 9pm - 3am
Address: Red Rattler Theatre, 6 Faversham St, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

_CREATIVE
Inner West Writers Group: A free community writing session open to writers at any stage, from those actively working on projects to those wanting to listen and give feedback.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 10am - 12pm
Address: Marrickville Library, 313 Marrickville Road, Marrickville
Entry: Free

_WELLNESS
Dragon Boating For Men Over 40: A free try-out session for dragon boating aimed at men in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond at the Canal Road Boat Ramp in Lilyfield. No experience required.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 8:45am - 10:15am
Address: Canal Road Boat Ramp, Canal Road, Lilyfield
Entry: Free

_WELLNESS
Johnson Park Cycling Day: Johnson Park in Dulwich Hill is hosting another community cycling morning with try-a-bike sessions, bike tune-ups and maintenance workshops. Good for anyone wanting to get their bike sorted for the cooler months.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 9am – 12pm
Address: Johnson Park, Constitution Rd, Dulwich Hill
Entry: Free

_EXHIBITION
Auslan Tour: Dismantle/Assemble: Deaf artists Angie Goto and Sue Jo Wright lead an Auslan-guided tour of the exhibition Dismantle/Assemble by Cindy Yuen-Zhe Chen.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 1pm - 2pm
Address: Verge Gallery, 154 City Rd, Camperdown
Entry: Free

FOOD
Bush Food Discovery Tour: A guided bush food tour at Sydney City Farm where participants can sample native bush foods and learn what they can grow in their own backyard.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, various times
Address: Sydney City Farm, 52 Barwon Park Road, St Peters
Entry: Ticketed

HISTORY
Dark Tales of Glebe Point Road: Author Heather Jones leads an event at St Helen's Community Centre in Glebe, uncovering the darker history of Glebe Point Road through gripping urban stories.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Address: St Helen's Community Centre, 184 Glebe Pt Rd, Glebe
Entry: Free

_CREATIVE
Bonsai & Brews: Bonsai Bay runs a hands-on bonsai workshop at 2 Halfs Brewing in Alexandria, introducing participants to the basics of potting, shaping and wiring their own bonsai, alongside a brew.
Hours: Sunday 17 May, 11am - 1pm
Address: 2 Stokes Ave, Alexandria
Entry: Ticketed

_MARKETS
Glebe Markets: Glebe Markets fills the Glebe Public School grounds with vintage clothing, handmade jewellery, second-hand treasures and live music.
Hours: Sunday 17 May, 10am - 4pm
Address: Glebe Public School, Glebe Point Rd, Glebe
Entry: Free

_COMMUNITY
The Greenway and Long Cove Creek Guided Walk: This guided heritage walk traces the Long Cove Creek corridor through the Greenway, covering its local history, biodiversity and ecological significance.
Hours: Sunday 17 May, 1pm - 3pm
Address: Meeting point: rocket sculpture, Eastern end of Johnson Park, beside Arlington Light Rail stop, Dulwich Hill
Entry: Free

_MARKETS
Flour Mill Markets: The Flour Mill Markets brings together artisan goods, gourmet food and seasonal produce from local farmers. First and third Sunday of the month only.
Hours: Sunday 17 May, 9am - 1pm
Address: 16 Flour Mill Way, Summer Hill
Entry: Free

_FESTIVAL
Biennale Accessibility Program: The 25th Biennale of Sydney is running dedicated low-sensory sessions, sensory-friendly tactile tours and a low vision artsmaking workshop, making the program accessible across a range of needs.
Hours: Sunday 17 May, 9am (low sensory), 9:30am (tactile tours), 3pm (low vision workshop)
Address: White Bay Power Station, Robert St, Rozelle
Entry: Ticketed

_COMMUNITY
Surly Sydney Sidequest: ydney's community bike ride takes participants through the backstreets of the Inner West, collecting checkpoint stamps for a chance to win a Surly Bridge Club bike.
Hours: Sunday 17 May, 11am - 3pm
Address: Omafiets Bicycle Shop, 278–282 Mitchell Rd, Alexandria
Entry: Free

Sleepy Bloc is a specialty coffee roastery tucked into Rich Street in Marrickville that treats its space as a community canvas as much as a café.

Since 2019, the team has roasted their own beans and filled the calendar with events that make zero apologies for the range: Filipino bloc parties, anime screenings, Anzac dawn services, Hobart coffee takeovers, and social runs from the front door.

On 30 May, Turbos & Toasties holds down the snacks while Dog Spotting launches its Kickstarter campaign live from the Bloc at 1pm. If you’re as confused as I am, it’s more of a reason to head down and check them out.

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YOUTH
Youth Workshop: Invent Your Own Fictional Language: A workshop for young people on constructing a fictional language from scratch, drawing on the tradition of Klingon, Elvish, Na'vi and High Valyrian.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 1:30pm - 3pm
Address: Leichhardt Library, 23 Norton Street, Leichhardt
Entry: Free

KIDS
Food Adventures for Children Under Three: AMI 0–3 Trainer Sara Brady is running a workshop at the Sydney Montessori Training Centre in Balmain on preparing food for children under three, with examples applicable to home or childcare settings.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 9am - 3pm
Address: Sydney Montessori Training Centre, g6/1–15 Barr St, Balmain
Entry: Ticketed

FAMILY
Sydney Comedy Festival Kids & Family Day: The Factory Theatre is hosting roving performers, face-painting, a craft station and a scavenger hunt for families on Saturday morning. No tickets required.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, from 11am
Address: 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville
Entry: Free

YOUTH
Skate!: A free skateboarding event at Carriageworks in Eveleigh with workshops, skate JAM sessions and demonstrations from a team of pro skaters. Open to all skill levels and kids aged 6 and above.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 10am - 1:30pm
Address: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh
Entry: Free

KIDS
Weekend Wind-Down | Lego Movie 2: The Flour Mill is screening the Lego Movie 2 in a quiet, relaxed setting on Sunday afternoon. Suited to kids aged 4–10 but open to all.
Hours: Sunday 17 May, 3pm - 5pm
Address: 16 Flour Mill Way, Summer Hill
Entry: Free

KIDS
Bunnings Kids Workshops: Free drop-in kids workshops at Rozelle and Ashfield Bunnings every Saturday.
Hours: Saturday 16 May, 11am - 12pm
Address: Multiple venues
Entry: Free

Ard Bakery: Christiana Daaboul runs a plant-based Lebanese bakery in Stanmore with a menu that rotates monthly. This month: pistachio cookie bun, coconut rhubarb cake, pistachio banoffee and more. Get there before 8:30am this weekend to beat the queue.
Address: 2A Stafford St, Stanmore

Mamuki Bake Bar: Mamuki, which built its following on matcha at its Enmore location, has opened a second café on Glebe Point Road. They have an extensive matcha, hojicha, and genmaicha menu, and some great food options to match.
Address: 16 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Lua: Lua is a seafood-led restaurant from the creative mind of Luke Nguyen (Botanic House and Fat Noodle), which recently opened in the new Sydney Fish Market. Their menu draws inspiration from Vietnamese, Thai and Australian cuisines, and it's worth booking ahead.
Address: New Sydney Fish Market, 1 Bridge Road, Glebe

Gifts Of Mercy Emporium: Zephyra, Zara Drinks, Jules Atticus, Claire Ava, 7:00pm.
Address: 452 Parramatta Road, Petersham
Entry: Ticketed

Church St Studios: Oliver Smith Trio, 8:00pm.
Address: 62–68 Church St, Camperdown
Entry: Ticketed

Butchers Brew Bar: The Buskateers + Renny & the Roadtrip, 8:00pm.
Address: 499 Marrickville Rd, Dulwich Hill
Entry: Ticketed

The Riverview Hotel: Dianne Cripps & Friends, 6:30pm.
Address: 29 Birchgrove Rd, Balmain
Entry: Free

Factory Theatre: The Animals (UK), 7:00pm.
Address: 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

Gifts Of Mercy Emporium: Trauma Cats, Marickvillainz, Freak, Punxsie, 6:00pm.
Address: 452 Parramatta Road, Petersham
Entry: Ticketed

The Vanguard: Foxton & Sugerman present The Gospel Project, 7:00pm.
Address: 42 King St, Newtown
Entry: Ticketed

Gasoline Pony: Murrumbidgee Jones, 3:00pm.
Address: 117 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

Marrickville Bowling Club: Rose Carleo Band, 7:30pm.
Address: 91 Sydenham Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

Camelot Lounge: The Reflection - 80s New Wave Anthems, 7:00pm. Bump City - Soul/Funk Party, 7:00pm.
Address: 19 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

Town Hall Hotel (The Townie): Stormcellar, 10:00pm.
Address: 326 King St, Newtown
Entry: Free

Butchers Brew Bar: Corco’s Medicine Men, 3:00pm. The Weatherbirds & Co, 8:00pm.
Address: 499 Marrickville Rd, Dulwich Hill
Entry: Ticketed

Lazybones Lounge: Sonic Mayhem Orchestra, 7:00pm.
Address: 294 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

Petersham Bowling Club: Smalltribe — EP launch for Corporate Animals, 6:00pm.
Address: 77 Brighton St, Petersham
Entry: Free

Botany View Hotel: Geoff Bull & The Finer Cuts, 4:00pm.
Address: 597 King St, Newtown
Entry: Free

Balmain Bowling Club: Continental Robert's Juke Joint Three, 4:00pm.
Address: 156 Darling St, Balmain
Entry: Free

Miss Celie's Music Lounge: Liza Ohlback & The Mercy Train, 7:00pm.
Address: 17 Hercules St, Ashfield
Entry: Ticketed

The Merton Hotel: The Squeezer, 6:00pm.
Address: 38 Victoria Rd, Rozelle
Entry: Free

Public transport disruptions are constantly changing. Below is a guide based on available information at the time of publishing, and specifically for impacted transport in the Inner West. Stay up to date at Transport NSW.

See you next week,