What's On in the Inner West This Weekend: 8-10 May 2026

The HSBC German Film Festival is mid-run at Palace Norton Street in Leichhardt, and this weekend is a great opportunity to give it your time. The centrepiece film is Amrum, the latest release by Fatih Akin, director of In the Fade and The Edge of Heaven, a coming-of-age story set in the final days of World War II on a remote North Sea island, with Diane Kruger in support. The festival is also running a Fatih Akin retrospective alongside it, with screenings of Head-On, The Edge of Heaven and Goodbye Berlin.

The Special Presentation is Sound of Falling by Mascha Schilinski, which won the Cannes Jury Prize and is Germany's official submission for the 2026 Academy Awards. Four generations of girls, one rural farm in northern Germany, told as a sensory and poetic epic. If you see one thing this weekend, it's between these two. Elsewhere in the program: Berlin Hero (the final film from Good Bye, Lenin! director Wolfgang Becker) and Prosecution, the Berlinale Audience Award winner.

The festival runs until 27 May. Tickets from $21 (concession) and $27 (adult) at the box office or online. Norton Street is your closest option, with Palace Central and Moore Park also showing the full program.

BROWSE THE SYDNEY PROGRAM

_EXHIBITION
25th Biennale of Sydney - Rememory: Eighty-three artists from 37 countries at the White Bay Power Station in Rozelle, running until 14 June. One of the most extraordinary free experiences in Sydney right now, right here in the Inner West. Daily guided tours depart at 10:15am.
Hours: Friday 8 May, Sat 9 May & Sun 10 May, from 9am daily
Address: White Bay Power Station, Robert St, Rozelle
Entry: Free

_THEATRE
Jagged Little Pill: The Musical: The Inner West Theatre Company opens their production of the rock musical built around Alanis Morissette's 1995 album. Songs you know; a story about a family confronting secrets. Running across two weekends at Petersham Town Hall.
Hours: Fri 8 May & Sat 9 May, 7:30pm - 10pm
Address: Petersham Town Hall, 107 Crystal St, Petersham
Entry: Ticketed

_THEATRE
Ordinary Days: The Musical: The closing weekend for this contemporary musical about four New Yorkers who make a connection in the city. Saturday will be the final performance of the season.
Hours: Fri 8 May & Sat 9 May, 9pm
Address: Flight Path Theatre, 9b/142 Addison Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

_EXHIBITION
Another Time by Rone: Rone's atmospheric photographic installation, presented in collaboration with Hendrick's Gin at a Marrickville venue. A reimagined version of his sellout Melbourne show.
Hours: Fri 8 May & Sat 9 May, 12pm - 8pm
Address: 37 Chapel St, Marrickville
Entry: Free (registration required)

_THEATRE
E=mc2 the Musical: An original Australian musical about four neurodiverse, football-loving kids chasing E=mc2. A locally produced show with a genuinely interesting premise.
Hours: Fri 8 May & Sat 9 May, various times
Address: Haberfield Public School, 149 Bland St, Haberfield
Entry: Ticketed

_EXHIBITION
Water Is a Mirror: A group show from artists, musicians and makers at Nauti Studios in Forest Lodge, spanning visual art and sound. Opening night is Saturday 9 May.
Hours: Sat 9 May - Sun 10 May, 5pm - 9pm
Address: Nauti Studios, 189b St Johns Rd, Forest Lodge
Entry: Free (registration required)

_COMEDY
The Laugh Inn Comedy Club: A regular Friday night stand-up at the Newtown Hotel where you can kick back with beer, a couple of mates and appreciate acts by John Xenos & Gays R Us.
Hours: Fri 8 May, 7:15pm
Address: The Newtown Hotel, 174 King St, Newtown
Entry: Ticketed

_WELLNESS
Sound Bath with Luke Collins: An immersive Himalayan sound healing session held at the Flourmill in Newtown. Think ancient instruments and meditative energy. A good Friday evening option for anyone needing a reset before the weekend.
Hours: Fri 8 May, 7pm - 8:30pm
Address: 106/3 Gladstone St, Newtown
Entry: Ticketed

_COMEDY
Rohan Arneil: You Wouldn't Have Cut Me Off If I Wasn't So Sunburnt: Rohan Arneil brings a new stand-up show to the Factory Theatre as part of the Sydney Comedy Festival. The title alone tells you all you need to know about this act.
Hours: Fri 8 May, 8pm
Address: The Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

_COMEDY
Whimsical Beauty: A double bill of puppetry, movement, comedy and poetry at Ashfield Town Hall. Two distinct worlds, billed as one unforgettable hour. If Mum appreciates something a bit different, take her with you this Mother’s Day.
Hours: Sat 9 May, 7pm - 8:30pm
Address: Ashfield Town Hall, 260 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield
Entry: Ticketed

_{MOTHER’S DAY}
Mother's Day Mexican Serenade: Two cultures collide this Saturday with a Mariachi band playing a Mother's Day concert at the Polish Club in Ashfield.
Hours: Sat 9 May, 8:30pm - 10pm
Address: Polish Club Ashfield, 182 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield
Entry: Ticketed

_NIGHTLIFE
Hung Divas Drag Show: The Pollys Club brings a high-energy drag show night to Marrickville Town Hall. Music, costumes, raffles and a dancefloor all in one room.
Hours: Sat 9 May, 7pm - 11:55pm
Address: Marrickville Town Hall, 303 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

_COMEDY
Sydney Comedy Festival at The Factory Theatre: The Factory Theatre is stacked on Saturday. Daniel Connell's "Prairie Dog" at 5pm, Stella Wu's "Asian Baby Girl" at 8:15pm, and Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare's Hamlet from 9pm. If you need to pick one, Stella Wu is the one I'd prioritise.
Hours: Sat 9 May, 5pm / 8:15pm / 9pm
Address: The Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

_COMEDY
Knock Knock At The Troc: A free late-night comedy after-party at the Trocadero Room in Enmore, pulling together a bunch of Sydney Comedy Festival acts in an informal format.
Hours: Sat 9 May, 9pm (show 9:30pm)
Address: The Trocadero Room, 156 Enmore Rd, Enmore
Entry: Free

_CREATIVE
Healthy Edible Gardening Series: Understanding and Creating Soil: A hands-on workshop from Inner West Council's Healthy Edible Gardening Series, covering organic techniques for improving soil quality at home.
Hours: Sat 9 May, 10am - 1pm
Address: Inner West Sustainability Hub, 7 Prospect Rd, Summer Hill
Entry: Free

_NIGHTLIFE
Bingo Loco: The world's largest bingo rave: three hours of rave rounds, lip-sync battles, confetti cannons, and comedian MCs. A portion of ticket sales go to LGBTQIA+ youth charity Minus18.
Hours: Sat 9 May, doors 5pm, games from 6pm
Address: Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL, 20-26 Canterbury Road, Hurlstone Park
Entry: Ticketed

_WELLNESS
Saturday Night Kirtan & Dinner: A live kirtan (mantra music meditation) session followed by a plant-based dinner at a Redfern yoga studio.
Hours: Sat 9 May, 7pm - 8:15pm
Address: Humming Puppy Yoga Sydney, 146 Abercrombie St, Redfern
Entry: Ticketed

_WELLNESS
Singing Stones: An immersive deep listening event at Petersham Bowling Club. Meditative music and an intimate room make for a deliberately contemplative Sunday evening.
Hours: Sun 10 May, 6pm - 9pm
Address: Petersham Bowling Club, 77 Brighton St, Petersham
Entry: Ticketed

MOTHER’S DAY
Mother's Day Bottomless High Tea: A Mother's Day high tea at Delhi 'O' Delhi in Newtown with sweet and savoury dishes and an option to add bottomless beverages. For families who prefer their celebrations on the louder side. Read the full Mother’s Day guide here.
Hours: Sun 10 May, 11:30am - 2:30pm
Address: Delhi 'O' Delhi, 3 Erskineville Rd, Newtown
Entry: Ticketed

COMEDY
Effie: Frigid to Feral: Mary Coustas brings her iconic character to the Factory Theatre in Marrickville. If you grew up watching her, you know this is worth going to.
Hours: Sun 10 May, 6pm
Address: The Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

COMEDY
Frocking Hilarious: An ensemble comedy show at the Enmore Theatre celebrating women in community leadership. Sydney Comedy Festival at one of the Inner West's best rooms.
Hours: Sun 10 May, 6:30pm
Address: Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown
Entry: Ticketed

Heaps Normal have been making alcohol-free beer since 2020, and if you've been to a pub with a decent tap selection in the last couple of years, you've probably had one without particularly thinking about it. That's the point. Their flagship Quiet XPA shows up on taps and in fridges across the Inner West and not because it's the "non-alcoholic option", but because it's actually good beer. The brewery has always understood that the goal isn't to make drinking less fun. It's to make not drinking feel like a proper choice rather than an absence of one.

The Health Club is the next step in that idea. Their new Marrickville space has shifted from an events-only venue to a regular walk-in destination, open across the week with live music, a dance floor, and a full bar.

What I like about this one is that it’s a space that offers everything a good venue offers, without the social pressure to drink, which is a different kind of good.

READ MORE

FAMILY
Ferncourt Family Fair 2026: The annual community fundraiser at Ferncourt Public School with rides, food, market stalls and live music.
Hours: Sat 9 May, 10am - 4pm
Address: Ferncourt Public School, 74 Premier St, Marrickville
Entry: Free

FAMILY
25th Biennale of Sydney Family Day: The Biennale's Family Day is curated by An.Other Collective and built specifically for kids. Workshops, live performances, music and art activities inside the White Bay Power Station.
Hours: Sat 9 May, 10am - 4pm
Address: White Bay Power Station, Robert St, Rozelle
Entry: Free

FAMILY
Animal Adventures: A cushion concert for young children at Leichhardt Town Hall: lions roaring, birds singing, elephants stomping and an apparently unhappy aardvark. A low-barrier introduction to live orchestral music.
Hours: Sat 9 May, various times
Address: Leichhardt Town Hall, 107 Norton St, Leichhardt
Entry: Ticketed

FAMILY
Family Tales: Free 30-minute sessions of songs, stories and rhythm for children aged 0-5. Running Saturday morning at Balmain Library, Haberfield Library and St Peters/Sydenham Library (all at 10:30am), and Sunday morning at Marrickville Library, Leichhardt Library and Ashfield Library (also 10:30am).
Hours: Sat 9 & Sun 10 May, 10:30am
Address: Multiple Inner West libraries
Entry: Free

FAMILY
Balance Bike Clinics: Balance bike clinics at the Sydney Park Cycling Centre in Alexandria, for kids aged 3-8. A popular Saturday morning activity for Inner West families who use the park regularly.
Hours: Sat 9 May, 9am - 11am
Address: Sydney Park Cycling Centre, 410-416 Sydney Park Rd, Alexandria
Entry: Free

FAMILY
Sunday Skateboarding Lessons: Beginner skateboarding lessons for kids at Sydney Park Cycling Centre in Alexandria. Sunday morning sessions from 8am.
Hours: Sun 10 May, various times
Address: Sydney Park Cycling Centre, 410-416 Sydney Park Rd, Alexandria
Entry: Ticketed

FAMILY
Bunnings Kids Workshops: Free drop-in kids workshops at Rozelle and Ashfield Bunnings every Saturday.
Hours: Sat 9 May, 11am - 12pm
Address: Multiple venues
Entry: Free

FAMILY
Bunnings Mother’s Day High Tea & Kids DIY: A craft day for Mum and the kids this Mother’s Day at Rozelle and Ashfield Bunnings.
Hours: Sat 9 & Sun 10 May, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Address: Multiple venues
Entry: Free

Arre Mexican: A new fire-driven Mexican restaurant that combines traditional and modern cooking. It’s being led by chef Roy McVeigh, who’s worked across the likes of Attica, Bennelong, and Quay. We might be witnessing a new era of Mexican food in our backyard.
Address: 182-184 Australia Street, Newtown

Kim's Bop: A few years ago, Byungjae Kim and Emily Tarran were running a market stall at Marrickville and the Entertainment Quarter, serving jumbo mandu and kimchi perilla noodles. Now they've got a permanent spot on Glebe Point Road, and it's already a neighbourhood favourite. House-made kimchis, bibimbap powered by punchy Korean miso, bouncy perilla seed noodles, $3 BYO.
Address: 325 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Darling Glebe: A subterranean French brasserie that opened in February in the historic Glebe Point Road space formerly occupied by Darling Mills. Chef Jeff Schroeter has kept the convict-chipped sandstone and vaulted ceilings, added a Martini bar that pours until midnight, and built a menu around produce from the original Darling Mills Farm.
Address: 134A Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Carriageworks Farmers Market: The benchmark farmers market for the Inner West. Seasonal produce, small-scale growers and excellent coffee.
Hours: Sat 9 May, 8am - 1pm
Address: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh

Orange Grove Market: Long-running Saturday institution at Orange Grove Public School in Lilyfield. Certified organic and fresh produce, crafts, plants and gourmet food.
Hours: Sat 9 May, 8am - 1pm
Address: Orange Grove Public School, 2-8 Perry St, Lilyfield Entry: Free

Glebe Markets: One of Sydney's great Saturday institutions. Vintage clothing, records, jewellery, art and the full cross-section of Inner West life. Get there early for the best finds.
Hours: Sat 9 May, 10am - 4pm
Address: Glebe Public School, Glebe Point Rd, Glebe

Metro Markets on Smidmore: Local makers, food producers and small businesses at Marrickville Metro's outdoor market. A good add-on to a Smidmore Street morning.
Hours: Sat 9 May, 10am - 4pm
Address: Marrickville Metro, 20 Smidmore St, Marrickville

Rozelle Collectors Market: Bric-a-brac, antiques, second-hand finds and the occasional genuine treasure.
Hours: Sat 9 May, 9am - 3pm
Address: Rozelle Public School, Darling St, Rozelle

Tramsheds Growers & Artisan Market: Growers and artisan market at the heritage Tramsheds precinct at Harold Park.
Hours: Sat 9 & Sun 10 May, 9am - 3pm
Address: Tramsheds, Harold Park, Forest Lodge

Marrickville Organic Market: The Inner West's Sunday morning institution. Organic and biodynamic produce, freshly baked bread, coffee and a crowd that knows their farmers by name.
Hours: Sun 10 May, 8am - 1pm
Address: Addison Road Community Centre, 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville

Waywards Ballroom (Bank Hotel): Band Night ∞ — Elmine Isa, The Engine, Failsafe, The Middle Chapter, The Moids, Should Be Sweet and SUPERHANDS, 7pm.
Address: 320 King St, Newtown
Entry: Ticketed

Marrickville Bowling Club: Nag Nag Nag Day Two — Slant (South Korea) headlines, 7pm.
Address: 91 Sydenham Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

MoshPit Bar: The Girlies with Jupiter 5 and The Stallers, 7pm.
Address: 640-644 King St, Erskineville
Entry: Ticketed

Petersham Bowling Club: The Beanstalks with Doll Shaker and Dog Punks, 8pm.
Address: 77 Brighton St, Petersham
Entry: Ticketed

Vic on the Park: The Moving Stills with Charlie Collins, 9pm.
Address: 2 Addison Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Free

Lazybones Lounge: Joabe Reis with the Lux Trevis Band, 7pm.
Address: 294 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed — $35

Butchers Brew Bar: Garfish, 8pm.
Address: 499 Marrickville Rd, Dulwich Hill
Entry: Ticketed

Camelot Lounge: Moussa Diakite & Wassado, 7pm.
Address: 19 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

The Vanguard: Hannah Brewer with Banjo Ulysses, 7pm.
Address: 42 King St, Newtown
Entry: Ticketed

Gasoline Pony: The Patsy Recliners with Lost in the Woods, 7pm.
Address: 117 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

Marrickville Bowling Club: Nag Nag Nag Day Three — Blue Communications, Holy Balm, Native Cats, Possible Humans, Speeding Vehicle, Sukatani (Indonesia) and more, from 12:30pm.
Address: 91 Sydenham Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

Waywards Ballroom (Bank Hotel): The Slims with Selene and the Strange and The Dress, 7pm.
Address: 320 King St, Newtown
Entry: Ticketed

MoshPit Bar: Muddy Jewels with The Salty Tenders and Bunny Bear, 3pm. Also: Polybius with Lapse and Flyss, 7pm.
Address: 640-644 King St, Erskineville
Entry: Ticketed

The Merton Hotel: Django Blackheart, 8pm.
Address: 38 Victoria Rd, Rozelle
Entry: Free

Vic on the Park: Spike Derby, 9pm.
Address: 2 Addison Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Free

The Duke of Enmore: Homesick with Curses, Goethe and Risk Death, 8pm.
Address: 148 Enmore Rd, Enmore
Entry: Free

Butchers Brew Bar: Dave Tice 4, 3pm. Also: PJ O'Brien Band, 8pm.
Address: 499 Marrickville Rd, Dulwich Hill
Entry: Ticketed

Church St Studios: Jeremy Rose Quartet, 8pm.
Address: 62-68 Church St, Camperdown
Entry: Ticketed

Miss Celie's Music Lounge: Liza Ohlback's Gospel and Blues Workshop, 1pm-3pm.
Address: 17 Hercules St, Ashfield
Entry: Ticketed

The Living Room Theatre: Esphemera Quartet and The Weatherbirds, 7pm.
Address: 21 Shepherd St, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

Leichhardt Bowling Club: Clayton Doley's Bayou Billabong Band, 7:30pm.
Address: 88-92 Piper St, Lilyfield
Entry: Ticketed

Camelot Lounge: Monsieur Camembert, 7pm.
Address: 19 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

The Vanguard: PANIA with Kosher Groove, 7pm.
Address: 42 King St, Newtown
Entry: Ticketed

Gasoline Pony: The Ramalamas with Virgin Mary Disco Brawl and Marc With A Sea, 3pm. Also: SXY XMS with Delta Green, 7pm.
Address: 117 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Ticketed

Lazy Thinking: Kalpana Paranjothy with Cal Folger Day, Phil Christie, Jack Duffy and Laura Altman, 2pm. Also: Synth Club — Janbstrasser and Float.WAV, 6pm.
Address: 380 New Canterbury Rd, Dulwich Hill
Entry: Free

Gasoline Pony: Rob Snarski and Lindy Morrison, 5pm.
Address: 117 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville
Entry: Check event page

Petersham Bowling Club: Land Systems, 6pm.
Address: 77 Brighton St, Petersham
Entry: Ticketed

Enmore Hotel: Poltergeist 9000 with The Genius Boys, 7pm.
Address: 199 Enmore Rd, Enmore
Entry: Free

Church St Studios: Oscar Joe Gross, 7pm.
Address: 62-68 Church St, Camperdown
Entry: Ticketed

Miss Celie's Music Lounge: Jr & The Jewel-Tones, 7pm.
Address: 17 Hercules St, Ashfield
Entry: Ticketed

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,