Five things to do in Sydney this Easter

Easter usually marks a great exodus from Sydney, with many sneaking in a last break before the weather chills. For those not packing the camping gear or beach towels this year, it’s a great time to be a tourist in your own city. The traffic is quieter and the queues shorter.

Here are some of the great things on in Sydney this Easter.

Have an old-school date night

Open Air Cinemas is setting up a drive-in in one of the car parks at Bank West Stadium in Parramatta. Sponsored by Disney+, the line-up includes sing-along versions of some of its popular animated films like The Little Mermaid and Frozen. Or plan a date night and catch a classic such as Romeo + Juliet or The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Pack a car-picnic or have snacks delivered to the door.

Disney+ Drive In, March 31 – April 27, Northern private car park of BankWest Stadium in Parramatta.

Teach the kids about farm life

Royal Easter Show-chick Royal Easter Show-Woodchopping Royal Easter Show-Calves

The Easter Show is back! Take the kids to pat a chick in the Poultry Pavilion. Or visit the kid-sized farm for some hands-on learning about where food comes from. There’s the usual rides and showbags too. Plus all the animal shows and fresh produce displays that make this annual event from the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW such a unique city experience.

The smaller Sydney Family Show is also running this year at the Entertainment Quarter from April 1 – 18.

Sydney Royal Easter Show, April 1 – 12, Sydney Showground at Sydney Olympic Park.

Get immersed in art

If you loved the Van Gogh Alive immersive art experience at the Entertainment Quarter last year, the same team is back with a new event. Monet & Friends will see Impressionist-era paintings projected onto large screens in the Royal Hall of Industries. Artists include Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Paul Cézanne. It’s a world premiere and similar to Van Gogh Alive, classical music and scent will accompany the art works.

Monet & Friends – Life, Light & Colour, March 12 – April 18, Royal Hall of Industries in the Entertainment Quarter.

Do an art-crawl

Experience a contemporary take on Australian art across three venues: the MCA, the Art Gallery of NSW and Carriageworks. Launching on March 26, The National 2021 features work from 39 Australian artists, from emerging to established. It’s the third iteration of this biennial exhibition.

The National 2021: New Australian Art, From March 26, at the MCA, the Art Gallery of NSW and Carriageworks.

Start a new Easter Sunday tradition

Once the egg hunt is over at home, head into the city for a special Easter high tea at the Sir Stamford hotel in Circular Quay. The menu includes Vietnamese duck rice paper rolls and barbecue chicken brioche buns. Plus chocolate nests with Easter eggs! Each child will receive an activity pack and a visit from the Easter bunny.

Easter High Tea, Sir Stamford at Circular Quay, April 4 from 11am.