Sydney is a summer city. In summer time its cafes and bars and restaurants are alive, whereas they can be cold and uncomfortable during wintertime. Naturally, the same goes for its beaches and parks with public BBQs. It can be tough to not feel a little depressed in winter time. Luckily, the biggest entertainment events are all on in winter and these at least try and bring Sydney to life again when it’s cold and rainy outside. I made a list with my favourite things to do during Sydney winter. Some of these things might seem a bit obvious to you, but let’s be honest: When do we ever do the obvious anyway? We reserve that for the “tourists” while we try and fail to find the most underground secret insider thing that is usually disappointingly unspectacular. The points on this list are in no particular order.
1. Vivid Sydney (27th May – 18th June)
With phenomenal light shows, projected onto iconic Sydney architecture, the winter entertainment season begins. Every year, Vivid becomes more and more spectacular. This year, I can highly recommend the imaginative and colourful short films that are projected onto the brewery at Central Park near Broadway. I also recommend to take a detour to the botanical gardens this year as there are some little enchanted artistic installments. One practical tip: Take a scarf as the cold ocean breeze down at the harbour can become very uncomfortable.
2. Sydney Film Festival (8th June – 19th June)
This year Sydney Film Festival presents 244 titles from 60 countries! None of these films are huge Hollywood blockbusters, which makes a visit to the cinema even more special. Last year I got gifted some last-minute flexible tickets and I spontaneously decided to watch Spring, which I haven’t heard of before and probably wouldn’t ever have watched without these tickets. I’m glad I did because Spring is now one of my all time favourites.
3. Listening to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Opera House
Again, this is an obvious one if you live in Sydney – but how many of you have actually done it? Last winter I went to see the Sydney Symphony Orchestra playing Danny Elfman’s music from Tim Burton’s movies. I’m not lying when I say this has been a once in a lifetime experience for me. It doesn’t matter if classic or film music isn’t really a genre you usually listen to. I don’t either – but I can’t imagine that anyone would not be touched when they hear the Symphony Orchestra play at the Opera House. These musicians are incredibly talented and the acoustics in the Opera house is just stunning. It can’t even compare to music listened on a stereo.
4. Ramen
Oh Ramen. Ramen is the most underrated Japanese food there is. You can buy sushi and teriyaki chicken everywhere in the world, but Ramen? No. Not Ramen. It doesn’t look particularly appetizing, I give it that. In fact, it looks a bit messy and dreary. Also, it’s soup and people who aren’t me usually aren’t soup lovers. Not really selling it to anyone right now? Wait until you try it. It is oh so perfect for a cold and rainy winter day: Hot and spicy, savory and salty, filling and delicious. I could eat it every day. I can recommend the spicy ramen at Kuroneko Ramen Bar in Sutherland, the black garlic ramen at Tokyo Noodle Bar Zuzuzu in Newtown and Menya in the CBD.
Black Garlic Ramen at Menya
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