Good morning, Inner Westies. From Five Dock's massive Italian street party and tidal baths coming to Callan Park to medieval battles and tiki bar birthdays — your weekend is absolutely stacked.

P.S. Happy early birthday to our reader Nozomi for next Wednesday! 🎂

Note: Please check to confirm details are accurate with venues, event providers, restaurants and pubs by clicking through to their site. Events are occasionally cancelled at the last minute.

Grab your morning coffee and join us as we explore the Inner West together.

— Jess Thorning

This Sunday 17 August, Great North Road transforms into a vibrant Italian festa with 150+ food and market stalls serving arancini, antipasto, cannoli, pasta, handmade crafts, boutique fashion, and artisan goods. Enjoy live music across three stages, roving performers, wine tastings, Italian vehicle displays, and a petting zoo for the kids.

Festival highlights include Terrazza Aperol, transforming Garfield Street into a Mediterranean-inspired space with antipasti and Aperol Spritz, and FerraCucina on Via Sandhurst, where chefs will share their tips for creating the perfect aperitivo hour. Free rides will be on offer all day — or skip the queues with a $20 Fast Pass available for three ride sessions (limited numbers, EFTPOS only). A free shuttle bus will run from surrounding suburbs between 9:30am and 5:30pm to make getting there easy.

📍 Great North Road, Five Dock / Sunday 17 August 2025 / 10am – 5pm ♿️
👉 View the full program, shuttle map & Fast Pass info

A new $3.8 million swim spot is planned for Callan Park, with funding confirmed and a development application lodged. The Callan Park Tidal Baths will feature an accessible ramp, fixed jetty, pontoon, and shark net, giving Bay Run users and locals a safe place to cool off by the Iron Cove foreshore.

Backed by $2 million from the NSW Government and delivered in partnership with Inner West Council, the project is part of the Parramatta River Masterplan to bring swimming back to urban waterways. Once approved, construction is expected to take six months, aiming for a summer 2026 opening.

Located near Waterfront Drive Sporting Park, the site will be within easy reach for runners, cyclists, families, and visitors enjoying the surrounding parks. A foreshore master plan for Callan Park will go to community consultation later this year.

👉 For more information on the Callan Park Tidal baths visit the Inner West Council website.

Each week (or thereabouts) we spotlight one interesting local listing — whether it’s jaw-droppingly luxe, a federation beauty, or full of fixer-upper charm. It’s a fun little peek into Inner West real estate - no judgment, just curiosity.

One of my favourite hobbies is looking at homes I’ll never be able to afford. If it’s yours too, you’re in the right place.

This isn't a terrace. It's not a Federation home. It's a freestanding, award-winning curveball perched above a sandstone cliff overlooking the Sydney city skyline with unapologetically bold design. Inside: curved glass, double-height ceilings, a spiral staircase and that calm architectural feel that makes everything else look cluttered.

I keep imagining making some grand entrance down that spiral staircase. Probably in my pyjamas. Then I remember I'd be stopped by a baby gate.

📍38 Ferry Road, Glebe / 4 bed / 3 bath / 1 car
👉 Listed with BresicWhitney

🎈 Mini and Me: Open Day
Fun-filled open day for little ones and grown-ups featuring jumping castle, soft play, ball pit, kids entertainment, styled photos, grazing table and more. $20 per adult (includes 1 child), additional children $5.
📍Eventure Collective, St Peters / Saturday 16 August 2025 / 10am – 2pm

📚 Book Week Storytime at Inner West Council Libraries
Celebrate Book Week with special Storytime session reading titles from the 2025 Picture Book and Early Childhood shortlists. Dress as your favourite book character and join in the fun. For children aged 3–5. ♿️
🕛 10:30am – 11am
📍Ashfield Library & Leichhardt Library / Monday 18 August 2025
📍Dulwich Hill Library & Haberfield Library / Tuesday 19 August 2025
📍Balmain Library & Marrickville Library / Wednesday 20 August 2025
📍St Peters Library & Stanmore Library /Friday 22 August 2025

📚 Book Week Costume Party @ Marrickville Metro
Dress as your favourite book character for storytelling, songs, a mascot visit, and prizes for best dressed. Free event hosted by Connect Marrickville, bookings essential.
📍 Level 1 Kids Play, Marrickville Metro / Wednesday 20 August 2025 / 1pm – 3pm

🤱 Mums & Bubs with Le Puree & Fluidform
A supportive postpartum morning with a 50-minute postnatal Pilates class, Le Puree breakfast bar, and Q&A on baby nutrition and recovery. Includes a goodie bag. 💰 $49 per Mum & Bub.
📍 Fluidform Rozelle / Wednesday 20 August 2025 / 9am – 10:30am

📚 Book Week: Book An Adventure to Burwood Library!
Celebrate Book Week with an afternoon of stories, activities, and discovery at Burwood Library. Free event.
📍 Burwood Library and Community Hub / Thursday 21 August 2025 / 3:15pm – 4:30pm ♿️

📚 HSC Study More at Five Dock Library
Extended study sessions for HSC students, offering a dedicated study space outside normal hours.
📍 Five Dock Library / Tuesday 19 & Wednesday 20 August 2025 / 7:30pm – 9:30pm

👶 Intergenerational Playgroup
Intergenerational playgroup bringing parents and toddlers together with aged care residents for songs, stories and activities. Register ahead.
📍Thomas Roseby Lodge Uniting Aged Care, Marrickville / Thursday 21 August 2025 / 10am – 11am ♿️

🧩 Lego Session / Drop in Session
Drop‑in Lego sessions at Haberfield Library where children build and play under adult supervision during school terms.
📍 Haberfield Library, Haberfield / Thursday 21 August 2025 / 3pm – 4:30pm ♿️

📆 Coming Up - Book Ahead

🎉 It’s a Birthday Party!
Celebrate Garranga Bumarri and Gadi’s birthday at this annual reading day with music, crafts, puppets, and activities for children not yet at school. Free event hosted by Connect Marrickville.
📍 Marrickville Library and Pavilion / Friday 22 August 2025 / 10am – 12pm ♿️

🧒 Marrickville Tennis Club | Wednesday | 5:30pm – 8:30pm | Order any main meal and receive one kids meal free, valid for children 12 and under - see venue for terms & conditions.

🎉  Wayward 10-Year Farewell Party
Celebrate a decade of Wayward Brewing with a weekend blowout featuring live music, special beers from the Powder Monkey family, a limited-edition 10-year T-shirt, and takeaway specials. A good chance to head there before the taproom closes.
📍 Wayward Brewing Co, Camperdown / Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 August 2025

🏁 Unmarked IV Sydney
Two-day curated automotive showcase featuring Australia's finest car builds. Each day presents different vehicles including 4x4 offroad rigs, race cars, classics, collectibles, stance cars and motorbikes. 💰 $35 for a one day pass.
📍 The Venue, Alexandria / Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 August 2025 / 3pm – 9pm

🎨 Textured Paint & Sip Class
Learn palette knife techniques to create textured petals, waves or abstract art in a relaxed, BYO-friendly class. All materials provided.
📍 Sydney Creative, Redfern / Friday 15 August 2025 / 2 hours, $75

🧶 Social Knitting @ Balmain Library 
Join a friendly group of social knitters. Everyone is welcome. First and third Friday of the month. Runs during school term. No bookings are required.
📍 Balmain Town Hall / Friday 15 August 2025 / 10am – 12pm

🇮🇹 Italian Bingo @ Five Dock Library 
Join for fun bingo and enjoy morning tea. Bingo calls will be made in both Italian and English, so everyone's welcome!
📍 Five Dock Library / Friday 15 August 2025/ 10am –12pm

🌙 The Italian Forum Twilight Markets - NEW!
New weekly market in the heart of Sydney’s Little Italy with artisan food, Italian street eats, handmade goods, live music, and boutique stalls in a festive, open-air piazza.
📍 Italian Forum, Leichhardt / Saturday 16 August 2025 / 4pm – 9pm

⚔️ Medieval Day ’25 @ The PBC
Step back in time with medieval battles, renaissance dancing, artisans, blacksmithing displays, leather work, mead on tap, and fire-roasted meats. Best dressed prizes for young and old. Entry by donation, with funds going towards an accessibility upgrade ($5pp for adults & $3pp for under 18s).
📍 Petersham Bowling Club / Saturday 16 August 2025 / 12pm – 5pm

🍷 Winter Cellar Door
A showcase of over 20 NSW wineries with live music and food stalls inviting visitors to sample more than 120 wines under one roof.
📍 Carriageworks, Eveleigh / Sunday 17 August 2025 / 11am – 5pm ♿️

🎵  Lost Birds
Powerful concert featuring Sydney Philharmonia Choirs in a unique industrial setting. Christopher Tin's "Lost Birds" memorial to extinct species pairs with Joseph Twist's "Timeless Land" celebrating Australian nature, plus Vivaldi's Four Seasons reimagined for choir. A moving musical tribute to the natural world. 💰Starts at $50 (Under 30s are $30).
📍 White Bay Power Station, Rozelle / Saturday 16 August 2025 / 2:30pm

🔋 Home Battery Expo
Explore home batteries, VPPs, and hot water heat pumps with displays, expert talks, and a Q&A session. Free entry, bookings required.
📍 Marrickville Pavilion / Saturday 16 August 2025 / 10am – 1pm ♿️

🌭 Homeless Week Community Sausage Sizzle
Rescheduled from last week! Last week was Homeless Week and Cat Delaney, Homeless Advocate, is hosting a free community sausage sizzle to raise awareness and bring people together. Everyone welcome to join in support and solidarity. Event may be postponed if too much rain. If unsure, please reach out to us and we will confirm with Cat.
📍Peace Reserve, Corner Alice and King Streets, Newtown / Sunday 17 August 2025 / 12pm 

👉️ Flour Mill Markets @ Summer Hill
Fresh artisan baked goods, fresh produce, hot food and artisan products from local makers and creators. 
📍 1 Flour Mill Way, Summer Hill / Sunday 17 August 2025 / 9am – 1pm

🐕 Pups in Pubs 
Dog-friendly day out featuring doggy stalls, free samples, giveaways and Best Dressed Pup Competition at 2pm. Co-presented by Pupsy & Street Paws Festival. Bring your pooch and grab a pint!
📍BrewDog, South Eveleigh / Sunday 17 August 2025 / 12pm – 3pm

🎬 Family History Film Workshop
Learn to record life stories using just your smartphone with filmmaker Danika Armytage. Beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop perfect for all ages during Family History Month. Free event with limited spots!
📍Marrickville Pavilion, Marrickville / Sunday 17 August 2025 / 2pm – 4pm

📜 Spoken Word & Poetry
Join poets and wordsmiths in the Radish Lounge at We Three Bar for an open mic afternoon. Arrive by 2:30pm to register. Free entry.
📍 We Three, Marrickville / Sunday 17 August 2025 / 2pm – 5pm

🧵 Sewing Class - Make it Mondays 
Two-week beginner-friendly sewing class covering basics and project completion. Bring your own machine, projects and questions for guaranteed 1:1 help. Limited to 5 people maximum. $90 per person per class, register online preferred.
📍The Wriggle Room, Marrickville / Monday 18 & 25 August 2025 / 6pm – 9pm

💼 Women in Business Talk Series: Using AI
Learn practical, jargon-free ways to use AI to streamline your business and boost efficiency. 💰$15.
📍 Pavilion at Marrickville Library / Wednesday 20 August 2025 / 6pm – 8pm ♿️

💡 Inner West Startup+Tech: Beers and Big Ideas Night
Share your start up idea in a small group, get feedback, and connect with fellow founders over craft beer and pizza. Dogs and kids welcome. 💰$15
📍 White Bay Brewery, Rozelle / Thursday 21 August 2025 / 6pm – 10pm

🛠️ Free Repair Day at the Sustainability Hub
Get clothing, shoes, jewellery, bikes, furniture, electricals, tools, and sewing machines repaired by skilled repairers — all for free. Bookings essential and Inner West Council Residents only.
📍 Sustainability Hub, Summer Hill / Saturday 23 August 2025 / 10am – 3:30pm

Our deadline is close of business Wednesday for each Friday edition.

🌮 $6 Taco Fridays
Grange Gully Bistro is serving tacos for $6 each every Friday from 12pm — plus $5 birria-style consommé for dipping. Choose from braised brisket, vegetarian refried beans, black lager-battered barramundi, or fried chicken. Walk-ins welcome. See venue for terms and conditions.
📍 Grange Gully Bistro, Petersham Bowlo / Every Friday / From 12pm

🍽️ Frost & Feast @ Darling Quarter 
Winter wonderland dining domes for groups of 4 to 8. $30 booking fee per person includes welcome drink from Frost Bar. 3-course meals available separately from Braza Churrascaria, Ichoume or Dopa by Devon for $69pp or weekend High Tea by Kürtősh for $30pp. Kids menu $20. See website for terms & conditions.
📍Darling Quarter, Darling Harbour / Friday 16 to Sunday 31 August 2025

🇮🇹 Buon Ferragosto @ Hay St Market 
Three-day Italian celebration featuring wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, cannoli, gelato, prosecco and Aperol Spritz. Live music and entertainment with traditional Italian piazza vibes. Free entry - perfect mid-winter escape for food lovers and families.
📍Hay St Market, Haymarket / Friday 15 to Sunday 17 August 2025

🍷 Bistro Red Lion 1st Birthday Dinner
Celebrate Bistro Red Lion’s first year with an evening of great food, French charm, and birthday indulgence. Choose from a 2-course menu for $65pp or 3 courses for $85pp. Final tables remaining — book via the website.
📍 Bistro Red Lion, Rozelle / Wednesday 20 August 2025 / Dinner only

🧒 Marrickville Tennis Club | Wednesday | 5:30pm – 8:30pm | Order any main meal and receive one kids meal free, valid for children 12 and under - see venue for terms & conditions.

The Midnight Special Newtown | Tuesday to Friday 5pm – 7pm | Saturday 3pm – 5pm | $15 Classic Cocktails - see venue for terms and conditions.

The Royal Hotel Leichhardt | Monday to Friday | 4pm – 6pm | $6 House Spirits, Beers & Wines downstairs– see venue for terms and conditions.

The Salisbury Hotel Stanmore | Monday to Friday 4pm – 6pm | Saturday 10am – 4pm | Beers from $6.50, House Spirits $7.50, House Wines $8 – see venue for terms and conditions.

Jacoby’s is a Twin Peaks–inspired tiki bar known for its rum cocktails, kitschy decor and award-winning vibe. This weekend they’re turning 8 and throwing a double-header party to celebrate, with 14 new cocktails, DJs both nights and $8 Happy Hour Pina Coladas. Friday and Saturday from 5pm till late.
📍154 Enmore Rd, Enmore / Wednesday & Thursday 6pm – Midnight, Friday to Sunday 5pm – Midnight
👉 See Website and Socials for more info.

Thanks for reading. Please feel free to reply with any feedback.

Reminder: Please check to confirm details are accurate with venues, event providers, restaurants and pubs by clicking through to their site. Events are occasionally cancelled at the last minute and specials can change.

Have a fun weekend!

Jess