Good morning, Inner Westies.

We’re back for 2026 (after a slightly longer summer break 😅), and parents, how are you holding up over the school holidays? From open-air movies and symphony under the stars to skate sessions and workshops, your weekend is sorted.

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

Have a great weekend,
Jess

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.

The new Sydney Fish Market opens Monday 19 January at Blackwattle Bay with 40+ retailers under one roof. Luke Nguyen's restaurant Lua, Malaysian favourite Tam Jiak by Ho Jiak, Turkish spot Hamsi from the Efendy crew, and Cow & the Moon gelato are among the big names. Inner West locals will recognise Little Red from Dirty Red (Glebe and Rozelle), opening alongside their all-day cafe Touch_wood. Long-time traders Nicholas Seafood, Peter's Fish Market and Claudio's are relocating too. Get there by light rail (Wentworth Park stop, not the old Fish Market stop, which is now called Bank Street). Parking's minimal, so bring an esky and take public transport.

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We’re more than halfway through the school holidays, and there’s still plenty happening across the Inner West. From outdoor adventures and creative workshops to drop-in activities and last-minute bookings, our Summer School Holiday Guide has you covered for the days ahead.

Business at the front, party at the back. That Victorian façade has all the period details restored, but behind it, there's a full contemporary renovation. An architect has redesigned the interior with high ceilings, multiple living spaces with tonnes of light, and everything opens to the back gardens and saltwater pool. The kitchen has a butler's pantry and opens straight outside. Upstairs living areas get leafy water views. Plus a double garage, which is gold for Balmain. You're right in the middle of the peninsula, with Darling Street, harbour walks and buses all walkable.

📍 4 bed / 3 bath / 2 car
👉 Listed with BresicWhitney

🛹 Skate City - Skateboarding Workshops (ages 5 to 12)
Kids learn new skateboarding skills, try tricks, and build confidence in a fun, supportive environment, guided by experienced coaches, with all gear provided.
📆 Fri 16 Jan / 9am – 10am
📍 Marrickville Metro

🎨 DIY Design Lab (ages 3 to 10)
Kids get hands-on, creating wearable art by decorating a tee with markers, heat patches, and other materials in a playful, interactive workshop.
📆 Fri 16 Jan / 9am – 10am
📍 Marrickville Metro

🧱 School Holiday Lego Challenge (age 5 to 10 years)
Enjoy building creative Lego sets in a fun community space during the school holidays.
📅 Fri 16 Jan / 10am – 11am
📍 Burwood Library and Community Hub

🎨 Kids School Holiday Pottery Classes
Hands-on pottery wheel and hand-building classes for kids, with extra sessions during the school holidays and options for parents or adults to join in.
📆 Fri 16 Jan / 10:30am
📍 Glaze Galleria, Drummoyne

🧸 Shadow Puppet Workshops with Green Beetle (ages 8+)
Create and perform with shadow puppets in a hands-on workshop inspired by museum collections.
📅 Fri 16 Jan
📍 Chau Chak Wing Museum, Museum

🎲 Saturday Social Board Games (ages 14+)
Enjoy a relaxed weekly gathering to play board games for ages 14 and up.
📅 Sat 17 Jan / 11am – 2pm
📍 Burwood Library and Community Hub

👶 Explorers Play in the Park Playgroup (ages 0 to 3)
Relaxed playgroup where children can explore, and parents can connect in a park setting. Run by Plumtree Children’s Services.
📅 Mon 19 Jan / 9:30am – 11am
📍 Jarvie Park, Marrickville

✏ School Holidays: Manga Comic Workshop (ages 9 to 12)
Kids can create their own manga stories using pencils, pens and markers in a small beginner class.
📅 Mon 19 Jan / 10am – 1pm
📍 Darling Square Library ♿️

✏ School Holidays: Manga Comic Book Workshop (ages 13 to 17)
Learn basic manga drawing and storytelling techniques in a beginner-friendly workshop for teens.
📅 Tue 20 Jan / 10am – 1pm
📍 Darling Square Library ♿️

♻ Kids Recycling Session (ages 8 to 16)
A fun, interactive recycling session designed to inspire kids and youth to learn about plastics and recycling.
📅 Tue 20 Jan / 9am (ages 8 to 12) 11am (ages 13 to 16)
📍 Banish Sustainability Hub, Haymarket

🛼 School Holidays Open Social Skate Session (ages 4+)
Enjoy a relaxed open skate session suitable for all ages with friendly support available.📅 Tue 20 Jan / 2:30pm – 4pm
📍 Robyn Webster Sports Centre, Tempe

🐠 School Holidays: Under the Sea Ceramics (ages 6 to 9)
Kids will learn hand-building and decorating techniques to create sea creature ceramics in a small beginner class.
📅 Wed 21 Jan / 9am – 11:30am
📍 Pine Street Creative Arts Centre, Chippendale ♿️

🌟 Flutter Craft Academy (ages 8 to 12)
Create unique movable wings while exploring colours and textures in a fun craft session for kids.
📅 Wed 21 Jan / 10:30am – 11:30am
📍 Glebe Library

🕺 Summer House Dance Workshop (ages 16+)
Try house dance rhythms blended with contemporary movement in a relaxed workshop.
📅 Thu 22 Jan / 6pm – 8:30pm
📍 Ashfield Library ♿️

🧒 Laneway Hotel, Pyrmont | Saturday & Sunday | All day | Free kids meal with any adult main purchase, valid for children 12 and under from the kids menu – see venue for terms & conditions.

🎨 Unique Jewellery Making with Lou Nade
Create unique jewellery using reclaimed materials in a hands-on workshop with expert guidance.
📅 Fri 16 Jan / 10am – 4pm
📍 Tiliqua Tiliqua, Enmore

🎉 Recycling & Lid Sorting Session
Join a community session to sort plastic lids for recycling and help reduce landfill waste.
📅 Fri 16 Jan / 12pm – 3pm
📍 Haymarket

🎬 HBO Max Open Air Cinema @ Darling Quarter
Outdoor movie screenings of family favourites and Hollywood hits under the stars. No cost.
📅 Fri 16 Jan / 6:30pm Mummies (PG ) & 9pm Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (M)
📍 Village Green, Darling Quarter

🎵 Linedancing Night
Enjoy a lively linedancing evening with live music and a welcoming crowd for all skill levels.
📅 Fri 16 Jan / 7pm – 10pm
📍 The Factory Theatre, Marrickville

🧵 Learn to Sew: Upcycle and Mending
Join this sewing workshop to creatively upcycle and mend your clothing with expert guidance.
📅 Sun 18 Jan / 10am – 2pm
📍 The Wriggle Room, Marrickville ♿️

🎾 AO26 by the Harbour - Live with Channel Nine
Watch the Australian Open live on the big screen while enjoying food and pop-up tennis activities.
📆 Sun 18 Jan – Sun 1 Feb / 11am – 11pm
📍 Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour

🚌 Sydney Bus Museum Open Day
Explore the Leichhardt Tramshed and ride vintage double‑decker buses to and from Town Hall as part of the museum’s monthly open day.
📆 Sun 18 Jan / 10am – 4pm
📍Sydney Bus Museum, Leichhardt

🎮 Willie’s Wondercade Lands in St Peters 🍺

Inner West brewery legends Willie the Boatman have opened a brand-new arcade bar spin-off, Willie’s Wondercade, in St Peters. Built so locals can still enjoy a cold beer while the main brewery shifts to functions, this pop-up style space delivers pure throwback energy with classic arcade machines, pinball nostalgia, cosy couches and a bar.

📍 Willie’s Wonder-Cade, 75 Mary St, St Peters (Precinct 75 block)
👉 Check out this video to see what it looks like

🍻 The Hive Bar Erskineville | Tuesday to Thursday (4pm – 6pm) & Friday (3pm – 5pm) | $8 schooners of Reckless Pale Ale & Lager, $8 wines, $10 gin & tonics and $15 house spritzers – see venue for terms and conditions.

🍹 Public House Petersham | Friday | All day | $15 spritzes – see venue for terms and conditions.

🍺 Regatta Club Haberfield | Wednesday to Friday | 4pm – 6pm | $8 wine by the glass, $15 cocktails and $7 draught beers – see venue for terms and conditions.

🍸 Regatta Club Haberfield | Friday | All day | $15 frozen cocktails – see venue for terms and conditions.

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