Good morning, Inner Westies. We're back from the school holidays with a big one. From Fest by Inner West's seven-venue takeover and SXSW Sydney Unlocked to the Sydney Ceramics Market and AFLW at Henson Park, your weekend is sorted.

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

Ewenton House isn't just another Balmain trophy home. It's the suburb's largest estate on 2,206sqm of harbour reserve with a $27.5 million guide that could set a new Inner West record. Built from sandstone between 1854 and 1872, it layers Georgian, Victorian and Italianate detail with meticulous restoration and Myles Baldwin gardens. Inside: five bedrooms, 14 fireplaces, a Romanesque indoor pool and grand entertaining rooms looking across to Barangaroo. Historic scale and harbour serenity, right in the heart of Balmain.

📍1 Blake Street, Balmain / 5 bed / 4 bath / 10 car
👉 Listed with CobdenHayson Balmain

Plans for a McDonald’s on Newtown’s King Street have been knocked back by the City of Sydney after strong community opposition. Councillors voted against the proposal, citing concerns over the area’s late-night culture, pedestrian safety, and the suburb’s unique character. Local residents and police also raised objections, arguing the 24-hour fast food outlet would add to anti-social behaviour and traffic congestion. The proposed site was near Newtown Station and opposite several heritage buildings. McDonald’s has the option to appeal the decision to the Land and Environment Court.

👉 Read the 9News report

🎓 HSC Study Nights @ Burwood Library (HSC students 16+)
End‑of‑week late‑night study session for Year 12s with quiet areas and group rooms; bookings close at 4 pm on the day.
📍 Burwood Library and Community Hub / Friday 17 , Monday 20 & Wednesday 22 October 2025 / Times vary

🏀 Learn to Play Basketball
Kids aged 5‑10 can try basketball, at no cost, in a fun, non‑competitive session; no membership required – just come along and have fun.
📍 Sydney Secondary College, Leichhardt / Saturday 18 October 2025 / 8:30am – 10:30am

🎈 1000 Books Before School: Launch Party (ages 0‑5)
Celebrate the start of an early‑learning reading challenge with story time, cupcakes and balloon creations for little ones.
📍 Burwood Library and Community Hub / Saturday 18 October 2025 / 11:30am – 12:30pm

😂 Jonas Holt’s Kids Comedy Extravaganza (ages 3–9)
An afternoon of laughter, jokes, and games with comedian Jonas Holt. A fun, high-energy show for kids and families.
📍 Ashfield Bowling Club / Saturday 18 October 2025 / 1pm

🎨 Kids D.I.Y. Workshop @ Bunnings (ages 3 to 12)
A fun weekend session of creative arts and crafts designed to inspire and delight young makers.
📍Bunnings, Alexandria, Ashfield & Rozelle / Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 October 2025 / Various times

🐼 Kids Club – Weekend Wind-Down | Kung Fu Panda 4 (ages 4–10)
A calm, family-friendly afternoon where kids and carers can unwind with soft seating, gentle lighting, and a cosy movie screening of Kung Fu Panda 4. Must register ahead, places limited.
📍 Little BIG House, Summer Hill / Sunday 19 October 2025 / 3pm – 5pm

🚌 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.
📍 Sydney Bus Museum, Leichhardt / Sunday 19 October 2025 / 10am – 4pm

📖 It’s Story Time (ages 1–4)
A fun‑filled storytime session for toddlers presented by Paint Inner West REaD. Adults must supervise. No cost.
📍 Marrickville Metro / Monday 20 October 2025 / 11am – 12pm

🥋 Women & Girls Self Defence Program (ages 16+)
Week‑two of 9 week class of this empowering self‑defence series, covering strikes, kicks and awareness with female instructors. 💰$50
📍 Fitzroy Hall, Burwood / Monday 20 October 2025 / 6:30pm – 7:30pm

💀 Spooky Science Workshops
Hands‑on Halloween experiments like creepy handprints and vanishing writing for mini mad scientists. $5 per child.
📍 Marrickville Metro / Thursday 23 October 2025 / sessions from 10am – 12pm

🎓 HSC Study More @ Concord Library (Years 11‑12)
Weeknight session allowing Year 11 & 12 students exclusive access to the library for quiet study before exams.
📍 Concord Library / Thursday 23 October 2025 / 7:30pm – 9:30pm

🎫 SXSW Sydney Unlocked
Immersive SXSW experiences continue through Saturday and Sunday with exhibitions, live music and activations.
📍 Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour / Friday 17 to Sunday 19 October 2025

🏺 Sydney Ceramics Market
Browse works from over 130 ceramicists and enjoy wheel‑throwing demonstrations at this two‑day event.
📍 Carriageworks, Eveleigh / Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 October 2025 / Saturday 10am – 5pm & Sunday 10am – 4pm ♿️

🎨 Sydney Craft Week Workshops @ Sew Make Create
Daily workshops on sewing, knitting and more; book ahead for your preferred session.
📍 Sew Make Create, Chippendale / Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 October 2025 / 9:30am – 5pm

🍺 Oktoberfest at Hay St Market
Raise a stein at this Bavarian celebration with German beers, sausages, pretzels and live music. No charge for entry.
📍Hay St Market, Haymarket / Friday 17 October to Sunday 19 October 2025

🖼️ Drummoyne Art Society Art & Craft Market @ Gallery57
Explore handmade jewellery, ceramics, art, and homewares by local artists at this vibrant two-day Sydney Craft Week market. No charge for entry.
📍 Gallery57, Concord / Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October 2025 / 10am – 3pm

🪔 The Light Within @ South Eveleigh
Celebrate Diwali with The Light Within, a breathtaking inflatable art landscape by French–Australian queer artist Matthew Aberline and the Beautiful and Useful Studio. This solar-powered installation transforms South Eveleigh into a glowing garden of colour, culture and creativity, inviting visitors of all ages to explore and connect.
📍 South Eveleigh, Eveleigh / Monday 13 to Wednesday 22 October 2025 / All day

🏃 Redfern Run Club
A friendly weekly running group welcoming all levels. Perfect for fitness and community connection every Friday.
📍 Gibbons Street Reserve, Redfern / Fridays at 6:15am

🧶 Social Knitting
Drop in for a friendly knitting and crochet session; share tips and make new friends.
📍 Balmain Library, Balmain / Friday 17 October 2025 / 10am – 12pm

🇮🇹 Italian Bingo
Play bilingual bingo with morning tea provided; beginners welcome, no bookings required.
📍 Five Dock Library / Friday 17 October 2025 / 10am

🎪 The Big Show Spectacular
Studio ARTES members present a pay‑what‑you‑can evening exploring big dreams through song, dance and theatre.
📍 Marrickville Town Hall / Friday 17 October 2025 / 5pm – 9pm

✒️ Calligraphy Club
A relaxing community meet-up for anyone interested in the art of beautiful writing, exploring new scripts each month in a welcoming, beginner-friendly space. Register ahead.
📍 Little BIG House, Summer Hill / Saturday 18 October 2025 / 2:15pm – 3:30pm

🌸 Japanese ‘Tsumami’ Flower Accessory Workshop
Learn the traditional Japanese craft of Tsumami Zaiku and make a fabric flower brooch or earrings; materials included.
📍 Reverse Garbage, Marrickville / Saturday 18 October 2025 / 10am – 12pm

🐶 MediPaws Open Day @ MediPaws Veterinary Specialist Centre
Celebrate the grand opening of Sydney’s newest 24/7 emergency and specialist veterinary hospital with hospital tours, pet market stalls, coffee, gelato, and family-friendly fun.
📍 MediPaws Veterinary Specialist Centre, Leichhardt / Saturday 18 October 2025 / 10am – 1pm ♿️

🏈 AFLW: GIANTS v Fremantle Dockers
Cheer on the GIANTS at Henson Park; kids under 18 at no cost, adult tickets from $15.
📍 Henson Park, Marrickville / Saturday 18 October 2025 / 3:05pm – 5:30pm

🗞️ The UnOz’s Person of the Decade
Laugh and reminisce with the team behind The (un)Australian as they recap the last decade’s political highs, lows, and absurdities.
📍 Ashfield Bowling Club / Saturday 18 October 2025 / 4pm

🎭 A Look Back at Good News Week the TV Show
Join Mikey Robins, head writer Ian Simmons and Drew Bowie as they share behind-the-scenes stories, jokes, and memories from one of Australia’s most beloved comedy shows.
📍 Ashfield Bowling Club / Saturday 18 October 2025 / 5:15pm

🎤 We Can Be Heroes
A fundraising night of singing and dancing at the bowling club; proceeds support a worthy cause (the Sydney Street Choir).
📍 Gladstone Park Bowling Club, Balmain / Saturday 18 October 2025 / 7pm – 10:30pm

👉️ 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 19 October 2025 / 9am – 1pm

🌱 Concord Community Garden Open Day
Explore the community garden, attend compost and worm‑farming workshops and pick up plants and compost bins.
📍 Concord Community Centre / Sunday 19 October 2025 / 10am – 2pm

🍺 Sydney Beer Week 2025
Raise a glass to the return of Sydney’s biggest celebration of craft beer, hospitality and community. Enjoy a week of tap takeovers, brewery tours, food pairings and special collaborations across the city.
📍Various venues across Sydney / Monday 20 to Sunday 26 October 2025

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

🌮 Radio Taco Opens in Chippendale
This new spot has one focus: birria. The team slow-cooks marinated beef for days with Mexican chillies to create rich, deeply flavoured tacos. Try the queso tacos with consommé, or opt for birria burritos, nachos or ramen. Already proving popular with lines forming nightly.
📍67 Abercrombie St, Chippendale / Monday to Saturday 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 9pm
👉 Visit their Socials for more info

🧒 Marrickville Hardcourt 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.

🍷 Where's Nick Wine Bar, Marrickville

Just awarded Best Wine Bar and Best Aperitif at this year's Wine List of the Year Awards, Where's Nick has carved out its own lane in the Inner West wine scene. This cosy Marrickville spot focuses on small-batch producers and sustainable winemaking, with sherry, manzanilla and vermouth taking centre stage instead of cocktails or espresso martinis. Try their Aperitivo Hour (Monday to Friday, 4pm – 5:30pm) with $5 snacks and $10 drinks including Negroni, Pastis and Limoncello spritz (see venue for terms & conditions).

📍 236 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville / Mon to Thu 4pm – 10:30pm, Fri 4pm – Midnight, Sat 12pm – Midnight, Sun 2pm – 9:30pm
👉 Website and Socials for more info

Thanks for reading. Please reply with any feedback.

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

Have a fun weekend!

Jess