Good morning, Inner Westies. From the Dulwich Hill festival and twilight markets to family fun fairs and gothic mansions – dive into what's new, what's on, and what not to miss.

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

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.

Highroyd, built in 1889 by John Young as one of Annandale’s famous ‘witches’ houses’, was part of his plan to make the suburb prestigious. Today, this restored Gothic Revival landmark balances heritage character with modern luxury across 800m², offering six bedrooms, five bathrooms and parking for four. Inside: grand entertaining spaces, a wine cellar, indoor heated pool and meticulous restoration by architect David Springett. Outside: established gardens and a prized Johnston Street address within walking distance of cafés, parks and the foreshore. Owning this one is like holding a key piece of Annandale’s story.

📍 6 bed / 5 bath / 4 car / ~800 m² land
👉 Listed with Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty

📚 HSC Study Nights @ Burwood Library
Extended after-hours study sessions for HSC students. Bookings essential.
📍 Burwood Library / Friday 19 & Monday 22 September 2025 / 4:45pm – 10pm ♿️

🫧 The Flying Bubble Show (ages 3 to 103!)
A one-hour spectacle of bubbles, circus tricks and glowing lights that’s interactive, imaginative and fun for the whole family.
📍 Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park / Friday 6 September to Saturday 12 October 2025

🤖 Robotics for Kids: Sphero meets Rube Goldberg (ages 8–12)
A hands-on workshop where kids and carers build a Rube Goldberg-style machine and program a Sphero robot to bring it to life.
📍 St Peters Library, Sydenham / Saturday 20 September 2025 / 1pm – 2:30pm ♿️

🎨 Kids D.I.Y @ Alexandria
A weekend workshop of imaginative arts and crafts designed to inspire creativity and fun.
📍 Kids D.I.Y, Alexandria / Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 September 2025 / 10:30am – 2pm

🛠️ Kids D.I.Y: Emergency Board @ Rozelle
Create your own emergency board as part of RFS Get Ready Weekend — a fun and practical family activity.
📍 Kids D.I.Y, Rozelle / Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 September 2025 / 11am – 12pm & 12pm – 1pm

🌙 Rhodes Night Walk (ages 7+)
Take a guided night walk through Rhodes Park to spot nocturnal wildlife and learn about light pollution in this family-friendly citizen science activity.
📍 Rhodes Park, Concord West / Saturday 20 September 2025 / 6pm – 8pm

🐢 Water Safety Storytime @ Leichhardt Library (ages 3–5)
A playful storytime with Inner West Aquatics and Terry the Turtle, teaching little ones key water safety skills with resources to take home.
📍 Leichhardt Library / Monday 22 September 2025 / 10:30am – 11:30am ♿️

🦜 Learn & Spot: Feathered Friends of Five Dock
Discover the amazing world of Aussie birds with Judy Harrington from BirdLife Australia, and learn spotting skills just in time for the Aussie Bird Count.
📍 Five Dock Library / Tuesday 23 September 2025 / 4:30pm – 5:30pm

🧩 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 / Thursday 18 September 2025 / 3pm – 4:30pm ♿️

🛍️ The Big Design Market @ Carriageworks
3 big days. Showcasing 230+ independent designers with homewares, ceramics, fashion, jewellery, art prints, and more.
📍 Carriageworks, Eveleigh / Friday 19 to Sunday 21 September 2025

🥳 Sydney Fringe Festival
Continues, running until 28 September 2025. Check out what’s on in the Inner West Precinct, as well as what’s on this weekend in the Theatre & Comedy section later in this email.

🌙 Sydney City Night Market
A lively weekly market with street food, fashion, handmade treasures, produce, wine bars and live music.
📍 Belmore Park, Haymarket / Every Friday / 4pm – 9pm

🧶 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 20 September 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 20 September 2025/ 10am –12pm

🌙 The Italian Forum Twilight Markets
New weekly market in the heart of Sydney’s Little Italy, featuring artisanal food, Italian street eats, handmade goods, live music, and boutique stalls in a festive, open-air piazza.
📍 Italian Forum, Leichhardt / Saturday 20 September 2025 / 4pm – 9pm

🚁 Drone Show @ Darling Harbour
A dazzling 10-minute light spectacle transforming Darling Harbour’s night sky every Saturday in September. This is a trial that is temporarily replacing fireworks throughout September.
📍 Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour / Saturday 6 September – Saturday 27 September 2025 / 8:30pm

♻️ Recycling+ Drop-Off Day
Drop off e-waste, polystyrene, bicycles and clothing at no cost. Open to City of Canada Bay residents only.
📍 Cintra Park Carpark, Concord / Saturday 20 September 2025 / 9am – 3:30pm

🚲 Renew Your Bike – Riverfest 2025
Bring your bike for a complimentary tune-up from Bower Bikes and kickstart Riverfest with a safer, smoother ride. Bookings essential.
📍 Inner West Sustainability Hub, Summer Hill / Saturday 20 September 2025 / 10am – 2pm ♿️

🎺 The Polka Doubts
Enjoy live roaming music from accordion and trumpet duo The Polka Doubts, performing everything from world tunes to classic pop.
📍 Alex Trevallion Plaza, Marrickville / Saturday 20 September 2025 / 11am – 1pm

🔥 Twenty O’ Nine Fest 2025
Celebrate South American culture with Gaucho BBQ, live music, cultural dance, kids’ activities and authentic flavours from across Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.
📍 Fraser Park, Marrickville / Sunday 21 September 2025 / 11am – 6pm

🧘 Yoga and Pastries Pop-up
Start the day with a playful 45-minute yoga flow, then enjoy coffee, homemade pastries and a chat.
📍 ONA Coffee Sydney, Marrickville / Sunday 21 September 2025 / 9:30am – 11:30am

🏉 AFLW: Sydney Swans v GWS
Enjoy a family-friendly afternoon of footy, festival vibes and fierce rivalry as the Swans take on the Giants in Round 6 of AFLW.
📍 Henson Park, Marrickville / Sunday 21 September 2025 / 12pm – 4pm ♿️

🐦 Our Godwits are Returning: Let the Bird Count Begin!
Join BirdLife Australia to welcome back migratory Bar-tailed Godwits, take part in a bird count, and contribute to global conservation science.
📍 Bayview Park, Concord / Sunday 21 September 2025 / 9am – 12pm

🧹 Spring Clean for the Godwits at Bayview Park
Join a community clean-up to prepare the foreshore for returning Bar-tailed Godwits, with BirdLife Australia on site plus cleaning materials and a complimentary sausage sizzle provided.
📍 Bayview Park, Concord / Sunday 21 September 2025 / 9am – 12pm

👕 Redfern Kids Clothing Swap
Swap or donate baby, kids (0–12) and maternity clothes, or just come for community vibes, a cuppa and a chat. Venue open 2–5pm, swap 3–4pm. Hosted by Parents for Climate Inner West.
📍 Ron Williams Community Centre, Redfern / Sunday 21 September 2025 / 3pm – 4pm

🌸 Still Life Flower Painting (ages 14+)
Unwind with a beginner-friendly acrylic painting session exploring colour, flow and simple design, and leave with your own finished artwork.
📍 Marrickville Library and Pavilion / Sunday 21 September 2025 / 3pm – 5pm ♿️

🕺 Beat Breakdown
Sydney's top dancers compete in an open competition, showcasing various dance styles each week. Experience incredible hip-hop, locking, voguing and more with DJs, MCs, and hosts.
📍 Palm Grove Forecourt, Darling Harbour / Thursday 25 September 2025 / 6pm – 9pm

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

🍺 GOAT Oktoberfest
Celebrate Oktoberfest with flowing steins, sizzling sausages, Bavarian tunes and games all weekend long at the GOAT brewery. Dress in Oktoberfest style for a chance to score a free pint.
📍 GOAT Brewery / Friday 19 to Sunday 21 September 2025

🍻 Hopsters Brewery Enmore | Monday to Friday | 4pm – 6pm | Schooners for middy prices – see venue for terms and conditions.

🍻 Kicks Brewing Marrickville | Friday | 2pm – 5pm | $5 lager middies and $10 wines – see venue for terms and conditions.

🍻 Willie the Boatman St Peters | Thursday to Friday | 2 for 1 paddles and $5 pale ale cans (*weekends only) – see venue for terms and conditions.

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