Good morning, Inner Westies.

From Lunar New Year celebrations and Mardi Gras markets to Shamfest at the PBC and a brand new tap room in Marrickville, we've got your weekend covered.

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.

A 13.8-kilometre walking and cycling path will link Bankstown to the Inner West's GreenWay when the Southwest Metro opens. The "MetroWay" runs parallel to the metro line through Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Campsie and Bankstown.

At Dulwich Hill, the MetroWay intersects with the 6-kilometre GreenWay, creating a direct active transport corridor from Bankstown through to Iron Cove.

A new 1,200sqm Dulwich Hill station plaza opened this week, linking metro, light rail and bus services.

👉 Read more

The Australian Contingent Hotel hasn't served a beer since 1890, but it's found new life as a four-bedroom luxury residence. Original hand-cut sandstone walls and soaring cathedral ceilings anchor the space, while a 3-metre Calacatta Vagli marble island dominates the kitchen (Sub-Zero fridge, Falcon dual-fuel stove). American Oak joinery runs throughout; there's a 1000-bottle cedar wine cellar with a tasting room, underfloor heating in the bathrooms, and a private courtyard off the master suite. The garage has been converted with terrazzo flooring, and smart-home tech handles the rest.

If you've been following along, you know I can't resist a spiral staircase. This one's no exception.

📍 4 bed / 3 bath / 1 car
👉 Listed with BresicWhitney

One of NSW’s largest build-to-rent projects has been approved, with The Living Company set to deliver 1,166 rental homes at Marrickville Timberyards. The $1.5 billion, 2.2-hectare site on Sydenham and Victoria roads will include seven buildings up to 14 storeys, 115 affordable homes, co-living apartments, retail space and more than 10,000sqm of landscaped open space.

Construction commences in March, with first residents expected in late 2028.

🌱 Kids DIY – Make a Magic Garden
Kids can design their own magical garden in this creative in-store workshop and collect a stamp in their Kids DIY Passport when completed.
📆 Sat 21 Feb & Sun 22 Feb
📍 Bunnings Ashfield / 11am – 1pm
📍 Bunnings Rozelle / 11am – 12pm & 12pm – 1pm

🐴 Lunar Toy Pony Ride
Kids can enjoy a complimentary toy pony ride with a qualifying spend at participating retailers during the Lunar New Year festivities at Darling Square.
📆 Sat 21 Feb & Sun 22 Feb / 3pm – 7pm
📍 Darling Square, Haymarket

🧸 Burwood Council Mobile Playvan
A mobile playvan that visits four local parks each week and offers a safe and welcoming space for children and their parents/guardians to connect, play, and make new friends. No bookings required. Does not operate during school holidays and wet weather.
📍 Mondays | Woodstock Park, Burwood | 10am – 12pm
📍 Tuesdays | Wangal Park, Croydon | 10am – 12pm
📍 Wednesdays | Henley Park, Enfield | 10am – 12pm
📍 Thursdays | Burwood Park, Burwood | 10am – 12pm

📚 Rainbow Families Storytime (ages 3 to 5)
Inclusive storytime with songs and stories celebrating all kinds of families for young children and carers.
📅 Mon 23 Feb / 10:30am – 11am
📍 Ashfield Library ♿️

🏮 Lunar New Year: Vietnamese - English Bilingual Storytime (ages 3 to 5)
Enjoy a bilingual storytime with songs and rhymes celebrating Lunar New Year.
📅 Wed 25 Feb / 10:30am – 11am
📍 Marrickville Library and Pavilion ♿️

🐉 After School: Mythological Dragons Puppet Parade! (ages 5 to 7)
Children create dragon puppets and enjoy a playful parade inspired by global dragon myths.
📅 Wed 25 Feb / 4pm – 5pm
📍 Leichhardt Library ♿️

🔬 Kids STEAM Club (ages 9–12)
A free monthly session where kids explore coding, robotics and creative arts through hands-on STEAM activities designed to spark curiosity and build skills.
📆 Thu 26 Feb 2026 / 3:30pm – 4:45pm
📍 Burwood Library and Community Hub

🐉 The Joyful Lunar New Year – Yuan Xiao Celebration 2026 (ages 3–10)
A Cook Play Learn family experience with rainbow tang yuan making, Yu Sheng tossing, Chap Goh Meh games, crafts, goodie bags and lucky draw prizes celebrating Yuan Xiao traditions. Family event. 💰 Kids $35, accompanying adults at no cost.
📆 Sun 1 Mar 2026 / 2pm – 4pm
📍 Wests Tigers Centre of Excellence, Concord

🧒 The Lady Hampshire Camperdown | Sunday | All day | Kids eat free with purchase of a main meal (kids menu only, valid for children 12 and under) – see venue for terms & conditions.

🌙 Twilight Community Day @ The Fish Market
Discovery and architecture tours (book ahead), a 6pm roving lion dance and retailer blessing, fishing line & bish string workshop, kids colouring activity and face painting, plus a lemonade and gelato stand from 4pm with the first 200 kids cups free.
📆 Fri 20 Feb / 4pm – 8pm
📍 Sydney Fish Market

🎵 Twilight Garden Party in the Chinese Garden of Friendship
A twilight celebration with live music, cultural performances, traditional games, and drinks and snacks.
📅 Fri 20 Feb / 5pm – 9pm
📍 Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour

🎬 Foreshore Flicks – Cabarita Park
Come down to Cabarita Park to catch a free screening of the movie The Bad Guys 2 (PG).
📅 Fri 20 Feb / 5:30pm – 9pm
📍 Cabarita Park

🌈 Mardi Gras Themed Group Fitness Classes
Join a Belly Dancing class celebrating inclusivity and community spirit with Mardi Gras flair.
📅 Fri 20 Feb / 5:30pm – 6:25pm
📍 Ashfield Aquatic Centre

🏉 Wests Tigers Pre-Season Challenge
Catch a huge NRL double header as the Dolphins face the Warriors before the Wests Tigers take on the Panthers under lights at Leichhardt Oval.
📆 Fri 20 Feb 2026 / 6pm
📍 Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield

🦁 Lion Dances @ Darling Harbour
Catch traditional lion dance performances bringing good luck and fortune as part of Darling Harbour’s Lunar New Year celebrations.
📆 Sat 21 Feb & Sun 22 Feb / 10:30am – 11:30am
📍 Palm Grove, Darling Harbour

🎭 Lunar New Year Community Performances
Enjoy a family-friendly program of lion dances and vibrant cultural performances by local community groups celebrating the Lunar New Year.
📆 Sat 21 Feb & Sun 22 Feb / 10:30am – 11:30am
📍 Palm Grove, Darling Harbour

🎸 Sham Fest 2026 @ the PBC
A free two-day music festival with Inner West bands, live closed captioning, line dancing, lawn bowls and sculptures by the pbc, and raising funds for The PBC’s much-needed access ramp.
📆 Sat 21 Feb, 1pm – 9pm & Sun 22 Feb 12pm – 8pm
📍 The PBC, Petersham

🏰 The Big Bounce Australia
The world’s biggest jumping castle event brings three-hour sessions packed with giant custom-built inflatables, obstacle courses, sports arenas and adventure zones for all ages.
📆 Sat 21, Sun 22, Sat 28 Feb & Sun 1 Mar
📍 Sydney Olympic Park

🌈 SDH & Friends Laneway Market
An all-ages, alcohol free laneway market featuring over 30 trans, gender diverse and queer stallholders showcasing art, craft, crochet, jewellery, pins, zines, clothes and more as part of the Sydney Mardi Gras program.
📆 Sat 21 Feb 2026 / 10am – 4pm
📍 Petersham St Plaza & Quinn Playground Park

🌈 Mardi Gras Themed Group Fitness Classes
Join this Aqua Zumba "Rainbow Splash" class celebrating inclusivity and community spirit with Mardi Gras flair.
📅 Sat 21 Feb / 10:15am
📍 Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre, Marrickville

🌭 Community BBQ: Help Reopen the Glebe Island Bridge
Join a free BBQ picnic and community action, hosted by Kobi Shetty, Member for Balmain, calling on the NSW Government to reopen the Glebe Island Bridge and restore a vital walking and cycling link between Rozelle and Pyrmont.
📆 Sat 21 Feb / 11am
📍 Waterfront Park, Pyrmont

🏳️‍🌈 Flying Bats Football Club Stall – Queer Chinese New Year Celebration
Visit the Flying Bats Football Club community stall to learn about their not-for-profit LGBTQIA+ women's and non-binary football club, upcoming social events, and how to get involved.
📆 Sat 21 Feb 2026 / 12:30pm – 5:30pm
📍 Ashfield Town Hall

🎶 In Your Hood Free Music Event
2SER’s all-ages community radio live music event returns with performances by Toby Martin, Malaika Mfalme, Moussa Diakite, and Julia Why?, plus Departure Lounge DJs.
📆 Sat 21 Feb / 1pm – 6pm
📍 Mort Bay Park, Birchgrove

📚 Inner West Book Social: First Catch Up
Join the first Inner West Book Social meet-up to discuss Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney and connect with fellow local readers.
📆 Sat 21 Feb / 2pm
📍 Poor Toms Oltra, Marrickville

🐴 Lunar New Year Festival on Kensington Street
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with lion dances, red envelope giveaways, live music, fortune telling, palm reading and kids' face painting at this family-friendly street festival.
📆 Sat 21 Feb / 2pm – 7pm
📍 Kensington Street, Chippendale

🎨 Portrait Exchange Pop-Up
Portrait Exchange is a DIY social drawing space where you can draw a friend or stranger and exchange portraits, with all materials provided and the freedom to weave in and out.
📆 Sat 21 Feb / 2pm – 5pm
📍 Slipway, Marrickville

🏮 Lunar New Year Pride Temple Fair
A festival and market celebrating Lunar New Year through an LGBTQIA+ Chinese lens with performances and crafts.
📅 Sat 21 Feb / 2:30pm – 5:30pm
📍 Ashfield Town Hall ♿️

🚀 Lunar New Year Jet Pack Shows
Watch Lunar New Year-themed jet pack performers soar above Cockle Bay in an aerial display, with the evening show finishing with a fireworks finale.
📆 Sat 21 Feb / 4pm & 8:45pm
📍 Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour

🎶 Sinsura at Pepito's Courtyard
A day-to-night dance floor in Pepito’s courtyard featuring King Kudzi b2b Wahala, Bebecito, Maz, Kimani and Fabz with a zero tolerance policy for racism, sexism, transphobia or harassment.
📆 Sat 21 Feb / 5pm – 11pm
📍 Pepito's Courtyard, Marrickville

📚 Spoonfest – Queer & Disabled Zine Fair
A queer and disabled zine fair featuring over 20 stalls plus quiet and social spaces, zine making areas and supplies, planned by trans and autistic community members.
📆 Sun 22 Feb 2026 / 10am – 3pm
📍 Erskineville Town Hall ♿️

🚶‍♂️ Walk the Bay Run
Join a relaxed 7km group walk starting at King George Park and finishing with coffee or snacks at Nield Park Pavilion, with the option to complete the full loop or peel off early.
📆 Sun 22 Feb / 10am
📍 King George Park, Rozelle

🎉 Family Fun Day
Enjoy a family day out featuring a reptile zoo, face painting, a jumping castle, slushies, popcorn, pool access, and free parking.
📆 Sun 22 Feb / 11am – 2pm
📍 Rydges Camperdown

🀄 Lunar New Year: Mahjong Meetup
A friendly Mahjong game session welcoming all skill levels during Lunar New Year celebrations.
📅 Sun 22 Feb / 11am – 1pm
📍 Ashfield Library ♿️

🏃 Mardi Gras Themed Group Fitness Classes
Join vibrant group fitness classes celebrating inclusivity and community spirit with Mardi Gras flair. Bookings essential!
📅 Tues 24, Wed 25 & Fri 27 Feb / Various times
📍 Inner West Council's Aquatic Centres

🧵 Stitch & Social: Mending Meetup
Join Circular Economy Club Sydney and Reverse Garbage for a hand-sewing mini-workshop with time to connect, share skills, and repair your well-loved clothes.
📆 Tue 24 Feb / 5:30pm – 8pm
📍 Reverse Garbage NSW, Marrickville

🤝 Inner West Business Speed-Networking Night
Join local business owners for an evening of B2B speed networking, structured pitches, team activities, catering and a drink on arrival at 852 Hong Kong Restaurant.
📆 Wed 25 Feb / 6pm – 9pm
📍 852 Hong Kong Restaurant, Newtown

🏉 Sydney Swans v GWS Giants
Watch the Swans take on the Giants in a pre-season AAMI Community Series clash at Henson Park.
📆 Thu 26 Feb / 4:10pm
📍 Henson Park, Marrickville

💃 Sissy Ball: The Warm Up (ages 15+)
The Southern Hemisphere’s biggest vogue ball returns for a high-energy night of ballroom battles, drama and celebration under the regency of Mother Kianna Louboutin Oricci as part of Sydney Mardi Gras.
📆 Fri 27 Feb 2026 / 5:30pm – 10:30pm
📍 Marrickville Town Hall

🇬🇷 Greek Festival of Sydney
Celebrate Greek Australian culture with a full day of live music, traditional dance, authentic food, family activities and vibrant market stalls at Darling Harbour.
📆 Sun 1 Mar / 10am – 10pm
📍 Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour

🚢 Cockatoo Island Tour, Tea and Cruise for Seniors
Join the Harbour Trust and Naval Historical Society of Australia for a guided Shipyard Tales walking tour, for people aged 60+, followed by morning tea and a one-hour cruise around Cockatoo, Spectacle and Snapper Islands with historical commentary. 💰 $80.
📆 Tue 10 Mar / 9:30am – 11:45am
📍 Visitor Centre, Cockatoo Island

🥪 Nest Sydney Opens in Newtown

Nest Sydney has officially opened its doors in Newtown, kicking off daytime trade earlier this week. The new chapter honours the much-loved café roots of the space (formerly Rolling Penny), now serving a revised deli-style sandwich menu with house-made condiments, plus the option to take home whatever’s on the menu. They’re licensed too! Night-time offerings are in the works.

📍 Nest Sydney, 583A King St, Newtown / Wed to Sat / 7am – 2pm (until sold out)
👉 Check out their Instagram here

🇲🇽 Mexican Sunday A Rosa Cienfugos Pop-Up

La Tamalería is bringing the sazón of Mexico to Marrickville with a Sunday pop-up curated by Rosa Cienfuegos. There will be tamales, tacos (al pastor, chorizo, suadero) and tlacoyos, plus a $25 comida corrida with sopa de fideo, rice and beans, choice of chile relleno or chicharrón in salsa verde, and agua de sabor. Live boleros and folkloric rhythms from Olive & Justo Díaz set the soundtrack from midday.

📆 Sun 22 Feb / 12pm – 4pm
📍 Hut 47/142 Addison Road, Marrickville

🎉 Camy’s Tramsheds Turns One

Camy’s Chargrill Chicken is celebrating one year at Tramsheds with a full day of specials. On Sunday 22 February, score $5 Camy’s Special Burgers and $5 quarter chicken with chips, plus a DJ spinning all day, face painting and free samples. See venue for terms and conditions.

📆 Sun 22 Feb / 11am – 9pm
📍 Camy’s Chargrill Chicken, Tramsheds

🍝 Dinner With Nonna @ Messinaville

For one night only, Gelato Messina is opening the doors to its Messinaville factory for a family-style Sicilian feast cooked by Nonna Carla, the brand’s Chief Executive Nonna. There will be antipasto, pistachio pesto penne, veal involtini grilled over coals, pork and fennel sausage, caponata, and a lineup of classic desserts, including cannoli, tiramisù, and hazelnut zuccotto. Drinks are included: wines, spritz on arrival, and non-alcoholic option, plus a swag bag to take home. 💰 Tickets $200 +BF

📆 Sat 7 Mar / 6pm
📍 Messinaville, Marrickville

🍺 Heaps Normal Opens Tap Room in Marrickville

Heaps Normal has opened a tap room in Marrickville near Factory Theatre, a 10-minute walk from Sydenham station. Heaps Normal Health Club pours the brand's non-alc Draught alongside no, low, mid and full-strength drinks, with rotating food.

The space doubles as a cultural venue programming live music, art, screenings and talks. Dogs on leads and kids with guardians are welcome. This Friday, at their Healthy Hour vinyl party from 5 – 10pm, Half Normals will be half-price all night (see venue for terms and conditions).

📍 Heaps Normal Health Club / 2/10 Brompton Street, Marrickville, NSW 2204

🎉 Otis 3rd Birthday Bash

Celebrate three years of Otis in Leichhardt with DJs spinning all night and drink specials including $10 pints and $15 cocktails.

📆 Sat 21 Feb / 5pm – 11pm
📍 Otis, Leichhardt

🍸 Urban Cocktail Trail

Explore Newtown and Erskineville on a self-guided cocktail trail with signature drinks at handpicked bars, plus a food voucher to kick off your afternoon.

📆 Sat 21 Mar / 1pm – 5pm
📍 Multiple Venues, Newtown + Erskineville

🍷 Rosé, All Day

Wander Chippendale at your own pace with tasting vouchers, a keepsake glass and food credit as local venues host winemakers pouring their finest rosé for an elegant autumn afternoon.

📆 Sat 28 Mar / 12pm – 4pm
📍 Chippendale, Sydney

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

Callan Park Tidal Baths Approved, Opening Set for Summer 2026–27

The Callan Park Tidal Baths have received final planning approval and will open in summer 2026–27. The Inner West Local Planning Panel approved the project in December 2025, with construction starting in June.

Jointly funded by the NSW Government and the Inner West Council, the swim spot will feature an accessible pathway and ramp, a fixed jetty, a pontoon, and a shark net. Mayor Darcy Byrne says it will be a major addition to the Bay Run and a step forward in rehabilitating the Parramatta River.
👉 Read more

White’s Creek Valley Skatepark Upgrade

Inner West Council has announced surface improvements for White’s Creek Valley Skatepark, with Mayor Darcy Byrne and Cr Kerry Ferguson saying the works will keep the facility in good condition for local young people. The upgrade follows recent investments in the Leichhardt, Sydenham Green, and Jack Shanahan skateparks.
👉 Find out more