Your guide to the best of the Inner West from 21 to 23 August

Good morning, Inner Westies.

Cat people and dog people both get their own festival at Olympic Park this weekend, the Jet’s last home game of the season is on Saturday, and Frites Atelier is here for four days only. Plus, we tried Sangcuary’s oxtail dip sandwich,

Grab your morning coffee and let’s 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.

Four bedrooms on a 215sqm corner block, with a garden on the roof looking north to the Parramatta River. The original terrace is still there, with a new floor added underneath for a family room off the garden. There's a refrigerated cellar, and a mud room inside the aged brass front door. Outside, a plunge pool and solar panels. There's no parking, though there's scope to add it (STCA). Balmain West ferry is a five-minute walk. It goes to auction on 19 September, guide $5.5 million.

📍 4 bed / 3 bath / 215sqm approx.
👉 Listed with BresicWhitney

Sangcuary is the new sandwich shop on Parramatta Road, from the owners of Pantry Story bakery next door. The one to order is the oxtail dip, $19, which arrives with the Indonesian oxtail soup, for dunking as you go. Inside, oxtail and roast beef sit under melted provolone with fried shallot and caramelised onion, on Pantry Story focaccia. A 10 out of 10, and so is the truffle honey hammy hammy. We went after the post lunch rush on a Wednesday and were served straight away. Save room for Pantry Story afterwards, where the chocolate chip cookie is my all time fave.

📆 Wednesday to Sunday, 8am – 3pm
📍 Sangcuary, 334 Parramatta Rd, Stanmore
👉 Check out their Instagram

🎶 Lullaby Club (ages 0–1)
A relaxed singing circle for parents and babies led by singer-songwriter Angie Who.
📆 Fri 21 Aug / 11am – 12:30pm
📍 St John's Anglican Church Glebe

🎭 After-School Drama (ages 12–17)
Teens try character work, scene-building, movement and performance skills in a one-hour drama taster.
📆 Fri 21 Aug / 3:45pm – 4:45pm
📍 The Place, Lewisham

🧪 Science Week: Maker Time for Families (ages 8–12)
Families tackle hands-on Science Week maker activities in an intergenerational workshop.
📆 Sat 22 Aug / 10:30am – 12:30pm
📍 Darling Square Library, Haymarket

💻 CAD (Computer Aided Design) Youth Workshop (ages 14–18)
Teens learn 3D design basics in Fusion 360, from sketching to simple digital models.
📆 Sun 23 Aug / 11:30am – 1:30pm
📍 Marrickville Library and Pavilion

🎯 The Side Quest Society (ages 12–18)
Teens meet for role-playing, games and collaborative storytelling.
📆 Tue 25 Aug / 4:40pm – 5:40pm
📍 Little Big House, Marrickville

🖼 Get Crafty: Mixed Media Wire Sculpture (ages 5–12)
Children make mixed-media wire sculptures using beads, wire and recycled materials.
📆 Wed 26 Aug / 9am – 5:30pm
📍 Marrickville Metro

🎨 Art Therapy Workshop for Neurodivergent Young People (ages 13–18)
Neurodivergent teens use art-making and sensory exploration to express ideas and emotions.
📆 Wed 26 Aug / 3pm – 5pm
📍 Glebe Town Hall

🎭 Youth Improv Workshops (ages 12–17)
Teens build confidence through improv games, scene work and performance exercises.
📆 Thu 27 Aug / 3pm – 5pm
📍 Improv Theatre Sydney, Alexandria

📚 CBCA Children’s Book Week 2026 (ages 5–12)
Children celebrate Book Week with stories, music and creative activities inspired by this year's theme.
📆 Thu 27 Aug / 03:15pm – 04:30pm
📍 Burwood Library and Community Hub

🏳️‍🌈 Wear It Purple Day Craft Session (all ages)
Families make purple-themed craft in a library session celebrating LGBTQIA+ youth.
📆 Thu 27 Aug / 4pm – 6pm
📍 Newtown Library

KIDS EAT FREE

Don’t forget we have our Kids Eat Free Guide. 35+ places across the Inner West where kids eat free.
Get the Guide →

ALL WEEKEND

🎤 Festival of Dangerous Ideas
Ten-day festival of talks, films, workshops, art and excursions exploring politics, culture, technology and ethics.
📆 Thu 20 Aug – Sun 30 Aug / Various times
📍 Carriageworks, Eveleigh and other Sydney venues

🥕 The Little Food Market
Food and drink producers present tastings, demonstrations and pantry goods across a three-day market.
📆 Fri 21 Aug – Sun 23 Aug
📍 Carriageworks, Eveleigh

🐱 Cat Lovers Festival Sydney
A large indoor festival brings cat breed showcases, exhibitors and talks together for pet owners.
📆 Sat 22 Aug – Sun 23 Aug / 9:30am – 5pm
📍 Sydney Showground Hall 5, Sydney Olympic Park

🐶 Dog Lovers Festival Sydney
A large indoor festival brings breed showcases, dog-focused exhibitors and demonstrations together for pet owners.
📆 Sat 22 Aug – Sun 23 Aug / 9:30am – 5pm
📍 The Dome, Sydney Olympic Park

🌱 The Garden Immersive Art Shop
Hands-on Marrickville warehouse installation with a garden-themed art shop.
📆 Fri 31 Jul – Sun 30 Aug / 10am – 4pm
📍 Voluptuary Ceramics, Marrickville

FRIDAY

🪴 Edible Garden Project
A practical gardening session covering how to plan and start an edible garden.
📆 Fri 21 Aug / 12:30pm – 3pm
📍 Cliff Noble Community Centre, Alexandria

🏛️ Festival of Dangerous Ideas: Afterlives Interrupted
A museum-based FODI session examining afterlives, memory and cultural collections.
📆 Fri 21 Aug / 2pm – 3pm
📍 Chau Chak Wing Museum, Camperdown

🎤 Voice Gym (65+)
Small-group voice strengthening session for retirees, led by singer and speech pathologist Madeleine Swan.
📆 Fri 21 Aug / 2pm – 3pm
📍 Little BIG House, Summer Hill

🎶 Friday Block Party
Salsa, bachata and Latin DJs take over the market with a free starter class.
📆 Fri 21 Aug / 5pm
📍 Hay St Market, Haymarket'

🎶 Little Music Party x Lazy Thinking Fundraiser
Fundraiser gig for Lazy Thinking’s new home, with Party Dozen, Jack Ladder, Julia Why? and more.
📆 Fri 21 Aug / 5:30pm – 1am
📍 Lazy Thinking, Dulwich Hill

🏳️‍🌈 Bois Night Out: Sydney's Monthly Drag King Show
Drag king performers celebrate gender diversity, creative expression and queer nightlife.
📆 Fri 21 Aug / 7:30pm
📍 The Factory Theatre, Marrickville

SATURDAY

💻 Recycle It Saturday: a Free Recycling Drop-Off Event
Drop off electronics, batteries, textiles and small household items for recycling and reuse.
📆 Sat 22 Aug / 9am – 3pm
📍 Alexandra Canal Depot, Alexandria

📷 In Good Company: Launch Party
A creative industry meet-up for photographers and filmmakers covering work, pitching, burnout and connection.
📆 Sat 22 Aug / 10am – 12pm
📍 Hay St Market, Haymarket

🪃 Indigenous Science Experience at Redfern Community Open Day (ages all ages)
A community open day sharing Indigenous science activities, demonstrations and student-led learning.
📆 Sat 22 Aug / 10am – 3pm
📍 Redfern Community Centre

🗺️ Pyrmont – Architectural Time Capsule Walk
Guided architecture walk through Pyrmont's housing, industrial and design history.
📆 Sat 22 Aug / 10am – 12pm
📍 Union Square, Pyrmont

🌱 Healthy Edible Garden Series: Planning for Spring
Practical gardening workshop on planning an edible spring garden.
📆 Sat 22 Aug / 10am
📍 Inner West Sustainability Hub, Summer Hill

🪄 Event Cinemas: Harry Potter Marathons
Event Cinemas screens the Harry Potter films in a marathon program.
📆 Sat 22 Aug / 10.30am – 9.30pm
📍 Westfield Burwood

🏓 Sidewall Social Launch Party
Launch day with padel, exhibition play, music and refreshments.
📆 Sat 22 Aug / 11am – 3pm
📍 Sidewall Social, Marrickville

🏉 Newtown Jets v North Sydney Bears
The Jets take on the ladder-leading Bears at Henson Park, with the Frank Hyde Shield on the line for Reunion Day and the club’s last home game of the season.
📆 Sat 22 Aug / 3pm – 5pm
📍 Henson Park, Marrickville

🧘 Spinal Energetics Immersion
Two practitioners lead a workshop introducing spinal energetics and body-based wellbeing techniques.
📆 Sat 22 Aug / 4pm – 6pm
📍 Beattie Street Health Studio, Balmain

💃 Deep Soulful Sweats Festival of Dangerous Ideas
A FODI dance session blending conversation, movement and club energy.
📆 Sat 22 Aug / 4:30pm & 8pm
📍 Carriageworks, Eveleigh

🏉 Rabbitohs vs Warriors
NRL Round 25 clash between South Sydney and New Zealand.
📆 Sat 22 Aug / 5:30pm
📍 Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park

SUNDAY

🥕 Marrickville Organic Food Market
Sunday market stalls sell organic produce, prepared food and handmade goods.
📆 Sun 23 Aug / 9am – 4pm
📍 Addison Road Community Centre, Marrickville

💍 Sydney's Annual Wedding Expo
Wedding vendors, suppliers and planners gather for a large bridal showcase and free ticketed expo.
📆 Sun 23 Aug / 10am – 3pm
📍 Sydney Showground Hall 4, Sydney Olympic Park

🪨 1 Day Carving Soapstone Workshop with Karen Alexander
A one-day carving workshop where participants shape and finish a small soapstone sculpture.
📆 Sun 23 Aug / 10am – 4pm
📍 Inner West Sustainability Hub, Summer Hill

🎲 Lunge Club
Women’s social bowls session with gear provided and no experience needed.
📆 Sun 23 Aug / 11:30am
📍 Leichhardt Bowling & Recreation Club, Lilyfield

📓 Travel Journal Workshop: Road Trip Edition
A travel-journal workshop using prompts and a take-home journaling kit.
📆 Sun 23 Aug / 1pm – 3pm
📍 Hay St Market, Haymarket

🥁 Inner West Drum Fest
A full day of drumming performances, boutique makers, gear stalls and community.
📆 Sun 23 Aug / 1:30pm
📍 Crowbar Sydney, Leichhardt

🏺 Ceramics: Beginner Wheel Throwing (ages 16+)
A Sunday afternoon beginner pottery class introducing wheel throwing with clay.
📆 Sun 23 Aug / 1:30pm – 4pm
📍 Pine Street Creative Arts Centre, Chippendale

📿 Jewellery Shorts: Make a Ring and Learn to Silver Solder (ages 16+)
A small beginner class teaching ring-making and silver-soldering techniques.
📆 Sun 23 Aug / 1:30pm – 4pm
📍 Pine Street Creative Arts Centre, Chippendale

📖 Spoken Word and Poetry Open Mic
Poets and spoken-word performers take the mic at an open-mic afternoon.
📆 Sun 23 Aug / 2pm – 5pm
📍 We Three Bar, Marrickville

🎶 Motown and Beyond at the Entertainment Hall
A live Motown, soul and funk tribute concert in the historic Entertainment Hall.
📆 Sun 23 Aug / 3:30pm – 6:30pm
📍 White Bay Power Station, Rozelle

COMING UP

🧺 Flour Mill Nights: Neighbourhood Picnic
Neighbourhood picnic with cultural performances, live music, food stalls and face painting.
📆 Fri 28 Aug / 4pm – 9pm
📍 Flour Mill Precinct, Summer Hill

🧩 Cardcon Mega
Trading card weekend with vendors, buying, selling, trading, pack ripping, slabs, sealed cards and memorabilia.
📆 Sat 29 Aug – Sun 30 Aug / 9am – 4pm
📍 Howie Complex, Sydney Olympic Park

🎨 Inner Child Joy: A Permission Slip for Women to Play
Craft workshop for women centred on play, creativity and connection.
📆 Sat 29 Aug / 2pm – 4pm
📍 The Place, Lewisham

CITY OF CANADA BAY

City of Canada Bay has released the first draft of its Cabarita Park Masterplan, setting out proposed upgrades and improvements for the next 10 years. Locals can review the plans, map their ideas or speak to Council at upcoming drop-in sessions before feedback closes on 13 September.

👉 Have your say

🍟 Frites Atelier Pops Up at Darling Square
Frites Atelier is in Sydney for four days only, serving its Dutch fries by chef Sergio Herman at Darling Square.
📆 Thu 20 to Sun 23 August / 11am – 6pm
📍 35 Tumbalong Bvd, Haymarket

🍷 Good Days Play Cafe Evening Sessions
Good Days Play Cafe has launched Friday and Saturday evening sessions with BYO wine and beer. Kids entry is $8, adults have a $20 minimum spend and under 1s are free.
📆 Fridays 5:30pm – 8:30pm and Saturdays 6pm – 9pm
📍 Good Days Play Cafe, Tempe

🍤 Toby Wilson @ Bar DEMO
Chef Toby Wilson takes over Bar DEMO for one night with nostalgic Aussie classics, cocktails and a DJ set from Rizxa33. Walk-ins only.
📆 Sun 30 Aug / From 4pm
📍 Bar DEMO, Enmore

🥂 Dorothy “Tup” Honeybone Gala
Leichhardt Bowlo members are invited to dress in Bowlo Chic for a free gala night with roaming canapés, a drink on arrival, live music and entertainment, raffles, lucky door prizes and a best dressed competition. RSVP needed.
📆 Thu 27 Aug
📍 Leichhardt Bowlo

HAPPY HOUR HEROES

🍻 The Marly, Newtown | Weekdays, 5pm – 7pm & Friday and Saturday late, 9pm – 11pm | $7 house beers, $7 house wines, $8 house spirits and $12 tap cocktails - see venue for terms and conditions.

🍸 Nacara Balmain | Wednesday to Sunday | 4pm – 6pm | $15 signatures, wines and exclusive snacks – see venue for terms and conditions.

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

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