• Inner West Guide
  • Posts
  • 👻 Your Inner West Weekend: Norton St Festa & Spooky Fun 🎃

👻 Your Inner West Weekend: Norton St Festa & Spooky Fun 🎃

Your insiders guide to local events and gigs

Author

Jess Thorning
October 25, 2024

Good morning, Inner Westies. The Inner West comes alive this weekend with the vibrant Norton Street Italian Festa, cutting-edge performances at Liveworks Festival, and an array of Halloween celebrations across our neighbourhoods. Whether you're craving authentic Italian cuisine, experimental art, or some spooky fun, there's something for everyone.

In today’s Inner West Guide:

  • Halloween Celebration Ideas 🎃 🪦 

  • What’s Happening This Weekend 🪩 🎶 

  • Gig Guide 🎸 🎵 

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 and specials can change.

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

— Jess Thorning

@Innerwestguide

😎 Don’t forget to tag @innerwestguide to get your photos in the Guide! 👀 

Keep Kids Busy Guide 🧒 👶 

🎃 Halloween Edition 🎃 

☠️ The Nicho Halloween Festival 2024 @ Balmain East: The 35th Nicholson Street Halloween Festival returns with live music, magical activities, inflatables and a special Wizarding World zone. | Saturday 26 October | 1 PM to 6 PM | Nicholson Street Public School, Balmain East

👻 Little Park of Horrors @ Callan Park: Get tickets for an Australian twist on some good old-fashioned Halloween fun at Little Park of Horrors in Callan Park. Children will enjoy trick-or-treating and dive into the world of Australian monsters. Suitable for kids aged 4 to 10 years. Adult participation is required. | Sunday 27 October | 9 AM to 4 PM | Callan Park

👿 Halloween on Renwick Street @ Drummoyne: Join the Halloween festivities on Renwick Street, Drummoyne with trick-or-treating, music, jumping castle, face painting and sausage sizzle, supported by City of Canada Bay. | Thursday 31 October | 4 PM to 8 PM | Renwick St, Drummoyne

🍬 Halloween Festival @ Concord: Join the Halloween Festival featuring trick-or-treating, entertainment, games and a new Sensory Space. The event promises family fun with face painting, live music and roving performers, while ensuring an inclusive environment for all attendees. | Thursday 31 October | 5 PM to 9 PM | Majors Bay Road, Concord

💀 After School - Halloween Slime @ St Peters Library: Join the Master of Slime as he guides you through the slime making process to create the perfect Halloween slime. Suitable for ages 8 to 12. Bookings essential. | Thursday 31 October | 3:45 PM to 5:15 PM | St Peters Library

🎃 Halloween Street Party @ Newtown: A Halloween party for the whole family! Featuring live music from the Cruisin Deuces. Free BBQ, plus drinks and treats, Face painting, pumpkin carving, costume competition for people and pets, plus more SPOOKY activities! | Thursday 31 October | 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM | Newtown Neighbourhood Centre

For those not interested in Halloween things…

🧘 Mums and Bubs Fitness @ Glebe: A free community fitness program, for parents and babies 0 to 18 months. This is a social, 25 minute class for new parents to help improve strength and wellbeing. All parents and carers are welcome. | Thursday October 26 | 10:20 AM - babies under 6 months, 11 AM - babies 6 to 18 months | St Helen's Community Centre, Glebe

🎨 Creative Drop-In Sessions @ Studio Bloop Rozelle: Drop into Studio Bloop on Darling Street, Rozelle (opposite the IGA). Between 10 AM and 3 PM Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Paint a plaster, make a mask, create a sculpture with air drying slime or make a necklace or bracelet with our awesome bead collection! Suits all ages. | Tuesday October 29 | 10 AM to 3 PM | Studio Bloop

🎲 Tabletop Games for Youth: Explore thrilling quests and epic battles with games like Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, and more! Suitable for ages 13 to 18. Runs during school term. Reserve your spot here. Saturday 26 October 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM - Leichhardt Library

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Weekend Preview 😎

All Weekend

💕 The Makers and Shakers Market @ White Bay Cruise Terminal: Explore 130+ Australian-made stalls showcasing the best in homewares, sustainable fashion, tasty food, and creative workshops. Free all-day parking. | Saturday & Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM - White Bay Cruise Terminal, Rozelle

🎨 GAS SYD presents GUERRILLA: The seventh group art exhibition showcasing 24 independent and emerging artists who work across various mediums - from paintings and collages to tufted works and sculptural pieces using found objects. | 10 AM to 7 PM - Studio 551 Newtown

🎭️ Liveworks Festival 2024 @ Carriageworks: Performance Space's 41st Liveworks Festival at Carriageworks (23 to 27 October) features diverse artists exploring themes of care, identity and social change through experimental performances. | Time not specified - Carriageworks Eveleigh

Friday

🏳️‍🌈 Trans and Gender Diverse Swim Night @ Marrickville: Inner West Council invites the trans and gender diverse community, along with their friends and allies, to enjoy exclusive use of our Aquatic facilities in a safe and welcoming environment. The free event features aqua aerobics classes, DJ entertainment, inflatable activities, refreshments, and a quiet sensory space in the creche. | 7 PM to 10 PM - Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre, Marrickville

🎦 Film Club: Parade: Free monthly film screenings are available during school term, with essential bookings required. Join us for this delightful circus-themed comedy featuring Jacques Tati's masterful live performances blended with surreal, magical moments. | 2 PM - Balmain Library

Saturday

🎃 The Nicho Halloween Festival 2024 @ Balmain East: The 35th Nicholson Street Halloween Festival returns with live music, magical activities, inflatables and a special Wizarding World zone. | 1 PM to 6 PM - Nicholson Street Public School, Balmain East

🌈 Echoes of Pride @ Petersham: Echoes of Pride celebrates a decade of Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir music, featuring anthems and classics that honor the LGBTQIA+ community's journey of love, acceptance and hope. | 4 PM and 8 PM - Petersham Town Hall

🚲️ Renew Your Bike - Free Tune Ups: Would you love to ride your bike but the tyres are flat, the wheel wobbles or the brakes are squeaky? A free bike tune-up can get you back to riding again. Undertaken by the Bower, their team check your bike is safe and comfortable. Bookings essential, for Inner West Council residents. | 10 AM to 2 PM - Inner West Sustainability Hub, Summer Hill

🫖 Urasenke Sydney annual chakai: Experience the world of tea. Tea demonstrations and matcha workshops with Japanese sweets. Enjoy bento boxes and shop traditional teas, sweets and kimono goods. Tickets selling fast. | Time not specified - Glebe Town Hall

Sunday

🇮🇹 Norton Street Italian Festa: Festa returns to Leichhardt with free entry, featuring carnival rides, animal farms, entertainment, cooking demos by Italian chefs and Nonnas, and street performers. Hundreds of stallholders will showcase the finest Italian food and coffee, alongside family activities including jumping castles, face painting, and pony rides. | 10 AM to 5 PM - Norton Street Leichhardt

🐾 Paws & Recover Fundraiser @ Marrickville: Support Paws & Recover's emergency pet respite care program with live performances by The Villebillies, The Smoking Ruins, and The Fukers at Marrickville Bowling Club, with entry by donation. | 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM - Marrickville Bowling Club

🌲 Care for our Balmain bushland: Community members, with and without experience, are welcome to join in weeding and other tasks. Group meets each 3rd and 4th Sunday of the month. | 9 AM to 12:30 PM - Balmain Bushcare

🚵 Women's guided ride - Glebe to Darling Harbour Loop: Starting at Glebe Foreshore, this women's guided bike ride explores shared paths and city bikeways from Anzac Bridge to Darling Harbour, showcasing Sydney's vibrant scenery. Led by Pedal Set Go for the City of Sydney. | 9 AM to 11 AM - Glebe Foreshore - Glebe Point Road

Fancy Some Theatre? 🎭️ Or Comedy? 🤣 

Liveworks Festival 2024

Art Exhibitions 🖼️ 

Cheap Eats 🍔 

🍜 Spice Alley Chippendale: Every Dish $9 to celebrate Spice Alley’s 9th anniversary | 3 PM to 5 PM each day (offer extended until 31 October) | Dine-in only. See venue for details.

🍔 The Gladstone Hotel Dulwich Hill: $18 pub classics | All day, every day during kitchen open hours | See venue for details.

🍰 Lunas Petersham: 2nd Birthday Celebration - wear red or green and get a free portugese tart + happy hour pricing on drinks all day long | this Saturday & Sunday | 100 tarts a day - see venue for details.

 Kids Eat Free

Happy Hour Heroes 🍻 🍸️ 

  • The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre Marrickville: Monday to Friday | 4 PM to 6 PM | $5.99 schooners on Hawke's core range beers and $2 Dim Sims.

  • The Midnight Special Newtown: Tuesdays 5 PM to 9 PM & Saturdays 3 PM to 5 PM | $15 Classic Cocktails - see venue for details.

  • We Three Marrickville: Wednesday to Friday | 4 PM to 6 PM & Fri 2 PM to 6 PM | $8 House Wine & $8 Schooners Tap Beer.

Gig Guide 🎸 

Friday

  • The Abercrombie Chippendale | Scruz + Isgwan | 10 PM

  • Botany View Hotel Newtown | The Nature Strip + Paul Andrews | 9 PM

  • Butchers Brew Bar Dulwich Hill | Rippled Sun + Jesse Redwing | 9 PM

  • The Chippo Hotel Chippendale | Harroway + Vilify | 9 PM

  • The Duke of Enmore | Avalanche + Loose Surface, Flora | 8 PM

  • Factory Theatre Marrickville | 831 | 8 PM

  • Factory Floor @ The Factory Marrickville | The Rods | 8 PM

  • The Fusebox @ The Factory Marrickville | Postcards From Pluto + Speak To Walls, Witch Doctor | 8:30 PM

  • Goodspace @ The Lord Gladstone Chippendale | Meow Meow and the Smackouts | 8 PM

  • Knox St Bar Chippendale | It's All Love Halloween Party + BigRedCap, DeliPres, Lady P & Zenos, Imagine the Rapper+ Zailya, St.Bedlam, Ace James, Zepha, 506, ShitzuLover07 | 7 PM

  • The Lansdowne Chippendale | Gut Health + Kidskin, G.U.N. | 8 PM

  • Marrickville Bowling Club | Jenna & The Breakdown | 8:30 PM

  • Miss Celie's Ashfield | William Kiss Trio | 7 PM

  • Petersham Bowlo | Ben Salter + Toby Martin [Youth Group], Chloe Alison Escott | 8 PM

  • Pyrmont Bridge Hotel | Finkt | 9 PM

  • Sappho Books, Cafe & Bar Glebe | Boyfriend Material | 8:30 PM

  • The Townie Newtown | Sunstalkersss | 10 PM

  • Trocadero Room Enmore | Good Pash + Allerdyce, The Toothpicks | 8 PM

  • Vic on the Park Marrickville | Have A Good Day + PEPTALK | 10 PM

  • Yulli's Brews Alexandria | Alex Moss + Chet Sound, Stigbar | 8 PM

Saturday

  • The Abercrombie Chippendale | Bryson Hill | 10 PM

  • Bald Rock Hotel Rozelle | Dan Romero Trio | 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM

  • Balmain Bowling Club | Bar Dudes | 5 PM to 8 PM

  • Botany View Hotel Newtown | Cismic + Jilk, Possum Pants | 9 PM

  • Camelot Lounge Marrickville | Kim Salmon | 8 PM

  • Carriageworks Eveleigh | Brolga: A Queer Koori Wonderland | 8 PM

  • The Chippo Hotel Chippendale | Khan + Greyhound, Treebeard, Destronomer | 7:30 PM

  • Church St Studios Camperdown | Tree as One + Aether & Vassallo, Rita Orsini | 9 PM

  • Crowbar Leichhardt | Am I Demon? Halloween Party + Beerwolf, Bloodmouth, Bully Squad, Dropsaw, Greenwood, Hunny, Potion, Rend, Skorn, Thantu Thikha | 5 PM

  • Enmore Theatre | Confidence Man + Loods | 8 PM

  • Factory Theatre Marrickville | Roc Marciano | 8:30 PM

  • Fraser Park (Sydney Portugal Community Club) Marrickville | Dayshift + Multiple Artists | 12 PM

  • Gasoline Pony Marrickville | Winterfox + Brr, Silky Rogers | 7 PM

  • The Gladstone Hotel Dulwich Hill | Wuppertal Ensemble | 8:30 PM

  • Golden Barley Hotel Enmore | Sky XMS + Drugs In Sport | 9 PM

  • Greenhouse Studios Petersham | Lora Keet | 7 PM

  • Haymarket Creative | 2nd Iranian Music Festival | 7 PM to 9:30 PM

  • The Lansdowne Chippendale | Noah Dillon | 7 PM

  • Marrickville Bowling Club | Spook & Destroy + Serial Pest, DOLLS, Punish, Scum Fu, Backhand, Boudicca, Lady Lazarus | 6:30 PM

  • The Midnight Special Newtown | Lorry | 5 PM

  • Miss Celie's Ashfield | Steve Brien Trio | 4 PM

  • Miss Celie's Ashfield | The Mighty Bullfrog | 7 PM

  • MoshPit Bar Erskineville | Lojetz + Rubber Necker, Melvic Centre | 3 PM

  • Petersham Town Hall | Echoes of Pride | Time not specified

  • Pyrmont Bridge Hotel | Johnny G Trio | 5 PM

  • Pyrmont Bridge Hotel | French Deception | 9 PM

  • Secret Marrickville Location | Excommunicated + Society Of Cutting Up Men, Sonnet And The Breadboys, Monstahouse, Sacred | 5 PM

  • Seymour Centre Chippendale | Musical Duo IBID + Mark Cauvin | 7 PM

  • The Townie Newtown | Hedy Blaazer + Sunset Place | 10:30 PM

  • Waywards @ The Bank Hotel Newtown | Spinning Cupids + Ah Honey, Harper, Fever Pitch | 8 PM

Sunday

Thank You!

Thanks for reading. Please feel free to reply with any feedback.

Reminder: 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 and specials can change.

Have a fun weekend!

Jess

What do you think of this week's edition?

Tap below to let me know.

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

© 2025 Inner West Guide.

Privacy Policy

Terms of Use

Powered by beehiiv