Good morning, Inner Westies. The iconic Sydney Mardi Gras Parade is on this weekend. While it's not in our neighbourhood, it's worth the trip! Want to stay local? There are plenty of local events happening right here in the Inner West to keep you busy and entertained.

In today’s Inner West 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.

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

— Jess Thorning

The 47th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade is on this weekend. It will feature over 200 floats and 11,000 marchers. Hundreds of thousands are expected to gather along the route to celebrate the 2025 Festival theme "FREE TO BE" in one of the world's largest LGBTQIA+ nighttime parades. Although the parade is not in the Inner West, it’s worth braving the crowds for. If you want to avoid the crowds, there are plenty of watch parties happening in the Inner West.

If you plan to go to the parade here is some helpful info to help you plan ahead.

🛝 Park Picnic @ Hollis Park Playground Newtown
A large neighbourhood playground. Fenced, with shade sails and play equipment for climbing and balancing. This is a smaller park, without BBQ facilities or toilets. However Hollis Park cafe is right across the road for great coffee and food. It’s a 5 minute walk from Macdonaldtown Train Station. Street parking can be challenging at times.

🌟 Minis Glitter & Face Painting @Broadway Shopping Centre
Free, walk-ins only
📍Broadway Shopping Centre / Saturday 1 March / 10am-3pm

🦄 LEGO Unicorns @ Broadway Shopping Centre 
Using colourful LEGO bricks, kids can unleash their creativity to construct a one-of-a-kind unicorn, complete with a shimmering mane and sparkling tail. All participants will take home their LEGO masterpiece. $3 per child. Book ahead.
📍 Broadway Shopping Centre / Saturday 1 March / 2pm-4pm

👷 Kids D.I.Y. Workshop @ Bunnings Rozelle (ages 3 to 12)
Head in-store for a Building-themed Kids D.I.Y. Workshop. This workshop is recommended for kids aged 3-12 years old. Book ahead.
📍 Bunnings Rozelle / Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 March / 11am, 12pm

🎶 Rhythm N Bubs @ Darling Harbour (ages 1 to 5 years)
Join Rhythm n Bubs at Darling Harbour's Playground Lawn for a free weekly music session where children aged 1-5 can explore sound through fun activities led by professional music educators.
📍 Darling Harbour / Wednesdays / 10:30am to 11:15am

🧘 Kids Yoga @ Darling Quarter (ages 2 to 5 years)
Free 30-minute sessions where kids aged 2 to 5 develop body awareness and focus through fun, stretchy activities led by a qualified instructor, with mats provided and parents welcome to join.
📍 Playground Lawn, Darling Quarter / Fridays / 10:30am - 11am & 11:30am - 12pm

🚌 Magic Yellow Bus: The Magic Yellow Bus is a mobile play group for kids aged 0 to 6 years and their families. Check for daily updates as it occasionally has to be cancelled for unforeseen reasons.

🎬 Film Club: Blue Jean @ Balmain Library
This months free film club screening is Blue Jean. Bookings are essential.
📍 Balmain Library / Friday 28th February / 2pm ♿

🎵 Latin Nights by the Bay @ Darling Harbour
Free outdoor Latin dance event every Friday night, featuring the city's best Latin dance schools, top DJs, live music, and a welcoming community atmosphere for dancers of all levels. Complimentary dance lesson at 6:15pm.
📍 Palm Grove (in front of IMAX Sydney), Darling Harbour / Friday 28th February / 6pm-10pm

🏳‍🌈 Mardi Gras Parade Screening
Family fun with kids' arts and crafts from 5pm, followed by the Mardi Gras parade live screening at 7:30pm—bring a picnic rug or low chair and enjoy food from Raza Central, Chillato Gelato, and Mr and Miss Pancakes.
📍 Camperdown Memorial Rest Park / Saturday 1st March / 5pm-11pm ♿

🎨 Artisans in the Park Market @ Glebe
Discover unique, locally handmade gifts at this community market featuring friendly artisans in a beautiful outdoor setting.
📍 Glebe / Saturday 1st March / 1pm-5pm ♿

🚲 Guided Ride: Inner West to Oxford Street Rainbow Ride
Celebrate Mardi Gras on an easy 13km guided bicycle tour by queer-owned Pedal Set Go, connecting iconic LGBTQIA+ neighbourhoods through Sydney's bicycle-friendly streets, rainbow paths and historic landmarks. BYO bike, helmet, refreshments and adventurous spirit. Bookings required.
📍 Pride Square Newtown / Saturday 1st March / 10am-12pm

✏️ Life Drawing @ Darlington
Join the Life Drawing Club every Saturday morning, set in the beautiful space of Peach Black Gallery. Tickets $25. Book in advance.
📍 Darlington / Saturday 1st March / 10am-12pm

📸 Digital Photography Club
The Australian Digital Photographic Associations Digital Photography Club welcomes photographers of all experience levels on the first Saturday of every month, offering guidance and activities for those with their own cameras.
📍 Burwood Park Community Centre / Saturday 1st March / 2pm-4pm

👉️ 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 / Saturday 1st March / 9 AM to 1 PM

🧹 Clean Up Australia Day
Volunteer for Clean Up Australia Day at Rodd Park Rodd Point, Taplin Park Drummoyne or Rhodes Foreshore. All clean up materials will be provided and there will be a free sausage sizzle for all volunteers.
📍 Rodd Park / Sunday 2nd March / 7:30am-11:30am

🚲 Free Bike Tune-ups @ Marrickville Markets
Transport for NSW offers free Sunday bike tune-ups at Marrickville Markets, providing minor adjustments for smoother rides. Bookings essential.
📍 Marrickville Organic Food Markets / Sunday 2nd March / 10am-1pm

🚌 Vintage Bus Rides @ The Sydney Bus Museum
Opens on the first and third Sunday of each month, offering visitors all-day access to vintage bus collections, a World War II exhibition, optional guided tours, and unlimited rides on a vintage double-decker bus between the museum and Town Hall in the CBD. See website for ticket costs.
📍 Leichhardt / Sunday 2nd March / 10am-4pm

🛍 Second Life Markets @ Carriageworks
Offers Sydney's premier selection of vintage goods with over 120 curated stalls, local DJs providing all-day music, and various food trucks and drinks for a complete shopping and social experience. Tickets selling fast.
📍 Eveleigh / Sunday 2nd March / 9:30am-4pm ♿

🍸 Rubyos Cocktail Bar Newtown | Thursday to Saturday | 5pm-7pm | See venue for terms. ♿

🍺 Titus Jones Marrickville | Wednesday to Sunday | 5pm-6pm | $15 Margaritas & $7 Lager Schooners | See venue for terms.

🍷 Casa Esquina Balmain | Friday to Sunday | 3:30pm-5:30pm | 40% off happy hour beverage menu, including cocktails, wines and beers | See venue for terms.

🧒 Henson Park Hotel Marrickville | Friday Arvo 2-4-1 Kids Meals & Shares | Friday | 3pm-6pm | See venue for terms.

👦 Laneway Hotel Pyrmont | Kids Eat Free - adult must purchase a meal, free meal from kids menu only, 12 years and under | Saturday & Sunday | All Day | See venue for terms.

🇮🇹 Raineri’s Deli Five Dock
This old school Italian deli offers authentic Italian deli products, fresh produce, and gourmet specialties in a traditional family-owned atmosphere. A great place for lunch.

🥪 Dom Panino Leichhardt
Dom Panino is a beloved Italian sandwich bar offering authentic panini, rolls, and Italian cafe classics in a casual, welcoming atmosphere. Open for breakfast and lunch

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