😄 Hey Inner Westies, Want to Know What's On? 📩

Your insiders guide to local events and gigs

Good morning, Inner Westies. As we celebrate International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) with inclusive events in the Inner West, there's also plenty of festive fun to discover this weekend. From floating Christmas trees and European markets to a spectacular inclusive concert at ICC featuring Paralympic champions and top Australian artists, we've rounded up a mix of local events that'll get everyone into the holiday spirit.

With IDPwD on Tuesday 3 December, we've started adding mobility access information to our newsletters. When you see ♿️ that venue is mobility accessible. Some other venues may also be accessible, but we've only included the symbol where we could verify this information.

In today’s Inner West Guide:

  • A Round Up of International Day of People with Disability Events ♿️ 🎶

  • Keep Kids Busy Guide 🧒 🛝 

  • Events & Local Gig Guide 🎸 🎵

  • Exhibitions, Theatre, Cheap Eats & Happy Hour Heroes Are Back Again 🧑‍🎨🍔 

Note: Please check to confirm details are accurate with venues, event providers, restaurants and pubs by clicking through to their site. Events are occasionally canceled at the last minute, and specials can change.

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

— Jess Thorning

Local Food & Drink Spotlight

Chuck & Son’s Brewing Co 🍺 

Image courtesy of Chuck & Son’s Brewing Co.

Chuck & Son's Brewing Co created by industry pioneer Chuck Hahn (commonly referred to as the Godfather of Aussie Craft Beer) and his son Scott. The brewpub features a rooftop terrace, food truck, and a curated & refined selection of classic beer. With its cocktail menu, wine options, live entertainment, and family-friendly space, it offers something for everyone. The kids activity corner is over flowing with toys to keep the kids happy and occupied.

Wheelchair friendly, child friendly and dog friendly (on the terrace). Oh, and kids eat free on Thursdays!

Visit their website for more information. ♿️ 

Keep Kids Busy Guide

🛝 Park Picnic @ Harold Park: This colourful adventure playground has climbing structures and traditional play equipment. Sections of the playground are shaded and there are toilets and BBQ facilities. If you are hungry or in need of a coffee then The Tramsheds is just a couple of minutes walk away. There are plenty of options for snacks and lunch, including Supamart. However, Garcon, Gazzi and Butcher and the Farmer are your go-to’s for coffee and lunch. If you want to treat the kids, or yourself, then swing by Gelato Messina. Buses and the Light Rail (Jubilee Park Station) service the area. There is 2 hours parking at the Tramsheds.

🚣 Darling Harbour Pedal Boats: Hop on board and soak up the warmth and joy of Cockle Bay as you pedal on the harbour. Hire a pedal boat for up to two adults and two children and to take in the beauty of our harbour city directly from the water. $45 per 30 minutes, ticket booth located near the marina on the ICC Forecourt. | Until 28 January | Times vary | Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour

🦘Creature @ Carriageworks: This interactive space uses 360-degree projections to transport visitors into Australian habitats, where they can encounter native wildlife like kangaroos and wombats. It offers an engaging way to connect with nature through play and exploration. Suitable for all ages (originally aimed at 4-to-8-year old's and family audiences). This installation runs for 30 mins for a full cycle. | Wednesday to Sunday weekly until 15 December | See website for times | Carriageworks, Eveleigh

  • Free Interactive Displays, Santa Photos, and Kids' Crafts! Immerse yourself in their interactive light forest, where giant peppermint candy canes and oversized sweets create a magical holiday wonderland. Step on special pedals to bring the lights to life! Open daily & FREE.

  • Santa and his elves will be ready for FREE, instant photos at our enchanting Christmas Candyland. No bookings needed –just bring your phone, and the elves will capture the moment for you! Santa available Wednesday to Sunday until 25 December | Times vary | Market City, Haymarket

🗣️ Children's Christmas Concert with the Metropolitan Orchestra: Children will get to sing and dance to some of their favourite Christmas Carols in this magical musical concert plus enjoy a unique walk-through of the orchestra as it performs live. Book now. 2 shows 9:45 AM and 11:30 AM. | Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December | Various times | Petersham Town Hall

🎉 PBC Annual Chrissy Bash: Join the PBC for an afternoon of wet 'n' wild fun on the top green. They'll have a 30ft waterslide for the kids, Santa's stopping by & the outdoor bar running with tunes, delicious brews and eggnog! | Sunday 1 December | 12 PM to 5 PM | Petersham Bowling Club

📆 Book Ahead

🎄 Creative Kids Club: Cardboard Christmas Trees (5 to 12 years): Make a colourful little Christmas tree to bring some cheer into your home! Paint, paste and decorate cardboard cones to create unique Christmas trees that are fun and festive. Parents or carers will need to remain with the child. Book now! | Saturday 7 December | 11:30 AM to 1 PM | Burwood Library and Community Hub

🎅 Wreathmaking for kids (8 years +): Attention bored kids! Come along with your adult and learn how to make a feative flower Christmas wreath. Fun florist Suz from Bold Botanicals will take you step by step with fresh and dried native flowers. Hang your beautiful creation on the door to welcome Santa! Kids aged 8+ welcome accompanied. | Sunday 15 December | 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM | Chippendale

What's Happening - Weekend Preview

All Weekend

🖼️ Craft Fair at The Tramsheds: Choose from beautiful items including wearable textiles, ceramics, decoupage, jewellery, upcycled kimono, and glass. Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December. | 10 AM to 4 PM - Tramsheds Community Hall ♿️ 

🎄 Darling Harbour Floating Christmas Tree: This is the perfect backdrop for your festive photos. As day turns to night, the Darling Harbour Christmas Tree will transform into a beacon of holiday vibes with a magical display of lights. Plus, head to Darling Square for the chance to take more Insta-worthy pics with their Christmas display. | Every day until 27 December - Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour

Friday

📚️ Local Authors Book Festival: Come and meet local authors, and buy their autographed books. Signature cocktail will be available to the first who arrive (limited availability). Book here, walk-ins on the night are welcome. 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM - St Peters Town Hall ♿️ 

🚶Burwood Walking Group: The Burwood Walkers meet at Henley Park in Enfield on the grassed area on the northern side of the amenities block in Portland Street & they walk around the park (weather permitting). No experience necessary. Registration essential. 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM - Henley Park, Enfield

Saturday

🎅 Pyrmont Christmas Concert: Dust off your reindeer ears and join this free Christmas concert hosted by Jayden Rodrigues. There will be Santa photos (with donation to Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation), kids' activities, and food trucks. BYO picnic or enjoy treats from Messina and other vendors. | 6 PM to 8 PM - Pirrama Park, Pyrmont ♿️ 

🏳️‍🌈 Queer Makers Market: Line up for the first Queer Makers Market! Check out goods, art, and craft from local artists, crafters, and makers who will be bringing everything from artwork, jewellery, zines, and furniture. Featuring local LGBTIQA+ makers. A Youth Space will be available for young folks aged 12-25 to safely hang out and connect with peers and community. | 10 AM to 2 PM - Inner West Pride Centre, Newtown

👗 Pre-Loved Fashion Market: Browse an eclectic collection of vintage clothing from the 1940s-1970s, reproduction pieces, and modern designer items, including second-hand women's and men's wear, shoes, accessories, and homewares in sizes 6 to 16 (XS to XL). FREE entry, card and cash payments are accepted. | 10 AM to 4 PM - The Wriggle Room, Marrickville

🚲️ Free bike repairs with the Bower: Got flat bike tyres, the wheel wobbles or the brakes are squeaky? A free bike repair can get you back to riding again. The Bower team can help with all repairs from minor tweaks and tune-ups to major problems. If it's a minor item they will try to fix it on the spot. If it will take longer, they will quote you a repair price. City of Sydney residents only. Bookings essential. | 10 AM to 2 PM - Bower Reuse and Repair Centres, Redfern

Sunday

🎄 Wreathmaking - Native flowers: Join Suz from Bold Botanicals, for the inner wests most colourful native wreaths! With an amazing selection of flowers, you will have 2 hours of creative time to make your very own creative design. There is also a class available on Sunday 8 December. | 2 PM to 4 PM - Creative Corner Studio, Dulwich Hill

🇯🇵 Matsuri Japan Festival 2024: Matsuri is a Japanese festival held every year to celebrate Japanese culture and cross cultural friendship between the Japanese and Australian people. Head there for a day filled with authentic Japanese culture, food, and entertainment. | 11 AM to 6 PM - Wentworth Park Sporting Complex

💶 European Christmas Market: Enjoy a day of winter festivities with live entertainment, delicious food, crafts and unique wares. With more than 25 festive stalls, you'll find the perfect Christmas treat for everyone! | 10 AM to 4 PM - Polish Club, Ashfield

🍅 Concord Farmers Market: Held on the first and third Sunday of each month, a local community project run by the Rotary Club of Concord. Plus a live induction cooking demo! | 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM - Cintra Park Car Park, Concord

🐈️ Kitten & Cat Adoption Event with Face Painting: World League Protection Animals will be bringing at least 10 small kittens who need a loving home. They are looking for a purrfect match. If you are aren't ready to adopt you can find out more about volunteering with animals. make a donation or sponsor a cat. A professional face painter will be there too. | 1 PM to 4 PM - Chippo Hotel

📆 Book Ahead

🎷 Jazz in the Park: Bring the family for an afternoon of award-winning jazz in the park. Enjoy local talent, food stalls, and workshops by Together2 and Rock Paper Scissors while you picnic to the sounds of Inner West's finest musicians. | Saturday 7 December | 1 PM to 6 PM - Gladstone Park, Balmain ♿️ 

🎄 Seniors Creative Club: Clay Ornaments (55+): Create beautiful Christmas ornaments out of air dry clay. Learn how to prepare, shape and make imprints in clay to create one of a kind Christmas ornaments. Bookings essential. Tuesday 17 & Thursday 19 December | 10 AM to 11:30 AM - Burwood Library and Community Hub ♿️ 

🎉 Events Celebrating International Day of People with Disability

🎭️ Elevate the Stage: In the lead-up to International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), top Australian artists with and without disability will share the stage in a unique free concert. Hot on the heels of the spectacular Paralympic Games, featuring performances by Opera Australia, Lucy Durack, Iva Davies, Rob Mills, and many more talented artists. 1,000 FREE tickets available. Sunday 1 December | 4 PM to 6:30 PM - ICC, Darling Harbour ♿️ 

🎉 Happy Nest Launch: Join Burwood Council in celebrating the International Day for People with Disability with the unveiling of the Happy Nest artwork. It's an inspiring artwork created by Studio Artes and artist Jeff McCann in collaboration with people with disability. Wednesday 4 December | 10 AM to 11:30 AM - Burwood Park ♿️ 

😃 Inner West Disability Forum - December 2024: A special social event hosted by the Inner West Disability Forum (IWDF) in celebration of the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). Their goal is to bring together members of our community for a day of fun and connection, everyone is welcome—especially people with disabilities and their families. After the talk, they'll have some fun activities, including free lawn bowling! Thursday 5 December | 4 PM to 7 PM - Ashfield Bowling Club ♿️ 

🎳 All Abilities Bowling Competition: As part of International Day of People with Disability celebrations, Ebenezer Mission is hosting an all abilities bowling competition with bowlers of all ages and skill levels and their families invited to join the fun! There are prizes to be won ($500 for first place!), plus free 30-minute arcade cards for the first 40 participants with disabilities. Registrations essential. Thursday 5 December | 1 PM to 6 PM - Kingpin Bowling in the Bakehouse Quarter, North Strathfield ♿️ 

Theatre & Comedy
Art Exhibitions
Cheap Eats

Friday

🍗 Norton’s Leichhardt | $20 1kg of wings | Friday | From 5 PM - See venue for terms.

🐟️ Friend In Hand Hotel Glebe | Friday | All Day | Fish & Chips Fridays - $17 Fish & Chips - See venues for terms.

Saturday

🥩 The Lord Raglan Redfern | Saturday & Sunday | Steak & Frites $24 - See venue for terms.

🍗 Norton’s Leichhardt | $20 1kg of wings | Saturday | All Day - See venue for terms.

Sunday

🍔 Great Southern Bar Haymarket | Sunday & Monday | Lunch & Dinner | Burger & Beer $22. Any burger and a schooner of selected beer - See venue for terms

🍖 Norton’s Leichhardt | $25 Traditional roast – beef striploin, served with all the trimmings, roasties cooked in dripping, carrot and swede mash, vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. | Sunday | From 12 PM - See venue for terms.

Happy Hour Heroes
  • The Alex Alexandria | Monday to Friday | 5 PM to 7 PM | $9 schooners of premium & craft beer, $11 pints of Guinness, $7 schooners of tap beer, house spirits, house wine, $14 Aperol Spritz & $16 Tommy’s Margarita. See venue for terms.

  • Bar Planet Newtown | Monday | 5 PM to 12 AM | $12 TGIM Bar Planet Martinis, available all night - See venue for terms.

  • Friend In Hand Hotel Glebe | Monday to Sunday | 5 Pm to 7 PM | Selected beer, wine and spirits for $7.50. Plus, $12 Cocktails including Aperol Spritz & Tommy’s Marg

  • Summer Hill Hotel | Thursday to Saturday | 4 PM to 6 PM | $7 selected schooners, $9 selected house wines & $8 selected spirits.

  • The Vic on the Park Marrickville | Monday to Friday | 5 PM to 7 PM | $6 schooners, wine & spirits. See venue for terms.

Gig Guide

Friday

  • The Abercrombie Chippendale | Cybernet & E.Lina | 10 PM

  • Buddy's Bar Newtown | Civic Video + Tilli Kay | 8 PM

  • Butchers Brew Bar Dulwich Hill | Cuban Social Club | 8 PM

  • The Chippo Hotel Chippendale | DARTZ | 8:30 PM

  • Church St Studios Camperdown | Ryland Moranz + Andrea Kirwin | 6:30 PM

  • Crowbar Leichhardt | Cog + Hammers, The Sea Benz | 8 PM

  • Enmore Theatre | Nathan Carter + Raechel Whitchurch | 8 PM

  • Factory Floor @ The Factory Marrickville | Hey Smith + Voodoo Glow Skulls, The Resignators | 8 PM

  • The Fusebox @ The Factory Marrickville | Shitfetish + Angel Grindr, desire path, Budgie | 7:45 PM

  • Gasoline Pony Marrickville | SXY XMS | 8 PM

  • The Lansdowne Chippendale | Henry Wagons | 8 PM

  • The Lansdowne Chippendale | Danté Knows + youproblem, Awa Mbaye | 8 PM

  • Lazy Thinking Dulwich Hill | Anocht + Chlorine Gargoyle, Squeals & Drills, Urethra Stockade | 6 PM

  • LazyBones Marrickville | Visitors From The Past + See, You and Tea, Clueless | 8 PM

  • Marrickville Bowling Club | The Meanies + Nunchukka Superfly, Sick Fizz | 7:30 PM

  • Miss Celie's Ashfield | Coucou Zazous | 7 PM

  • MoshPit Bar Erskineville | The Blistered Minds + Die Rat Die, The Dead Set | 7 PM

  • Petersham Bowlo | Lord Esme + Whopping Big Naughty, On The Stoop, The After Thoughts | 8 PM

  • Pyrmont Bridge Hotel | The Tremolomen | 9 PM

  • Tokyo Sing Song @ The Marly | Juicy Romance + Dayzzi & Silly Lilly | 11 PM

  • The Townie Newtown | Sonic Ctrl | 9 PM

  • Trocadero Room Enmore | Towns + colourblind, Great Job! | 8 PM

  • Union Hotel Newtown | The Sooks + Polly | 5 PM

  • The Vanguard Newtown | Barb + Cammy Cautious and the Wrestlers, Death Penalty | 7:30 PM

  • Vic on the Park Marrickville | Inimata + POLTERGEIST 9000, Kitty of the Valley | 7 PM

  • Vic on the Park Marrickville | Vex + As Tears Go By | 9 PM

  • Waywards @ The Bank Hotel Newtown | Wade Forster + Charley Castle Trio | 8 PM

  • Yulli's Brews Alexandria | Human Noise + Marilyn Maria | 8 PM

Saturday

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

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