Good morning, Inner Westies. After a longer than expected pause, we’re back—and the Inner West never missed a beat. The calendar for this weekend is jam packed. Lunar New Year celebrations are in full swing, with dragon boat races, cultural performances, and a lineup of community events.

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

🏀 City Ford Sydney Learn to Play Basketball Classes
The City of Sydney Basketball Association and City Ford Sydney run learn to play basketball classes for children over various days and venues. This 9 week program is designed for children ages 5 to 13 and offers a fun and inclusive basketball environment for children of all abilities. Cost $115. Book ahead.
📍 Various locations / Commencing Monday 5 February / See website for days & times

🎨 Terracotta Pot Paint Pouring @ Bunnings Kids will experiment with colours and mixing paints together to pour onto a terracotta pot (fluid paint). Suitable for ages 3 and up. Book your spot in advance. Free.
📍 Bunnings Rozelle / Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 February / 11am, 12pm
📍 Bunnings Alexandria / Saturday 8 February / 11:30am, 1:30pm

🥁 Lunar New Year: Chinese Drumming
Join a hands-on Chinese drumming workshop and learn the powerful beats behind the Lion Dance, perfect for kids aged 5-12 and an accompanying adult. Free.
📍 Ashfield Library / Saturday 8 February / 10:30am

🦎 Reptile Mania @ Broadway Shopping Centre
Head to Broadway where your little one can get creative building their very own reptiles! This hands-on activity allows children to explore their imagination while developing fine motor skills. $3 per child, book ahead to secure a spot.
📍 Broadway Shopping Centre / Thursday 8 February / 10am, 11am & 12pm

👶 Learn and Play Baby Group @ Lilyfield
Are you eager to support your little one to reach their milestones with confidence? The learn and play baby group is back! Join Physiotherapist, Nikita, as she provides you with advice and activities tailored to your baby's development.
📍 Therapies For Kids Lilyfield / Monday 11 February / 10am

🌳 Explorers Play in the Park Playgroup @ Marrickville
Join Plumtree to connect with other parents and our supportive team while your children play, learn and socialise with their peers. For babies and kids up to 3. Free. RSVP ahead.
📍 Jarvie Park Marrickville / Tuesday 12 February / 9:30am

🎵 Music Together Playgroup @ Marrickvile
This playgroup offers a relaxed, fun-filled environment where children's development is supported through music. The sessions include singing, playing percussion instruments, dancing, and storytelling. For ages 3 to 5. Free. Weekly Sessions. RSVP ahead for Term 1.
📍 Plumtree Children's Services Marrickville / Tuesday 12 February / 11am

🧱 LEGO Session / Drop in Session @ Haberfield Library
Enjoy a LEGO session / drop in session. Children should be accompanied by a supervising adult at all times. Runs during school term. No bookings required.
📍 Haberfield Library / Wednesday 13 February / 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, with all proceeds donated to Glebe Youth Services. Book ahead.
📍 Broadway Shopping Centre / Saturday 15 February / 2pm-4pm

🕶️ Bedazzled Sunglasses @ Broadway Shopping Centre
Get ready for some sparkly fun where your little one can bedazzle their very own pair of sunglasses! $3 per child, with all proceeds donated to Glebe Youth Services. Book ahead.
📍 Broadway Shopping Centre / Saturday 16 February / 10am, 11am & 12pm

🐉 2025 Rhodes Lunar New Year Snake Carnival
Enjoy cultural performances, dragon dancing, live music, family activities, and fireworks, plus free bike service checks at the Council stall. Visit their website for more information.
📍 Foreshore Park Rhodes / Saturday 10am-9:30pm & Sunday 10am-4pm

🚣 Dragon Boats Festival
3 exciting days packed with competition, music and entertainment. Enjoy the fierce spectacle of dragon boating taking over Darling Harbour.
📍 Cockle Bay Wharf / Friday 2pm-7:30pm, Saturday & Sunday 8am-6:30pm

🎲 How to Play Mahjong at The Artistry Festival 2025
Learn this ancient Chinese game of skill and luck in just 45 minutes with an international Mahjong Master from the Mahjong Club Sydney. Cost: $50. Book your spot today.
📍 Tumbalong Park Haymarket / Friday 5pm-9pm, Saturday & Sunday 12pm-9pm

🐲 Lunar New Year at The Artistry
An unforgettable 3-day celebration of culture, food, music and arts. Country Pavilions with Cultural Parade & Live Traditional & Modern Performances from Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan & Pacific.
📍 Tumbalong Park Haymarket / Friday 5pm-10pm, Saturday & Sunday 12pm-10pm

🎥 The Artistry Presents Filmmaking Workshops
Join the Smart Phone Filmmaking Workshops at The Artistry Festival & explore shooting professional films & documentaries, creating your own animations and making stop-motion masterpieces. No experience needed. Cost: $50.
📍 Tumbalong Park Haymarket / See website for days and times.

🇹🇭 Fascinating Thaitown 2025
Celebrate the Year of the Snake with traditional Thai performances, dancing, drumming, and authentic cuisine. Don't miss the special Snake and Ladders mural photo opportunity by local artist Gabby Malpas.
📍 Haymarket / Saturday & Sunday / 10am-11:30pm ♿

🎬 Foreshore Flicks @ Drummoyne Oval
Pack your picnic blanket for an entertaining evening with food trucks, popcorn, face-painting, games, and a free screening of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (PG).
📍 Drummoyne Oval / Friday 7 February / 5:30pm-9pm ♿

🧶 Social Knitting at Balmain Library
Get your knit on and BYO knitting to this casual group. Exchange tips and socialise whilst you knit. Everyone is welcome.
📍 Balmain Library / Friday 7 February / 10am ♿

🌱 Edible Gardens for Renters Workshop
This 2½ hour workshop is perfect for balcony, courtyard and small space growing. See website for costs and to book.
📍 Sydney Park Pavilion Alexandria / Saturday 8 February / 10am-12:30pm

🎨 Redfern & Chippendale Street Art & Small Bars Tour
Join this 3-hour guided tour of Redfern and Chippendale's vibrant street art scene, featuring stops at three hidden bars with one complimentary drink included. See site for costs and details.
📍 Chippendale / Saturday 8 February / 5pm-8pm

🌿 Produce, Plant & Seed Swap
Join local gardening enthusiasts at the Plant & Seed Swap, where you can share and exchange labeled seeds, cuttings, and fresh produce while exploring our demonstration garden. Must be a resident of Inner West Council. Spots limited.
📍 Inner West Sustainability Hub Summer Hill / Saturday / 11am

✍️ Inner West Writers Group @ Marrickville Library
Spend your Saturday morning sharing your work with likeminded writing enthusiasts. No bookings required.
📍 Marrickville Library and Pavilion / Saturday 8 February / 10am ♿

🎆 Lunar New Year Jet Pack + Firework Shows
Watch in awe as aerial lion dancers perform spectacular stunts in vibrant Lunar New Year costumes alongside a playful cartoon snake. Fireworks display at 9pm.
📍 Darling Harbour / Saturday 8 February / 7pm, 7:45pm & 9pm

🥁 Drum Performance by VietSchool Drum Band
Come and watch traditional drum and band music by Vietnamese Community Language School students. Free.
📍 Ashfield Forecourt and Foyer / Saturday 8 February / 11am ♿

🏮 Lanterns and Tea with Jayanto Tan - Lunar New Year 2025
Join a tea ceremony with a Minnan folk song and make a colourful Yuan Bao paper lantern to take home, in a workshop led by artist Jayanto Tan. This workshop is free with limited capacity, so registration via the link is essential.
📍 Ashfield Civic Centre / Saturday 8 February / 2pm ♿

🏺 Wentworth Park Antique & Collectables Fair
One of Australia's largest Antique and Collectables fairs, The Collectors Mark hosts 130+ traders bi-monthly, in an air-conditioned venue. Offering a vast range of items from antiquity to 1980s designer pieces, including antiques, collectables, vintage items, fine china, jewellery, and more. Food and coffee available.
📍 Wentworth Park Greyhounds Function Centre, Glebe / Sunday 9 February / 9am-2pm ♿

🎬 Special Preview Screening - The Seed of the Sacred Fig
See this Oscar nominee before its official cinema release at this exclusive preview screening! It includes a special introduction from director Mohammad Rasoulof, as well as the opportunity to hear from local Iranian Australian leaders about the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Australia. Grab your tickets before they go.
📍 Dendy Newtown / Sunday 9 February / 2:45pm-5:45pm ♿

🏳️‍🌈 Queer Chinese New Year Celebration - ANTRA
Celebrate the Queer Chinese diaspora with inspiring speakers, drag performances and community activities at this inclusive Lunar New Year event.
📍 Ashfield Town Hall / Sunday 9 February/ 2pm ♿

Every month, Susie Coates—a passionate sustainability champion from the Inner West—will share actionable insights on reducing environmental impact, as well as a monthly calendar of sustainability events happening across the Inner West. Follow Susie at @sustainability.susie for more insights and tips.

Check out the February Calendar below. You’ll find a whole range of events, from climate meet-ups to urban food growing to Volunteering.

Below you will find links to groups referred to in the calendar. Click through to see options to join, volunteer or attend talks and courses.

Don’t forget to follow Susie at @sustainability.susie on Instagram.

🍕 Teddy’s x Pizza Cattiva Launch Party!

Head to Teddys for an epic pizza launch party this Friday 7 February from 5pm. They will be serving pizza every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5pm-10pm at Teddy’s.

📍 Teddy’s Enmore (upstairs at Warren View Hotel) - check out their website to make a booking

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