168 free things to do with kids in Sydney

Abbotsbury · Open 24 hours on foot. Car park gates 8am to 8pm in daylight saving, 8am to 6pm otherwise · Free

Alexandria · Sun 13 Dec, 5:30pm to 8:30pm · Free. Santa photos for a $5 donation to Variety

Alexandria · Open all day · Free

Ashfield · Open all day · Free

Ashfield · Tuesdays from 10am, school terms · Free, optional gold coin donation

Bankstown · Mon 30 Nov, 7pm to 9pm · Free

Bankstown · Open all day · Free

Barangaroo · 8 to 24 Jan, opens Fri 8 Jan 5pm (daily hours on the page) · Free entry

Baulkham Hills · Nightly 29 Nov to 2 Jan until 10:30pm. Opening night markets with Santa Sun 29 Nov from 5pm · Free

Bella Vista · Tue 26 Jan, 4:30pm to 9pm · Free entry, ride prices not listed

Bella Vista · Sun 6 Dec, 10am to 2pm · Free activities; rides, food and drinks extra

Blacktown · Sat 28 Nov, 5pm to 9pm · Free, including Santa photos and kids' activities

Blacktown · Daily 7am to 6pm (7pm Dec to Feb). Water play 10am to 3.30pm spring and autumn, 9am to 6.30pm summer, closed winter · Free

Blacktown · Sat 14 Nov, 10am to 12 noon · Free, materials provided, registration essential

Blacktown · Sat 21 Nov, 10am to 12 noon · Free, materials provided, registration essential

Bondi Beach · 7 to 17 Jan, listed 9am to 8pm; first show Thu 7 Jan 5:15pm (see page for show times) · Free

Bondi Junction · Open all day · Free

Botany · Open all day · Free

Burwood · Daily 8am to 8pm · Free

Cabarita · Open all day · Free

Campbelltown · Friday 27 November 2026, 6pm to 9pm; the tree lights up at about 8pm · Free

Campbelltown · Open all day · Free

Campbelltown · Tue 26 Jan, 4pm to 9pm, fireworks 9pm · Free entry, rides and food extra

Camperdown · Tue 26 Jan, 10am to 7pm · Free

Campsie · Wednesdays 9:45 to 10:45am, school terms · Free

Canley Vale · Open all day · Free

Carss Park · Tue 26 Jan, 4:30pm to 9pm · Free

Carss Park · Open all day · Free

Carss Park · Sat 5 Dec, 4:30pm to 9pm, fireworks at 9pm · Free

Castlecrag · Sat 14 Nov, 10am to 4pm · Free entry

Centennial Park · Sunrise to sunset, all year · Free

Centennial Park · Daily 10am to 5pm. Closes for about a month in the quieter winter period for maintenance. · Free

Centennial Park · Sunrise to sunset, all year · Free

Centennial Park · Sunrise to sunset, all year · Free

Chatswood · Open all day · Free

Chester Hill · Sat 28 Nov, 5pm to 7:30pm · Free, including sausage sizzle

Chester Hill · Wednesdays from 10am, weekly · Free

Claremont Meadows · Open all day. Water play currently closed for maintenance · Free

Clontarf · Open all day. Very busy on sunny weekends and holidays · Free

Concord · Wed 11 Nov, 5:30pm to 7pm · Free, register on Humanitix

Coogee · Sun 20 Dec, evening, times to be confirmed · Free

Cronulla · Open all day · Free

Darling Harbour · Every evening from about 21 November to 26 December (2025 dates); 2026 dates not yet announced · Free

Darling Harbour · 10 to 23 Jan, 10am to 4pm, parade on Sat 23 Jan · Free, drop in

Darling Harbour · 9 to 23 Jan; public parades Sat 9 Jan and Sat 23 Jan, 5pm to 6pm · Free

Darling Harbour · Thu 31 Dec, fireworks at 9pm and midnight over Cockle Bay · Free, no tickets needed

Darling Harbour · Saturdays 7 Nov, 5 Dec, 12 Dec and 19 Dec at 9pm · Free

Darlinghurst · Wed 23 Dec, 6pm to 8pm · Free

Darlington · Sat 14 Nov, 1:30pm to 3pm · Free, register on Humanitix

Dee Why · Fri 11 Dec, 4pm to 7:30pm · Free, including face painting and Santa photos

Doonside · Open daily. The play tower is currently closed for maintenance · Free

Doonside · Main gate from 7am, closes 6pm in spring, 7pm in summer. Water play 10am to 3.30pm spring and autumn, 9am to 6.30pm summer, closed winter · Free

Double Bay · Sat 28 Nov, markets and rides from 12pm, concert 6pm, fireworks to finish · Free entry and activities; food, drinks and ride tickets extra

Dural · Sat 14 and Sun 15 Nov, 9am to 6pm (Santa 9am to 5pm) · Free to attend; tree tagging is booked on TryBooking and trees are paid in full on the day

Elanora Heights · Open all day · Free

Elderslie · Water play Sep to Apr, 10am to 7pm (spring school holidays to end of autumn school holidays). Playground open all year. · Free entry (Council lists no fee). Wet play wheelchairs available for hire.

Emu Plains · Open all day · Free

Epping · Sun 15 Nov, 12pm to 4pm · Free entry and activities; mini train rides and food extra

Ermington · Open all day · Free

Erskineville · Wed 23 Dec, 6pm to 8pm · Free

Fairfield · Thu 3 Dec, 5pm to 9pm, tree lighting at 8pm · Free

Fairfield · Open all day · Free

Fairfield · Register from Tue 1 Dec, 9:30am; passports back by Sun 31 Jan, 2pm · Free with a library membership

Fairfield · Mondays 9:30 to 11am, school terms · Free

Five Dock · Wed 16 Dec, 5pm to 8:30pm, Santa at 8pm · Free

Five Dock · Open all day · Free

Frenchs Forest · Open all day · Free

Galston · Daily 7am to 6.30pm in daylight saving, 7am to 5.30pm otherwise. Closed Christmas Day · Free entry. Parking $7.50 per car per day

Glebe · Sat 28 Nov, 12pm to 8pm. Santa's sleigh ride 2pm, Santa photos 3pm to 8pm · Free. Santa photos, face painting and hair spray for a donation

Glebe · Wed 23 Dec, 6pm to 8pm · Free

Glenbrook · Open all day · Free

Gosford · Open all day · Free

Haberfield · Open all day · Free

Hornsby Heights · Sat 14 Nov, 10am to 4pm · Free entry

Hunters Hill · Sun 6 Dec, 2pm to 9pm, finishing with fireworks · Free

Hurstville · Sat 21 Nov, 10am to 3pm, drop in · Free, book on Eventbrite

Jordan Springs · Open all day · Free

Keiraville · Open daily during Botanic Garden hours · Free

Kellyville · Open all day. Toilets open in daylight hours · Free

Kings Langley · Sun 13 Dec, 3pm to 9:30pm · Free entry; rides and stalls extra

Lake Illawarra · Open all day · Free

Lane Cove North · Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 to 11:30am, all year including school holidays · Free

Liverpool · Thu 21 Jan, 10am to 11:30am · Free, book on Humanitix

Manly · Thu 3 Dec, gates 5pm, concert 6pm to 8pm · Free

Manly Vale · Fridays from 9am, weekly. Story and singing at 10:30am · Free. Barista coffee and cake for sale, free for first timers

Manly Vale · Gate 7am to 8.30pm in daylight saving, to 5.30pm otherwise. Closed on catastrophic fire danger days · Free entry. Pay and display parking (Northern Beaches permit holders exempt)

Marrickville · Water play season 1 Sep 2026 to 30 Apr 2027, daily 9am to 6pm · Free (Council lists no entry fee)

Merrylands · Thursdays from 9:30am, weekly · Free

Merrylands West · Daylight saving: 7.30am to 7pm weekdays, 8am to 7pm weekends. Otherwise closes 5pm. Animal enclosures 9am to 4pm · Free

Mona Vale · Open all day · Free

Mosman · Sat 12 Dec, kids' activities from 5pm, carols from 7pm, until 9pm · Free

Narraweena · Sat 14 Nov, 11am to 4pm · Free entry

Newport · Open all day · Free

Newtown · Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50am, school terms (Term 4: 14 Oct to 9 Dec 2026) · Free, no booking

North Narrabeen · Sat 19 Dec, evening, times to be confirmed · Free

North Parramatta · Sun 22 Nov, 11am to 4pm · Free

North Ryde · Open all day · Free

North Ryde · Sun 13 Dec, 5pm to 9:30pm, fireworks finale · Free entry; parking $5 per car

North Sydney · Open all day · Free

North Wollongong · Open all day · Free

Norwest · Evenings through December (2025 pattern); 2026 not yet announced · Free

Oran Park · Water play Sep to Apr, 10am to 7pm (spring school holidays to end of autumn school holidays). Park open all year. · Free entry (Council lists no fee). Wet play wheelchairs available for hire.

Padstow · Tue 26 Jan, 4pm to 9pm · Free entry, ride prices not listed

Parramatta · Sun 22 Nov, 10am to 3pm · Free, drop in

Parramatta · Sat 12 Dec, activities from 3pm, performances from 5pm, fireworks 9pm · Free

Parramatta · Open daily · Free

Parramatta · Thu 26 Nov, markets 11am to 9pm, tree lighting at 8pm · Free

Parramatta · Wednesdays 1:30 to 3pm, school terms · Free

Penrith · Sat 28 Nov, 10am to 2pm · Free

Picton · Open daily · Free

Potts Point · Sat 5 Dec, 12pm to 8pm. Santa's sleigh ride 1:30pm, Santa photos 2:30pm to 8pm · Free. Santa photos, face painting and hair spray for a donation

Potts Point · Wed 23 Dec, 6pm to 8pm · Free

Prairiewood · Open all day · Free

Pyrmont · Open all day. Water play 8am to 6pm, every day except Tuesday · Free

Pyrmont · Sun 6 Dec, 5:30pm to 8:30pm · Free. Santa photos and face painting for a donation

Pyrmont · Wed 23 Dec, 6pm to 8pm · Free

Rooty Hill · Tue 26 Jan, 4pm to 9:30pm, fireworks about 9pm to 9:15pm · Free, no bookings

Rose Bay · Open all day · Free

Rosebery · Sun 29 Nov, 5:30pm to 8:30pm · Free. Santa photos for a $5 donation to Variety

Rouse Hill · Daily 8am to 8pm September to April, 8am to 6pm May to August · Free

Rozelle · Open all day · Free

Ryde · Open all day. Free Story Time Mondays and Wednesdays 10 to 11am, school terms · Free

Ryde · Sun 22 Nov, 9am to 2pm · Free

Shell Cove · Thu 31 Dec, 5pm to 9:30pm, drone show at 9pm · Free

St Ives · Open all day · Free

Strathfield · Open all day · Free

Surry Hills · Sat 12 Dec, 12pm to 10pm. Santa's sleigh ride 2pm, Santa photos 3pm to 9pm, The Grinch at 7pm · Free. Santa photos, face painting and hair spray for a donation

Surry Hills · Wed 23 Dec, 6pm to 8pm · Free

Sutherland · Open all day · Free

Sydney · Daily 10am to 5pm, Wednesdays to 10pm. Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day · Free entry; kids under 12 free to ticketed exhibitions

Sydney · Tue 26 Jan, 10:30am to 4pm: 21-gun salute 11:55am, Ferrython 12:10pm, harbour parade 1pm, tall ships race 1pm · Free

Sydney · Daily 10am to 5pm (Burra learning space and Billabong Waterhole Cafe close 4:30pm). Closed Christmas Day · Free general entry; some major exhibitions ticketed

Sydney · Daily 10am to 4pm (last vessel boarding 3:10pm); school holidays 9:30am to 5pm · Free galleries; See It All ticket adult $35, child 4 to 15 $25, under 4 free, family (2+3) $89

Sydney · Every evening 1 to 21 Dec, 6pm to 8pm · Free

Sydney · 16 to 25 December 2026, 5:30pm to 10:30pm nightly; light show from 8:30pm · Free entry

Sydney · Sat 19 Dec, 4pm to 9pm. Santa arrives 8:15pm, fireworks 9pm at Cockle Bay · Free

Sydney · Sat 12 Dec, 9pm · Free

Sydney · Sat 5 Dec, 9pm · Free

Sydney · Open all day · Free

Sydney · Sat 14 Nov, 2pm to 4pm · Free, no bookings

Sydney · Sat 5 Dec, 8am to 10am · Free, registration required

Sydney · Sat 30 Jan, 8am to 10am · Free, registration required

Sydney · Daily Thu 7 to Sun 10 Jan, 10am to 5pm · Free

Sydney · Thu 7 to Sun 10 Jan, sessions 10am, 11am, 2pm and 3pm (40 min) · Free

Sydney · Sat 28 and Sun 29 Nov, then Wed to Sat weekly in Dec, plus Sun 20 and daily 21 to 24 Dec, 11am to 9:15pm · Free entry; stalls and food extra

Sydney · Nightly 26 Nov to 5 Jan, light show 8pm to midnight, changing every 15 minutes · Free

Sydney · Thu 31 Dec: Welcome to Country 8:45pm, Calling Country fireworks 9pm, harbour lights 9:15pm, midnight fireworks · Free at public vantage points; some vantage points ticketed

Sydney · Sun 13 Dec, from 10:30am · Free

Sydney · Sat 21 and Sun 22 Nov, 9am to 8pm · Free entry; food extra

Sydney · Nightly 26 Nov to 9 Jan, 6pm to 11:55pm · Free

Sydney · Daily from 7am; closes 8pm November to February, earlier in other months (5pm in June and July) · Free (some special events ticketed)

Sydney · Mon to Thu 9am to 8pm, Fri 9am to 5pm, Sat and Sun 10am to 5pm · Free

Sydney · Wed 23 Dec, 6pm to 8pm · Free

Sydney · Evenings through December (2025 pattern); 2026 dates not yet announced · Free

Sydney · On now until Sun 18 July 2027, during gallery hours · Free

Sydney Olympic Park · Sunrise to sunset. Water play 10am to 5pm in daylight saving, 10am to 4pm the rest of the year · Free. Parking first 2 hours free (register your plate), then $3/hr weekdays, $5/hr weekends

The Rocks · Tue 26 Jan (Australia Day), 10:30am to 4pm · Free

The Rocks · 19 Nov to 25 Dec, markets with extended Christmas trading hours · Free to visit; free live music; market purchases extra

The Rocks · Evenings through December (2025 pattern); 2026 dates not yet announced · Free

Turramurra · Sat 5 Dec, 5pm to 7:30pm · Free

Waterloo · Open all day · Free

Watsons Bay · Open all day. Playground closes over winter (closed from 15 June 2026, due to reopen in November, weather permitting). · Free

West Pymble · Sun 20 Dec, 6:30pm to 8:15pm · Free

West Ryde · Sat 12 Dec, 4pm to 7pm · Free, including petting zoo and face painting

Wiley Park · Sat 5 Dec, 5pm to 9:30pm, fireworks to finish · Free

Windsor · Sat 28 Nov, 5pm to 9pm, giant tree lit at 9pm · Free entry and free family activities; food, market and some experiences extra

Zetland · Thursdays 10:15 to 10:35am and 11 to 11:20am, school terms (Term 4: 15 Oct to 10 Dec 2026) · Free, no booking

Zetland · Wed 23 Dec, 6pm to 8pm · Free