Entertainment

If you are visiting in January, be sure to enjoy the free outdoor events held during The Sydney Festival. Other events include The Sydney Fringe Festival, Australia Day, and The Royal Easter Show. The Big Day Out and the Manly International Jazz Festival are both popular international music festivals. Whilst the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in March, is outrageous fun. Sydney has a vibrant, world-renowned arts scene, with a diverse range of contemporary, classical and experimental performances. Many of the city's sports venues, such as the Aussie Stadium, Sydney Cricket Ground and Telstra Stadium are also utilised as arts and entertainment venues.

Performing Art Centres

One of Sydney's major centres is the Opera House, where Australia's pre-eminent companies perform ballet, opera, music and theatre. The nearby Wharf, is home to the Sydney Dance Company, the Bangarra Dance Company and the Sydney Theatre Company.

Cinema

The city movie-strip is located near the Sydney Town Hall, with a cluster of Hoyts and Greater Union locations. Oxford Street's Chauvel, features independent releases, and Reading Cinemas in Chinatown offer Hollywood hits and cheap tickets. Other cinemas include Cinema Paris and Hoyts at Fox Studios. The IMAX Cinema boasts the world's largest screen, showing specially formatted film. For a summer evening under the stars, take a picnic to Centennial Park for the Moonlight Cinema, or Excite OpenAir Cinema, by the harbour at Mrs Macquarie's Chair.

The Arts Scene

The city's selection of traditional theatres include the Theatre Royal, and the dazzlingly baroque State Theatre. The renovated Capitol, is all gold and Grecian statues and is the venue for long-running musicals. Nearby is the Lyric Theatre and the glitzy Showroom in Star City Casino. Popular Belvoir Street in Surry Hills, and The Ensemble, over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, in Kirribilli, feature well-known Australian actors. For something alternative, try The Stables, Old Fitzroy Hotel and the Performance Space. From ballet to contemporary, the Opera House and the Wharf are headquarters of Australian movement. Other venues include The Bondi Pavilion, Enmore Theatre and Seymour Centre. The City Recital Hall in Angel Place, and the restored Customs House are welcome additions to the music scene. Enjoy international concerts at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Another live band venue is The Rose of Australia in Erskineville. For jazz, head to the Basement at Circular Quay, or to Pontoon on Sundays.

Museums

The Australian and Powerhouse Museums are fun and educational. The National Maritime Museum has naval ships to explore, and Hyde Park Barracks houses the ghosts of former convicts and a history museum. The State Library of New South Wales is a treasure trove, whilst the natural history Macleay Museum exhibits 9,000 stuffed birds and Charles Darwin's flea!

Art Galleries

The Art Gallery of NSW, overlooking Woolloomooloo Bay, is one of Australia's premier institutions, with a collection of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander works, as well as Australian, European, Asian and contemporary art. The Museum of Sydney has an innovative approach to educating visitors about colonial and indigenous history, and The Museum of Contemporary Art's international collection is housed in an imposing art deco building. In Surry Hills, the Brett Whiteley Studio Museum, was once his paint-spattered workshop. Jump on the ferry to The Manly Art Gallery & Museum to see approximately 800 paintings and displays tracing the history of beach culture.

Clubbing

The club scene is a moveable feast, with venues coming and going like fashion. One of the hippest is Home at Darling Harbour. Oxford Street is bustling with places frequented by a relaxed and friendly crowd. DCM, Q Bar, Mr Goodbar and Rogues are pumping until dawn.

Bars & Pubs

Some of the best bar and pubs include Longrain in Surry Hills and the Grand Pacific Blue Room on Oxford Street. Business types should head to SlipInn, Wine Banc, Aqua Luna Bar and Jacksons On George. Oxford Street has Gilligans and the Burdekin Hotel, with the cool Dugout Bar underneath. A downhill stroll along Crown Street brings you to East Village, a happening little spot, with restaurants and bars. Popular venues include the Centennial Hotel, Golden Sheaf and the Beach Road in Bondi.

Gay & Lesbian

Sydney is like San Francisco, a gay capital of the world. The scene is in Oxford Street and its surrounds. Nightclubs like Midnight Shift and sometimes Stonewall are best left for men, but it is a happy, mixed crowd on the dance floor at ARQ nightclub. Get down to the Albury, Exchange and Flinders pubs and the Imperial in Erskineville for some drag. Other popular spots include NuBar at The Oxford and Judgement Bar. For a happening Friday night, visit the friendly Bright 'n' up Bar. The lesbian scene changes regularly, so check local press. Favourites include Lava Lounge and girl's night at ARQ.