Day 1 Morning: Carriageworks, Biennale’s Performance Powerhouse
Start your first day at Carriageworks, the massive arts hub in Redfern on Gadigal Land that’s a Biennale hotspot. Housed in an old railway workshop, this place screams raw creativity with its brick walls and soaring ceilings. For 2026, expect Biennale performances tied to the Rememory theme—maybe a dance piece by First Nations collective Yangamini, weaving stories of Country through movement, or an immersive show by international artist Edgar Calel, blending ritual and memory. These gigs are often genre-bending, like theatre-meets-dance-meets-installation, and you might even wander through the set.
Check the Biennale website for show times—most start around 11am, and tickets can be $20–50. Carriageworks is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, but performances might run later. Grab a coffee at their on-site cafe to fuel up; the flat whites are ace. It’s a quick walk from Redfern Station, so hop a train from Central. I once got roped into a post-show Q&A here and it was pure gold—stick around if you can
Day 1 Afternoon: Lunch and Street Theatre in The Rocks
After Carriageworks, head to The Rocks for lunch and some street theatre action. Catch a train to Circular Quay, then stroll the cobblestone streets of this historic spot. For food, hit The Glenmore, a pub with rooftop views of the harbor and hearty eats like a wagyu burger. During the Biennale, The Rocks often hosts free street performances—think pop-up acts by local troupes like Born in a Taxi, who do improvised comedy with passersby, or roving musicians adding to the vibe. These shows, sometimes tied to Rememory’s focus on reclaimed histories, might pop up in laneways or near the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Keep your phone handy to snap the action or check What’s On Sydney for schedules. The Rocks Markets, open Friday to Sunday, add extra flair with buskers and art stalls. It’s a short walk from Biennale venues like the MCA, so you can pair it with an exhibit if you’re keen. Don’t linger too long, coz you’ve got a big evening ahead! Just watch your step on those uneven stones—I nearly tripped chasing a mime once.
Day 1 Evening: Experimental Fringe at The Old Fitz Theatre
Wrap up day one with an experimental show at The Old Fitz Theatre, a fringe gem in Woolloomooloo’s Old Fitzroy Hotel. Catch a train to Kings Cross or walk from The Rocks—it’s about 20 minutes. This 60-seat venue, run by Red Line Productions, is all about bold, raw performance. During the Biennale, they might host a late-night piece inspired by Rememory—think a solo act by a local like Daley Rangi, tackling identity with spoken word and movement, or a devised show by emerging artists. Expect something weird and wonderful, like a mix of cabaret and physical theatre.
Shows usually start at 7:30pm, with tickets around $30–40—book via their website. The pub downstairs does great craft beers and schnitzels, so grab a pre-show feed. The vibe’s intimate, and you might chat with the performers after. I reckon it’s a perfect way to end day one, but don’t stay out too late—you’ve got more art to chase tomorrow
Day 2 Morning: Street Art and Performance in Newtown
Kick off day two in Newtown, Sydney’s bohemian soul, where street art and performance collide. Train to Newtown Station, then wander King Street’s laneways—think Enmore Road or Bailey Street—for murals by artists like Fintan Magee. During the Biennale, you might catch street theatre pop-ups, like roving acts by Shopfront Arts Co-op, a Carlton-based group known for youth-driven performances. These could be flash-mob-style shows or interactive pieces tied to Rememory’s themes of history and culture.
Bring a notebook to jot down ideas or sketch the scene—Newtown’s chaos is pure inspo. Stop at The Vanguard on King Street for a coffee; it’s a music and cabaret venue that sometimes hosts daytime pop-ups. Check their site for events, as they’ve done burlesque and comedy before. It’s a bit of a trek from Biennale hubs, but the vibe’s worth it. Watch for crowds, it get’s hectic on weekends
Day 2 Afternoon: Lunch and Fringe at 107 Projects
Stay in Newtown for lunch at 107 Projects, a Redfern Street art space that’s a community-driven dream. This old garage-turned-venue has a cafe with epic smashed avo and rotating exhibitions, plus performance spaces hosting fringe gigs. During the Biennale, they might stage a lunchtime show—think a queer performance collective like Brolga, curated by Wiradjuri artist Joel Bray, with dance and storytelling. Tickets are usually cheap, around $15, or sometimes free—check their Instagram for updates.
Spend an hour eating, watching, and soaking up the vibe. The space is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm, and artists often hang out, so you might spark a convo. It’s a short walk from Carriageworks, so you could revisit a Biennale exhibit later if you’re keen. I once caught a surprise poetry slam at 107 and it blew my mind—keep your eyes peeled for unlisted events
Day 2 Evening: Sydney Opera House and Sunset Reflection
End your adventure with a performance at the Sydney Opera House, the ultimate stage on Gadigal Land. Ferry to Circular Quay for that iconic sail-studded view. During the Biennale, the Opera House might host a Rememory-inspired show—maybe Bangarra Dance Theatre’s powerful First Nations choreography or an experimental piece by international artists like François Chaignaud, mixing Baroque music and flamenco. Check the Sydney Opera House website for shows, starting around 7pm, with tickets from $40–100.
Before the show, catch Badu Gili: Healing Spirit, a free nightly projection of First Nations art on the sails from sunset—perfect for reflecting on your performance art journey. Grab a pre-show drink at Opera Bar, with harbor views and live music. After, stroll to Circular Quay for a final moment to jot down your thoughts or sketch the glittering skyline. It’s a magical end to 48 hours of live art madness.
