Kick-off the new year with a bang this January with the best things to eat, drink and do this month.
Welcome to 2020, Sydney. The year might just be beginning, but there’s no shortage of great things to add to your diary this month. From beachside film festivals to cocktail-inspired staycation experiences and even a stand-up-paddleboarding yoga event, don’t miss a minute of what’s happening this January with our guide below!
So Frenchy So Chic 2020 (January 18th)
Grab your picnic basket and don your best Parisian look, Sydney. So Frenchy So Chic, the festival dedicated to all things French, is returning to the Bicentennial Park Glebe on January 18th 2020 from 1pm to 11pm. Bringing the biggest lineup of France’s live music scene to Oz, this beloved Parisian garden unites food and music lovers from across the city. Sydneysiders will be treated to picnic hampers from the French restaurant Bellevue Cottage, packed with a port chicken liver and foie gras parfait to a dark chocolate ganache petite tarte, with classic, cheese, charcuterie, vegetarian and gluten free hampers also available. Plus you’ll be able to sip your way through the afternoon with L’OR Espresso will be serving up espresso martinis and free coffee tastings plus the picnic’s bar will be pouring So Frenchy So Chic’s own rosé de Provence, crisp whites, light reds, Kronenbourg beer, G’vine cocktails and plenty of other tipples.
Tickets to So Frenchy So Chic 2020 ($95.53+bf) are on sale now. To find out more and book your spot, click here.
Flickerfest 2020 (January 10th to 19th)
Sydney’s favourite short film festival is returning to Bondi for the 29th Flickerfest Short Film Festival. Now in its 29th year, Flickerfest Short Film Festival has just launched its 2020 program line-up with an oh-so-hilarious trailer. This year, Sydneysiders will get to experience 200 of the best flicks at the 10-day festival, each guaranteed to make you laugh and gasp with delight. To explore the full program and to book your tickets, click here.
Summer On The Pier
Play by the water this summer at Pier One Sydney’s new harbourside bar and dining experience. Summer On The Pier delivers a jam-packed program of events including Sunset Hour drink specials from 4-6pm, $1 Sydney Rock Oysters from Merimbula at the Bar One food truck when purchasing a glass of NV G.H. Mumm, plus live entertainment with DJ’s performing Fridays 5-9pm and Jazz On The Pier Sundays 3-6pm. Plus, sip your awy through a summer cocktail list curated by Archie Rose Distilling Co plus a new seafood menu on offer at Bar One Food Truck. To find out more about this event, click here.
“Spritz Suites” at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
Planning a staycation this summer? Experience Aperol Spritz’s “Spritz Suites”, taking over Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel with this world-first hotel suite concept throughout January. From #AperolOrange interiors complete with orange linens to a complimentary spritz cart (complete with Aperol Spritz on tap in every room), this is set to be a truly luxe experience. Plus, every guest will receive a bespoke ‘check-in’ gift worth $600, complete with summer essentials including of Moroccanoil hair products, Go-To Skincare, Pared Eyewear sunglasses, Country Road tote bags, Turkish towels, St. Tropez tan and face masks and much more. To find out more, click here.
Gelato January at NOLA Smokehouse and Bar
Now in its second year, Barangaroo’s favourite Southern Smokehouse NOLA is giving Sydneysiders plenty of excuse to cool off. From January 2nd, ‘Gelato January’ delivers a limited edition range of boozy gelato cocktails featuring house-made gelato, sorbet or ice cream. Available exclusively from NOLA’s bar, sip your way through a Mint Choc Julep ($20), Redback Float ($19) and even a Peach Fuzz Fizz ($20) featuring white peach & prosecco sorbet, Bombay Sapphire, limoncello and grapefruit. Find out more by clicking here.
Blow Bar at Coogee Pavilion
Want to freshen up your look this summer? The crew at Coogee Pavilion have you covered this summer. Get pampered at the Pav every Wednesday from 10am to 2pm and Friday from 12pm to 5pm at the venue’s exclusive Blow Bar. Treat yourself to a wash, blow dry or style with a drink or nibble in hand, with everything from sleek styles to tousled messy waves. To find out more and book your spot, click here.
The Newport Endless Summer
There’s something to do every day of this week this January at The Newport. The venue’s Endless Summer program is serving up a huge line-up of events, entertainment and activities from DJ sets to yoga flows. Start with Cinema by the Sea every Monday from 6:30pm before heading to Yoga on the Deck at 9:30am every Thursday. To explore the full program of events, click here.
Summer Skin Check Sessions presented by Beard Season
Spending some time soaking up the sun this summer? Head to The Newport, The Collaroy and Coogee Pavilion this January to get your skin checked for free. Simply rock up, add your name to the list and kick back with a drink in hand while you wait for one of the venue’s trained Check Mates to text you. They’ll give you a free skin check in the time it takes to pick a pizza, and it could just save your life. To find out more, click here.
Frozé Your Way at Untied Barangaroo
Flock to Barangaroo’s Untied Bar and get ready for a tropical rooftop oasis complete with an unmissable new bar experience. From now until January 31st 2020, Untied’s ‘Frozé Your Way’ will deliver a self-service Frozé Bar that lets you craft the perfect summer cocktail to suit your taste. With your choice of six fruity flavour of frozé to choose from, you’ll be able to mix and match to craft your ultimate summer drink.
The Jungle Collective’s Jungle Plant Party (January 18th – 19th 2020)
Everyone’s favourite giant plant sale is back, and bigger than ever. To kick start the new decade, The Jungle Collective is hosting an epic Jungle Plant Party in St Peters this January. Swing by St Peters on Saturday (Jan 18th) and Sunday (Jan 19th) to experience this FREE festival of palms, potted plants, rare finds and so much more. Pup parents, make sure to bring your dog to score $5 off any purchase. Plus, make sure to enter the Best Carried Dog competition by sharing a photo of your pooch at the jungle to Instagram using #junglecollective to go into the draw to win a $100 gift voucher. To find out more and to reserve your spot, click here.
SUP Yoga at Twilight (January 22nd 2020)
Find your flow this January at this yoga event with a twist. Hosted by ocean-based yoga business Flow mOcean, experience a special yin stand-up paddleboarding yoga evening on the water. Experience a calm 10 minute guided SUP before arriving at your floating yoga studio. This 60 minute yin yoga class and meditation sequence will let you soak in the sunset over Manly. Tickets to this strictly limited event ($55) are on sale now. Find out more by clicking here.
The Big Bounce Australia (January 24th to February 9th 2020)
Big Bounce delivers the World’s Biggest Bounce House (as certified by it’s Guinness World Record status), boasting over 1,500 square metres of bouncing fun that reaches over 10 metres tall. Inside you’ll be able to jump your way through themed zones including giant slides, obstacle runs, ball pits, climbing towers and basketball hoops. Plus, the Bounce House features a custom-built DJ stage with a massive sound system, confetti canons, beach balls and pumping tunes to set the mood for an unforgettable time. Tickets to the Big Bounce Australia are strictly limited and on sale now (and expected to sell out fast). To secure your spot, click here.