What’s on
Sydney Open
For one day, we give you an all-access pass to discover a new side of the city. Our curated program unlocks the doors of significant buildings and spaces, giving you exclusive access to explore Sydney like never before
View programEvents
Performance
Sunday Sessions curated by Music in Exile
Music in Exile curates three Sundays of intimate live music at Elizabeth Farm, spotlighting bold new voices reshaping Australian music
70 Alice Street, Rosehill NSW 2142
Sunday 11 October 2pm–5pm
Talk
Museum Careers Series
Unearthing Community-Engaged Research in Museums and Archives
Corner Phillip and Bridge streets, Sydney NSW 2000
Monday 12 October 6pm–8pm
Tour
Members Hour: Hyde Park Barracks
Experience Members Hour 2026 at the Hyde Park Barracks
Queens Square, Macquarie Street Sydney NSW 2000
Monday 12 October 9am–10am
Tour
Exclusive Guided Tours of Dangrove
Step inside Dangrove, a remarkable purpose-built art storage facility in Alexandria commissioned by philanthropist and art collector Judith Neilson, and discover a hidden world dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of contemporary art
Friday 16 October 10am–11am
Various dates
Workshop
The GUL Collective workshops
Weave, loop and stitch alongside The GUL Collective in this all-abilities textile workshop celebrating creativity across cultures, generations and backgrounds
70 Alice Street, Rosehill NSW 2142
Saturday 17 October 10.30am–12.30pm
Tour
Demolished Homes & Lost Gardens
Part of Sydney Rare Book Week
The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tuesday 20 October 10am–11am
Talk
Writers in the Records: Literary Lives in the NSW State Archives Collection
This talk and behind-the scenes tour offers a fascinating journey into the archival traces left by novelists, poets and other literary figures
161 O'Connell Street, Kingswood NSW 2747
Wednesday 21 October 10am–12pm
Online talk
Five Things to Discover in the Photographic Archive of the Government Printing Office
Join this webinar to explore the 20th-century photography of the NSW Government Printing Office. Learn the stories behind these images and how you can access them
Friday 30 October 10.30am–11.30am
Tour
Convict Sydney Walking Tour
Join one of our knowledgeable and expert guides for a tour of Convict Sydney
Corner Phillip and Bridge streets, Sydney NSW 2000
Tuesday 3 November 10.30am–12.30pm
Tour
Living with Modernism: Inside Rose Seidler House
Step inside one of Australia’s most celebrated modernist homes and discover the life and work of visionary architect Harry Seidler AC OBE
71 Clissold Road, Wahroonga NSW 2076
Saturday 7 November 10am–11am
Online talk
The Ned Kelly Papers
Join us for this webinar exploring the life and crimes of Australia’s most notorious bushranger, featuring recently digitised records from the NSW State Archives Collection.
Friday 27 November 10.30am–11.30am
Tour
Expert-Led Tours of The Cutaway
Step inside one of Sydney’s most anticipated new cultural spaces on this exclusive Sydney Open Series tour
Saturday 5 December 10am–11.15am
Tour
Tours of the Old Supreme Court with Mark Tedeschi AM KC
Uncover intriguing details of some of Australia’s most high-profile trials as you explore the historical significance of the Old Supreme Court, one of the earliest courthouses in Australia
Saturday 12 December 11.30am–12.30pm
Tour
Sin City: Sydney Crime Stories
Visit real crime scenes from the past and hear the stories behind the crimes
Corner Albert and Phillip streets, Sydney NSW 2000
Sunday 28 March 10.30am–12.30pm
Tour
Digging Up the Neighbourhood
This walking tour uncovers The Rocks and Millers Point archaeology, including rare access to the preserved Parbury Ruins
58–64 Gloucester Street, The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000
Wednesday 14 April 10.30am–12.30pm
Event series
Sydney Open Series
Building on the Sydney Open program, this series offers talks, workshops, and tours throughout the year, with a focus on history, architecture, design innovation, sustainability, and heritage
House/Music
From June to August, we’re transforming our historic houses and museum spaces through a series of intimate and diverse live music experiences
Past event
Firestick
Hear from leading figures who have spent decades at the forefront of news and politics to understand how far we’ve come and how we can truly create more effective change
Thursday 10 September 6pm–7.30pm
Collections Series
Join our expert curators, archivists, researchers and conservators for talks, tours, viewings and discussions as they highlight some of our most fascinating collection material
On display
Featured display
Eora by Michael Riley
Eora, by the late Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi filmmaker and photographer Michael Riley (1960–2004), is a 20-minute digital film that tells the story of Sydney’s First Nations people – before and after colonisation
Saturday 7 December
Featured display
Residents
Vaucluse House Creative and Cultural Residency 2025–26
Wednesday 30 September
![Burdekin House, Elizabeth Bay House, Sydney Mint, Old Sydney 1933-35 / [Thomas J Lawlor, photographer] [photograph album]](https://api.mhnsw.au/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.mhnsw.au%2Ffotoweb%2Fembed%2F2026%2F06%2F209e4a0ba5c7492a8076056e64557c47.jpg&w=1920&h=400&fit=inside&format=webp)
Featured display
Leaving Only Memories: The loss of Burdekin House
Our current display showcases objects and artworks related to Burdekin House, a grand colonial mansion that once stood on Macquarie Street but was demolished in 1933, a victim of Sydney’s urban development
Tuesday 7 July
Featured exhibition
Dig It!
Head to our dig site, grab your tools and become an archaeologist at the Museum of Sydney
Friday 5 December
Featured display
Madjeri
Madjeri (pronounced mud-jer-ee) is the Dharawal word for canoe or small floating vessel
Saturday 3 August
Permanent display
Alexander Riley, legendary Aboriginal police tracker
The remarkable talents of Aboriginal trackers who worked for NSW Police in the 20th century are featured in a display at the Justice & Police Museum
Saturday 1 April
Permanent display
Healing land, remembering Country
A powerful work by Kuku Yalanji artist Tony Albert
Sunday 30 April
Permanent display
Yura Nura: People & Country
Yura Nura: People & Country presents contemporary Aboriginal reflections on the history of Sydney and colonisation
Saturday 1 April
Featured exhibition
Unearthed
Between 1983 and 1991, archaeologists excavated one of the most contested blocks of land in Sydney – the site of Australia’s first Government House
Visit Exhibition