How to get the most out of the cooler autumn weather

Autumn is a special kind of year. For a lot of people, it’s just an in-between season, a time to look ahead to the cold months with dread and to look back at the warm months with longing. But autumn has its own appeal. It’s the time when the earth and its creatures rest while the weather is cool enough to be comfortable but not cold. But that doesn’t mean that you should spend it on the couch hibernating. Sydney is one of the busiest cities in Australia, even in the autumn months, and here are some awesome things that it has going on in March.

1. See ‘West Side Story’ outside

Opera isn’t for everyone but the team that puts on those massive shows are now turning their hands to something new. West Side Story is one of the most famous shows in the world and from the 22nd of March to the 21st of April, you can see it outside on Opera Australia’s harbourside stage

2. Parramasala

From the 15th of March to the 17th, Parramasala will light up the streets of Parramatta in a celebration of diversity and inclusion. Expect parades, performances, markets and food, so mark off your calendar and make sure that you’re there.

3. Latin American Festival

This festival has been going on for 40 years and it just gets better with time. Held on the 17th of March, it celebrates the Latin culture, dance, art and music right next to the beach. And if this year is anything like the previous years, the celebrations will spill out onto the beach itself.

4. March Dance

Dancing is such an incredible way to express yourself, to explore another culture, and to get fit and healthy in a way that’s more fun than a treadmill. And now, you can learn how to do it properly with a month-long dance festival all around Sydney. There will be performances and talks about dance throughout March in lots of the city’s studios, so find out what’s going on near you and get down there.

5. The Manly Inflatable Boat Race.

This is an amusing and uniquely Australian spectacle. Basically, competitors get into overgrown floaties shaped like swans and sprint for 1 kilometre from Shelly Beach. Well, some of them sprint, but really, they’re all there just to entertain the audience. And they do a great job at that, so head down to watch the chaos on the 17th.

6. Liverpool on a Roll

If you like bread, then you’ll enjoy this new festival on the 30th of March. It promises to serve any type of food that can be eaten on bread, like burgers, bahn mi and burritos, and there will be entertainment and games too.

7. Neon Gods Film Series

The Art Gallery of New South Wales is having a free film festival from the 17th of March to May the 5th to complement their new display of Chinese art. The films are all by legendary Taiwanese directors such as Ang Lee, Edward Chan and Tsai Ming-liang. It’s a great chance to see something a little different and maybe discover a new interest!

8. Harvest Grape Stomping

If you enjoy your wine, then you’ll probably appreciate making it yourself at the Urban Winery Sydney between the 16th of March and the 31st. You can take a tour and tasting session during this period and go home with grape juice that you helped to make!

So, don’t let the cooling weather keep you indoors. There’s a lot going on in our great city this autumn, so step out of your comfort zone and enjoy it!