Destination NSW will deliver a record-breaking October long weekend, with 11 blockbuster sporting and cultural events tipped to draw more than 100,000 visitors and generate more than $50 million for the NSW economy.

Western Sydney will kick off the festivities with 82,000 fans expected at the sold-out 2025 NRL and NRLW Grand Finals at Accor Stadium, while all eligible licensed premises showing the matches will be able to trade until midnight on Grand Final day.

Southwest Sydney will host the AusCycling BMX National Championships (6–12 October), bringing around 4000 visitors including 1600 riders to Camden.

In Sydney’s CBD, cultural highlights include Cerith Wyn Evans at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Yolŋu power: the art of Yirrkala at Art Gallery of NSW, and blockbuster musicals The Book of Mormon (Capitol Theatre) and the Australian premiere of Back to the Future: The Musical (Sydney Lyric Theatre).

Regional NSW will also play a starring role, with drawcards taking centre stage to include:

  • Deniliquin: The iconic Deni Ute Muster (3-4 October) is on track to sell out for the first time in its history, attracting around 20,000 attendees for a celebration of all things Australian – from country music to ute culture.
  • Pambula: The boutique Wanderer Festival (4–5 October) will return for its third instalment, drawing almost 9000 music and arts lovers to the Sapphire Coast.
  • Southern Highlands: The inaugural Horizontal Festival (4–5 October) will pair food and wine with curated music, art installations and workshops in an immersive new visitor experience.
  • Coffs Harbour: The Touch Football National Youth Championships (1–4 October) will see more than 7000 players, coaches and supporters, including 1600 athletes, gather for four days of elite youth competition.
  • Newcastle and Gilgandra: Supported through the NSW Government’s Regional Event Fund, Newcastle’s New Annual (26 September–5 October) will showcase contemporary art and performance, while the Goin’ to Gil Festival Weekend in Gilgandra (3–6 October) will feature live music, craft beer, markets and street food.

The NSW Government is also supporting the Sydney Everest Carnival at Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens.

The raft of events in Sydney and across NSW will be a major boost for the state’s economy, with estimates pointing to it generating nearly more than $50 million in revenue.

NSW recently celebrated $55.9 billion in visitor spend in the year ending June 2025, driven by more than 75 government-backed events delivered across the state.

The results were reinforced by Sydney recording its highest August hotel occupancy since 2018, boosted by the TCS Sydney Marathon and the British and Irish Lions Tour – both proudly supported by the NSW Government through Destination NSW.

Preliminary CoStar data shows occupancy averaged 84.4 per cent in August (up 8.7 per cent year on year), peaking at 95.1 per cent on the eve of the Sydney Marathon.

The momentum will continue throughout October with the Bathurst 1000 (9-12 October), SXSW Sydney (13-19 October) and the World Triathlon Championship in Wollongong (15-19 October).

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “The Labour Day long weekend will be one for the record books thanks to the Minns Labor Government’s targeted support for events that deliver economic, social and cultural benefits across NSW.

“Our NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 provides a clear mandate for delivering a year-round calendar of world-class events that drive visitation, support jobs and boost the businesses that rely on our growing visitor economy.

“This unforgettable line-up will not only strengthen our identity as Australia’s home of world-class cultural and sporting experiences, but it will also ensure restaurants, hotels, cafes, pubs and clubs are buzzing right across NSW this October long weekend.”