Here in Australia, November is the last month before summer really hits its stride. The air is warmer, the days stretch a little longer, and the energy of the year’s end (and the festive season) begins to hum in the background.
It’s the month of balmy outdoor dinners, weekend escapes, and first swims in the ocean.Across the country, galleries, festivals and open-air events start to fill calendars again — a reminder that the season for gathering, celebrating and staying out just a little too late has arrived.
Whether you’re in the mood for live music, art that stirs something, or food that tastes like the start of summer, November is brimming with possibility. Below, we’ve rounded up the best events, exhibitions and experiences happening across Australia this month.
NSW
Venroy is bringing Iggy’s and PIÑA to Bondi for a three-weekend pop-up, starting Saturday 29 November. Stop by for pastries, matcha, and exclusive merch, from 9am until sold out. At Venroy, 20 Hall St, Bondi Beach.
The BWS Cool Room's party series continues with a Mediterranean-inspired Summer discoteca coming to a secret Eora/Sydney location on Sunday 7 December. They've got a stacked lineup (Chaos in the CBD, Wax'o Paradiso, Adriana & more on music), Pizza Oltra serving up delicious Med flavours, Unwanted FC selling must-have kits, merch & vintage jerseys + more. Tickets are free with registration online.
Rameau d’Or is bringing the effortless glamour of the Côte d’Azur to Bondi with the launch of the Rameau d’Or Rosé Beach Bar, in partnership with Promenade Beach Bar. Open now until 30 April 2026, the pop-up blends the spirit of Provence with Bondi's charm. More details here.
Butterboy is heading to Newcastle, popping up at Charlestown Square for one week only, from November 24–30. Shop cookies, limited cook tins, limited-edition holiday flavours, plus Cookie Milk and Cookie-Milk Matcha.
The International at Martin Place is the ultimate location this summer, transforming the CBD with Summer Terrace—the open-air extension of The Wine Bar that wraps the Perry S Sculpture—and Panorama Bar’s rooftop DJ line-up, anchoring a three-level program of dining, music and wine.
To celebrate the launch of their Gentle Reset Daily Exfoliating Toner Pads into MECCA, Summer Fridays is partnering with Sundays Bondi on a limited-edition Pistachio Cloud Matcha. Try it on November 21 until December 5 – with the first 100 drinks given away for free.
Pier One Sydney Harbour has unveiled its new harbourside Kiosk in partnership with Everyday Creamery. Open from 13 November, the Kiosk will serve soft serves, house-made lemonades, and signature matcha lattes.
With Consideration is hosting an exclusive pop-up store from 14 - 16 November. You can stop by the store at 17 Oxford Street, Paddington.
Kiln Supper Club is happening again this Saturday 15 November – a late-night party on Level 18 of Ace Hotel Sydney. Tickets are $25 and include complimentary snacks through the night, a lineup of Sydney’s favourite DJs, and a great selection of drinks from 10pm.
Aperol Spritz is launching the official taste of Italian summer together with the Italian Consulate General. To celebrate, Aperol waiters will hit the streets of Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday November 8 — just spot, scan, and sip for a complimentary Spritz
The Louboutin Bar will return to level 7, David Jones, Elizabeth Street from 6th November until 5th January. Stop by and celebrate the holiday season with cocktails, champagne, coffee, and croissants.
To celebrate turning one, Island Radio is serving $1 upgrades from 5–6pm, 24–30 November. More info and bookings available here.
On 24 November, The Paddo Inn will host Cocktails & Crime Stories – a candlelitevening of curated drinks and gruesome true crime stories from 19th century Sydney, with crime historian Max Burns-McRuvie. More info an tickets available here.
JAG is bringing the spirit of the weekend to Bondi with The JAG Weekender. From 31 October to 2 November, JAG joins forces with Sonoma Bakery to turn Bondi into a coastal hangout, complete with free coffee for the first 100 guests daily, limited-edition summer flans, custom picnic kits, and icy pole carts.
Just in time for summer, the Central Coast is getting its own slice of Queensland with Terrigal Pavilion — a sprawling, multi-level venue inspired by Burleigh’s iconic beachfront institution. The new space comes complete with an all-day hub, The Tropic restaurant, and a casual takeaway spot, The Corner Store. Open on November 19.
Christopher Kulendran Thomas’ powerful new exhibition, Safe Zone, is opening at Artspace on 14 November. The works are a haunting exploration of memory, media, and modern imperialism.
After a full-scale renovation, Rozelle favourite The Sackville is back and better than ever. To celebrate its grand reopening (4–9 November), The Sackville is offering $19 glasses of Veuve Clicquot, $7 schooners, complimentary Happy Hour snacks, and a week-long lineup of live entertainment.
Kyiv Social is firing up the grill this Sunday, 2 November, with the launch of its Laneway BBQ Summer Series — a weekly celebration of charcoal cooking, live music, and art running from 12–5pm. Each week, some of Sydney’s best chefs and restaurants will take over the laneway, serving BBQ dishes from just $15.
Bach Akademie Australia closes its 2025 season with all six Brandenburg Concertos from 14–16 November, led by Artistic Director Madeleine Easton. Catch performances at The Joan, Penrith (14 Nov) and The Neilson, ACO on the Pier (15–16 Nov). Tickets available here.
Letra House is hosting the third edition of its ‘El Camino’ series with a one-off Valencian paella party on 9 November. Culinary Director Scott McComas-Williams and Head Chef Brandon Jones will cook two signature arroces — Paella de Butifarra y Sepia and Paella de Marisco — alongside a selection of Valencian tapas and desserts. Tickets available here.
Barangaroo Spirits & Bites 2025 is landing at Manjit’s Restaurant on Darling Harbour from 14–16 November. Expect 70+ high-end spirits, from Tasmanian single malts to Ube liqueur, paired with free-flowing canapés and exclusive tastings like Hugo Vodka with a caviar bump.
VIC
Penfolds is making holiday gifting easy, with a pop-up at Chadstone. The space nods to the winery’s global footprint, with shelves stocked with bottles from its From Penfolds to the World collection. Visitors can pick up limited-edition gift boxes or settle in for a guided tasting featuring favourites like Bin 389, the French-crafted FWT 585, and the Californian Bin 600.
Gigi’s Gelato and St Remio Coffee have teamed up to create the ultimate Christmas sweet treat: panettone filled with coffee-spiked semifreddo. Handcrafted by chef Gigi Pozzoli, this limited-edition treat is available to order online or in store until December 8.
Bunnings Port Melbourne is hosting a Beyond the Valley Pre-Festival Party on 22 November from 7:30pm - 9:30pm, with performances from Mallrat and DJ Cooper Smith. Even better, 10 fans will receive tickets to BTV, and two winners will score VIP tickets and a fully set-up campsite. Enter here.
Melbourne's iconic pub, The Waterside Hotel, reopen on 14 November. The seven-level venue has been eight years in the making, and features a central beer garden, an 18-metre-long central bar, and a reimagined menu.
Hawker Hall is turning 10 this month, and launching a $66 Birthday Banquet, limited-edition Pidapipó collaboration dessert, $2 birthday dumplings, and a pair of cocktails served throughout November.
Sunday Salon is presenting 'Pure X', a solo exhibition by Melbourne-based artist Julian Hocking, running 10-16 November hosted at Saloon Store in the iconic Curtain House building.
ST. ALi and Serai are teaming up this November for a South Melbourne takeover in celebration of ST. ALi’s second café opening in Manila. The collaboration will see chef Ross Magnaye bring Serai’s fire-driven Filipino flavours to ST. ALi for a one-night-only dinner on Thursday 13 November, followed by a limited-edition dish available for a month from Friday 14 November.
QLD
Koko Black is returning to QLD with a new store in Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall, opening on 5 December. To celebrate, the Koko Cruiser – a roving chocolate sampling van – will be giving away goodies at various locations across the city from 29 November.
Brisbane's biggest pre-loved market returns on November 15, giving you the chance to either shop pre-loved goodies, or sell your wardrobe. More information is available here.
Just in time for the Noosa Triathlon, Venroy has teamed up with Blended Noosa to create the Venroy Hydrator — a refreshing cold-pressed juice of celery, cucumber, lemon, aloe vera, and mint. Available 31 Oct–2 Nov, with the first 20 customers at Venroy Noosa receiving a complimentary juice. Find it at both Blended and Venroy, on Hastings street.
The QAGOMA Store Christmas Design Market returns Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 November at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), offering a curated and creative festive shopping experience.
The Hamilton Island Ocean swim returns on 16 November. The annual open-water event features a 750m and 2km race, plus a junior swim, offering a sun-soaked day of fitness and fun in the heart of the Whitsundays.
The Wynnum Wonderland Christmas Festival returns from 28 November to 22 December. From the founders of Wynnum Fringe, expect a mix of world-class talent and local charm. More details here.
WA
From 20–23 November, Pair’d returns to the Margaret River region, turning the picturesque destination into a celebration of world-class wine, food, and music. Tickets available now.
Gather & Gourmet is a vibrant, themed market taking place on 8 November, celebrating all things gourmet and home. With over 80 carefully curated stallholders, the event brings together premium food, beverages, and homewares.
TAS
The Bicheno Food & Wine Festival is back on November 15, for a one-day beachside feast of flavour, fun, and live music. Showcasing Tasmanian wine, local brews, and bites from favourite local producers, the Bicheno Food and Wine Festival is not to be missed.
Point To Pinnacle (the world's toughest half marathon) takes place in Hobart on November 16. You can cheer on the participants as they raise money for various charities from 7am.
