Winter is a time for feasting, and fortunately, a new event in Sydney is giving us plenty of chances to do just that. Running over two weeks this June, Sydney Solstice will involve more than 150 venues across the CBD, Darling Harbour, Newtown, Oxford Street and their surrounds, and will feature some of the best experiences in art, music, nightlife and food and drink in the state.

The program, a NSW Government initiative via Destination NSW, gives Sydneysiders and visitors a chance to rediscover the city in winter as they check out galleries, museums, pubs, restaurants and precincts all around town.

Ahead, we share nine of our favourite event picks for foodies, each offering a chance to sample some of the city’s finest feeds as part of one-off experiences. Break out your beanies and get ready to feast.

The Queen’s Feast

Does the thought of a winter feast with renowned chefs spread across a long table in a transformed Sydney Town Hall appeal? Then score yourself a ticket to The Queen’s Feast – A Last Supper For All The Senses on Sunday, June 13. Choose from two sittings – Awakening (1pm-4pm) or Nightshade (7pm-10pm) – and settle in for a culinary journey by food legends Anna Polyviou (Dessert Queen), Claire Van Vuuren (Bloodwood), George Woodyard (Bart Jnr), and Sarah Tiong (Masterchef 2017/2020), complete with soundscapes, music and unexpected surprises.

South Eveleigh Solstice Festival

Fancy a street festival wander without a set ticket price? Head to South Eveleigh Solstice Festival on Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19. The free event will see former railway sheds Locomotive Street transformed into a hive of activity. Think music, performances and art installations, as well as food and drinks by hospitality heavyweights including Lucky Kwong, Re by Matt Whiley (the world’s first permanent no-waste bar), RaRa Chan, Eat Fuh, Whitton, Steve Costi’s Famous Fish, Fishbowl, Bekya, Pepper Seed Thai, Sushi Hon, North Sandwiches and Yoho Loco.

Flavours of Opera Kitchen

Sample your way across Opera Kitchen’s Italian and Japanese food offerings – including the likes of cured meats, arancini balls, ramen and katsu sandwiches – at Flavours of Opera Kitchen, a weekend festival held on Saturday, June 19 and Sunday, June 20. Tickets include tastings at up to four stalls.

Smoke & Mirrors Wine Dinner

Food, wine and magic collide at Smoke & Mirrors Wine Dinner; An Evening of Food, Wine & Magic, held at Esquire Bar + Bistro. For only two nights, Wednesday, June 16 and Thursday, June 17, the event will feature a four-course dinner with paired NSW wines, as well as entertainment by acclaimed mentalist Andy Nunn and magicians Vincent Kuo and Adam Axford.

Tastes of Sydney Gaze and Graze

At 31 levels above Sydney Harbour and overlooking the skyline and Royal Botanic Gardens, pop-up lounge Panorama, tucked into the InterContinental Sydney, is appropriately named. Your ticket to Sydney Gaze and Graze Rooftop Experience will include a tasting menu (a twist on a degustation), as well as an interactive experience. Available June 8-20.

Sydney Solstice Gold Lunch Cruise

Why settle for one view of Sydney Harbour when you can have a few? And, in fact, aboard Sydney Solstice Gold Lunch Cruise, you can have more than a few as the Captain Cook Cruises luxurious vessel makes its way around the harbour. Book for lunch or sunset dinner.

Brews, Beats and Burgers

Keen on craft beer? Make a beeline for Brews, Beats and Burgers, a free entry event taking place over the June long weekend. Located in the Terminus Hotel, the festival will give beer lovers a chance to meet talented NSW brewers, dig into a mouth-watering burger menu and listen to live tunes.

Aria After Dark

Over four special evenings, Aria After Dark will see a different NSW winemaker host a two-hour tasting at this iconic restaurant. Snacks made from some of the state’s tastiest produce and created by Aria’s Executive Chef Joel Bickford are also included. Events held on June 9, 10, 16 and 17.

Cheese Making Class with Kristen Allen

Ricotta and butter and yoghurt, oh my! You’ll learn to make all three, plus labneh and ghee, in this Cheese Making Class on Sunday, June 20, run by experienced cheesemaker Kristen Allen. Mozzarella, burrata and stracciatella more your cheeses of choice? Book into Kristen’s Sunday, June 13 workshop instead.

Visitors can take a look at all the events on offer, and book tickets now, at sydneysolstice.com.

In partnership with the NSW Government via Destination NSW.