🌟 Editor's Note
Hello {{first_name | resident}},
Welcome to The LAB #25.
Hot and dry then cold and wet! After a spell of crazy Summer weather, the weekend ended up being extremely windy and rainy throughout our local area.
Some reports of flooding streets as 30mm of rainfall was recorded within an hour.
Today we have a lot of January and February events for both outside and inside, so we can only hope the weather gets a bit dryer and more pleasant as we approach Australia Day.
Norman.
Are you running an event or have news that could benefit the community? Maybe you have a local business and would like to partner with us. Shoot me an email: [email protected]
🗓️ Today’s Edition
🔥 Events
Concerts and Festivals
Basketball
Showground Experiences
🦘 Australia on ❎
🎵 Concerts & Festivals 🪩
DATE | Event | VENUE | TICKETS |
|---|---|---|---|
Sat 24 Jan | HTID | Sydney Showground | |
Sun 25 Jan | Meltdown Festival 2026 | Sydney Showground | |
Fri 6 Feb | One Republic | Qudos Bank Arena | |
Sat 7 Feb | Dreamstate | Sydney Showground | |
Mon 16 Feb | Lainey Wilson | Qudos Bank Arena |
💪 Sports Entertainment 💪
DATE | Event | VENUE | TICKETS |
|---|---|---|---|
Sun 1 Feb | Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 | Qudos Bank Arena | |
Sat 14 Feb | AEW Grand Slam | Qudos Bank Arena |
🏀 Sydney Kings Games 🏀
DATE | Vs. | VENUE | TICKETS |
|---|---|---|---|
Thu 22 Jan | JackJumpers | Qudos Bank Arena | |
Sun 25 Jan | Adelaide 36ers | Qudos Bank Arena | |
Thu 29 Jan | Illawarra Hawks | Qudos Bank Arena |
🔥 Sydney Showground Events 🔥
EXPERIENCE | VENUE | TICKETS |
|---|---|---|
Balloon Story | Fever Pavilion | |
Machu Pichu: Journey to the Lost City | Fever Pavilion | |
Horizon of Khufu | Fever Pavilion | |
Life Chronicle | Fever Pavilion | |
Bubble Planet | Paddington Pavilion | |
The Last Stronghold | Fever Pavilion |
This table contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, the LAB Newsletter earns commission at no additional cost to you.
🎈 Community Events
Check out events and things to do for this upcoming weekend and the next.
If you’re running an event, reach out to [email protected] or reply directly and I may be able to include it this section.
🦖 DinoFest at Olympic Park (Families/Kids under 9)
📍 Blaxland Riverside Park, Olympic Park
🕥 10:30 am - 12:00 pm & 🕐 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm, until 1 FebMeet the whole herd – walking Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Spinosaurus, Ankylosaur, Pachycephalosaurs, T-Rex and adorable baby dinos
One ticket, heaps included – dinosaur encounters, dino dig, tattoos, feel-a-fossil activities + a 30-stop life-size Dino Trail
Dino Rangers bring it to life with fun facts, myth-busting and some very questionable prehistoric jokes
Perfect for families with kids under 9 – under 2 free, plus coffee & icecream vans
For further information including tickets check the event page
🎉 School Holiday Wrap Up Party (Kids 5 and over)
📍 Auburn Town Hall, Auburn
🕑 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Thursday 22 Jan (Arrive 10 minutes early)Library summer holiday wrap up party!
Games, music, dancing and glow in the dark excitement
For children 5 and over, all participants must be accompanied by an adult
Book your free tickets at trybooking.com
🎬 Movie Marathon: Lord of the Rings (Families)
📍 Reading Cinemas Auburn, Red Yard Parramatta Road
🕙 10:00 am - Midnight Saturday 24 JanRelive the cinematic experience of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy
All 3 films, extended cuts shown in succession across 14 hours
30 minute breaks in between films
Book your tickets on the Reading Cinemas website
🇦🇺 OzFest Multicultural Australia Day (Families)
📍 Wyatt Park Lidcombe
🕛 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Monday 26 Jan
Celebrate Australia Day among the many cultures of our local area
Food, music, arts, crafts and cultural display
Vegetarian/Vegan friendly options available
Check the event page for further information
🇦🇺 Australia Day Celebration 2026 (Families)
📍 Holroyd Gardens Merrylands
🕔 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Monday 26 JanFireworks display 8:50 pm
Featuring food stalls and trucks, live music, cultural performances and movie screenings
Check the event page for further information
🇬🇧 Rocketman vs Pianoman (All Ages)
📍 Carnarvon Golf Club
🕢 7:30 am - 9:00 pm Saturday 31 JanStarring Lance Strauss and Jimmy Mann as Elton John and Billy Joel respectively
A tribute night to two iconic performers featuring heartfelt ballads, electrifying anthems, piano brilliance and theatrical flair
For tickets visit 123tix.com.au
👶 PCB Baby Expo (Parents)
📍 Sydney Showgrounds, Olympic Park
🕙 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday 31 Jan - Sunday 1 FebAustralia’s largest and the world’s longest-running early parenting event, bringing everything pregnancy, baby and child under one roof
Shop the biggest brands with exclusive expo-only deals across baby and nursery essentials
Learn from expert talks and classes led by our resident midwife and trusted parenting professionals
See, touch and try products across prams, cots, car seats, feeding, sleep, toys, clothing and accessories
For further information, including tickets visit sydneyshowground.com.au
🎈 The Big Bounce Australia (All Ages)
📍 Sydney Olympic Park
20 Feb - 1 MarEnjoy a full 3 hour session in biggest and craziest inflatable touring event in the world
Multiple attractions including the world’s biggest jumping castle, the Giant (obstacle course) and several playgrounds and arenas
DJ music and food trucks on site
Children 3 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult
Tickets ranges from $40-55. For more information and booking, visit The Big Bounce Australia
🦘 Australia on ❎
Find out what they’re saying about us.
Quick interesting posts on X.com featuring Australia or its people.
source: X.com
Context: 23 year old Turkish tennis pro Zeynep Sonmez stopped playing her Australian Open match to assist the ball girl after she stumbled backwards falling over to a rousing applause. Once medical attention was administered the match resumed. Sonmez defeated No.11 ranked Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round.
