Museum events

We regret that due to COVID-19, our regular New Year’s Eve festivities and our cruises on Boxing Day and Australia Day are unable to proceed this holiday season. Many other regular activities are also cancelled or curtailed. For the most up-to-date information and details of coming talks and activities, please see sea.museum/events. Art after hours Sips ’n Strokes by the sea 6–8 pm 14 January

The museum has partnered with Sips ’n Strokes to offer an after-hours art class with a difference. Enjoy our stunning waterfront view while sipping on bubbles (or beer) and painting the night away. Includes two-hour art class, access to Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, Australian farmhouse cheese and fruit selection (individual box), and Brown Brothers Prosecco 200 ml bottle. Cash bar also available. Online bookings essential. Ages 18 plus. $95 per person, $85 for Members or groups of 10 plus Morning or afternoon tea High tea on SY Ena 11 am or 1 pm Sunday 17 January

Treat yourself or someone special to a unique, intimate high tea on board the stunning Edwardian steam yacht Ena at its berth in Sydney’s Darling Harbour. You’ll enjoy a set selection of finger sandwiches, petit fours, sweet and savoury pastries, scones with preserve and clotted cream, tea or coffee and Champagne. Online bookings essential. Standard ticket $85, bottomless Champagne ticket $110

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Bookings and enquiries

Please note that booking is essential unless otherwise stated. Book online at sea.museum/whats-on or phone 02 9298 3646 (unless otherwise indicated) or email members@sea.museum before sending form with payment. Minimum numbers may be required for an event to go ahead. All details are correct at time of publication but subject to change. Readers are advised to check our website for updated and new event information. A celebration of migrant stories The Sunday Stir 2–8 pm Sunday 10 January

Mix it up at the museum with an afternoon of art, storytelling, music and culture.Experience local contemporary artists sharing their stories of migration through drawing, poetry, story and song in a vibrant and interactive program that celebrates Australia’s multicultural society. The artists will perform throughout the museum, interacting with visitors. Presented in association with Blacktown Arts, Sydney Festival and Settlement Services International

Maryam Zahid will be one of the performers at the Sunday Stir. Image Anna Kucera Access Program Sensory-friendly Sundays Sunday 17 January and Sunday 14 February

Our new exhibitions and activity areas will be open extra-early and modified for a quieter experience to suit people on the autism spectrum and with a range of differing abilities. Our trained staff and volunteers will be on hand to facilitate creative activities. Online bookings essential

Science discovery space Ocean lab Daily 29 December to 26 January and weekends in term time

Meet the pint-sized planet protectors that save our seas at our ocean container laboratory – a space to explore what lies beneath the surface of the harbour. Discover more about the secret life of plankton, see films captured by our underwater drones and learn more about the biodiversity of our Sydney harbour environment through experiments and demonstrations. For ages 4–14 and adults.

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The magic of Erth’s visual and physical theatre returns to the museum this summer with their brand new show, Badu – an immersive experience with beautiful puppets and captivating visual effects. ‘Badu’ is an Indigenous word meaning ‘water’, and the show reflects on the wonder of aquatic life in Sydney Harbour. It is performed in the round and was developed in collaboration with First Nation artists. For families with kids aged 4–12 years. Duration 25 minutes. For prices, please see website.

Image courtesy Infrastructure NSW One-day workshop for 8–14 years Whale-song DJ 10 am–4 pm Wednesday 13 or Thursday 14 January

Remix, reverb and record your own aquatic-inspired songs and make animated videos in a fun-filled workshop on digital music making. Learn to use underwater technology, including hydro-phones and underwater drones, to explore and record the world beneath the surface. Take your compositions to the next level by creating digital animations for your own music video. Have your finished work showcased on YouTube for family and friends to enjoy. $70 Members, $85 general. Book online at sea.museum/youth

For kids under 5 Mini Mariners 10.30 or 11.30 am, selected Tuesdays and one Saturday each month, until 13 March

For 2–5-year-olds plus carers Explore the galleries and sing and dance in interactive tours with costumed guides. Enjoy creative free play, craft, games and story time in our themed activity area. Online bookings essential. To ensure social distancing, our tours are now running at reduced capacity and additional hygiene measures are in place. Open age workshops Underwater drones 12–3 pm Wednesdays and Sundays 6–24 January

Game on! Have fun testing your gaming skills and explore below the surface of the harbour with our underwater drones.

Sessions include a private workshop with our ocean-science educators and access to amazing underwater footage highlights to keep and share. For ages 9 to 90. Suitable for wheelchair users and people of all skill levels.

$20 (20 minutes), $30 (30 minutes). Book online at sea.museum/whats-on/ events/underwater-drone Two-day workshop for 8–14 years Oceans of Stories 10 am–4.30 pm Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 January

Create and star in your own imaginative aquatic-themed film inspired by our newest exhibitions and vessels. Learn clever techniques in green-screen, scripting, directing, acting and special effects as you produce your own creative digital stories. Have your finished work displayed for family and friends in a special-event cinema screening. $140 Members or early bird (before 13 January), $165 general. Book online at sea.museum/youth Eligible for creative kids vouchers