Love every second of Winter in Sydney: Events Cool weather - hot tickets! Experience Sydney's packed winter events calendar Sydney buzzes round the clock through the cooler months with a non-stop programme of events. Blockbuster or backstreet, music, fashion, sport or art, the choice of entertainment is endless. Vivid Sydney, which transforms the city into a spectacular canvas of music, lights and ideas, is a huge highlight, but with 80-plus events listed on Sydney.com across the winter months there really is something exciting for every day. Winter must-sees Don't miss these big events during the winter season: Vivid Sydney, 24 May to 10 June. Owned and managed by Destination NSW, Vivid Sydney is set to transform the city into a spectacular canvas of light, music and ideas from 24 May to 10 June. The lighting of the Sydney Opera House sails will be joined by exciting new additions to Vivid Sydney including the first ever lighting of the western side of the Harbour Bridge, and stunning hourly water theatre performances at Darling Harbour by French masters Aquatique. Jesus Christ Superstar, Entertainment Centre from 6-9 June. This arena version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic starts its international tour in Australia and stars Aussies Tim Minchin and Jon Stevens as Judas Iscariot, former Spice Girl Melanie C as Mary Magdalene and Andrew O’Keefe as King Herod. Sir David Attenborough: a Life on Earth, 19 and 20 June at the State Theatre, brings this much loved naturalist, broadcaster and filmmaker back to Australia to appear live on stage. An incredible journey through his extraordinary life. Sydney Film Festival, 5-16 June, is one of the world's longest-running film festivals, and a major event on the NSW cultural calendar. The 12-day festival screens feature films, documentaries, short films and animation from around the world in venues across the city including the State Theatre, Event Cinemas George Street, Dendy Opera Quays, the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Cremorne and the Art Gallery of NSW. War Horse is at the Lyric Theatre until 30 June. This moving, magical play about the bond between a boy and his horse through the hardships of war has enchanted audiences around the world. The 13th Annual Helpmann Awards® recognise distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in the many disciplines of Australia's vibrant live performance sectors, including musical theatre, contemporary music, comedy, cabaret, opera, classical music, theatre, dance and physical theatre. The Awards Ceremony will be held at Sydney Opera House on Monday 29 July. Cool and quirky Smaller, character-filled events add colour and vibrancy to Sydney's winter calendar and can be found all over the city, from the beaches to the farthest fringes. Seeking out these quirky events is a great way to explore a new Sydney neighbourhood. Another slice of mountain bike action in beautiful surroundings, the RedAss NSW- ACT Downhill State Series Round 2 takes place at Del Rio, in the picturesque Hawkesbury River region, on 22 June. Jump into the action or watch some of the best gravity racers from NSW and ACT as they continue to fight for the series lead. Step into a bygone age at Winterfest Medieval Fair at Parramatta Park, 29-30 June. With historical re-enactments, jousting, equestrian and combat displays, archery, market stalls and roaming minstrels, vagabonds and jesters, it's a little bit Game of Thrones, and a lot of fun. Get right into the spirit by entering the best costume competition. One of Sydney's greatest winter delights is spotting humpback whales, and the second annual Bondi Whale Festival celebrates these beautiful visitors on 29 June with a host of activities by the beach. Take a free guided whale-watching walk, enjoy activities and entertainment - and hopefully spot a whale or two as they migrate north. The JetBlack WSMTB 12 Hour Race, on 10 August at Dargle Farm, Lower Portland, is rugged, exhilarating and fun - even if you don't join the race. It's a relay mountain bike race for mixed teams across challenging terrain from 9am to 9pm, and a great reason to explore some of the prettiest bushland on the city outskirts, near Windsor in Sydney's far west. Head out west for Riverfest in Campbelltown on 30 and 31 August, and you'll experience a celebration of the natural environment and cultural diversity of this western Sydney area. Purposefully held the same week as World Environment Day, Riverfest offers interactive displays, giveaways, performances and workshops themed around the environment and local culture. A fun highlight: the hotly contested dry riverbed boat race. Grandstand Sporting Action Sport takes centre stage in Sydney this winter with plenty of blockbuster international and domestic games on show. Take a front row seat for a winter of champions. On 18 June the Qantas Socceroos vs Iraq FIFA World Cup Qualifier is the next step for the Australian national soccer team on the tough road to Brazil 2014. Don't miss this crucial qualifier - it's sure to pack out Stadium Australia with loyal green and gold supporters. On 22 June, Canada v USA pro North American Ice Hockey brings the two best pro north American ice hockey teams ever to visit Australia to Sydney. An NHL spec temporary ice hockey rink will be installed in Sydney's Allphones Arena, where the two titans will face off. On Saturday 6 July the British and Irish Lions Tour brings the visitors head to head with the Qantas Wallabies for the last time until 2025. This final Test in 2013 could be the decider in a fierce battle for the coveted Tom Richards trophy. ANZ Stadium. There are two State of Origin clashes in Sydney this winter, on 5 June and 17 July at ANZ Stadium. This double dose of NSW vs Queensland footie rivalry is certain to be gripping. You can be sure all Sydneysiders will be cheering on the mighty Blues. The 2013 Professional Bull Riders Sydney National Finals on 20 July at Allphones Arena is an extreme sport in a pulsating rock concert atmosphere. Come and see why they call it 'the toughest sport on dirt.' UK football premiership giants Manchester United will make their only Australian appearance on their 2013 world tour in an exhibition match against the A-League All Stars at ANZ Stadium on 20 July. The full Man-U squad, including Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs, will face their Aussie rivals. The Sun-Herald City2Surf on 11 August is Australia's epic annual fun run – and the world's largest. A 14km course, 85,000 participants and new heroes made every year on the journey from CBD to Bondi Beach – it's a must-see, whether you're running or just soaking up the action. Can the Qantas Wallabies snatch back the Bledisloe Cup from deadly rivals and reigning world champions the New Zealand All Blacks? The only 2013 Bledisloe Cup clash on Australian soil is at Sydney's ANZ Stadium on 17 August. The NRL 2013 Telstra Premiership runs from March to September every year and culminates in the Grand Final held at ANZ Stadium on September 30. Sydney teams to watch include the Roosters, who welcome back star player Sonny Bill Williams this year; the Canterbury Bulldogs, hungry for silverware after going down to the Melbourne Storm in last year's Grand Final; and the Parramatta Eels, with new Coach Ricky Stuart set on glory. Share your Winter in Sydney experiences on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Facebook: Like and tag ‘Sydney Australia’ Twitter: #Sydney, @sydney_sider, Instagram: #Sydney, @seesydney For more information on things to see and do this Winter in Sydney and for a full listing of Sydney events go to sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-in-winter/love-every-second where you can also download the NEW Official Sydney smartphone app. Download the Vivid Sydney smartphone app at vividsydney.com Media contacts: Elissa Tyrrell, A/Executive Manager, Media and Public Relations +61 2 9931 1426, +61 (0) 421 130 440, [email protected] Hannah LeCoic, Senior Publicist +61 2 9931 1416, +61 (0) 449 559 429, [email protected] Marsha Rodrom, Destination Publicist +61 2 9931 1407, +61 (0) 450 947 508, [email protected] .