August marks the final month of winter in Sydney, bringing crisp days and clear skies perfect for outdoor events like the City2Surf and whale watching season. While temperatures are cooler, the city comes alive with festivals celebrating everything from cherry blossoms to science, making it an ideal time to explore both indoor and outdoor activities.
Visitors will find accommodation rates are reasonable during this quieter winter period, and the smaller crowds make it easier to experience the city’s attractions.
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Annual Events in Sydney in August
Auburn Botanic- Gardens Cherry Blossom Festival
For 2 weeks each August, Auburn Botanic Gardens turns Japanese with a stunning display of Cherry Blossoms.
Celebrate Hello Kitty’s 50th birthday and enjoy a slice of Japan as you wander through the iconic Cherry Trail. Delight in the Japanese Food Village, serving cherry blossom-themed dishes and a wide selection of Japanese fusion foods. The festival features cultural performances, traditional Japanese music, dancing, kids activities, horticultural talks, and more.
Capture the perfect ‘cherry snap’ at the iconic Cherry Arbour in the Japanese Gardens and the Mt Fuji Torii Gate, perfect for ‘insta-ready’ photos and videos of the beautiful cherry blossoms.
Tickets, especially weekend dates, will sell fast, so get in quick!
When: 16-24 August 2025
Where: Auburn Botanic Gardens, Auburn, NSW
Cost: $16.60 for adults, $8.95 for kids. Free for Cumberland Council area residents. Tickets must be purchased online and will not be available at the event. Buy from Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival
Festivals, Fairs and Community Events
Engadine Street Fair
One of the Shire’s biggest community events returns with over 200 stalls featuring artisan goods, fashion, food, and more. Enjoy live music throughout the day, carnival rides, and family entertainment.
When: Sunday 3 August 2025, 9am-3pm
Where: Engadine Town Centre l Cost: Free entry
Sydney Gluten-Free Expo
Australia’s only dedicated gluten-free event returns to Sydney this August. This two-day celebration brings together the best gluten-free brands, expert speakers, cooking demonstrations and family entertainment under one roof.
Highlights include:
- Live cooking demos including gluten-free spicecraft with Spices with Ambika
- Talks by leading gastroenterologist Dr Vincent Ho on latest coeliac research
- The inaugural OMG Donut Eating Competition
- Jack the Sillyak’s kids’ show
- Expert insights on trace gluten and oats from Dr Kim Faulkner-Hogg
- Exclusive brand discounts and sampling opportunities
All proceeds support people with coeliac disease through peak body Coeliac Australia.
When: Saturday 16 – Sunday 17 August 2025
Where: Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney
Cost: Tickets available at glutenfreeexpo.com.au
Ferragosto Street Festival
Fivedock is home to some of the best of Italian culture and this festival has it all. Fantastic food, focusing strongly on cooking and over 300 stalls selling everything you could need in an Italian kitchen.
When: 17 August 2025
Where: Great North Road, Five Dock between Lyons and Queens Roads
Cost: Free, details here.
Cronulla Winter Market
A beachside weekend market showcasing local retailers and small businesses from Cronulla and across Sydney. Shop, eat, and enjoy the community atmosphere by the water.
When: August 16-17, 2025, 9am-3pm
Where: Don Lucas Reserve, Cronulla l Cost: Free entry
CollectFest
Australia’s first major collectables festival comes to Sydney, bringing together the biggest names in collecting including eBay, Goldin (from Netflix’s “King of Collectibles”), and Whatnot. This groundbreaking event unites collectors, traders, and enthusiasts under one roof, featuring rare items, trading opportunities, and expert panels.
When: August 23-24, 2025
Where: International Convention Centre Sydney
Cost: Visit collectfest.com.au for tickets
Penrith Show
Entertainment, rides, side show alley, trade stalls, competitions, exhibitions performances and so much more!
When: 30 August 2025
Where: 141-147 Station Street, Penrith
More: Check the website for more info
Dog and Cat Lovers Festivals
Australia’s premier pet events return to Sydney Showground with two incredible festivals running side by side.
The Dog Lovers Festival features the Vitapet Arena with live demonstrations, the exciting Kurgo Dockdogs splashing into a 100,000-litre pool, and the popular Pat-a-Pooch experience. Special guests include Farmer Dave Graham, Lara Shannon from Pooches at Play, and social media sensation Jamie the Dog Trainer.
Meanwhile, the Cat Lovers Festival showcases the WHISKAS® Stage, Kitty Cosplay parade, Championship Cat Show, and the Feline Natural Breed Showcase. Dr. Katrina Warren and social media stars Sonia Hankova & Kepler Copernicus will make special appearances.
Both festivals feature dedicated adoption zones, expert talks, and extensive shopping opportunities. Best of all, your ticket gives you access to both events!
When: Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August 2025, 9:30am-5pm
Where: Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park
Cost: $32.50 for adults, $24.50 concession, $17.50 for kids
Tickets: Available at dogloversfestival.com.au or catloversfestival.com.au
Sydney Science Festival
National Science Week (9-17 August 2025) brings an array of scientific adventures to Sydney under the theme “Decoding the Universe.”
Here are some highlights:
SCIENCE IN THE SCRUB – WESTERN SYDNEY PARKLAND
From elephant toothpaste eruptions in a LIVE science show, to a life-sized dinosaur roaming the park, a vintage fire truck display, Lego robots, bug hunts and a new Aboriginal Science Village with bush brews, and medicinal plants, get ready to entertain your pint-sized palaeontologists, budding biologists or mini mathematicians.
With over 30 stalls, hands-on STEM experiments and Australian wildlife displays, get ready for a science day out like no other.
When: Sunday 10th August 2025, 11:00am – 3:00pm
Where: Lizard Log, Western Sydney Parklands
For more details: www.greatersydneyparklands.nsw.gov.au/scienceweek
SCIENCE IN THE SWAMP – Centennial Park
Watch a mind-blowing science show, discover unforgettable neuroscience, catch minibeasts, embark on a Science Scavenger Hunt, and don’t miss a huge new addition – the 2025 UNSW SciFest Village – featuring a spider show, slime making, optical illusions and a drone soccer match.
Crowd-favourite Ginger, the life-sized Australovenator dinosaur returns, alongside more than 30 stalls, Australian wildlife displays, hands-on exhibits and musical moments guaranteed to engage curious minds.
When: Sunday 17th August, 11:00am – 3:00pm
Where: Loch Avenue South, Centennial Park
For more details: www.greatersydneyparklands.nsw.gov.au/scienceweek
Indigenous Science Experience
Explore Aboriginal astronomy, bush medicine, and 60,000+ years of Indigenous scientific knowledge. Features hands-on activities, Elder yarning sessions, and cultural performances.
When: Saturday 9 August, 10am-3pm
Where: Redfern Community Centre l Cost: Free
Soapbox Science Sydney
Meet 12 remarkable women in STEM sharing their discoveries and experiences in this outdoor event.
When: Saturday 9 August, 2pm-5pm
Where: Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour l Cost: Free
Find the full program of events at ScienceWeek.net.au
Musicals, Opera and Theatre in Sydney in August
Carmen
Bizet’s thrilling tale of passion and freedom comes alive in this bold new production by Anne-Louise Sarks. Four extraordinary performers, including Danielle de Niese and Rihab Chaieb, take on the iconic role of the rebellious Carmen across the season.
Performed in French with English surtitles, this visceral production asks urgent questions about opera’s most famous femme fatale.
When: Throughout August (multiple dates)
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Tickets: From $79
The Marriage of Figaro
Mozart’s beloved comic masterpiece returns to the Opera House, following the further adventures of the charming and mischievous Figaro. Watch romance, revenge, and ridiculous schemes unfold over one chaotic summer’s day, set to Mozart’s sparkling score.
International stars Gordon Bintner and Michael Sumuel lead a stellar cast, with Australian soprano Siobhan Stagg making her Opera Australia debut. Conductor Teresa Riveiro Böhm leads the Opera Australia Orchestra through this supreme masterpiece of operatic comedy.
When: Until 27 August 2025
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Cost: From $79
Note: Performed in Italian with English surtitles. Running time 3.5 hours including interval.
Rusalka
Nicole Car makes her triumphant return to Australia in Dvořák’s enchanting opera about a water nymph who trades her voice for love. Director Sarah Giles creates a mesmerizing world of light and shadow in this new production.
Performed in Czech with English surtitles, this romantic masterpiece features the famous ‘Song to the Moon’.
When: Through August 11, 2025
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Tickets: From $79
La Bohème
Set in the glittering cabarets of 1930s Berlin, Gale Edwards’ beloved production of Puccini’s masterpiece returns. Kang Wang and Olivia Cranwell lead the cast in this timeless story of young love and loss.
Performed in Italian with English surtitles, this classic production perfectly captures the joy and heartbreak of youth.
When: From August 23, 2025
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes, including interval
Tickets: From $79
Great Opera Hits
Enjoy a captivating concert featuring the best of opera. As the sun dips below Sydney Harbour, immerse yourself in the melodic sounds of renowned arias by composers like Bizet, Puccini, Rossini, and Verdi.
Talented singers from Opera Australia will grace the stage, accompanied by piano, delivering a delightful 90-minute performance. Relax and let the music transport you to the enchanting world of opera against the backdrop of Sydney’s stunning skyline.
When: Every Sunday afternoon in August + Friday 29 August
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Tickets: here
Once On This Island
A vibrant Caribbean-inspired musical from the creators of Seussical and Ragtime. Follow Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl who saves a wealthy boy’s life, as she challenges the gods and social barriers for love.
Winner of the Olivier Award, this reimagining of The Little Mermaid blends tropical rhythms with Australian cultural influences.
When: August 2-30, 2025 (Tue-Sat 7:30pm, Thu 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm & 5pm)
Where: Hayes Theatre Co, Potts Point
Macbeth by Come You Spirits
Experience Shakespeare’s classic reimagined through a powerful fusion of dance and spoken word.
This innovative production transforms the witches into elemental forces, featuring acclaimed First Nations dancer Ella Havelka (Australian Ballet, Bangarra) alongside Jo Bloom and Willa King.
When: The Concourse, Chatswood: 5-9 August
Darling Quarter Theatre: 13-15 August
Where: The Concourse Chatswood and Darling Quarter Theatre
Cost: Book via comeyouspirits.com (Use code ‘2FOR1MAC’ for two-for-one tickets)
Birdsong of Tomorrow
A whimsical and heartfelt exploration of birds and the rapidly changing environment, this play blends science, music, and storytelling.
Written by Nathan Harrison and directed by Emma McManus, it imagines what songs birds might sing in a future without humans.
When: August 21 to September 6, 2025
Where: Old Fitz Theatre, 129 Dowling St, Woolloomooloo
Shark Arm Case – Immersive Murder Mystery
Experience one of Sydney’s most notorious true crimes in this immersive theatrical event at the historic Justice & Police Museum. When a tiger shark at Coogee Aquarium regurgitated a tattooed human arm in 1935, it launched an investigation that exposed Sydney’s criminal underworld.
Explore the 170-year-old museum as the mystery unfolds around you, meeting characters from 1930s Sydney and uncovering clues in this unique blend of theatre and history.
When: 14-30 August 2025 (Thursday-Saturday), Sessions at 6:30pm and 8pm
Where: Justice & Police Museum, Corner Phillip and Albert Streets, Sydney
Cost: Book via Eventbrite
Note: Ages 16+. 60-minute performance.
The Face of Jizo
Following a sold-out season at the Old Fitz, Omusubi Productions presents Hisashi Inoue’s acclaimed post-war masterpiece. This tender story of a father and daughter grappling with the ghosts of the past explores courage, first love, and healing in the aftermath of war.
When: August 21 to September 6, 2025
Where: Seymour Centre, Cnr City Rd and Cleveland St, Chippendale
The 39 Steps
This Olivier and Tony Award-winning comedy brings together Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller and Monty Python-style humor in a high-energy production. Watch as four actors – including Lisa McCune, Ian Stenlake, and The Umbilical Brothers – tackle 130 characters in 100 minutes of non-stop action and quick-change chaos.
Follow Richard Hannay as he races across the country to clear his name of murder, encountering spies, secrets, and seductive strangers in this inventive stage spectacular directed by Damien Ryan.
When: 8-30 August 2025
Where: Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Cost: From $69 Bookings: sydneyoperahouse.com
How to Plot a Hit in Two Days
Melanie Tait’s world premiere starring Georgie Parker takes audiences behind the scenes of A Country Practice’s most famous episode.
Set in 1985, this nostalgic piece reveals how the writers crafted an episode that would break Australia’s heart.
When: August 29 to October 11, 2025
Where: Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli
Orlando
A bold new adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s beloved novel comes to the stage. Orlando, a young and wealthy courtier in Elizabethan England, embarks on an extraordinary journey through 400 years of history, questioning gender, identity, and time itself.
Created by Elsie Yager and Carissa Licciardello (A Room of One’s Own, Scenes from the Climate Era), this production stars Janet Anderson, Nyx Calder, and Shannen Alyce Quan.
When: August 30 to September 21, 2025
Where: Belvoir St Theatre, Surry Hills
Music, Comedy And Dance
Elevator Music – Michael Collins with Omega Ensemble
Legendary British clarinettist Michael Collins makes his first Australian appearance in six years, joining Omega Ensemble for an exceptional clarinet showcase. Collins, celebrated for his “irresistible exuberance” and record as the most frequently invited wind soloist at the BBC Proms, performs alongside Omega Ensemble’s Artistic Director David Rowden.
The program features the world premiere of Graeme Koehne’s Double Clarinet Concerto, plus Grammy-nominated composer Anna Clyne’s Stride and Aaron Copland’s beloved Clarinet Concerto.
When: Tuesday 19 August 2025, 7:00pm
Where: City Recital Hall, 2 Angel Place, Sydney Tickets available here
Takács Quartet & Angie Milliken
Experience one of the world’s finest string quartets as the Grammy and Gramophone Award-winning Takács Quartet returns to Australia for their 50th anniversary tour.
This special Musica Viva 80th anniversary concert features acclaimed actor Angie Milliken narrating a world premiere by Australian composer Cathy Milliken, inspired by Brecht’s Sonnet in Emigration.
When: Monday 18 August 2025, 7pm
Where: City Recital Hall, Sydney
Cost: From $49 Bookings: musicaviva.com.au
Emily Sun & Slava Grigoryan at Bundanon
Four-time ARIA Award winner Slava Grigoryan joins London-based violinist Emily Sun for a spellbinding evening of romantic masterworks. The Australian musicians will perform pieces by Paganini, Piazzolla, and Sarasate, plus a world premiere by Sydney composer Andrew Howes.
Set in the award-winning Boyd Education Centre overlooking the Shoalhaven River, this unique collaboration is part of the inaugural Boyd Music Series presented with Sydney Opera House.
When: Saturday August 16, 2025
Where: Boyd Education Centre, Bundanon
Tickets: Available at bundanon.com.au/boyd-music-series
Art and Exhibitions
Warraba Weatherall: Shadow and Substance
The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia presents the first solo museum exhibition by Kamilaroi artist Warraba Weatherall. Through dynamic installations, sculptures, and video works, Weatherall explores the complex history of Indigenous cultural materials in museum collections.
The exhibition features several major works including Trace (2025), a new sculptural installation examining scientific racism, and Dialectic (2025), a powerful video installation challenging institutional archives.
When: Until September 21, 2025
Where: MCA Australia, Level 1 South Gallery l Cost: Free
Bundanon: RIVERSCAPE Weekend
Experience two powerful exhibitions at Bundanon during the special RIVERSCAPE stay weekend. See Betty Kuntiwa Pumani’s first major museum survey maḻatja-maḻatja (those who come after) featuring works spanning from 2012 to present, alongside David Sequeira’s The Shape of Music, which explores the intersection of geometry, color, and sound.
When: August 16-17, 2025 (exhibitions run through October 5)
Where: Bundanon, Shoalhaven River
Cost: Visit bundanon.com.au for ticket information
Film Festivals
Korean Film Festival in Australia (KOFFIA)
The 2025 Korean Film Festival returns with ten Australian premieres, featuring everything from romantic dramas to high-stakes thrillers. Opening with Hear Me: Our Summer, a touching romance about a delivery worker who falls for a deaf swimmer, the festival showcases the diversity of contemporary Korean cinema.
Highlights include the provocative mystery Hidden Face starring CHO Yeo-jeong (Parasite), and a special 4K restoration of Shiri, the thriller that launched Korea’s cinema wave. Meet visiting directors and actors in exclusive post-screening Q&As.
When: 21-26 August 2025
Where: Event Cinemas George Street, Sydney
Cost: Tickets available at koffia.com.au
Note: Films screened with English subtitles
Food and Drink Events
Food and Drink Events
Fijian Flavours with Arrnott Olssen
Join celebrated TV chef Arrnott Olssen (My Kitchen Rules, The Morning Show) for an intimate cooking class celebrating Fijian cuisine and culture at Magenta House in Redfern. This hands-on experience begins with traditional lolo buns and lemongrass tea, followed by cooking demonstrations where you’ll learn to prepare authentic dishes like kokoda (Fijian ceviche) using Humpty Doo barramundi and a fragrant Fijian fish curry with coconut cream.
More than just a cooking class, this three-hour session weaves together food, storytelling, and cultural heritage, concluding with a shared meal and conversation around the table.
When: Sunday 24 August 2025, 11am-2pm
Where: Magenta House, Redfern
Cost: $95 per person (includes all food & drink) l Bookings: magentahouse.com.au
See our list of Sydney’s best winter food events here
Sport and Outdoor events
Amateur Surf Competition Returns to Bondi Beach
Mark your calendar for a unique surf competition where imperfect waves are perfectly welcome. The Jetstar Surf Classic returns to Bondi Beach on 26 August 2025, featuring amateur surfers competing for an incredible prize – a Cook Islands getaway for six.
Event Highlights
- Watch four amateur surfers showcase their “unique” surf skills
- Meet Bondi Rescue’s Trent ‘Maxi’ Maxwell
- See surfing legends Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo and Jesse Starling judge the competition
- Free coffee and Jetstar toasties for spectators
- Try the mechanical surfboard challenge to win flight vouchers
The finalists will be judged on their “highly untechnical flair,” including: the dolphin squirt, seamless take-off attempts and victory rides to shore.
When: Tuesday, 26 August 2025, Time: 9am-1pm
Where: Location: Bondi Beach
Cost: Free to attend
Sydney International Boat Show 2024
The Sydney Boat Show is a family-friendly event with a range of exciting highlights.
When: 14-17 August 2025
Where: Sydney Showground
City2Surf
City2Surf Run, the city’s favourite fun run draws more than 80,000 people. Runners and walkers make their way along a 14-km route from Hyde Park to Bondi Beach.
When: 10 August 2025
Where: Hyde Park to Bondi Beach
Cost: $65, check the website for training schedules and more
Yoga in the Park
Get fit and flexible every Sunday morning with FREE Yoga in The Park! The focus on breathing, the concentration required to find balance in certain poses, the flow of the movements – it’s all an active meditation that can help clear the mind, quieten anxieties and strengthen your body.
When: 9:30 am, every Sunday (All Year)
Where: Corner of Lower Fort St and George St at Dawes Point Park, right under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Tickets: Free, more info here
Regional Events
Regional Art Exhibitions at BAMM
Bank Art Museum Moree presents three compelling exhibitions this August:
- “Boundaries: Transcended” – An installation of 700 tiny ceramic homes created by Hunter Valley communities celebrating refugee resettlement.
- “New Horizons” – Works by five emerging artists from Gamilaroi Country exploring connections to culture, land, and wildlife.
- “Conversation Starters” – A unique collection of framed personal objects and heirlooms curated by Moree framer Kerrie Matchett.
When: August 1-September 13, 2025
Where: Bank Art Museum Moree l Cost: Free
New events and updated content are added to these pages as it becomes available. If you would like to add your event to Sydney Expert, please email us.
Plan Ahead
- What’s on in Sydney in September
- What’s on in Sydney in October
- What’s on in Sydney in November
- School holidays in Sydney
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Feature image credit: Destination NSW
