Fun Things to Do in Sydney in August 2023

Looking for things to do in Sydney in August? Well, there is plenty to do so get comfortable, and let’s plan your month! We have searched far and wide to come up with a variety of things to do from comedy to sport.

There is plenty happening this month from the peak of the whale-watching season to our favourite road race, the City to Surf.

Accommodation prices are good and crowds are lower this month than in June and July, so it’s a perfect time to visit Sydney. Finally, it’s the last month of winter and while by most people’s standards, a Sydney winter is pretty mild, if you are travelling to Sydney this month, you will want to pack a warm coat or jacket.

Average Temperatures: 18-9°C (64-48°F)
While each year varies the last August saw only four days of rain.

New events and updated content are added to these pages as it becomes available.

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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. Add to this Japanese food, culture, and music and a visit here can make you think you have found yourself in Tokyo in April.

When: 20-28 August
Where: Auburn Botanic Gardens
Cost: $11.75 (Free for residents of Cumberland Council area)
More: Check the Cumberland Council website for details.

Sydney Fringe Festival

Running for 15 weeks, Fringe is Sydney’s largest independent arts festival, and the 2022 program is better than ever. With over 2000 artists and 500 events, there really is something for everyone.

More details coming soon.

Where: 50 venues across Sydney
When: 16 August – 30 September

Festivals, Fairs and Community Events

Ferragosto Street Festival

Fivedock is home to some of the best of Italian culture and this festival has it all. Fantastic food, with a strong focus on cooking and more than 300 stalls selling everything you could possibly need in an Italian kitchen.

When: 10 am-4 pm, 21 Aug.
Where: Great North Road, Five Dock between Lyons and Queens roads
Cost: Free
More: Get more details here.

Sydney Science Festival

Enjoy a curated program of free (and one-ticketed) events that include talks, workshops, and activities. This nine-day festival will explore the theme of Revival.

International Guest Keynote Address: Dr James Williams will examine Ethics in the Attention Economy on 19 August, at Powerhouse Ultimo

When: 12-20 August
Cost: All events are free (registration required) except opening the Keynote address ($30)
More info: https://sydneyscience.maas.museum/

Musicals and Theatre

Wicked

Experience the unforgettable, award-winning musical WICKED in Sydney this year as they will come on stage again featuring a magical performance.

Where: Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star
When: from 25 August 2023
Cost: From $79.00 (Transaction fees apply). Book here

Miss Siagon

Direct from the West End and Broadway, experience this epic love story of passion and tragedy at the iconic Sydney Opera House this August.

Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
When: 17 August to 13 October 2023

Les Misérables

Les Misérables returns to the Riverside stage in 2023, presented by the team behind hit musicals such as Kinky Boots, Mamma Mia!, Jesus Christ Superstar, Shrek, Wicked, and The Phantom of the Opera. Experience nineteenth-century France through this multi-award-winning classic.

Based on Victor Hugo’s novel, Les Misérables follows ex-convict Jean Valjean’s struggle for redemption after being imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread. His escape from parole triggers a relentless pursuit from police inspector Javert.

Where: Riverside Theatre Parramatta
When: 28 Jul – 12 Aug 2023

Reckōning – Te Waiata Paihere Wairua

Reckōning is a 1-hour show exploring indigenous culture through storytelling, music, and dance. It tackles racism and intergenerational trauma in the modern world.

The show uses powerful visuals and music to evoke emotion, tell personal stories, and lead you to understand and empathy. Featuring visually beautiful costuming, symbolic staging, a bright colour pallet, atmospheric lighting and environment, inspiring lyrics, and a contemporary sound by Samuel Gaskin and The Merindas. This show honors past injustices, explores understanding, and celebrates indigenous cultures’ survival, creativity, and strength.

Where: Riverside Theatres Parramatta
When: 24 August 2023

Romeo and Juliet

Presented by Bell Shakespeare, Romeo, and Juliet will star Jacob Warner (Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and Rose Riley (Hamlet, Richard 3)directed by Peter Evans.

When: 23 June to 27 August 2023
Where: The Neilson Nutshell, Pier 2/3 Walsh Bay Arts Precinct

Comedy, Music, and Dance

Sydney Folk Festival – A world of music in the heart of the city!

The 3-day event will feature bespoke concerts, workshops, and interactive sessions with 35+ acts in two Surry Hills festival hubs,

A special focus of SydFolkFest22 will be a celebration of the creativity and diversity of folk arts and artists from across NSW and it will open with a unique Indigenous acknowledgment and cultural immersion. Plus world music / multicultural folk are in focus!

Where: The NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre, 37 Reservoir St, and the Gaelic Club, 1/64 Devonshire St.
When: 19-21 August celebration
More info: visit www.sydneyfolkfestival.com.au

Sound West

A first for Western Sydney, SOUND WEST will bring together Australia’s biggest technology and creative brands, entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators in a program of conferencing and live music events to inspire creative people to achieve their goals.

When: 20-28 August
Where: Parramatta (various venues)
More: Visit soundwestsydney.com.au

IDK

In the world premiere performance piece idk, three bodies mix movement, memory, and voice roulette enabling viewers to explore the limits of their own comfort zones and igniting a fresh approach to the ongoing discussion of permission.

When: 22 – 26 August 2023
Where: Bay 20, Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh
Cost: $50 / Concession $40. More info here

Art & Exhibitions

Waterfront Whale Tales – Dive into a sea of Sydney stories

Thirty sculptural whale tails are migrating their way around Sydney’s Western Harbour. From Barangaroo to Sydney Fish Market, the 6km harbour path will be home to 2metre tall whale tails created by some of the city’s best artists.

Along with the tails will be food, stories and more… Best of all the trail is wheelchair and pram friendly!

Where: Darling Harbour,
When: 11 Aug 2022 – 24 Sep 2022
Cost: Free
More: www.waterfrontwhaletales.com.au

Film Festivals

The Korean Film Festival in Australia (KOFFIA)

The Korean film industry has produced some huge international hits over the last few years. This year’s festival features 13 films from a range of genres including drama, crime, fantasy, mystery, and romantic comedy.

All films are presented on the festival screen with English subtitles.

Where: Event Cinemas George Street
When: TBA
Cost: $12-16
More info here

CRYSTAL Cirque Du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil CRYSTAL meets the ice in a performance that defies all assumptions. Watch elite ice skaters and acrobats take control of their brand-new frozen playground with grace and agility as they defy the laws of physics with previously unheard acrobatics. Crystal, our outcast protagonist, leads you on a thrilling journey of self-discovery as she plunges into a world of her own creation in this Shana Carroll and Sebastien Soldevila-directed show.

When: 3-6 August, 2023
More info on their website

Sport and Outdoor events

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.

Where: Hyde Park
When: 13 August 2023
Cost: $65
More: 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: 9:30am, every Sundays (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