Accommodation prices are reasonable in August, and you won’t have to deal with the enormous crowds that summer brings. It’s the last month of winter, which means it’s still pretty chilly, so it’s a good idea to bring a jacket. Having said that, we have plenty of gorgeous blue skies and sunny days.

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

From prime whale-watching season to our the city’s favourite road race, the City to Surf you will find something fun to do, we are sure.

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

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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: Usually from the last week in August between 9am & 5pm
Where: Auburn Botanic Gardens
Cost: $13.50 (Free for residents of Cumberland Council area)
More: Check the Cumberland Council website for details.

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, focusing strongly on cooking and over 300 stalls selling everything you could need in an Italian kitchen.

When: 2024 dates TBC
Where: Great North Road, Five Dock between Lyons and Queens roads
Cost: Free
More: Get more details here.

Carriageworks Night Market

Curated by Australia’s leading sustainable chef Matt Stone, the market will showcase over 45 stalls celebrating sustainable food practices and the best produce from across NSW, in line with Vivid Sydney 2023’s theme – Naturally.

Showcasing an exciting and diverse array of Sydney’s food scene including Native Australian, Middle Eastern, Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, French, vegetarian and vegan, Carriageworks is set to come alive with local hospitality, food demonstrations and live entertainment.

When: 2 August 2024
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh
Tickets: Tickets $15 + fee. Check more details here.

Penrith Show

Entertainment, rides, side show alley, trade stalls, competitions, exhibitions performances and so much more!

When: 24 August 2024
Where: 141-147 Station Street, Penrith
More: Check the website for more info

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.  

When: Mid to late August 2024 (dates TBC)
Where: Across Sydney
Cost: All events are free (registration required) except opening the Keynote address

Musicals, Opera and Theatre in Sydney in August

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: 4, 11, 17 August  
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House

The Turn of the Screw

Set in a secluded English manor, this gripping tale unfurls as a young governess arrives to care for orphaned siblings, Flora and Miles. She uncovers eerie apparitions haunting the estate and the children. As she battles to shield them from sinister forces, the boundary between sanity and madness blurs thrillingly.

Britten’s evocative score melds tension, blending haunting melodies with discordant harmonies, capturing the ghostly aura of Henry James’s gothic novel.

When: 16 August – 15 September
Where: Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point
Tickets: $75-89

Hamlet 

Shakespeare’s timeless introspection on humanity finds a new resonance in Brett Dean’s operatic adaptation of “Hamlet.” Dean’s expansive score, premiered at Glyndebourne and graced prestigious stages like the Metropolitan Opera, ingeniously captures the prince’s unravelling psyche. 

Making its debut at the Sydney Opera House, this Australian masterpiece transforms the classic tale with rich orchestral music and eerie electronic sounds, immersing the audience in Hamlet’s turbulent world. Librettist Matthew Jocelyn introduces intriguing twists to the familiar story, adding depth and intrigue.

When: 2, 5, 9 August 2024
Where: Dame Joan Sutherland Theatre Sydney Opera House

Mozart’s Così fan tutte

Is love a fickle friend or a steadfast ally? Is it a winding road or a straight path? Can it withstand the whims of fate and the trials of time?

Enter the world of Mozart’s “Così fan tutte,” where love’s essence is put to the test in the most curious of ways. In this tale, spun with laughter and woven with melody, two lovers find themselves entangled in a wager, their hearts laid bare upon the stage.

Through disguises and deceit, they navigate the labyrinth of affection, seeking to unravel its mysteries. Yet beneath the surface of frivolity lies a profound exploration of the human heart, its joys and its sorrows.

When: 1–17 August 2024
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House

Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard is a gripping stage show that tells the story of Norma Desmond, a faded silent film star who dreams of making a triumphant return to the screen. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she meets Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter, leading to a complex relationship marked by ambition, illusion, and desperation.

Get ready to meet the incredible cast of Australian performers set to star alongside international recording superstar Sarah Brightman. Leading the cast is Tim Draxl, taking on the role of Joe Gillis, with Robert Grubb as Max Von Mayerling, and Ashleigh Rubenach portraying Betty Schaefer. 

When: 28 August 
Where: Sydney Opera House 

Tosca 

In the seething heart of Rome, Scarpia’s ominous whisper, “Tosca,” reverberates with sinister intent. Amidst political turmoil, Tosca grapples with a harrowing choice: how much of her soul will she sacrifice to save her captive lover?

Puccini’s opus unfolds in a single, frenzied day, weaving a tapestry of passion and betrayal. Tosca, the revered diva, confronts the brutal machinations of power embodied by Scarpia, while Cavaradossi, the ardent revolutionary, stands at the brink of oblivion.

Through soaring melodies and heart-wrenching arias, Puccini paints a portrait of love tested to its limits. Opera North’s spellbinding production delves deep into the human psyche, weaving a tale of courage, sacrifice, and redemption against a backdrop of breathtaking grandeur.

When: 25 June–16 August 2024
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House

Film Festivals

Lebanese Film Festival

Experience the enchanting allure of Lebanese cinema and its lively essence at the extraordinary 11th iteration of the Lebanese Film Festival Australia. Immerse yourself in a range of compelling films that provoke thought, partake in cultural festivities, and engage in enlightening conversations.

When: 2024 dates TBC
Where: Bankstown Arts Centre 5 Olympic Parade Bankstown, NSW
Cost: Free, full guide here

Music, Comedy And Dance

Art and Exhibitions

Food and Drink Events

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.

When: 11 August 2024
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 

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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