20 fantastic things to do in Sydney this August

Watsons Bay Hotel is bringing a European-style après-ski vibe to Sydney Harbour with White Out Winter Party on Saturday 8 August, 2pm–8pm. With free entry, live music from Club Sol & Friends, harbourfront DJs, falling snow, fire pits, outdoor heaters, winter cocktails and a waterfront dancefloor that builds as the sun sets.

It’s a festive winter escape with unmistakably Sydney views, and the dress code calls for statement outerwear and chic après-inspired looks.

A raucous new take on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is lighting up the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre throughout August, with Isobel McArthur’s Olivier Award-winning Pride and Prejudice *(*sort of) serving up fights over men, money and microphones to a high-octane pop soundtrack.

Told with sharp wit and plenty of irreverence, this playful reimagining turns Austen’s iconic love story into a fast, funny and modern theatrical night out. It’s a smart pick for anyone who wants their period drama with a little more chaos, comedy and karaoke energy, all in one of Sydney’s most iconic venues.

Harry Potter™: The Exhibition invites fans into a richly detailed wizarding world at Paddington Pavilion, Sydney Olympic Park, with iconic settings, authentic props and costumes, interactive lessons and games, and plenty of photo moments throughout the experience. Visitors can test their QuidditchTM skills, pot a Mandrake, and explore behind-the-scenes filmmaking magic in a visit that takes around 60 to 90 minutes.

Ticket options include Timed, Flex and VIPentries, with VIP adding an audio guide, tote bag and expedited entry. The venue is wheelchair accessible, but strollers are not permitted inside, and guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian aged 16 or older. Open on most days with different hours depending on the day, it’s a spellbinding Sydney outing for Potter fans of all ages.

Christopher Nolan’s Memento will be reimagined for one night only at City Recital Hall, Sydney on Saturday, 29 August 2026, as Hear My Eyes brings the cult neo-noir classic to life with a new live score by Michael “CAVS” Cavanagh of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.

Performed solo across multiple drum kits and electronic instruments, the percussion-driven score is designed to mirror the film’s fractured structure and psychological tension, creating a bold new way to experience Nolan’s landmark story. It’s a striking crossover of cinema and live performance, built for fans who want something immersive, technical and a little unsettling in all the right ways.

The Animal Crossing™: New Horizons adventure is back at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium throughout August, bringing a fresh island-style experience to Darling Harbour. Visitors can dive into a playful underwater world where familiar game characters meet real marine life, with the experience included with admission.

It’s a family-friendly outing that blends the charm of the game with the aquarium’s coastal and marine displays, making it a fun school-holiday-style escape for fans of all ages. If you’re after something cute, immersive and a little nostalgic, this is one of August’s easiest wins for families and gamers alike.

Ultimo’s Kafe Kooks has added an optional bottomless drinks upgrade to its popular Roti Masterclass, giving guests unlimited cocktails, wine and beer for just $30 extra. For $95pp or $125pp with bottomless drinks, the evening pairs a hands-on roti paratha lesson with in-house Roti Master Suresh Rajandra and a five-course shared Malaysian feast, making it a fun pick for winter date nights, birthdays, team outings or a catch-up with friends.

The drinks list includes a Bloody Dolly cocktail, Dainton beers, sparkling, Pinot Grigio, rosé and Pinot Noir, plus StrangeLove soft drinks. Classes run 6pm–9pm on 13 and 27 August, with bookings available through Kafe Kooks.

Western Sydney’s popular Cherry Blossom Festival returns this August for nine days of pretty pink flowers, a Japanese Food Village, live entertainment, workshops, and a delightful cherry blossom trail. There’s also sake, mocktails, and a number of cherry blossom-themed dishes to devour. The festival will take place at the Auburn Botanic Gardens from Saturday, August 22, to Sunday, August 30.

The Sydney Cat Lovers Festival is coming to town on August 22 and 23, and it’s a slice of heaven for cat-mad folk. Expect talks, demonstrations, and over 200 rare and popular breeds of cats at the venue. There’s also an exclusive Pat-A-Cat Zone if you’re keen on some feline therapy. The event will take place at the Sydney Showground across two days in August.

Attend one of Sydney’s beautiful Candlelight concerts and get lost in a number of familiar tunes this August. Tickets are available for tribute shows to Coldplay, Joe Hisaishi, and more.

🕯️Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA

🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Metallica

🕯️Candlelight: 90s Unplugged

🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Adele

🕯️Candlelight: Best of Fleetwood Mac

🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift

🕯️Candlelight: The World of Joe Hisaishi

🕯️Candlelight: Featuring Mozart, Bach, and Timeless Composers

🕯️Candlelight Jazz & Soul: Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin and More

Avatar: Forms of Vishnu opens at the Art Gallery of New South Wales runs throughout August, inviting visitors into a rich world of South and Southeast Asian art, mythology and storytelling. Spanning around 200 works and 1,500 years of visual tradition, the exhibition explores Vishnu and his many avatars—from Matsya and Kurma to Krishna, Rāma and Kalki—across sculpture, painting, textiles, photography and film.

Alongside historical works from major collections in Australia, India, Cambodia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, it also features new commissions by Desmond Lazaro, Gitanjali Das, Kalam Patua and Sumakshi Singh.

Get ready for a high-energy ladies’ night in Sydney as Magic Men Sydney takes over Shark Hotel in the CBD with its weekly Feel The Magic show throughout August. Packed with dance, comedy, audience interaction and plenty of cheeky spectacle, the production features some of Australia’s most charismatic male entertainers in a party atmosphere made for hens’ nights, birthdays and girls’/gays’ nights out.

VIP options add front-row perks, while the central location makes it easy to start the night with dinner, drinks and a bit of pre-show buzz. It’s a playful, all-out live experience built for anyone after a fun, flirtatious night on the town.

The Korean Film Festival in Australia (KOFFIA) returns to Event Cinemas George Street, Sydney from 20–25 August, bringing a vibrant mix of contemporary Korean cinema to the city. This year’s festival includes ten Australian premieres, opening with Hear Me: Our Summer, a tender romance about a delivery worker who falls for a deaf swimmer, and featuring titles that range from emotional dramas to high-stakes thrillers.

One of the notable screenings is About Family, adding to a program that showcases the breadth and energy of modern Korean storytelling. It’s a great August outing for film lovers wanting something fresh, emotional and distinctly cinematic.

After a sold-out London season and three Olivier Awards, Fiddler on the Roof arrives for its inaugural Australian premiere at Theatre Royal Sydney throughout August. Set in 1905 in the village of Anatevka, the story follows Tevye, a Jewish milkman trying to hold onto tradition as his daughters challenge his beliefs and the world around him begins to change.

With iconic songs including “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Tradition,” “Matchmaker” and “Sunrise, Sunset,” this acclaimed revival blends heart, humour and community into one of musical theatre’s most enduring stories.

It’s a rich, big-hearted night out for Sydney audiences who want a classic done with serious West End pedigree.

Solotel is launching Champagne Club for 1–31 August, pairing a glass of Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial with a lobster club sandwich and housemade crisps for $40. Inspired by classic London institutions and American chophouses, the offer is available at Aria, Chiswick, North Bondi Fish and Chophouse.

At Aria, the sandwich was developed by executive chef Tom Gorringe and layers lobster, LP’s mortadella, pickled green tomato, lettuce, and spicy mayo on shokupan bread. The promotion is available at the bar at Aria and Chophouse, in the bar on weekends and the main dining room at Chiswick during other services, and throughout North Bondi Fish as well.

Coeliac Australia’s Gluten-Free Expo returns to Royal Randwick Racecourse on 15–16 August 2026, bringing two days of gluten-free food, product discoveries, tastings and shopping to Sydney. It’s billed as Australia’s largest dedicated gluten-free event, created for people living with coeliac disease or following a gluten-free lifestyle.

Step into a world of fantasy at The Wizard’s Chamber, an immersive escape room at Escape This Sydney CBD. Set inside a mysterious Headmaster’s sanctum, your team has 60 minutes to uncover the recipe for a dangerous immortality elixir before dark sorcerers seize it.

Designed as Australia’s highest-rated magic-themed escape room series, this cinematic adventure blends enchanting sets, spell-casting puzzles, and collaborative challenges. With a 6/10 difficulty rating, it’s ideal for first-time escapers, families, birthdays, and groups of friends looking for a magical August activity.

This acitivty has sessions everyday.

Sydney Science Trail returns from 15–22 August 2026 to celebrate National Science Week with community days, school excursions, and diverse learner sessions across the Australian Museum, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. The program includes free community days on 15 August at the Australian Museum and 22 August at Mount Annan, plus full-day school excursions from 17–21 August and tailored diverse learner sessions from 17–19 August.

Australian artist Grant Stevens presents In Morning Light, a new exhibition at Sullivan+Strumpf Gadigal/Sydney from 23 July to 15 August 2026. Working with computer-generated video, photography and installation, Stevens explores how algorithmic visual culture shapes our sense of the future, pairing a screen-based text and sound work with a series of screen prints on paper.

The exhibition looks at the growing overlap between the virtual and natural worlds in a way that feels thoughtful, contemporary and visually striking.

Set in the heart of Circular Quay, Taps & Tales brings the long history of Customs House Bar to life through curated beer tasting and storytelling. Guests can trace the venue’s roots back to 1846, hear stories from Macquarie Place and the harbourfront, and enjoy a tasting of the signature CHB Lager alongside the bar’s preserved heritage features. It’s a relaxed way to drink in a slice of Sydney history while discovering one of the city’s most iconic hospitality venues.

The sessions run every Wednesday (11:15am) and Saturday (14:15pm).

The Butler is launching Tuesday Table as a new take on Taco Tuesday, with chef Amber Doig’s lamb barbacoa as the star. Available every Tuesday from 4pm until 25 August for $40 per person, the feast includes twelve-hour braised lamb served taco-style with warm corn tortillas, cucumbers, sumac onions, house-made salsa and shoestring fries, with an optional wine pairing for an extra $15.