Welcome to the last month of the winter! August is brimming with vibrant adventures, soothing winter sunshine, and plenty of cool activities that will tempt you to leave the comfort of your home. Settle in for a jam-packed month of festivals, immersive pop-ups, exhibitions, and more. Highlights include big-ticket musicals like Sister Act, The Woman in Black, and more. Plus, boost your serotonin with the lovely Cherry Blossom Festival and get your fill of cosy winter treats at one of Sydney’s many excellent winter markets. Here are some exciting things to do this August in Sydney.
1. Explore the stunning Cherry Blossom Festival
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 19 to Sunday, August 27.
Read more about the Cherry Blossom Festival.
2. Enjoy spine-chilling theatre at The Woman In Black at Sydney Theatre Royal
If you’re in the mood for some spine-chilling entertainment this winter, then look no further. After three decades in the West End (making it Britain’s second longest running play), Stephen Mallatrat’s adaptation of The Woman in Black is coming to Sydney, and it promises to leave your hair standing on end. Don’t miss your chance to watch one of the world’s most renowned ghost stories brought to life on stage at Theatre Royal Sydney from July 30 – August 17!
3. Experience Dining in the Dark
Ever wondered what it’s like to dine in complete darkness? If science is to be believed, it can elevate your dining experience to a whole other level of deliciousness. A sensational new experience called Dining in the Dark is putting this to the test with a blindfold and a surprise menu for guests.
Make your reservation for Dining in the Dark edition here.
4. Catch Hamilton at the Sydney Lyric Theatre
Did you hear? Hamilton is returning to Sydney for a strictly limited season this July so don’t throw away your shot if you’ve previously missed out on seeing the multi-award winning musical live. Hamilton will play at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in this one city-only run so don’t miss out. Get your tickets on the musical’s website.
5. Attend free jazz nights in The Rocks
The Rocks will host free jazz nights under twinkling lights every week in August. Head down to Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood and enjoy jazz music with gin cocktails and more on Thursday evenings from 6pm to 9pm. Find more information here.
6. Sign up for City2Surf
Australia’s largest fun run returns on Sunday, August 11 promising a day of fun for runners and amateurs alike. The 12km run from Sydney’s CBD to Bondi boasts vibey dance parties, incredible views, and plenty of community fun. Find more info here.
7. Head to the purrrfect Cat Lovers Festival
The Sydney Cat Lovers Festival is coming to town on August 24 and 25 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.
8. Discover a secret wildflower reserve
The Muogamarra Nature Reserve transforms into an actual floral wonderland filled with striking native wildflowers including waratahs, pink boronias, old-man banksias, native orchids, and much more as winter ends and spring begins. The reserve is located just north of Sydney and it’s only open for six weeks every year for guided and self-guided tours. Get ticket details and more info here.
9. Experience the magic of a Candlelight Concert
Attend one of Sydney’s beautiful Candlelight concerts and get lost in a number of familiar tunes this August. Tickets are available to tribute shows to Queen, Coldplay, Joe Hisaishi, and more.
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay
🕯️Candlelight: Hans Zimmer’s Best Works
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Radiohead
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Ed Sheeran
🕯️Candlelight Jazz & Soul: Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin and More
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Fleetwood Mac
🕯️Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen
🕯️Candlelight: A Tribute to Whitney Houston
🕯️ Candlelight: Best of Hans Zimmer
🕯️Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
🕯️Candlelight: 90’s Unplugged on Strings
🕯️Candlelight: Best of 80s
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay
10. Enjoy Sister Act the Musical
The fabulous and fun Sister Act musical will make its Australian premiere at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney this August. Based on the iconic 1992 film, the musical features music from Tony and Oscar award-winner Alan Menken and a stellar cast to boot. Get your tickets here.
11. Book a Neon Paint and Sip class
Prefer staying indoors this winter? Check out this luminous experience in Sydney that blends neon lights and fluorescent paints for a fun-filled artsy experience that is ideal for all ages. Adults can also go with a drink in hand to make it extra fun. Book your tickets here.
12. Be spellbound with dinner and a show at The Magician’s Cabaret
The Magician’s Cabaret is super popular for its extravagant shows and excellent dinners. There’s no other show in Sydney quite like La Belle Rose—Sydney’s longest-running cabaret show which features cabaret, candle-lit dinner and Parisian entertainment. Grab your tickets before they sell out.
13. Fill your bags at the Sydney Vegan Market
The hugely popular Sydney Vegan Market is the one-stop shop for all things vegan. Look forward to a day filled with food, fun, and shopping at this bustling event. The event will take over Chatswood Mall on the third Sunday of the month and Centenary Square in Parramatta on the first Sunday of the month with the best of fashion, food, homewares, art, and more on display. Hot food and drinks will also be available on-site for visitors. Find more information here.
14. Get spooked at a Ghostly Garden Tour
The Royal Botanic Garden is bringing back its Ghostly Garden Tours this August for two exclusive sessions and it’s not for the faint of heart. Visitors will get access to the garden after hours and hear creepy stories from the past. The 90-minute tour will take you past a number of scary spots in the garden including grottos, ponds, and more. Get more info and ticket details here.
15. Catch In the Heights at the Opera House
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony-award-winning and vibrant musical In the Heights is playing at the Sydney Opera House until August 25. The show stars Ryan Gonzalez as Usnavi, Olivia Vásquez as Vanessa, and Richard Valdez as the Piragua Guy. Get your tickets here.
16. Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The popular Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition has returned to the Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour. Showcasing the incredible works of some of the finest wildlife photographers from around the world, the mega exhibition that comes straight from London’s Natural History Museum will be held until November 10, 2024. Book your tickets here.
17. Catch the Olympics live
Darling Harbour is hosting a live site for the Olympic and Paralympic games at the new Tumbalong Park Sound Shell and Palm Grove. Get in the spirit from Saturday, July 27 to Sunday, August 11. The site will be open from 12pm to 11pm daily with plenty of food trucks on site. Find more information here.
18. Dine at this charming European pop-up
Have you been to East Village Sydney yet? The rooftop bar is serving pretty lights, lovely pink hues, and faux fur cushions to snuggle up around with their Insta-worthy Winter Garden pop-up. There’s also a Belgian chocolate fondue fountain, Dutch cinnamon doughnuts, mulled wine, cocktails, and more to indulge in. Read all about it here and check it out before it wraps up for the season.
19. Go on a ghostly candlelit tour of Old Government House
Love getting spooked? The Old Government House in Parramatta is hosting ghostly night tours every month throughout winter and it’s guaranteed to give you the creeps. This month the tour takes place on August 16 with snacks and hot drinks afterward. Read all about it here.
20. Hit the road for a dreamy winter getaway
Make the most of the last month of winter by heading out of town. NSW has plenty to offer in terms of winter getaways right from cosy retreats to snowy adventures, quaint villages and more. Check out some of our favourites here.
21. Attend the vibrant Ferragosto Street Festival
Sydney’s huge Italian street festival returns this August with the best of Italian food, culture and entertainment on offer. The one-day event will transform the Great North Road in Five Dock into a colourful party with more than 200 retailers, food and merchandise stalls, dances, activities and more. Find more info here.
22. Book an all-day Lord of the Rings marathon
Dendy Newtown is hosting a Lord of the Rings screening this August. The extended editions of all three Oscar-winning movies – The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King will be screened on Saturday, August 24. Get your tickets here.
23. Check out this new winter wonderland
GloTopia is a fun-filled family adventure offering plenty of immersive fun including carnival rides, giant illuminated light displays, delicious food and drink, fire performances, markets and much more. It will take place on August 9 and 10 in Liverpool. Get more information here.
24. Enjoy this intimate magic show
A Magical Soirée, by Bruce Glen, combines fantastic stories with fascinating magic tricks to leave audiences in awe and wonder inside a heritage building. Grab your tickets here.