What’s On in Sydney in August: Best Things to Do

Sydney Boat Show

When: 30th July – 2nd August
Where: Sydney Showground
Cost: Ticketed event

Whether you’re chasing the next catch, carving across the lake, or just love to kick back with sand between your toes, The Sydney Boat Show is where you’ll discover the latest and greatest in boating and accessories. Explore the newest in trailer boats, lifestyle gear, fishing essentials, and marine tech.

Cronulla Wine Walk

When: 1st August
Where: Cronulla, New South Wales
Cost: Ticketed event

Join 300+ vino lovers as you wander the coolest venues, taste local wines, and meet the winemakers on this self-guided adventure! With a stellar roster of winemakers, buzzing vibes at every stop, and a guaranteed sell-out crowd, the Urban Wine Walk is the ultimate self-guided tasting experience.

PBR Origin Round III

When: 1st August
Where: TikTok Entertainment Centre
Cost: Ticketed event

With electrifying rivalries and heart-pounding action, PBR Origin is the ultimate test of strength, skill, and grit. Riders push their limits in a fierce clash of state pride and raw determination. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer, don’t miss the ride of a lifetime at PBR Origin III in Sydney at the TikTok Entertainment Centre on August 1st.

Sydney Artisans Makers Market

When: 1st – 2nd August
Where: Sydney Portugal Club (Fraser Park)
Cost: Free

Sydney Artisans is a curated market showcasing creatives and their amazing handmade products. Sydney Artisans is committed to giving small businesses and talented artisans a home to display and share their work with shoppers interested in quality Australian designed and made items.

Audible x Harris Farm Market

When: 1st – 3rd August
Where: Harris Farms, Bondi Beach
Cost: Free

Shopping while listening to words of wisdom by Mel Robbins in your ears? Sign me up! This weekend, you can shop at Harris Farm and listen to books on Audible at the same time. Available to all customers from 12pm – 6pm until Monday.

Audible very kindly invited me to the launch and I was able to try the experience for myself. You can see what to expect in my TikTok video here.

Le Marché French Market

When: 2nd August
Where: Entertainment Quarter
Cost: Free

Set beneath the Market Canopy, more than 45 artisan stalls bring the spirit of France to life with fresh produce, handmade homewares, boutique fashion and an ever-changing line up of gourmet delights. Whether you love French cuisine or simply after a unique Sunday experience, Le Marché is the perfect French day out.

North Sydney Olympic Pool Opening Weekend

When: 8th – 10th August
Where: Milsons Point, North Sydney
Cost: Free

After years of waiting, the Olympic Pool in North Sydney is finally reopening its doors. And to celebrate, they’re having a free opening weekend, available to everyone.

As someone that recently moved to Milsons Point, I’m counting down the days until the doors open! I’ve already taken a tour of the refurbishment and it’s without a doubt, the most incredible view from an outdoor pool that I’ve ever seen.

City2Surf

When: 9th August
Where: CBD to Bondi Beach
Cost: Ticketed event to enter (free to watch)

City2Surf is the world’s largest fun run. Held annually in August, the iconic 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) community and athletic event takes participants from Hyde Park in the CBD, through the city’s eastern suburbs, up the infamous Heartbreak Hill, and finishes at the iconic Bondi Beach. This year’s fun run is sold out but it’s always great to watch!

Sydney’s Gluten-Free Expo

When: 15th – 16th August
Where: Royal Randwick Racecourse
Cost: Ticketed event

The Gluten-Free Expo is the largest dedicated gluten-free event in Australia. The Expo gives visitors a chance to discover new products, taste the best gluten-free food or shop a bargain all without the worry of asking ‘is this gluten free?’

Ferragosto Italian Festival

When: 16th August
Where: Five Dock
Cost: Free

Sydney’s iconic Italian festival, Ferragosto, is returning to Five Dock on Sunday, 16 August 2026. Experience the best of Italian food, culture, and entertainment, with everything you know and love about Ferragosto returning to Great North Road. A great day out for families and kids.

17th Korean Film Festival in Australia (KOFFIA)

When: 20th – 25th August
Where: Event Cinemas George Street
Cost: Ticketed event

Presented by the Korean Cultural Centre Australia, this year’s festival features a vibrant line-up of 10 Korean films from Korea’s finest filmmakers, including highly anticipated Australian premieres.

The diverse selection spans various genres, from romance and drama to thriller and action. All films include English subtitles, making the magic of Korean storytelling accessible to everyone.

Festival of Dangerous Ideas

When: 20th – 30th August
Where: Carriageworks
Cost: Ticketed event

Festival of Dangerous Ideas 2026 explodes across 10 days and more Sydney venues than ever. World-premiere art, taboo film, behind-the-scenes excursions, and talks that don’t let you off the hook. The main Festival weekend lands 22–23 August at Carriageworks, with events extending across major cultural institutions citywide.

Cat and Dog Lovers Festival

When: 22nd – 23rd August
Where: Sydney Showground
Cost: Ticketed event

This purr-fect festival promises a tail-wagging good time for all ages. Shop ’til you drop in Australia’s largest cat and dog expo, meet hundreds of beautiful pets across dozens of breeds, marvel at jaw-dropping feline and canine stars, and learn from Australia’s leading pet experts through engaging talks and live demonstrations.

Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival

When: 22nd – 30th August
Where: Auburn Botanic Gardens
Cost: Ticketed event

Held at Auburn Botanic Gardens, this iconic nine-day festival transforms the gardens into a landscape of delicate pink cherry blossoms. Visitors can immerse themselves in a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture, featuring traditional performances, contemporary music, pop culture experiences, authentic cuisine and unique market offerings.

RELATED blog post to read: Japan Cherry Blossom Season: Everything You Need to Know

Liane Moriarty: Big Little Truths

When: 24th August
Where: Sydney Opera House
Cost: Ticketed event

Internationally bestselling Australian author, Liane Moriarty, takes to the Concert Hall stage in her hometown of Sydney for a tell-all conversation ahead of the launch of her long-awaited sequel to the No. 1 New York Times bestseller Big Little Lies. Join her for an evening of beyond-the-page insights and be amongst the first to secure the latest book.

RELATED blog post to read: The 3 Best Liane Moriarty Books to Read: In Order

Penrith Show

When: 29th – 30th August
Where: Penrith
Cost: Ticketed event

The 2026 Penrith Annual Show is gearing up to be an unforgettable event, offering an incredible variety of entertainment, attractions, and activities. Get ready for an unforgettable weekend at the Penrith Show, where jaw-dropping entertainment meets community celebration.

Sydney Marathon

When: 30th August
Where: CBD and various locations throughout the city
Cost: Ticketed event to enter (free to watch)

The TCS Sydney Marathon – announced as the Seventh World Marathon Major in Nov 2024 – is a World Athletics Platinum Label marathon and is the sole remaining participant legacy of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. In 2025, the event welcomed a record-breaking 35,000 marathoners from over 120 countries in its first year as a Major.

Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular

When: Until 8th August
Where: Entertainment Quarter
Cost: Ticketed event

Step inside the Hippodrome and into the world of The Greatest Showman as COME ALIVE! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular arrives in Australia.

Hear the iconic anthems of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul including ‘This Is Me’, ‘Rewrite the Stars’, and ‘A Million Dreams’ in a heart-pounding new live experience featuring jaw-dropping acrobatic artistry and gravity-defying aerial acts for an unforgettable night out.

The Addams Family: The Musical

When: Until 9th August
Where: Hayes Theatre
Cost: Ticketed event

Get ready for a fun, mysterious, and freaky spin on one of the world’s most famous families with The Addams Family! Brought to you by the acclaimed team behind the 2025 Hayes Theatre season of The Producers, this production is directed by the visionary Julia Robertson and choreographed by the dynamic Shannon Burns.

Rigoletto

When: Until 21st August
Where: Sydney Opera House
Cost: Ticketed event

Elijah Moshinsky’s much-loved production of Rigoletto returns to the Sydney Opera House stage, complete with its glamorous La Dolce Vita-inspired sets and costumes and scene-stealing Fiat 500. The revolving dolls-house style set gives cinematic detail to each scene.

Pride and Prejudice (Sort Of)

When: Until 30th August
Where: Sydney Opera House
Cost: Ticketed event

Direct from its triumph in the West End where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy, Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is a unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s most iconic love story. Men, money and microphones will be fought over in this irreverent but affectionate adaptation where the stakes couldn’t be higher when it comes to romance.

Fiddler on the Roof

When: Until 3rd October
Where: Theatre Royal Sydney
Cost: Ticketed event

After a sold out season in London, breaking the record for the best-selling musical of all time at the Barbican Theatre, and winning three Olivier Awards including Best Musical Revival, Fiddler on the Roof is now playing in its premiere season at Theatre Royal Sydney.

Disney’s The Lion King

When: Until 4th October
Where: Capitol Theatre
Cost: Ticketed event

More than 124 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular. One of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage.

Archetypes: 30 Years of 4A

When: Until 20th September
Where: 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art
Cost: Free

In 2026, 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art marks its 30th anniversary with Archetypes: 30 Years of 4A – a major exhibition that critically reflects on the organisation’s founding impulse and evolving cultural role in Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

Avatar: Forms of Vishnu

When: Until 5th October
Where: Art Gallery of NSW
Cost: Free

Exclusive to Sydney, this captivating exhibition celebrates Vishnu, the Hindu deity who preserves order in the universe, through nearly 200 exceptional works spanning fifteen centuries of South and Southeast Asian art and storytelling. It is the first major exhibition in Australia dedicated to Vishnu.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition

When: Until 11th October
Where: Paddington Pavilion at Sydney Olympic Park
Cost: Ticketed event

Harry Potter: The Exhibition brings together an incredible collection of authentic movie props, costumes worn by the actors, and recreations of iconic scenes and settings to create a fully interactive journey for fans to explore. 

Voyage to Freedom

When: Until 11th October
Where: Australian National Maritime Museum
Cost: Free

Step into the powerful story of Tự do (Freedom), the boat that carried Vietnamese refugees to Australia in 1977.

Discover the story of incredible refugee voyages from Vietnam to Darwin. These journeys represent a broader human search for safety, freedom and a better future. An intimate and immersive experience, the exhibition Voyage to Freedom invites visitors to listen, reflect and connect with our shared migration history.

Titanic: A Voyage Through Time

When: Until 28th October
Where: Sydney Olympic Park
Cost: Ticketed event

Relive the Titanic’s unforgettable journey as if you were one of its passengers. From the grand departure to the final fateful moments, walk the decks, explore the luxurious rooms, and experience the ship’s opulence like never before, all in immersive VR.

Navy 125

When: Until 31st December
Where: Australian National Maritime Museum
Cost: Free

This exhibition showcases people and pivotal events that have shaped the Australian Navy over its 125-year history of securing Australia’s interests in peace and in war. This commemorative display tells stories of love, loss, vigilance, community and sacrifice unique to navy life.