Things to do

What to do in Sydney this August

Challenge yourself with dangerous ideas, boundary-pushing music and the world’s biggest fun run. Here are 10 events happening across the city this month.

A performer in colorful costume with golden wings stands elevated in front of a crowd during an outdoor event. Renata Filippi

Australian Life finalist 'Boyca and Daisy' photographed by Cassandra Scott-Finn
Australian Life finalist 'Boyca and Daisy' photographed by Cassandra Scott-Finn

Get a glimpse of Australian Life

Take a journey through scenes of connection, resilience and play at this year’s Australian Life photography exhibition. See the 28 finalists from this year's competition, on display at Custom House Square. Pop inside Customs House to see the world through the lens of a child at the Little Sydney Lives exhibition.

2 to 25 August

Get to know your local community centre, gym and after school and vacation childcare in Woolloomooloo.
Get to know your local community centre, gym and after school and vacation childcare in Woolloomooloo.

Explore Juanita Nielsen Community Centre and gym

Enjoy a day of fitness, fun and food at the free open day at Juanita Nielsen Community Centre in Woolloomooloo. Meet the friendly team and enjoy a barbecue lunch while the kids have fun with the reptile zoo, face painting, games and more.

Saturday 10 August

Get wild about food at Sydney City Farm for National Science Week
Get wild about food at Sydney City Farm for National Science Week

Get curious this National Science Week

Share your interest in science, technology and innovation with talks, workshops and hands-on activities this National Science Week. Explore fresh food with all your senses at Sydney City Farm. Enjoy a native bee musical performance or try your hand at robotics and light projections in the makerspace at Darling Square Library. Learn about the night sky, seaweeds as medicines and more at the Indigenous Science Experience at Redfern Community Centre.

10 to 18 August

Enter the free ticket ballots to performances at Phoenix Central Park. Photo: Jordan Munns
Enter the free ticket ballots to performances at Phoenix Central Park. Photo: Jordan Munns

Experience groundbreaking new music at Phoenix Central Park

Enter the ballot for free tickets to see boundary-pushing live music at this intimate performance space. August performances include Bekah Amani’s intimate afro soul to the electronic and choral sounds of Laurence Pike.

Various dates throughout August

Thousands of runners hit the streets for City2Surf this August
Thousands of runners hit the streets for City2Surf this August

Walk, jog, run – or cheer from the sidelines – at City2Surf

Experience the energy and the excitement of City2Surf. The world’s biggest fun run tracks its famous 14km course from Hyde Park to Bondi Beach. Cheer on the runners, spot the contenders for best dressed and celebrate post-race with a boogie at the beach.

Sunday 11 August

Learn how to mend your belongings at the Festival of Repair
Learn how to mend your belongings at the Festival of Repair

Learn how to fix it before you throw it

Join the ABC’s Craig Reucassel from My Zero Waste Life at the Festival of Repair. Learn how to repair clothing, home appliances, furniture and more with talks, demos, hands-on workshops and panel sessions.

13 to 18 August

Taste moon cakes and enjoy dim sum morning tea at this Moon Festival celebration
Taste moon cakes and enjoy dim sum morning tea at this Moon Festival celebration

Celebrate the Moon Festival

Experience the rich cultural heritage of the Moon Festival at Ron Williams Community Centre with a dim sum morning tea, moon cake tasting and Chinese singing and dancing.

Wednesday 21 August

The Festival of Dangerous Ideas returns to Carriageworks this August
The Festival of Dangerous Ideas returns to Carriageworks this August

Come face to face with some dangerous new ideas

Challenge your thinking at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. Join 87 speakers and artists coming together for talks, performances and events to challenge the way you examine the world.

24 to 25 August

Create your own laser cut jewellery at this workshop for 12 to 16-year-olds
Create your own laser cut jewellery at this workshop for 12 to 16-year-olds

Wear it purple with your own laser cut jewellery

Teens are invited to Darling Square Library makerspace to create their own laser cut jewellery at this Wear It Purple Day workshop. Express yourself with hues of grape, lavender and mauve and celebrate young people of diverse sexualities and genders.

Thursday 29 August

See 'The Country Cries for Truth' at the State Library of NSW
See 'The Country Cries for Truth' at the State Library of NSW

Visit the art exhibition The Country Cries for Truth

See this powerful and personal exhibition by distinguished Bundjalung artist Dr Bronwyn Bancroft. The artworks celebrate family and connection to Country through techniques of painting and patterning onto family photographs and colonial historical images.

Every day until June 2025

Want more? See everything happening this month.

Published 26 July 2024, updated 30 July 2024