I like to think of August as the calm before spring. Winter still has a ways to go, but the pace is picking up, galleries are unveiling major exhibitions, festival season is gathering momentum, and there's a fresh slate of cultural happenings worth planning a weekend around.
From new exhibitions to restaurant specials, these are the best things to do across Australia this August.
NSW
Dior Beauty is launching Sauvage House, an immersive and sensorial celebration of the Sauvage fragrance universe in the heart of Sydney, open from 14 - 16 August. Tickets are available here.
Chatswood Chase is unveiling Taste Concierge, a limited experience inviting customers to discover some of the precint's leading luxury brands. The activation begins with Emporio Armani on 3 - 5 August, from 3-6pm, followed by Bvlgari from 10 - 13 August, and FRED from 17 - 20 August. More details are available here.
Dear Sainte Éloise will pay tribute to Bordeaux on August 26 with a one-night-only set menu, alongside wines from the region. Bookings are now open, secure yours here.
Class A Jewellers is bringing its Trunk Show back to Sydney on August 8 and 9. Hosted at The Second, Surry Hills, you will be able to discover the collection via intimate one-on-one appointments. Secure your spot here.
Manly Fish & Chips at Manly Wharf has launched new midweek specials, available from 11am, dine in or take away. They include $9 cheeseburgers on Tuesdays, $9 fish and chips on Wednesday, and 2-for-1 burgers on Thursdays.
Letra House is hosting an exclusive dinner experience with Scottish single malt house, The Dalmore, on August 18. Tickets are $160 per person, and include a generous set menu, welcome drink and three pairings of whisky and sherry. Book your spot here.
Chiswick is hosting 'Retro Sundays' from 9 - 30 August. Expect old-school food classics (with a fresh, seasonal twist) alongside a nostalgic bar menu, for $60pp. Bookings are available here.
Fool’s Paradise, the newest Sydney Fringe Festival destination, is taking over the Entertainment Quarter from 26 August until 11 October. The full program and tickets are available here.
Homer is celebrating its first birthday on August 9 with a long table Greek feast, featuring a set menu, ouzo on arrival and performances by the Sydney Greek Dancing School. Secure your spot at the celebration here.
On August 30, Poetiq Honesty returns to The Vanguard with Young, Black & Gifted 2.0, an unforgettable evening of spoken word, live music and community. Marking one year since Poetiq Honesty's relaunch at The Vanguard, this milestone edition brings together powerful open mic performances, live acts and a vibrant lineup of Black creatives. Proudly supported by RUSSH as media partner, the evening celebrates creativity, connection and culture. Tickets available here.
No Flowers Mahjong Club, Zero Chess Club and Chinatown Country Club are joining forces with Zero Fløwers Country Club on 22 August from 4pm-8pm. The evening is set to redefine what a night out can mean, bringing Sydney's creative and cultural communities into the fold of Mahjong and Chess. Mentors will be on hand to explain both games, and there will be an open bar and speciality coffee. Tickets are available here.
The House of Sephora is opening its doors to customers with a Consumer Session on 27 August. It will be open to 600 guests across three sessions bringing together immersive brand experiences, shade matching, games, education, and the opportunity to meet the faces behind your favourite brands. Tickets are redeemable with Beauty Pass Points via the Sephora Rewards Boutique.
Celebrate City2Surf with Disco Yum Cha at North Bondi Fish on August 9. All City2Surf participants will receive a complimentary Aperol or Campari Spritz.
Sly Morikawa's next solo exhibition, Devotion, is opening on August 14 at China Heights Gallery in Sydney.
Tarte is bringing its CC Beach Club to Sydney on 14 and 15 August, at Sephora in the Pitt St Mall. Guests can get shade-matched, snap a printed keepsake, sip a complimentary bottled tarte juice, and leave with a gift bag featuring full-size product, deluxe samples and tarte merch.
Tegan Ware's Cicada is coming to Wollongong Art Gallery from 27-29 August. From dusty 90s suburbia to the dazzling world of upscale art galleries, Cicada follows a young artist from childhood dreams to the heights of success, and then to his consequent exile. Tickets are available here.
VIC
ASICS SportStyle is returning to Melbourne from August 5 - 9, with a program spanning sneaker customisation, a sneaker refresh workshop, live music, artist residencies and a rotating line-up of Melbourne food and coffee favourites. The pop up is located at 264 Exhibition street, Melbourne. General admission is free, and you can secure your spot at particular sessions here.
Mr Mills is launching Mr Mills' Music Room, a live music series every Friday night. The program runs until October 9, and will feature a rotating lineup of live artist from 7-9m, followed by DJs until 11pm. There will also be a limited-edition cocktail menu created with Four Pillars and Gospel Rye Whisky, plus a new Jazz Bites menu.
Rutherglen's 'Dark Side of Wine' is back from 7 to 16 August, located just three hours outside of Melbourne. The program begins with a Candlelight Concert, with a live string quartet playing Ed Sheeran and Coldplay, followed by ten more nights of after-dark experiences across the region. Discover the full program and secure tickets here.
To Be Frank in Collingwood is teaming up with Ooni for two bakery creations developed by head baker Franco Villalva using the new Ooni Halo Core Spiral Mixer. On August 8 and 9, the first 100 customers will receive one of the creations, plus a limited-edition co-branded bread bag.
The Affordable Art Fair returns to Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building from 27 - 30 August. Visitors will have access to works from over 70 galleries all under one roof, with artwork priced between $100 and $100,000.
QLD
Night Feast continues this month, with Brisbane Powerhouse hosting some of the best bites from the city's restaurants, until August 23. There's also plenty of immersive art and live entertainment to explore as you eat.
The inaugural QLD Fringe will be touring from August 1 - 7, bringing performances of all kinds across regional Queensland. Keep up with the full program here.
The Queensland Theatre Company will present Do Not Go Gentle at the Bille Brown Theatre from August 11 - 30, a story inspired by Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s ill-fated 1911 expedition to the South Pole. More information and tickets are available here.
SA
The Taiwan Film Festival will come to Adelaide for one day only this month, at Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas on August 8. See the full program here.
WA
Plateful Perth is back, with venues across the city serving up special offers, menu items, and workshops for the month. See what's happening near you, here.
