July is here, ushering in the heart of winter (read: freezing temperatures) across Australia. With crisp air and a strong desire to get cosy, it’s the perfect time to lean into the slower pace of the season. Whether you're chasing the snow, retreating to a farmstay, or staying local, there’s plenty to see and do this this month. From cultural festivals to culinary experiences, we’ve curated the best things to discover in every city across the country — so rug up, head out, and make weekend plans, below.

NSW

Barangaroo, The Rocks and Darling Harbour will be celebrating NAIDOC Week, with a range of free events from Saturday, 5 July to Sunday, 13 July. Highlights include the National Indigenous Art Fair, First Nations Workshops, and a Wildflower Plant Installation.

Celebrate Bastille day in Woollahra at Bistro Moncur, which is serving up a classic roast Chateaubriand with all the trimmings on Sunday 13 July. Bookings are available here.

In Rozelle, Bistro Red Lion by Manu is also commemorating Bastille Day, with a specially-designed menu by celebrity chef Manu Feildel, available on Monday 14 July. Make a booking here.

Living Edge is unveiling a dedicated showcase of Tom Dixon at their Woollahra store, kicking off on Saturday July 5.

Three Blue Ducks has launched a new winter menu at its Byron Bay location, with a special 'From The Fire' section, showcasing the venue's signature open-flame cooking technique. See the menu and make a booking here.

In celebration of World Chocolate Day (7th July), Pana Organic is collaborating with Tokyo Lamington on three limited-edition lamingtons. The creations will be available across all Sydney and Melbourne stores through the month of July.

Belvoir Street Theatre is premiering Grief is the Thing With Feathers, anew adaptation of Max Porter's best-selling novel, adapted by Simon Phillips, Nick Schlieper and Toby Schmitz, from 26 July – 24 August. Tickets are available here.

Folk Reimagined: East in Symphony is slated for Monday 7 July in the Concert Hall at Sydney Opera House, featuring over 70 musicians from the Guizhou Chinese Orchestra and The Australia Orchestra. Tickets are available here.

Cooking with Cooper is back for winter at Chin Chin Sydney, reprising one of the venue’s most in-demand classes: Throw a Dinner Party the Chin Chin Way, on July 27. Secure your spot here.

Dove is transforming Bondi's Slow House into Club Mystique, a free and exclusive spa-meets-nightclub on July 1. Book a free spot here, with sessions available from 6:30am until 11pm.

South Eveleigh’s Loco Markets continue this month, until Sunday 27 July. Expect a rotating lineup of handmade goods, design-led retail, food and drink, and live entertainment with a new theme and experience each week.

One Playground is hosting a two-day Wellness Weekend in Surry Hills on the 19th and 20th July, celebrating all things health, healing, and connection. Expect everything from workshops to a wellness market. More information here.

VIC

Baby Reindeer's Richard Gadd is coming to ACMI, Melbourne from July 14 - 16 for global TV exchange, FUTURE VISION. He will be joined by award-winning creators, Soo Hugh (Pachinko) and Sally Wainwright (Happy Valley), plus Bruna Papandrea (Big Little Lies), Harriet Dyer (Colin From Accounts), Danny Philippou (Talk To Me) and Oscar winner, Emile Sherman. Secure tickets here.

From 11–14 July, Baker Bleu is teaming up with celebrated French-Australian chef to offer a short-run menu of French-inspired specials across each Melbourne store, to celebrate Bastille Day.

The inaugural St Paul's Cathedral Winterfest Indoor Market will take place on the weekends on 5 July and 12 July. Enjoy live music from local artists and the Cathedral Choir, plus hot food and drinks from outdoor stalls, with all sales supporting Melbourne's homeless community via Anglicare Victoria.

The Finders Keepers Melbourne Design Market returns to the Royal Exhibition Building from 11 - 13 July bringing more than 270 stalls to Carlton. Expect art, ceramics, jewellery and homewares, plus food and drink. Tickets available here.

Run Melbourne is the city's largest winter running event, taking place on 13 July. Choose from the half marathon, 10km, or 5.5km, and book your place here.

O'Connell's in South Melbourne is leaning into truffle season with a limited-edition truffle-focused menu throughout July. And on 18 July, there's a one-night-only Truffle and Wine dinner hosted by Head Chef Aaron Brodie, in collaboration with Friend & Burrell truffles and Mornington Peninsula’s Stonier Wines. Make a booking here.

Ruben's Deli in Armadale has launched its winter menu, with highlights including a hot maple matcha, a babka-topped hot chocolate, and slow-cooked beef ribs.

QLD

Truffle season has begun, and The Star Brisbane will transform for the occasion, with specially curated menus and exclusive dishes at restaurants, Sokyo, Aloria, and Cucina Regina. Plan your visit here.

'Wonderstruck' will take over the ground floor of the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) from 4 - 11 July, featuring more than 100 artworks and interactive projects by over 70 international and Australian artists drawn from the Gallery's Collection. Entry is free.

The World Press Photo Exhibition 2025 will return to the Brisbane Powerhouse with a new selection of the world’s best photojournalism, from July 19 to August 17.

SA

Journey into the future with Start through a vibrant collage of art, presented in a forward propelling program celebrating the dynamic visions of featured First Nations artists and musicians for NAIDOC Week.

Illuminate Adelaide is the city's brightest celebration of art, light, music, and technology. Held from 2 - 20 July, plan your visit here.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast is now playing at Adelaide Festival Theatre, with performances running until 6 July. Secure your tickets here.

The South Australian Museum will celebrate NAIDOC Week (6-13 July)with a host of activities, including free exhibitions, pop-up displays, and family-friendly activities. Plan your visit here.

WA

Maddington Central will host two NAIDOC Week events: Collaborative Art Piece with Koolangka's Kreate, on Wednesday 9 July, and a NAIDOC Art Exhibition from 4 July. Plan your visit here.

In commeoration of NAIDOC week, the second edition of the Wangening Bardip (Healing Stories) Art Exhibition returns, showcasing over 15 independent First Nations artists from 4 - 11 July. For more information, head here.

ACT

The best acts from the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival will descend on Canberra on July 4 at the Canberra Theatre Centre. Secure your tickets to the performance here.

Celebrate Christmas in July with a European-inspired winter market. Expect hot food, wine, and an artisan market, hosted on Patrick White Lawns. Plan your visit here.

Bangarra Dance Theatre will present Illume on 25 and 26 July — a theatrical exploration of the ways light has captivated and sustained Indigenous cultural existence for millennia. Book tickets here.