What to see, do and enjoy around the harbour this late winter into early spring
As winter begins to thaw and spring whispers its arrival, Sydney welcomes a warm, lively calendar of events this August and September 2025, offering something for everyone across arts, culture, community and sport. August sees the city come alive with a mix of natural wonder and creative flair.
At Auburn Botanic Gardens you can wander beneath more than 200 cherry blossom trees, savouring the delicate beauty alongside Japanese‑inspired food and entertainment from Saturday 16 August through to Sunday 24 August 2025. Community spirit blooms at the Engadine Street Fair on Sunday, 3 August, where artisan stalls, live music and carnival‑style fun create a vibrant family outing in the heart of the Shire.
Whale watching tours and hot spots are great across the rest of August in Sydney, visit Sydney Whale Watching for details. The Sydney Marathon also graces the city each year. A world‑class road race that now joins the elite World Marathon Majors and includes a marathon distance, 10K and more, attracting runners from all over.
Come September, Sydney blossoms into full spring colour, and the event scene accelerates with festivals and performances. The Sydney Fringe Festival returns across the city from 1 to 30 September, boasting over 450 events spanning music, theatre, cabaret, comedy, visual arts and dance across four precincts—Inner West, Central, Eastern and Greater Sydney—with over 3,000 artists and more than 100,000 attendees expected. Bondi welcomes spring in its iconic way with the Festival of the Winds between 19 and 21 September, bringing colourful kite displays, workshops, live music, food stalls and arts and homewares markets to the shore at Carriageworks and surrounds. That same weekend, Watson’s Bay Spring Market on Sunday 21 September offers more than 100 stalls of handmade, which includes homewares, art, treats and gifts, set in one of the city’s most scenic harbourside locales.
Music and theatre lovers aren’t left wanting: from 4–7 and again 11–14 September, Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo brings its spectacular circus‑style wonder to Qudos Bank Arena.
All told, late August and September 2025 shape up to be among the most captivating times to be in Sydney. From delicate cherry-blossom strolls and street fairs to immersive arts festivals, kite-flying on the beach, major street markets and world-class performance and running events, the city pulses with energy that reflects its reputation for lifestyle, culture and connection.
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