Here’s what’s happening across Australia in August
With the winter chill waning and spring just around the corner, there is plenty to do around the country.
Whether you’re a foodie, art connoisseur, or looking for your next film fix, here’s what’s happening around Australia in August.
Fleur de Villes Flower Show, Sydney
After a five-year tour around the world, a whimsical flower show, Fleur de Villes, will be landing in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens from August 19-28.
This year’s theme, FEMMES, will see local Sydney florists create life-size tributes to 15 remarkable women, including Kylie Minogue, Frida Kahlo and Indigenous activist Evelyn Scott.
Image: @rbgsydney (Instagram)
Floral workshops, bespoke dining experiences, a pop-up flower market, and talks from scientists, florists and horticulturalists round out this year’s program, with general admission tickets costing $22, and seniors and kids aged 5-17 getting in for half-price.
To find out more about the show, head here.
SALA Festival, Adelaide
The South Australian Living Artists Festival is returning for a statewide celebration of local artists and celebrating its 25th festival with a Silver exhibition of local artists curated by six special guests, including the Lord Mayor of Adelaide.
Image: @salafestival (Instagram)
Along with thousands of artists exhibiting across metropolitan and regional South Australia, this year’s program also features an online exhibition, masterclasses and workshops across various art forms, and a five-day drawing marathon.
To find out more about this year’s SALA Festival, head here.
The Curated (side)Plate, Queensland
The culinary festival is returning to the Sunshine Coast once again, following its debut in 2019, for ten days of culinary experiences.
This year’s program is filled with long lunches, picnics, foodie nights and brunches, featuring local produce and culinary talent.
Image: @thecuratedplate (Instagram)
To find out more about the Curated (side)Plate festival, running from July 29 until August 7, and purchase tickets, head here.
Central Coast Chorale Anniversary Concert, NSW
After nearly 250 concerts, the Central Coast Chorale is celebrating 30 years of music at their upcoming concert, ‘Celebration in Song’.
The choir of 55 singers will be performing a range of majestic music, from Bruckner and Haydn to the highlights of Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute. A newly-commissioned piece by emerging composer Courtney Cousins - who is currently playing Mahler’s second symphony with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra - will also be debuting.
Image: Central Coast Chorale
Tickets for the concert on August 28 will be available to purchase at the door at St Patrick’s Catholic Church East Gosford, with more information available here.
70th Melbourne International Film Festival
Melbourne’s month-long celebration of cinema is returning once again to cinemas across Victoria, bringing with it a program of acclaimed international films, world premieres, and new Australian cinema.
Image: Visit Melbourne
Other highlights include the launch of the festival’s film competition, as well as a series of special events, talks, performances, and commissioned works.
To see the full program and purchase tickets, head here.
Darwin Festival
Darwin’s annual winter arts festival has returned, featuring a program of outdoor festivities and activities that take advantage of the Top End’s dry, tropical winter.
Image: Tony Lewis (Darwin Festival)
Highlights include balarr inyiny (meaning Light Dreaming), a light festival that will see 160 drones take flight for a breathtaking sky show that illustrates Larrakia songlines from across Darwin’s coastline, along with the Prehistoric Picnic and plenty of comedians, local and international artists, and theatre.
To see the full program and find out more about Darwin Festival 2022, head here.
Gascoyne Food Festival, WA
The country’s largest regional food experience is heading to Gascoyne, in WA’s north-west, from July 30 until September 4.
Image: @t.r.i.s.m (Instagram)
The region’s best ingredients and culinary talent will be on display across various events, including Australia’s Biggest BBQ (September 3), pop-up food market Eating the Gascoyne (August 4), the Twilight Gala Dinner (August 5), Canapes on the Gascoyne (August 26), and Flavours of Shark Bay (September 4).
To find out more and book your spot, head here.