August is the final month of winter, and the Southern Highlands is brimming with things to do. Fireside dinners, live gigs, creative workshops, wellness events, and community markets are all on the calendar. It’s the season for connection, celebration, and one last cosy hurrah.
We’ve rounded up just a little taste of what’s on offer this month.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
The Highlands is turning up the volume, with live music and performances that’ll warm your soul and shake up your calendar.
Opera takes centre stage on Saturday, 2nd August, at the Love, Loss and Loyalty concert, an evening of passionate, powerful arias that will have you completely swept up in the emotion and elegance of the music. It’s bold, it’s beautiful, and it’s the kind of performance that lingers long after the final note.
Things get a little more intimate on Wednesday, 6th August, with Wind Through The Reeds, a chamber music concert featuring the sublime sounds of oboe and piano. Gahyun Lee and Jeanell Carrigan bring sensitivity and brilliance to the stage in a performance that feels like it was made for a Highlands winter afternoon.
Craving something a bit more nostalgic and loud? The Australian Pearl Jam Tribute Show at the Bowral Bowling Club on Friday, 8th August is going to be a big night of singalongs, grunge spirit, and serious throwback energy. Channel your inner Eddie Vedder and get ready to belt it out.
And for something truly special, the Bowral Autumn Music Festival is hosting a fundraising afternoon with iconic Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin Saturday, 23rd August. Hear her story, experience her music up close, and soak in an unforgettable afternoon of creativity, connection, and musical brilliance.
For more Live Entertainment fun this month, head here.
EAT & DRINK
So much deliciousness right across the Highlands. Cosy pop-ups, Euro-inspired dinners, fire-side feasts and a little Friday night flair for good measure.
Kick off the month with a night to remember at Hearth by Moonacres in Bowral, where the Jimmy Nardello Pop-Up Dinner is happening on Saturday, 9th August. Expect flavour-packed plates, seasonal produce and some serious Italian magic! All served in one of the cosiest corners of Bowral. Bookings are essential.
On Thursday, 21 August, Franquette is heading north to the lush fields, apple orchards and rich dairy country of Normandie. It’s a region where cider flows and butter is king. Expect a Normandie-inspired galette, golden fries, a classic French crêpe and a chilled aperitif on arrival, all set to the sounds of live music. Bookings are essential.
Fridays are feeling fancier than ever in Bundanoon. The Bundanoon Hotel is bringing back Fancy Fridays every Friday in August! They’re serving oysters for just two bucks, cocktails, and of course, a relaxed country atmosphere that hits just right after a long week.
On Sunday, 17th August, Osborn House is firing up the asado for a one-of-a-kind South American feast. Executive Chef Segundo Farrell, who trained under legendary fire-cooking master Francis Mallmann, will bring the flames and the flavour to this epic outdoor lunch. Book quick, these sell out fast. Hot in every sense of the word.
For even more deliciousness, head here.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
If the pace of life has been creeping into overwhelm lately, now’s a good time to pause… and tap into something that nourishes, steadies and supports.
In Bundanoon running on the 18th-19th of August, Beyond Burnout is offering more than just a reset; it’s a half-day deep dive into practical, thoughtful strategies that help untangle stress and build emotional resilience. Think of it as a toolkit for a gentler, more grounded way forward. We love the sound of this!
On Saturday, 16th August, boost your confidence with a Baby + Child CPR & First Aid course designed for parents, grandparents, and carers. Learn vital skills hands-on from expert nurses, all in a welcoming, family-friendly setting. Be ready for the moments that matter most.
Then on Sunday, 31st August, the Natural Therapies Expo & Festival arrives at Mittagong RSL. It’s a celebration of holistic health with stalls, workshops, and wellness practitioners sharing their wisdom. And the perfect chance to explore new ideas, ask questions, and discover ways to feel better in your body and mind.
Click here to explore more health and wellness events happening across the Highlands this month.
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Let August be the month to learn something new. Our calendar is bursting with inspiring workshops and talks across the Highlands.
On Thursday, 14th August, historian David Hunt explores the ways our past is often misremembered and misrepresented in the 2025 Speaker Series at Burradoo. Expect a thought-provoking dive into history’s twists and turns. These Speaker Series at Oxley College are always good fun.
For green thumbs keen on winter gardening, the Winter Plant Propagation Workshop in Bowral on Sunday, 17th August offers practical tips to grow your own plants through the colder months.
And on Sunday, 17th August, join the Southern Highlands Future Forum in Bowral for a discussion on sustainable building. There’s an impressive line-up of speakers sharing essential ideas shaping the region’s future.
Get hands-on on Friday, 29th August in Berrima with Techno Trash to Treasure, a creative workshop transforming old technology into unique artworks. A playful way to rethink what we toss out.
For more classes and workshops, click here.
Ready to jump headfirst into August fun? Head here to uncover every awesome event across the Highlands and start crafting your ultimate month of good times!
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