The last of the chilly winter will start soon, and boy, are we excited by the flurry of interesting events August has in store. After a warmer-than-usual July, winter is set to end with a bang, full of concerts, markets, and experiences unique to Perth and WA.
From the Forbidden Forest Experience for Harry Potter fans to incredible concerts for all music genres, this month is definitely for stepping out even if it’s a bit cold. Here are all the things you can do in and around Perth this August.
Take on the Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience, a 45- to 75-minute outdoor trail packed with large-scale illuminations and sound effects for a magical night out this August. The interactive route highlights magical creatures from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, bringing you face-to-face with Hippogriffs, unicorns, and Nifflers. Along the way, the grounds feature themed food and drink stations for a complete evening experience. Tickets are on sale; reserve your spot here.
Discover Wayfinder’s new underground winery and garden-led restaurant in Cowaramup
Wayfinder opens a sustainable underground winery and garden-led restaurant this August. If you’re up for a fresh food-and-wine outing, Wayfinder‘s new state-of-the-art underground winery, cellar door and garden-led restaurant in Cowaramup, Margaret River, with a soft launch scheduled for August 2026. The venue champions regenerative farming and features a menu by Executive Chef Brendan Pratt alongside Wayfinder wines.
Catch artist Stormie Mills’ solo exhibition at the AGWA
Western Australian street artist Stormie Mills takes over the state gallery for his first major solo exhibition, packing four decades of his career into one space. Moving from underground graffiti to the contemporary art spotlight, Mills explores themes of isolation and resilience through his signature restrained palette of black, white, grey, and silver.
The centrepiece of the show is a pair of monumental 12-metre-long paintings; one focused on the ocean, the other on the mountains. These vast landscapes dwarf his subjects against extreme, elemental environments, highlighting the tension between human vulnerability and endurance.
Take on 35 thrilling puzzle cells at Prison Island Perth
If you’re looking to add a dose of adrenaline this August in Perth, Prison Island is an escape room with a twist. Rally friends, family (one adult ticket included for children’s parties), or even a Hens and Stag crew (the bride or groom join for free!), then tackle 35 themed cells in groups of 2 to 5. Expect a mix of mental puzzles, physical tests, and team challenges. Complete as many tasks as you can within the set time to rack up points. Buy tickets before they sell out!
Frolic around at the Canning Vale Winter Night Markets
The fully undercover Winter Night Markets return to Canning Vale every Saturday night this August. The event brings together around 100 stalls each week, featuring a rotating selection of gourmet street food, live music, handmade artisan crafts, and family activities.
Be mesmerised by Engine‘s three distinct choreographies at the State Theatre Centre
The triple-bill dance production Engine brings together choreographers Rafael Bonachela, Fran Diaz, and Melanie Lane. Bonachela presents The Journey Itself is Home, a new piece set to music by Bryce Dessner and inspired by 17th-century poet Matsuo Bashō. Fran Diaz brings The Mass Ornament to Australia for the first time. The work translates Siegfried Kracauer’s 1927 essay on mass movement and collectivity into choreography, set to the music of Henryk Górecki. Finally, Melanie Lane will present Love Lock, a futuristic take on folk dance. The piece features costume design by Akira Isogawa and an electronic score from UK artist Clark.
Celebrate Italian culture with a festival dedicated to food, sport, and
With Calcio Italiano Only in Perth set to take over, a supporting Little Italy festival takes place at Stadium Park. Enjoy the best of Italian culture with food trucks, live entertainment, showcases, and many more activities. Whether you’re a foodie or simply a sports fan, this festival is the place to be this August.
If you’re after something a little different this August, catch one of Perth’s Candlelight Concerts—live classical music tributes held inside the City of Fremantle Town Hall, Perth Town Hall, and other heritage landmarks in the city. Thousands of candles illuminate the ornate architecture, soaring ceilings, and elegant chandeliers, transforming the historic spaces into a warm, immersive environment. The venues provide a striking acoustic setting for these unique performances, including tributes to Adele, ABBA, and Karnivool. Buy tickets here.
Talk books over brewskis at Books in the Brewery’s monthly meetup
Books in the Brewery hosts monthly meetups at various locations in WA. If you’re a quick reader, they’re reading At Sea by Sudanese-Australian author Y. M. Abdel-Magied. Order the book or pop into your favourite bookstore and buy it. Then, you can register for any of the in-person meetups (check out the locations above) and share your experience with fellow readers. A true-blue winter activity to meet your reading goals and build community all in one.
Zoom in to check out motor vehicles at the Classic Cars and Coffee event
If you’re keen to attend a high-octane event, consider Perth’s largest monthly automotive meetup. Classic Cars and Coffee features classic, vintage, and rare modern sports cars, and supports the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. You can browse luxury vehicles and motorcycles, explore a dedicated Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) showcase, and refuel with local coffee and food vendors.
Vibe to the tunes of Punjabi pop singer Karan Aujla
Karan Aujla brings his “P-Pop Culture” tour to Perth to perform tracks from his latest album. The artist, who relocated from India to Canada as a teenager, mixes Punjabi pop with hip-hop and North American influences. After starting his career writing songs for other musicians, he now tours his own catalogue.
Canadian producer and composer Ikwinder Singh, aka Ikky, opens the show at RAC Arena. Book your tickets now!
Watch an adrenaline-pumping race at the Repco Supercars Championship’s Perth round
The Repco Supercars Championship heads to Perth for the Sprint Cup at Motormall Wanneroo Raceway. The weekend brings the high-pressure Super 440 racing format alongside paddock access, driver signing sessions, and interactive displays.
Off the track, expect food trucks and extreme entertainment, including drifting performances and appearances from Burnout Team Slammer throughout the event. Book your tickets for the race here.
Smell the flowers at Nannup Flower and Garden Festival
The Nannup Flower & Garden Festival brings the town alive with colour, creativity and community spirit. Watch as 20,000 tulips cover Nannup, creating a celebration of gardens, sustainability, art and local talent. This beloved annual festival invites visitors and locals alike to explore Nannup’s beauty, connect with its people, and share in the warmth. Truly a sight to behold, check out the Shire of Nannup for more details.
Revel in an operatic presentation of Eugene Onegin at His Majesty’s Theatre
West Australian Opera stages Tchaikovsky’s musical adaptation of Pushkin’s classic poem, Eugene Onegin, bringing a Northern Ireland Opera production to Perth. The story follows Tatyana, a young woman who confesses her love, and Eugene, the man who rejects her and later regrets the missed chance.
Director Cameron Menzies leads a cast featuring Samuel Dundas, Eleanor Lyons, Paul O’Neill, and Teddy Tahu Rhodes. The narrative moves through grand ballrooms and dawn duels, focusing on young love, deep friendship, and heartbreak. Buy your tickets now!
Enter an immersive presentation of Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon at Scitech’s Planetarium
(for Scitech members only)
Scitech celebrates the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon with a full-dome visual and surround-sound show at their Planetarium. The 42-minute screening plays the complete album. Each track features a theme, blending futuristic visuals with retro nods to the band’s history. Visual production studio NSC Creative developed the 360-degree projections alongside Pink Floyd’s longtime creative collaborator Aubrey Powell. For more details and bookings, check out Scitech.
Taste the best of the city’s food with Plateful Perth
Plateful Perth returns for a month-long celebration of food, drink, and staycations, bringing exclusive menus and one-off dining experiences to more than 80 venues across the city.
The program is split into five categories: Bargain Bites starting at $15, Premium Plates, Feast shared menus, Sip Sessions, and Gourmet Getaways pairing hotel stays with dining packages. Offerings range from chef-led tasting dinners and pasta masterclasses to wine pairing events and discounted bar menus.
Check out an exhibition in support of The Salvation Army
RAC Arena brings the Passing By Project to its high-traffic concourse, showcasing original works by 16 emerging Western Australian artists aged 14 to 24. Co-curated by Zac Cawdron and Nelson Mondlane, the exhibition features young creators connected to youth support services through The Salvation Army and The Y HQ.
The installation explores the hidden stories of strangers, tackling issues ignored in busy public spaces, including homelessness and isolation, alongside broader themes of youth culture and personal challenges.
Revel among the community floats at Northam Bilya Festival
The Northam Bilya Festival inaugurates the 124km Avon Descent white-water race while honouring the Ballardong Nyoongar people‘s connection to the river. Centred near the Bilya Koort Boodja Centre, the event combines Aboriginal cultural performances with the official kickoff to the racing weekend.
A Hollywood-themed street parade takes over Fitzgerald Street, featuring floats built by local schools and businesses. Across Bernard Park and Minson Avenue, the setup includes free carnival rides, Sideshow Alley games, market stalls, and food trucks. The festival will close with a fireworks display over the park.
Enjoy at the Fremantle Festival: 10 Nights in Port 2026
The winter festival returns to Fremantle, transforming it into a hub of art, performance, and conversation, more so than usual. Highlights will include Feast & Fire, featuring fire sculptures and late-night gallery openings, alongside Tides, an immersive music and maritime performance at the WA Shipwrecks Museum. The 10-day lineup features live music, theatre, a new musical (A Magical Guide to Fighting Fascism), and interactive experiences reflecting on local history.
