Note: This is the August guide. For the July guide, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Here are some of the best events across the North Shore in August.

Did we miss something? Let us know and we’ll update! Just email [email protected].

St Ives Orchid Fair

Pollen allergy sufferers beware: St Ives Showground hosts 18 specialist orchid vendors and four orchid societies as part of its Orchid Fair. On sale are flowers, all the necessary gear to cultivate them, hot food and coffee. $10 entry for adults, under 18s free. 

When: August 14 – 16, 9am – 4pm

Where: 450 Mona Vale Road, St Ives

Mimosa Family Fun Day

A family-friendly fair run by Mimosa Public School P&C. Expect a dunk tank, obstacle courses, disco for the kids, second hand book store, market stalls and live music. Entry $5 per person. 

When: August 15, 11am – 4pm

Where: Mimosa Public School, Frenchs Forest

Sam Neill tribute screenings

Celebrating the legacy of Kiwi film icon Sam Neill, the Hayden Orpheum screens a collection of Neill’s most popular films, including 4k restorations of Possession, The Piano and Jurassic Park. No Sleeping Dogs or Death in Brunswick, sadly. Tickets $28.

When: July 30 – August 9

Where: 380 Military Road, Cremorne

CatVideoFest 2026

Still at the Orpheum, 70 minutes of cat videos on the big screen. Tickets $29.50.

When: August 15 and 16, 1:30pm

Where: 380 Military Road, Cremorne

North Sydney Olympic Pool reopening

After a long wait for locals, North Sydney Olympic Pool reopens on August 7. Entry for the opening weekend is free. 

When: August 7

Where: 4 Alfred Street South, Milsons Point

North Sydney parkrun

A 5km community run/jog/walk event. Starts Saturday at 8am at St Leonards Park. Post-run coffees at local cafes.

When: Saturdays, 8am

Where: Fig Tree Lane, St Leonards Park 

Chatswood Car boot sale

A small market selling household items run by the Rotary Club of Chatswood and Roseville. 

When: August 2, 9am – 1pm

Where: Chatswood Youth Centre parking lot

Winter Movies series 

Gordon Library is running a series of free film screenings this winter on Friday afternoons. This month’s line up includes Charade, Nuremberg and Me and Orson Welles. 

When: August 14, 21, 28, 2pm

Where: 799 Pacific Highway, Gordon

What’s on this July for the North Shore

Go-karting, footy games and a literary festival.

Willoughby Literary Festival

Willoughby’s annual literary festival returns this July to Chatswood Library. Speakers include Michael Visontay, Jess Hill, Jane Caro and Dr Karl. 

Panel events include the North Shore poetry collective and a special “preserving heritage” panel. Free entry. Book via council website.

When: July 17, 18 and 19

Where: 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood

Karts District 

Arcade experience “Karts District” will be opening up in Greenwood Plaza this July, offering augmented reality activities via VR headsets. Activities on offer include virtual reality go karting, shoot-em-ups, spaceship flying and rollercoasters. Tickets go on sale July 2. 

Where: 90 Pacific Highway, North Sydney

Local footy 

The North Sydney Bears have a number of NSW Cup home games coming up this month: catch them playing the Newtown Jets, Manly Sea Eagles and St George Dragons at North Sydney Oval. 

Tickets $15, $8 for concession card holders, and kids under 16 go free.

When: July 5, 12, 26, 2pm

Where: 2 Fig Tree Lane, North Sydney

International footy

If Australia is still competing in the FIFA World Cup by the time this guide comes out, here are all the best places to catch games from the Socceroos and more. 

Ku-ring-gai Art Society awards exhibition

Celebrating its 56th year, the Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards is an annual celebration showcasing local artists. 

The exhibition opens to the public this month at The Gallery, inside St Ives Shopping Village, with all works up for sale. Free entry. 

When: July 20, 9:30am — August 2, 5:30 PM

Where: 166 Mona Vale Road, St Ives

National Tree Day at Brightmore Reserve

North Sydney Council is running a community tree-planting event this National Tree Day at Brightmore Reserve, a “biodiversity hotspot” adjoining Primrose Park. 

Volunteers are recommended to bring their own gardening gloves. Sausage sizzle provided for volunteers at 10am.

When: July 26, 9:30am

Where: Corner of Brightmore Street and Tobruk Avenue, Cremorne