What's on across the Mid North Coast in August
Check out the free and ticketed events happening across the region.
Ellie Chamberlain
July 30, 2025
From a choose-your-own-adventure farm gate tour, to plant and cloth swaps, a jazz festival, live cabaret performance and more, check out what’s happening across the region in August, including free and ticketed events.
The annual Hastings Farm Gate Tour is happening over the first weekend of August. Picture supplied.
🧑🌾 Hastings Farm Gate Tour - POSTPONED DUE TO WET WEATHER
The annual self-drive tour will be held over the first weekend in August, celebrating the regenerative farmers and land owners of the Greater Port Macquarie, Hastings and Camden Haven areas.
Visit host properties – including urban gardens and rural properties – and learn how local food producers work to grow food while regenerating the land. Included in this year’s tour is a new bush yoga retreat featuring koala plantations, private permaculture gardens, flower farmers, animal petting, workshops on ‘Basics of Regenerative Agriculture’, ‘Permaculture Principles’ and ‘Sustainable fishing’, and cooking demonstrations using local produce.
The Hastings Farm Gate Tour celebrates local farmers showcasing sustainable food production and is an opportunity to see first-hand what goes into producing local food. Each property offers a different experience – you may help a farmer feed their animals or pick some crops – but walking shoes for farms tours through paddocks and uneven terrain.
Shannon Larkin, Co-coordinator of the event, said this year’s tour is just in time to be inspired for your spring planting.
The event is family friendly. Don’t forget to pack a picnic and your esky for taking some produce home.
🗓️ When: NEW DATES 18-19 OCT
📍Where: click here for a map and list of hosts
🎟️ Tickets: As a self-drive tour, the $60 tickets cover one car-load and all 19 events over the weekend. Once you’ve purchased a ticket, you’ll receive a downloadable tour guide with everything you need to know to plan your tour.
ℹ️ More info: https://hastingsfarmgate.au/home
🎷 Jazz music and arts festival, Bellingen
The inaugural three-day event, Beyond Jazz Weekender, celebrates art, music and dance with live bands, DJs, live podcasts and workshops included in the line up.
🗓️ When: Friday 15 to Sunday 17, August. Click here to see times.
📍Where: Memorial Hall, 33 Hyde St, Bellingen
🎟️ Tickets: From $20, under 18s free. Click here to purchase.
ℹ️ More info: https://beyondjazzweekender.com.au/program
🌱 Seedy Sunday, Port Macquarie
Port library is hosting a day of seed, plant and clothing swaps, live music, free workshops on things like how to compost, eco-friendly market stalls including local produce, kids entertainment and face painting.
🗓️ When: Sunday, August 24
📍Where: Port Macquarie library, 10am to 2pm
🎟️ Tickets: Free event
ℹ️ More info: mnclibrary.org.au
🕊️ Death and Dying expo, Coffs Harbour
This free community-led event is about providing a platform for compassionate and honest conversations around aging, death, grief, and end-of-life care.
The expo provides people the opportunity to connect with local services, explore options, learn about planning ahead, and find support.
On August 10 there will be 32 exhibitors of the end-of-life industry, a cultural panel, short talks, poetry, live music and food.
🗓️ When: Sunday, August 10, 9am to 2pm
📍Where: Norm Jordan Pavilion, Coffs Harbour Showgrounds
🎟️ Tickets: Free, all welcome
ℹ️ More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1951896868678670/?rdid=MugWtoNZufmzLCOj#
☔️ Flood preparedness briefing, Kempsey
Kempsey Shire Council is hosting a flood community briefing for a hands-on look at how flooding affects our region and how council prepares.
The event will answer questions like how floods form in the catchment and how flood gates work.
🗓️ When: Thursday, August 7, 5:30pm to 7pm
📍Where: Kempsey Shire Council, 22 Tozer Street, West Kempsey
🎟️ Tickets: Free, register here
ℹ️ More info: https://www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/Eventbrite/Local-Government-Week-Big-Flood-Map-Experience-1511227294519#
⚡️Energy saving and climate action, Grafton
Rewiring Australia’s Co-Founder and Chief Scientist, Saul Griffith is visiting Grafton in August to host a community discussion on energy savings and climate action.
Engineer and clean energy expert, Griffith will share insights from his latest book Plug In: The Electrification Handbook – exploring how Australians can transition to all-electric homes and vehicles while reducing energy costs. This book will be available to purchase.
The afternoon will also include discussions with local community leaders demonstrating electrification initiatives already underway in the local area.
The event promises practical insights for residents considering electric vehicle purchases, solar installations, heat pump systems, and other electrification technologies, while addressing common concerns about costs, infrastructure, and implementation timelines.
🗓️ When: Friday, August 8, 2.30pm to 4.30pm
📍Where: Vines at 139, 139 Fitzroy St, Grafton
🎟️ Tickets: Free, bookings essential.
ℹ️ More info: https://www.rewiringaustralia.org/
🤣 Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase, Port Macquarie
The showcase will feature some of the festival’s standout acts live on the Glasshouse Theatre stage. A line-up of veteran favourites and fresh emerging talents, including Bart Freebairn, Jacques Barrett, Eric Hutton, Bonnie Tangey, Rohan Arneil and Alexandra Hudson.
🗓️ When: Friday, August 29, 8pm to 10pm
📍Where: Glasshouse Theatre, Port Macquarie
🎟️ Tickets: From $40, click here
ℹ️ More info: https://www.glasshouse.org.au/Whats-on/Sydney-Comedy-Festival-Showcase-2025-August-2025
👠 Finesse Burlesque, Port Macquarie
Finesse Burlesque tells a story of the life of an entertainer under the bright lights with the glitz and glamour of world-renowned showgirls. This Cabaret show combines light-hearted comedy with captivating vocals.
🗓️ When: Saturday, August 16, 4pm to 5.15pm or 8pm to 9.15pm
📍Where: Glasshouse Theatre, Port Macquarie
🎟️ Tickets: From $60, click here to purchase
ℹ️ More info: https://www.glasshouse.org.au/Whats-on/Finesse-Burlesque-Experience-The-Cabaret-August-2025
Keep an eye out for our coverage of live music and family-friendly events happening in August. If you’d like to get in touch, please email: [email protected]
Thumbnail: (L) Hastings Farm Gate Tour (R) Finesse Burlesque