Every year hundreds of festivals and events are held around Australia, from local cultural projects to major music festivals. Here is a selection of the ones I think are particularly interesting for tourists. I have only written which month each event usually is organised on since the dates change every year. Please check the accurate date on each event’s website.
Touring music festivals
Touring music festivals that visit several major cities during its season;
- February – Laneway Festival (Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney) (lanewayfestival.com.au).
Also known as St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival, a more intimate festival with a lot of indie-music and singer/songwriters. - April – Soundwave (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne) (soundwavefestival.com).
Music festival visiting several big cities, a lot of rock, metal and punk. - April – Supafest (Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney) (facebook.com/supafest).
Pop, R&B, rap and Hip-hop. - April-May – Creamfields (Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney) (creamfields.com).
Dance music with DJ: s and live performances. - November – Queensland Music Festival. (qmf.org.au).
Held in cities, regions and distant corners of Queensland at different times of the year. A mix of music genres.
Local music festivals
In addition to the touring festivals, there are several local but well-known music festivals that stay in a single place in Australia;
- January – Field Day (Sydney) (fieldday.sydney).
Dance music festival and a party on New Year’s Day in Sydney. - January – Tamworth Country Music Festival (Tamworth, NSW) (tamworthcountrymusic.com.au).
The southern hemisphere’s largest festival with 4,000 different country-themed performances. - February – St Kilda Festival (Melbourne) (stkildafestival.com.au).
Free event including music, dance, stand-up comedy, poetry, bonfires, sports on the beach and much more. - February – Devil Country Muster (Tasmania) (devilcountrymuster.com).
- February – The Blue MUGS: The Blue Mountain Ukulele Group Festival (bluemugs.com.au).
“Everyone plays, everyone sings” is the motto under Blue MUGS. - February – Festival of King Island (FOKI 2019) (foki.com.au).
Music and surfing, food and fun (for example pie-eating contest). - March-April – Bluesfest (Byron Bay, NSW) (bluesfest.com.au).
Blues & roots, soul, folk and world music. - March – Nannup Music Festival Of (nannupmusicfestival.org/fp).
Family-friendly festival with market stalls and food, art and workshops. - April – Apollo Bay Music Festival (Apollo Bay, VIC) (facebook.com/apollobaymusicfestival).
Jazz, blues, roots, pop, rock, country and world music. - April – Fairbridge Festival (facebook.com/FairbridgeFestival/).
Family-friendly festival of world, roots and folk music in a world heritage listed village an hours’ drive from central Perth. - May – Bass In the Grass Music Festival (Darwin) (bassinthegrass.com.au).
A mix of genres, is said to be Northern Territory’s longest lasting music festival. - May – Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival (Gold Coast, QLD) (bluesonbroadbeach.com).
- June – Melbourne International Jazz Festival (Melbourne, VIC) (melbournejazz.com).
Jazz and other cultural events for the whole family. - July – Splendour in the grass (Byron Bay, NSW) (splendourinthegrass.com).
Camping festival, with a lot of alternative rock and indie music for three days just outside of Byron. - July – Bello Winter Music Festival (Bellingen) bellowintermusic.com).
A mix of local and international artists in several genres including vocal harmony, roots, blues, gospel/hip-hop, folk pop, soul and funk. - August – Noosa Jazz Festival (Noosa, QLD) (facebook.com/NoosaJazzFestival).
Four-day jazz festival in Noosa and surrounds in Queensland, Sunshine Coast. - August – Adelaide Guitar Festival (held every other year) (adelaideguitarfestival.com.au).
- September – Defqon.1 (Sydney) (defqon1.com.au).
Dance music, a lot of hardstyle, dub style, trance and the like. - September – Wollombi Music Festival (Hunter Valley, NSW) (facebook.com/WollombiMusicFestival).
Small festival with camping, food and intimate performances from lesser known artists and bands in Hunter Valley, a two hours’ drive, north of Sydney. - September – Folk by the Sea (Kiama, NSW) (folkbythesea.com.au).
Folk music, world music, roots, Celtic, bluegrass and gypsy music. - September – York Festival (WA) (yorkfestival.com.au/about/programs).
A month-long festival with music and activities to celebrate art, culture and the city of York. - October – Tablelands Folkfestival (Yungaburra, QLD) (tablelandsfolkfestival.org.au).
A music festival held on Aboriginal land which gives a unique experience in culture, art and atmosphere. Mixed genres from folk and world to blues, gypsy, jazz and rock. - November – Strawberry Fields (Koonoomoo, VIC) (strawberry-fields.com.au).
Small festival, camping, with a lot of electronic music. - November – Bendigo Blues & Root Music Festival (VIC) (bendigobluesandroots.com.au).
- November – Healesville Music Festival (VIC) (healesvillemusicfestival.com.au).
Family-friendly festival with mainly local artists performing, children’s activities, markets and camping near Healesville Racecourse. - December – Falls Festival (VIC & TAS) (fallsfestival.com).
Two or three day-festivals in four different places; Farms in Lorne (VIC) and Marion Bay (TAS). Byron Bay (NSW) and Fremantle (WA) with camping, music, a cozy atmosphere and entertainment. - December – Harbourlife (Sydney) (fuzzy.com.au).
Smaller festival with dance music and outdoor party in Sydney harbour. - December – Meredith Music Festival (Meredith, VIC) (mmf.com.au).
Also known as Meredith or just MMF, the festival is held at a privately owned farmhouse. Alternative music, camping and folk fest. - December – Woodford Folk Festival (Woodford, QLD) (woodfordfolkfestival.com).
World music and alternative artists, dance music, art, spirituality and good food.
Restaurant-festivals, food and wine
- February – Cellar Door Wine Festival (Adelaide) (cellardoorfestival.com).
Wine festival with the best of over 150 wine makers around South Australia, taking place in the state’s twelve wine regions. Don’t forget to occasionally spit out while testing wine. - February – Festivale (Launceston, TAS) (festivale.com.au).
Tasmania has with its temperate climate a range of wines, beers and world-class ingredients. Festivale is a restaurant-festival with gourmet food and wine from all over the state, as well as different kinds of entertainment for the whole family. - March – Melbourne Food & Wine Festival (Melbourne, VIC) (melbournefoodandwine.com.au).
Restaurant-festival with food and wine in Melbourne’s alleys. A myriad of bars and restaurants serving their very best. - April – Aussie Wine Month (Whole Country) (wineaustralia.com).
Around 100 events nationwide with wine tastings and small festivities to promote and celebrate Australian wines around the country’s wine regions. - April – Kangaroo Island Seafood Feastival (Kangaroo Island, SA) (facebook.com/kifestival/).
Seafood and local gourmet food from Kangaroo Island just outside of Adelaide. - April – Orange F.O.O.D. Week (Orange, NSW) (orangefoodweek.com.au).
Ten days of fine dining, cooking classes, cabaret and restaurant-festival in Orange, around four hours’ drive northwest of Sydney. Received Australia’s first global certificate for sustainable wine and food event in 2018. - May-October – Mindil Beach Sunset Market (Darwin, NT) (travelnt.com/darwin-and-surrounds/events/mindil-beach-sunset-markets.aspx).
Restaurant-festivals, entertainment and folk festivals organized on Mindil Beach every Thursday and Sunday evening around sunset.
- May-June – Gold Coast Food and Wine Festival, (QLD) (foodandwineexpo.com.au/shows/gold-coast).
Several food and wine events spread out in different locations on the Gold Coast. - June – Noosa Long Weekend Festival (Noosa, QLD) (noosaalive.com.au).
Ten days of art, literature, food and wine at Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, three hours’ drive north of Brisbane. Great chefs, winemakers and critics, but also markets and concerts. - June-August – Truffle festival Canberra (trufflefestival.com.au).
- October – Crave Sydney International Food Festival (Sydney) (goodfoodmonth.com/sydney).
Annual restaurant-festival for the whole family. - October-March – A Day On The Green (in the wine regions of VIC & NSW) (adayonthegreen.com.au).
Big Day Out for adults. Concerts, picknicks and DJ: s around Australia’s wine regions. - November – Margaret River Gourmet Escape (Margaret River, WA) (gourmetescape.com.au).
Four days of food, wine tastings and concerts along the beach in Margaret River south of Perth. - December – Tasmania’s Taste Festival (Hobart, TAS) (tastefestival.com.au). Restaurant festival with the finest from around Tasmania along the harbour promenade in Hobart. Many local specialties such as seafood, cheese, berries and fruit, as well as wine and whiskey. Coincides with the finale of Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Culture festivals
- January – MONA FOMA (Hobart) (mofo.net.au).
A ten-day music and art festival at the MONA Museum in Hobart. - January – Rainbow Serpent Festival (Lexton, VIC) (rainbowserpent.net).
Four days of international music, art, camping and lifestyle options in Western Victoria. - January – Sydney Festival (Sydney, NSW) (sydneyfestival.org.au).
Three weeks of dance, theatre, art, opera, concerts and much more. - February-March – Adelaide Fringe (Adelaide, SA) (adelaidefringe.com.au).
Annual festival spanning over three weeks in Adelaide. A lot of focus on new artists, lectures and creativity that are not highlighted in mainstream forums. - March – Adelaide Festival (Adelaide, SA) (adelaidefestival.com.au).
Art and entertainment in just over two weeks. Theatre, dance, film and opera. While the festival is held, so is the literature festival Writers Week and the film festival South Australian Short Film Awards. - March – Melbourne Fashion Festival (Melbourne, VIC) (vamff.com.au).
The Melbourne Fashion Festival is all about fashion, design and Australia’s creative industries. - February – Perth International Arts Festival (Perth, WA) (perthfestival.com.au).
Theatre, music, film, art, literature and lectures held over several weeks in Perth. - March – WOMADelaide (Adelaide, SA) (womadelaide.com.au).
International music and art festival in Adelaide with dance, street theatres, workshops, markets and different kinds of performances. - March-October – Sculpture By The Sea (Perth, WA and Sydney, NSW) (sculpturebythesea.com).
Sculptures along the boardwalk at Cottesloe Beach (Perth in March) and Bondi (Sydney in October). - March-April – Opera on Sydney Harbour (Sydney) (opera.org.au/Sydney).
Spectacular outdoor-performances from famous opera pieces with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in the background.
- March-June – Melbourne Winter Masterpieces (VIC) (ngv.vic.gov.au).
A series of exhibitions at Melbourne’s leading museums and galleries, with some of the world’s most exclusive artwork. Earlier years, art by Picasso, Dali, Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, work from the Guggenheim Collection and other classical European painters have been exhibited. National Gallery, Melbourne Museum and other prestigious locations. - March – Byron Spirit Festival (Byron Bay, NSW) (spiritfestival.com.au).
Yoga, new age, healing, workshops, meditation, world music and alternative lifestyles in Mullumbimby Outside Byron Bay. - May – Sydney Writers Festival (Sydney, NSW) (swf.org.au).
Book fair with lectures, workshops and performances by writers and cultural figures. - May-June – Vivid Sydney (Sydney, NSW) (vividsydney.com).
Lighting installations, lectures and performances. - June – Adelaide Cabaret Festival (Adelaide, SA) (adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au).
Australia’s largest cabaret festival, with music, comedy, vocals, dance and drama. - August – Fireside Festival (ACT) (canberrawines.com.au/fireside-festival).
A month of wine tastings, good food, exhibitions and lectures with a winter theme in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. - August – Melbourne International Art Fair (Melbourne, VIC) (festival.melbourne).
Exhibitions with over 900 leading contemporary artists together with 80 prominent gallery owners. Held every second year. - August – SALA Festival (Adelaide, SA) (salainc.com.au).
South Australian Living Artists Festival. Exhibitions and workshops from contemporary artists in South Australia, as well as cooperation with cafés, restaurants and wine producers around the state. - August – Junction Arts Festival (Launceston, TAS) (junctionartsfestival.com.au).
Five-days art festival in little Launceston, with theatre, art, concerts and dance for all ages. - September – Sydney Fringe Festival (Sydney, NSW) (sydneyfringe.com).
Alternative art and culture with comedy, music, theatre and cabaret performances.
- September – OzAsia Festival (Adelaide, SA) (ozasiafestival.com.au).
Theatre, dance, music, film, art, food and design with an Asian theme. The moon lantern festival is one of the highlights. - September – Alice Desert Festival (Alice Springs, NT) (desfest.com).
Music, dance and cultural performances. - September – Brisbane Festival (Brisbane, QLD) (brisbanefestival.com.au).
Around 400 appearances, art installations and lectures in central Brisbane. - September-October – Floriade (ACT) (floriadeaustralia.com).
Floral and garden festival.
- September-October – Melbourne Fringe Festival (Melbourne, VIC) (melbournefringe.com.au).
Cabaret, dance, circus, art, theatre, comedy, music and much more. - October – Melbourne Festival (Melbourne, VIC) (melbournefestival.com.au).
Art and culture from around the world; Theatre, dance, music, art, film and outdoor-events. - November – Newtown Festival (Sydney, NSW) (newtownfestival.org).
Festival in the Sydney suburb of Newtown with a lot of alternative culture, music and markets. - December – Homebake (Sydney. NSW) facebook.com/homebakefestivalofficial).
Music, film, comedy and art.
Comedy and film festivals
- January – Flickerfest (Sydney, NSW) (flickerfest.com.au).
Short film festival on Bondi Beach. - February – Tropfest (across the whole country) (tropfest.org.au).
Film festival with short films in Sydney’s botanical garden The Domain, which is sent to outdoor-screens in parks across the country. - March – Australian Film Festival (Sydney, NSW) (filmfestivalsaustralia.com).
Annual film festival with focus on Australian long-& short films, TV and online media. - March-April – Melbourne International Comedy Festival (Melbourne, VIC) (comedyfestival.com.au).
Hundreds of appearances by famous and unknown comedians. - April-May – Sydney Comedy Festival (Sydney, NSW) (sydneycomedyfest.com.au).
Comedy festival with appearances on scenes all over Sydney. - May – St Kilda Film Festival (Melbourne, VIC) (stkildafilmfestival.com.au).
Australia’s biggest and oldest short film festival. - June – Sydney Film Festival (Sydney, NSW) (sff.org.au).
The best new films from all over the world, as well as short films, documentaries and awards. - July – Revelation Perth Film Festival (Perth, WA) (revelationfilmfest.org).
International film festival in Perth. - August – Melbourne International Film Festival (Melbourne, VIC) (miff.com.au).
One of the world’s oldest film festivals, held over three weeks showing about 400 films a year. - November – Brisbane International Film Festival (Brisbane, QLD) (biff.com.au).
International film festival in Brisbane.
Folk festivals
- January-February – Chinese / Lunar New Year (across the whole country) (chinesenewyear.com.au).
The Chinese minority celebrate their new year all over the country, with fireworks, parties and good food. - February – Australian Sand Sculpting Championships (Surfers Paradise, QLD) (sandstormevents.com).
Competition between who can build the finest sand castle on the beach in Surfers Paradise. - March – Sydney Royal Easter Show (Sydney, NSW) (eastershow.com.au).
Family festival, agriculture and funfair.
- March – Canberra Festival (Canberra, ACT) (visitcanberra.com.au/events).
Folk festival held over two weeks, with films, concerts, dancing and a hot-air balloon festival (called Canberra Balloon Spectacular). - July – Lasseters Camel Cup (Alice Springs, NT) (camelcup.com.au).
Dromedary race in the desert, and a carnival for the whole family. - July – Darwin Beer Can Regatta (Darwin, NT) (beercanregatta.org.au).
People build boats of beer and soda cans which they to the audience’s great delight compete with. - August – Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo (Mt Isa, QLD) (isarodeo.com.au).
Rodeo on bulls and wild horses. Cowboy hat on! - August – Henley-on-Todd Regatta (Alice Springs, NT) (henleyontodd.com.au).
Sailing competition with a small problem; There is no water in the river. Humorous festival of “boats” that one run around in competing against each other. - September – Royal Adelaide Show (Adelaide, SA) (theshow.com.au).
Carousels, good food and exhibitions, shows and competitions with animals and cooking. Strong agricultural focus, don’t forget to buy a showbag with surprises.
Gay Pride
- February-March – Sydney Mardi Gras (Sydney, NSW) (mardigras.org.au).
Gay pride in Sydney, with various LGBTQ-related events. Ends with a large procession in Sydney along Oxford Street. - November – Feast Festival (Adelaide, SA) (feast.org.au).
Adelaide’s annual gay/lesbian focused festival. Art market, workshops, picnic, dance and exhibitions.
Aboriginal festivals and events
- January – Yabun Festival (Sydney, NSW) (yabun.org.au).
Culture and music from some of the country’s foremost Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. - January – Saltwater Freshwater Festival (NSW) (saltwaterfreshwater.com.au).
Aboriginal cultural festival organized in various locations along the coast in northern NSW every year. Art, music, dance, workshops and Aboriginal culture for the whole family. - February – Spirit Festival (Adelaide, SA) (spiritfest.com.au).
Art and culture with over 100 dancers and singers from all over Australia. - February – Yalukit Willam Ngargee Indigenous Arts & Cultural Festival (Melbourne, VIC) (stkildafestival.com.au).
Part of St Kilda Festival, with Aboriginal singers, band, art exhibitions and dance shows. - May – Ord Valley Muster (Kununurra, WA) (ordvalleymuster.com.au).
Festival in the Kimberly region of WA with two weeks of sports, art, music and nature experiences. Markets, concerts and experiences for the whole family. - June – Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival (Cape York, QLD) (cultureconnect.com.au).
Northern Queensland’s largest Aboriginal event, with over 20 Aboriginal communities that meet, dance and share their ancient culture. Workshops, art and events for the whole family. Bring your own camping gear.
- July – Walking with Spirits (Arnhemland, NT) (djilpinarts.org.au/visit-us/walking-with-spirits).
In the southwest corner of Arnhem Land lies Malkgulumbu, a sacred place with a beautiful waterfall and a lakeside beach. The public is invited here for one weekend only once a year for a spectacle of fire, dance, doll games, music and film screenings. This is a very spiritual event. Book tickets well in advance and bring your own camping gear. - August – Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (Darwin, NT) (darwinaboriginalartfair.com.au).
Bark paintings, traditional dot paintings, metal sculptures, didgeridoo and jewellery are some of the many artworks for sale on the Aboriginal art market in Darwin. - August – Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (Cairns, QLD) (ciaf.com.au).
Art market and exhibitions with artists from Torres Strait and all over Australia. Lectures and workshops. - August – Gunbalanya ‘Stone Country’ Festival (Gunbalanya, NT) (northernterritory.com/things-to-do/festivals-and-events).
Once a year the Aboriginal community in Gunbalanya (three hours’ drive from Darwin) opens up their doors to their land with the festival “Stone Country Festival”. Stories, traditional paintings, textiles, workshops, footy (Aussie Rules-football), concerts and camping. - August-October – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award (Darwin, NT) (magnt.net.au/natsiaa).
One of the finest art competitions in Aboriginal art, with exhibitions and contestants from many different styles and techniques.
Sporting Events
- January – Tour Down Under (SA) (tourdownunder.com.au).
Major bicycle event in stile like Tour De France or Giro D’Italia. - January – Australian Open (Melbourne, VIC) (ausopen.com).
One of the world’s largest tennis tournaments. - February – Australian Open of Surfing (Sydney, NSW) (australianopenofsurfing.com).
International surf competition and events at Manly Beach, a thirty minute ferry-ride from central Sydney. - February-March – Quicksilver Pro Gold Coast (Gold Coast, QLD) (quiksilver.com.au/progoldcoast).
Over a two week long surfing competition in some of the Gold Coast’s finest surfing spots. - March – Surfest Newcastle (Newcastle, NSW) (surfest.com).
Surf competitions on Merewether Beach in Newcastle, about two and a half hours’ drive north of Sydney. - March – Australian Grand Prix (Melbourne, VIC) (grandprix.com.au).
Formula One racing in Albert Park. - March-April – Rip Curl Pro (Bells Beach, VIC) (ripcurl.com.au).
Australia’s premier wind surfing competition, a couple of hours’ drive southwest of Melbourne. Previously known as the Bells Beach Surf Classic. - April – Australian Surf Life Saving Championships (Gold Coast, QLD) (sls.com.au/aussies).
Lifesavers from more than 300 surf lifesaving clubs around Australia gather to compete in various wave sports over four days. - April-May – Australian Swimming Championships (Adelaide, SA) (swimming.org.au).
Australia’s top swim-tournament; These winners often end up becoming a part of the Australian national swimming team. - June-July – State of Origin Rugby (Brisbane, QLD and Sydney, NSW) (nrl.com).
State of Origin is a ”best out of three” tournament in Rugby League taking place between Queensland (”The Maroons”) and New South Wales (”The Blues”). Considered to be one of the most prestigious and professional NRL matches. - August – City2Surf (Sydney, NSW) (city2surf.com.au).
Each year, about 80,000 people are running a 14 km race from Sydney city to Bondi Beach.
- August – Bledisloe Cup (Rugby Union) (AU & NZ) (rugbyaustralia.com.au/wallabies).
Three annual national games in Rugby Union taking place between Australia’s national team (the Wallabies) and New Zealand’s national team (the All Blacks). - August, November, December – Anaconda Adventure Race (QLD,WA,VIC) (anacondaadventurerace.com).
Elite athletes from all over the world swim, paddle, run and cycle on mountain bikes through the Australian wilderness. - August – Hamilton Island Race Week (Whitsundays, QLD) (hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au).
A week-long sailing festival held around Hamilton Island with hundreds of yachts from all over the country. - September – AFL Grand Final (Melbourne, VIC) (afl.com.au).
The season finale in the AFL tournament is one of the country’s biggest matches. - September – NRL Grand Final (Sydney, NSW) (nrl.com).
Season finale in NRL. - September – Australasian Safari (WA) (facebook.com/AustralasianSafari).
Seven-days of tough off-road racing from Perth to Kalgoorlie with 4WD-cars and motorcycles. A bit like the Paris-Dakar race but in Australia. - September – The Birdsville Races (Birdsville, QLD) (birdsvilleraces.com).
Horse racing in Birdsville, Outback Queensland. - September-November – Spring Racing Carnival (VIC) (springracingcarnival.com.au).
Horse racing and celebrations around Victoria, culminating in the Melbourne Cup race. - October – Gold Coast 600 (Surfers Paradise, QLD) (supercars.com/gold-coast).
A tree-day racing carnival with V8 Supercars in Surfers Paradise. - November – Melbourne Cup Festival (Melbourne, VIC) (flemington.com.au/melbournecupcarnival).
People from all over the country dress up in their finest costumes, dresses and hats, cheering and betting on horses. - November – Australian Masters (Melbourne, VIC) (australianmasters.com.au).
Golf championship. - November (every other year) – Presidents Cup (Golf) (Melbourne, VIC) (presidentscup.com).
Golf championship taking place between the best American players and the elite from the rest of the world (minus Europe). Held every other year. Like the Ryder Cup where Europe’s best meet America’s best, but with players from the rest of the world. Played on the Royal Melbourne Golf Club. - December – Emirates Australian Open (Sydney, NSW) (golf.org.au/Ausopen).
Australia’s premier golf tournament. - December – Mark Webber Tasmanian Challenge (TAS) (markwebbertasmaniachallenge.com).
Admirably well-trained people compete over five days on mountain bike, sea kayaking and hiking across Tasmania’s wilderness. - December – Boxing Day Test (cricket) (Melbourne, VIC) (mcg.org.au).
Cricket on Boxing Day takes place between Australia and a visiting foreign team. Played on Melbourne Cricket Ground – MCG. It is common to watch this game as a part of the Australian Christmas celebrations. - December – Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race (NSW & TAS) (rolexsydneyhobart.com).
Annual sailing competition from Sydney to Hobart. - December-January – Hopman Cup (tennis) (Perth, WA) (hopmancup.com).
Mixed (men and women) tennis-tournament, slightly smaller than the Australian Open. - During summer – The Ashes (cricket) (in England or Australia) (cricket.com.au).
The Ashes series consists of five long test matches between England and Australia and is the world’s most well-known regular international cricket competition. Played during summer in either Australia or England, making it 18-30 months between each round.