Australia’s Best Festivals and Events

Australia is all about socializing outdoors. The people are warm and the weather is hot, so pick a few festivals from our recommended list and enjoy the sunny side of life!

:: January

Australian Open: Melbourne; One of the four grand slam tennis tournaments.
www.australianopen.com

Big Day Out: Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth; One day festival that brings all the top international bands to Australia.
www.bigdayout.com

Australia Day: Public Holiday, 26th January; Celebrating the British settlement of Australia.

World Championship Cockroach Racing: Brisbane; Celebrating Australia day with this popular annual competition. 26th January.
http://www.cockroachraces.com.au

:: February

Mardi Gras: Sydney; Annual gay and lesbian festival, finishing with a huge street parade.
www.mardigras.org.au

Fringe Festival: Adelaide; The world’s second best fringe festival.
www.adelaidefringe.com.au

Good Vibrations Festival: Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Gold Coast; Touring one day outdoor dance music festival.
www.goodvibrationsfestival.com.au

Festivale: Tasmania; Three days of Tassie lifestyle celebration in Launceston, with plenty of food, wine and entertainment.
www.festivale.com.au

Adventure Travel & Backpackers Expo: Melbourne; All the info you need to help you with your travels.
www.backpackersexpo.com.au

St Kilda Festiva: Melbourne; A popular community festival showcasing live Australian music, family entertainment, beach activities and more, all presented in a carnival atmosphere.
www.stkildafestival.com.au

:: March

WOMADelaide: Adelaide; Three day festival set in the botanical gardens celebrating international music.
www.womadelaide.com.au

Adelaide Festival of Art: Adelaide; Australia’s largest arts festival.
www.adelaidefestival.com.au

:: April

Australian Grand Prix: Melbourne; Three days of Formula One action at Melbourne’s famous Albert Park circuit.
www.grandprix.com.au

ANZAC Day: Public Holiday, 25th April; Remembering the Australian and New Zealand troops that died in the Gallipoli landing in 1915.

East Coast International Blues and Roots Festival: Byron Bay (NSW); Famous music festival in the beautiful surfing town of Byron Bay, previous artists include, Xavier Rudd, John Mayer, Pete Murray, Damian Marley, Wolfmother, John Butler Trio, and so on.
www.bluesfest.com.au

Rip Curl Pro Surfing Competition: Belles Beach, Torquay (Vic); Celebrate Easter with the world’s best surfers battling it out at the world famous beach.
www.ripcurl.com

Melbourne International Comedy Festival: Melbourne; Launched in 1987 by Barry Humphries and Peter Cook, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world with an enormous program of stand-up comedy, cabaret, theatre, street performance, film, television, radio and visual arts.
www.comedyfestival.com.au

:: May

Mardi Grass: Nimbin (NSW); Popular annual cannabis reform rally in this most unique town.
www.nimbinmardigrass.com

Sydney Writers Festival: Sydney; Cultural event that brings Australia’s finest writers together.
www.swf.org.au

:: June

Melbourne International Animation Festival: Melbourne; Showcasing the talents of animators and animated films from all over the world.
www.miaf.net

Yulefest: Blue Mountains; Christmas celebrations but in the middle of the Aussie winter! Recommended for those that think Christmas on the beach is wrong.
www.yulefest.com

:: July

Melbourne International Film Festival: Melbourne; Showcasing the best in international film.
www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au

Darwin Beer Can Regatta: Darwin; Annual race with build-your-own beer can boats!
www.beercanregatta.org.au

:: August

Festival Cairns: Cairns (QLD), Cultural festival in the tropical Queensland city.
www.cairns.com.au/festivalcairns/index.html

City to Surf Run: Sydney; Watch over 50,000 people run 5kms from the city to Bondi Beach, 2nd Sunday in August. It has never crossed my mind that you might want to compete!
www.citytosurf.activ.asn.au

:: September

AFL Grand Final: Melbourne; The climax of the Australian football season with the top two teams battling for the trophy at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground.
www.afl.com.au

Riverfestival: Brisbane; Major festival that celebrates the picturesque Brisbane River with festivities running down its banks.
www.riverfestival.com.au

BASSINTHEDUST: Alice Springs; Rock music festival featuring top Australian bands.
www.bassinthedust.com.au

:: October

Spring Racing Carnival: Melbourne; One of the big events in the world horse racing calendar.
www.springracingcarnival.com.au

Nikon Indy 300: Surfers Paradise/Gold Coast; Queensland’s Indy Grand Prix, watched by thousands.
www.indy.com.au

:: November

Melbourne Cup: Melbourne; The spring carnival main event, first Tuesday in November (public holiday in Victoria).
www.melbournecup.com

Festival of Fremantle: Fremantle (WA); 10 days of concerts, parades and art.
www.fremantlefestivals.com

Adventure Travel & Backpackers Expo: Melbourne; All the info you need to help you with your travels.
www.backpackersexpo.com.au

:: December

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race: Sydney; Watch as over a hundred yachts leave Sydney harbour in this annual Boxing Day race.
www.rolexsydneyhobart.com

Boxing Day Test: Melbourne; The opening day of cricket for the first test of Australia against the team touring Australia for the summer.
www.mcc.org.au

Sydney New Year’s Eve Celebrations: Sydney; Either the amazing fireworks at the iconic harbour bridge or the partying at Bondi beach.
www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye/