Australians love a good festival and no matter what you like there is bound to be an event perfect for you. Dance all day and all night, eat delicious food, laugh at the funniest comics, listen to your favourite bands, watch your fill of independent movies and experience some of the best music, film and cultural festivals in the world.
Click below to check out what is happening around Australia.
Jan | Feb | March | April |May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec
January Festivals
So Frenchy So Chic Sydney, NSW; Melbourne, VIC; Adelaide, SA
A summer French escape of music, food and friends. A party and a picnic in the park celebrating life and culture. Get lost in the Joie de vivre!
Field Day Sydney, NSW
Celebrate New Years Day with a super-friendly atmosphere and quality line-ups mixing hip-hop, house, indie and electronic artists from around the world.
FOMO Brisbane, QLD; Adelaide, SA; Melbourne, VIC; Sydney, NSW
A one-stage music festival which means no clashes and more music! FOMO brings huge international acts to cities across Australia (in 2020, this meant Lizzo and Brockhampton).
Midsumma Festival Melbourne, VIC
Celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture with an all-day-and-night party-in-the-park at Melbourne’s Alexandra Gardens. Melbourne is coming up rainbows.
MONA FOMA Launceston, TAS
A stellar weekend of art and live music. Grimy pubs are transformed into hubs of art and culture, old halls into laser parties and orchestral showcases. Not to be missed.
February Festivals
Adelaide Fringe Adelaide, SA
The second largest Fringe festival (after Edinburgh, Scotland) and the largest open access arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere, the Adelaide Fringe brings together comedy, circus, theatre, acrobatics – the list goes on!
Electric Gardens Sydney, NSW
An eclectic event with a sideshow festival atmosphere showcasing some big names in the very best house music.
National Multicultural Festival Canberra, ACT
Eat, drink, laugh and dance your way around the world. Celebrate difference, share traditions with live music, comedy, performance art, food stalls, street parties and more.
St Kilda Festival Melbourne, VIC
Free, fabulous and on the beach. What more could you ask for from a summer festival? Bands include local acts and some established international favourites.
Laneway Festival Sydney, NSW; Melbourne, VIC; Adelaide, SA; Brisbane, QLD; Fremantle, WA
Boutique touring festival featuring a bold selection of the contemporary icons and emerging game-changers of independent music, indie pop, rock music.
Hidden Perth, WA; Brisbane, QLD
The rap and bass-heavy lineup is definitely lining up to be one of the go-to festivals in summer where like minded underground music lovers can get together and celebrate.
Earth Frequency Festival Ivory’s Rock, QLD
A transformative electronic music festival based in South-East Queensland with a strong focus on arts, environment, education, healing and community spirit.
March Festivals
WOMADelaide Adelaide, SA
This iconic open-air 4 day festival is set in Adelaide’s stunning Botanic Park and is an award-winning celebration of the very best of the World of Music, Arts & Dance.
AfroBeats Perth Festival Perth, WA
Celebrate the unity and culture of Africa on the glorious South Perth foreshore. DJs, Afro-Beatz music, dance groups, drumming workshops, stalls and delicious food!
Pitch Festival Mafeking, VIC
A weekend for big name line-ups and creative visions. Over 4 days inhale a perfectly balanced blend of electronic music and enjoyment.
Enlighten Canberra, ACT
Free entertainment over 10 days including talented street artists and international musical acts – all set against a backdrop of stunning architectural projections.
Melbourne Queer Film Festival Melbourne, VIC
Considered one of the world’s top LGBTIQ+ film festivals, delighting audiences with the very best Australian/International queer films
Golden Plains Meredith, VIC
3 day camping and music festival held in rural Victoria. Famous for good vibes, smiling faces and an eclectic lineup of acts from rock to electronic.
Brunswick Music Festival Melbourne, VIC
World class acts in the genres of folk and roots take over Brunswick for this annual and very popular festival. Get along to see a plethora of talented musicians.
Queanbeyan Multicultural Festival Queanbeyan, NSW
Vibrant, diverse and energetic! International performers wow the crowds, while the delicious street food will bring delight to any hungry tummy.
April Festivals
Parrtjima – A Festival in Light Alice Springs, NT
A light festival celebrating indigenous art. Set against the stunning backdrop of the MacDonnell Ranges for 10 days of live talks, music and art installations to explore the world’s oldest living culture.
Gold Coast Film Festival Gold Coast, QLD
A culturally diverse, interactive and engaging program of film, events and guests.
Touch Bass Adelaide, SA; Perth, WA; Brisbane, QLD; Sydney, NSW
All things bass with a trap heavy leaning. Going deep with an all-star international lineup, delivering all low-end bass heaven.
Adelaide Film Festival Adelaide, SA
11 days of celebration and exploration of Australian and international screen culture with a unique program of screenings, forums and special events.
Groovin the Moo Maitland, NSW; Townsville and Bunbury, QLD; Wayville, SA; Canberra, ACT; Bendigo, VIC
Touring around Australia with two outdoor stages, a big top tent, bands and performers from across the world, and honest country hospitality.
Byron Bay Bluesfest Byron Bay, NSW
Australia’s largest festival of blues and roots music held over 5 days. An awe-inspiring lineup of musical legends, big name internationals and talented locals.
Inner Varnika Bookaar, VIC
3 days of an eclectic range of electronic acts will make you dance at this all inclusive, environmentally neutral and musically blissful affair.
International Music Festival Canberra, ACT
One of Australia’s finest art music program including chamber, classical, jazz, contemporary and world music.
National Folk Festival Canberra, ACT
Over 200 acts performing acoustic, blues, roots, bluegrass, world, celtic, gipsy and country music, dance, spoken word, film, circus and more.
BlenheimFest Clare Valley, SA
2 day camping and music festival with local and international folk, funk and soul grooves amidst rolling hills, luscious vineyards and 1500 of your new best friends.
In The Pines Crawley, WA
10 hours of music featuring Perth’s best bands in the stunning background of UWA’s Somerville Auditorium. The perfect place to picnic with friends and get amongst it!
Derwent Valley Autumn Festival Derwent Valley, TAS
Great entertainment, fine food, local wines, beers, music for all tastes on the banks of the beautiful Derwent River.
Rabbits Eat Lettuce Elbow Valley, QLD
A place of freedom, love and electronic dance music in a beautiful natural environment with a community of like-minded souls.
Bondi Beach Latin American Festival Bondi Beach, NSW
A vibrant parade along the world famous beach followed by a fun fiesta in the sun with the best of Sydney’s latin live bands, free dance lessons, DJs, food, bars and more.
May Festivals
The Happy Daze Festival Mackay, QLD
A full weekend of amazing sounds including glitch, techno, psytrance, breaks, live bands, D’n’B situated in a magical landscape between the Whitsundays and Mackay.
Big Pineapple Festival Woombye, QLD
Big and unique! A colourful day of pumping music from the worlds of rock, indie, hip-hop and dance and a special atmosphere to capture the imagination.
Wide Open Space Alice Springs, NT
3 days of Australia’s best underground beats held in a resort at the foot of the MacDonnell ranges. The ultimate outback festival!
June Festivals
Sydney Film Festival Sydney, NSW
Films are showcased across the city centre and include international and local features, documentaries, short films, retrospectives, films for families and animations.
Melbourne International Jazz Festival Melbourne, VIC
Hear blistering instrumentalists and soulful singers from around the world over 10 toe-tapping days in venues across Melbourne.
Vivid Sydney Sydney, NSW
Immersive light installations and projections. See iconic sites like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House lit up with beautiful projections.
Melbourne International Animation Festival Melbourne, VIC
8 days and more than 450 films highlighting the best of Australian and international independent animation.
Merimbula Jazz Festival Merimbula, NSW
A festive celebration of jazz music and those who share the passion for it set in a beautiful seaside location.
Peak Festival Perisher Valley, NSW
Snowy Mountains’ coolest winter music festival kicks-off the start of the Perisher ski season with 4 days of awesome music, snow, fun and laughter.
Dark Mofo Hobart, TAS
A heady fortnight celebrating public art, food, film, music, light and noise. Highlights include the Winter Feast, the ogoh-ogoh parade, and the annual Nude Solstice Swim.
July Festivals
Splendour in the Grass Byron Bay, NSW
Top national and international artists in a contemporary outdoor art space, with performances, live art, installations, projections and paintings.
Modifyre Yelarbon State Forest, QLD
A Burn festival dedicated to art, self-expression, and self-reliance in an immersive experience created by its participants.
The Gertrude Street Projection Festival Fitzroy, VIC
A free celebration of projected media transforming Gertrude Street into an illuminated outdoor gallery.
Abbey Medieval Festival Caboolture, QLD
A living history event providing festival-goers with an engaging and immersive experience of the Middle Ages. Get your GOT on!
August Festivals
Darwin Festival Darwin, NT
A fabulous festival wonderland of cabaret, theatre, dance, visual arts and outdoor concerts transforming Darwin for 18 dazzling days and nights.
Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Melbourne, VIC
The best cinema from Australia and around the world as well as retrospectives, tributes and discussion programs.
Australian Surf Festival Tweed Heads, NSW
Many prestigious Australian titles will be decided across multiple surfing disciplines including short board, longboard, loggers and body board.
Melbourne Spring Fashion Week Melbourne, VIC
The unique event positions Melbourne as the fashion capital of Australia, providing a launching pad for emerging and established designers, models and brands.
September Festivals
Snowtunes Snowy Mountains, NSW
Enjoy live music and entertainment at night, and sking or snowboarding during the day. A unique festival experience in the pristine setting of Lake Jindabyne.
Listen Out Perth, WA; Brisbane, QLD; Melbourne, Vic; Sydney, NSW
A carefully handcrafted party bringing quality dance music to four spectacular inner city venues across Australia.
Rottofest Rottnest Island, WA
Each year Rottofest aims to put on the most entertaining, bang for your buck, festival. It all takes place within the idyllic and picturesque surrounds of Rottnest Island.
Melbourne Fringe Festival Melbourne, VIC
A celebration of cultural democracy and art for everyone. Embracing diversity and a spirit of independence creates a unique space for artistic self-expression.
Granite Town Moruya, NSW
This ‘Funky Little Festival’ features a spread of musical talent for your grooving and moving pleasure. Don’t miss the magical night of Riverlights – a glowing parade of giant, illuminated, floating sculptures.
Burning Seed Matong State Forest, NSW
Burning Seed is the sum of festival goers’ imagination, participation and collaboration. A Burn is created by its participants to build a unique community.
October Festivals
Sculpture by the Sea Sydney, NSW
The world’s largest free public art exhibition featuring more than 100 sculptures dotted along the iconic coastal walk from Bondi Beach to Tamarama Beach.
Mushroom Valley Mackay, QLD
A super friendly psytrance festival set in the sub-tropical forest where you can be your most creative self, a place where reality seems to slip into a world of colour and dance.
Valley Fiesta Brisbane, QLD
Bursting with more than 50 live music acts, a showcase of arts, food and cultural experiences bringing to life the laneways and streets of Fortitude Valley.
Byron Bay Film Festival Byron Bay, NSW
A festival that fuses artistry, education and innovation, enhancing our worldview and collective social dialogue through the power and storytelling of film.
Caloundra Music Festival Caloundra, QLD
Enjoy 4 days of sun, surf and soul at beautiful Kings Beach. A celebration of world-class music, food, arts and local culture.
November Festivals
Return to Rio Summer Opening Party Wiseman’s Ferry, NSW
The best underground house music in a 3 day weekend filled with music, fun, too much dancing, pool parties, cocktails, and sunshine by the beautiful Hawksbury River.
Strawberry Fields Tocumwal, NSW
Renowned and breakthrough techno and house music from Australia and overseas. Indulge yourself in a sensory feast, including soul shaking sound and world class decor.
Melbourne Music Week Melbourne, VIC
Dedicated to showcasing Melbourne’s world-renowned music scene. 9 days. 110 events. 240 artists. 40 locations.
Spilt Milk Canberra, ACT
A mammoth musical line-up plus a team of innovative visual artists who transform Commonwealth Park into a weird and wonderful playground of visual delights
Harbourlife Sydney, NSW
The amazing location, stellar lineups with the best of house and electronica and up-for-it crowd are just a few reasons why Harbourlife is one of Australia’s best music festivals.
Ballina Country Music Fest Ballina, NSW
This 3-day festival brings together the of Ballina. With more 100 artists playing in venues throughout the town, you’ll never be far from the next gig!
December Festivals
Subsonic Riverwood Downs, NSW
Techno, house, roots and soul music in the beautiful Australian bush. Need a rest from all that dancing? Grab an inflatable and your crew and float down the river.
African Music and Cultural Festival Melbourne, VIC
Australia’s largest African festival featuring an array of music, dance, art, fashion and authentic African food.
Falls Festival Byron Bay, NSW; Lorne, VIC; Marion Bay, SA; Fremantle, WA
Catch the explosive line-up of indie, rock, hip hop, rap, dance and electronica from Australia and around the world for an epic New Year’s Eve celebration.
Lost Paradise Glenworth Valley, NSW
A 4 day festival of techno and house music, camping, food, art and yoga, lovingly wrapped in community. Top-notch line-up and amazing venue.
Meredith Music Festival Meredith, VIC
3 day alternative music festival held in a natural amphitheatre located on farmland near the town of Meredith with a sound system and lineup that will blow minds.
Woodford Folk Festival Brisbane, QLD
The largest gathering of artists and musicians in Australia. Music, dance, cabaret, circus, comedy, workshops, debate, street theatre, films, forums, visual arts.
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