Are you heading down to Straya and curious to know how the nation celebrates? We’ve got just the thing for you! With this list of the most famous festivals in Australia, you can be sure you won’t miss out on any fun in the Southern hemisphere! Australia has something for everyone, from music festivals and film festivals to food festivals and art festivals. Whether you’re looking for a fun day out or an unforgettable experience, Straya will have something for you. So, join us as we explore the best festivals in Australia!
1. Adelaide Festival of Arts
When: 3rd March - 19th March
Where: Adelaide
First held in 2017, the Adelaide Festival of Arts is a fairly new addition to this list of cultural festivals in Australia. One of the biggest celebrations of art in Australia, this festival aims to capture the global audience’s imagination through a wide variety of performances, including visual arts, opera, dance forms, literature, cabaret, and classical and contemporary music. The Adelaide Festival of Arts has grown considerably since its start. The festival now contains the WOMADelaide and Adelaide’s Writers Week.
2. Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF)
When: 29th March - 23rd April
Where: Melbourne
A stand-up comedy festival held annually, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival usually lasts four weeks and is held in Melbourne. Although the festival’s main highlight is stand-up, hundreds of musically-gifted performers take the stage. Laughing can leave you feeling tired but don’t worry! The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is also the venue for several culinary delights to relish.
3. New Year’s Eve
When: 31st December
Where: Sydney
You might’ve heard of New York’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, but this Sydney’s year-ending celebration is definitely one of the most famous festivals in Australia. If you catch yourself in Oz in December, make your way to Sydney Harbour to begin the new year in style. With fireworks lighting up the sky, it isn’t difficult to see why this is one of the most famous Australian festivals and holidays.
4. Byron Bay Bluesfest
When: 6th April - 10th April
Where: Byron Bay
Every April, artists from all over the world flock to perform at this five-day Blues music festival, which is one of the leading modern music festivals in Australia, held in New South Wales’ Byron Bay. A paradise for music lovers, fans can find large grocery stores, bars, and food spots at the Byron Bay Bluesfest, which is one of the top festivals in Australia.
5. Parrtjima
When: 7th April - 16th April
Where: Alice Springs (Mparntwe)
One of the most famous festivals in Australia is Parrtjima - A Festival in Light. Dedicated entirely to celebrating Aboriginal culture, Parrtjima aims to spread awareness about the ancient unexplored Aboriginal art forms with interactive workshops, incredible installations, screenings, live music and talks. Don’t forget to add this to your list of cultural festivals in Australia to check out this year!
6. Woodford Folk Festival
When: 27th December - 1st January
Where: Woodford
One of the biggest cultural festivals in Australia, the Woodford Folk Festival honours folk music and art through an array of performances ranging from dance and music to comedy and street theatre. If you’d like to learn something yourself, you can attend the workshops here. If you take our word, this is one of the music festivals in Australia that you cannot miss out on!
7. Sydney Mardi Gras
When: 17th February - 5th March
Where: Darlinghurst, Sydney
The Sydney Mardi Gras is one of the most famous festivals in Australia. This LGBT rights celebration lasts three weeks and ends with a bang at the annual parade. People travel here from all over the world to participate in this inclusive celebration of love, pride, and self-expression. Held for the last 40 years, some might even consider the Sydney Mardi Gras one of Australia’s many tourist attractions.
8. Vivid Sydney Winter Festival
When: 26th May - 17th June
Where: Sydney
One of the leading music festivals in Australia, Vivid Syndey draws in visitors and artists from around the world to share their ideas and perform here. One of Australia’s most colourful festivals, Vivid, brought in over 2 million people last year. This winter festival illuminates some of the country’s iconic landmarks with immersive light projections and also displays several digital pieces.
9. Splendour In The Grass
When: July (Exact dates TBA)
Where: Byron Bay
One of the biggest music festivals in Australia, Splendour, is another festival held in Byron Bay. Entertaining music lovers since it was first held back in 2001, the festival now takes place every July. This Australian festival sees several renowned musicians and artists performing and attending. Attending Splendour In The Grass is a must-have for every music lover’s bucket list. If you don’t believe us, ask any Aussie, and they’ll agree.
10. Australia Day
When: 26th January
Where: Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, and Harbour Bridge
Celebrated to commemorate the first fleet reaching Australian shores, Australia Day is celebrated on 26th January every year. One of the famous festivals in Australia, locals mark this day by throwing shrimp on the barbie and watching the spectacular fireworks show. To see Australia in all its glory on this national holiday, head on over to Sydney Opera House, where an unmissable concert will take place, featuring performances from Aussie musical artists including Casey Donovan, William Barton, James Morrison, and Tim Campbell. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the concert will be accompanied by choreographed fireworks, yachts, and jet skis.
11. Adelaide Fringe
When: 17th February - 19th March
Where: Adelaide
One of the biggest arts festivals in Australia, Adelaide Fringe showcases a variety of events of all forms. You can catch a laugh at their comedy shows or sway along to the cabaret or dance performances. Known as the ‘People’s Festival’, Adelaide Fringe also has a circus and several theatre and visual arts performances. Why stick to being in the audience? Stand out from the rest of the crowd and get on stage with your very own act! Since anyone can register, the show is set to cross all bounds with some truly unique, quirky and fascinating acts.
12. Mona Foma
When: 17th Feb - 26th February & 24th - 26th February
Where: Launceston & Hobart
Held by a museum in Hobart named Museum of Old and New Art, this is one of the famous cultural festivals in Australia held in February. MONA FOMA is held over two weeks in two different venues, Launceston and Hobart. Celebrating art, music, and culture, FOMA features a blend of modern and traditional genres, along with a vibrant atmosphere where creativity thrives.
Calendar of Festivals in Australia
With so many festivals in Australia to check out, it can get quite confusing to keep track of them. So we’ve compiled these festivals into a calendar so that you can plan your trip to Australia and attend as many festivals as possible!
1. Australia Day - 26th January
2. Sydney Mardi Gras - 17th February to 5th March
3. Adelaide Fringe - 17th February - 19th March
4. MONA Foma - 17th Feb to 26th February
5. Adelaide Festival of Arts - 3rd March to 19th March
6. Melbourne International Comedy Festival - 29th March to 23rd April
7. Byron Bay Bluesfest - 6th April to 10th April
8. Parrtjima - 7th April to 16th April
9. Vivid Sydney Winter Festival - 26th May to 17th June
10. Splendour In The Grass - July
11. Woodford Folk Festival - 27th December to 1st January
12. New Year’s Eve - 31st December
From the iconic Sydney Mardi Gras to the incredible music festival Splendour in the Grass, the country is full of vibrant celebrations that bring people together. As the Australian saying goes, ‘there’s no party like an Aussie party’ - and with so many festivals and events to choose from, you’re sure to have a blast no matter where you go. So what are you waiting for? Grab your cobbers and head on to these festivals in Australia! If you’re a student, you might just want to stick around after the parties for all the benefits of studying in Australia!
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