The Canberra Balloon Spectacular will be held from March 11 to 19 this year. -- VisitCanberra
Australia has a fantastic range of festivals, fairs and events happening all year round.
ONE of the best ways to get your money's worth while on holiday is to schedule your trip to coincide with a local festival or major event. If you're visiting Australia, there are numerous chances for you to attend these festivals and events throughout the year.
Each of the country's six states and two territories plays host to a diverse range of local events, from art shows and music festivals to food and wine fairs. There are also festivals that have become internationally well-known, like Vivid Sydney and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
There really are plenty of options for tourists to choose from when it comes to experiencing events in Australia. Here are nine that you can check out this year:
Canberra Balloon Spectacular (Australian Capital Territory)
March 11 to 19
Marvel at hot air balloons floating across the city. -- VisitCanberra
Imagine waking up one morning and seeing a bunch of hot air balloons in the sky... Well, if you happen to be in Canberra in March, you may just be able to witness the city's annual hot air balloon festival that takes place during the two-week Enlighten Festival (March 3-19).
The Canberra Balloon Spectacular will see more than 25 balloons floating in the sky in a flurry of colour from around 7am each morning, from March 11 to 19. The balloons will be inflated as early as 6.15am at the Patrick White Lawns, and launch thereafter, weather permitting.
Although the balloons can be seen from many parts of the city, the best views are around the lake and from the Arboretum.
For more information, and updates on balloon launches, click here.
Load up on laughs when the Melbourne International Comedy Festival takes over town – Visit Victoria
Melbourne International Comedy Festival (Victoria)
March 29 to April 23
The world's largest stand-alone comedy fest – the Melbourne International Comedy Festival – is set to run for four weeks this year, beginning at the end of March. Established in 1987, the festival has been held over 30 times and is now Australia's largest cultural ticketed event. It is also the second largest international comedy festival in the world!
Apart from stand-up comedy sets, the festival also includes cabaret and theatre shows, street performances, film, radio and television shows and visual art exhibitions in its programme.
Some of last year's guests include Jimeoin, Becky Lucas, Aaron Chen, Danielle Walker, and Rhys Nicholson, who won the 2022 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award for Most Outstanding Show. This year, expect a star-studded gang of top international performers and Aussie comedians gracing its stages. Melbourne International Comedy Festival People’s Choice Award winners Urzila Carlson (South Africa/NZ) and Daniel Sloss (SCO) join much loved internationals Mark Watson (UK), David O’Doherty (Ireland), Josie Long (UK), Larry Dean (SCO), Arj Barker (USA) and Phil Wang (UK/Malaysia).
Click here for updates, as well as ticket and venue details.
Parrtjima connects visitors to Country with new artworks, light shows, performances, workshops, live music, films and talks introduced each year -- NT Major Events / James Horan
Parrtjima – A Festival In Light (Northern Territory)
April 7 to 16
Parrtjima is truly a unique Australian festival – it is the only Indigenous light festival of its kind. The annual event is held at Mparntwe (also known as Alice Springs) over 10 nights, during which light installations from several Indigenous artists are featured. With the majestic MacDonnell Ranges as a backdrop, the displays are said to be beautiful and mesmerising.
Apart from the installations, there are also other activities like talks, interactive workshops and music performances by local and national musicians on the programme.
This year’s theme, “Listening With Heart”, inspired “Statement From The Heart”, an artwork created by a group of artists from Multijulu and led by Maruku artist Rene Kulitja. A piece depicting Uluru-Ku Tjukurrpa, the Uluru story of connection, Kulitja will be working with artists at Parrtjima to turn it into a large-scale immersive light and sound installation.
Parrtjima is typically held in April, when the weather is still cool in the Northern Territory. For more information, click here.
Elevate Festival (Western Australia)
May 6
The Elevate Festival is a unique hot air balloon themed event held in Northam, Australia's premier hot air ballooning destination. -- Tourism Western Australia
This is another hot air balloon event, this time at Northam in Western Australia, the country's premiere hot air ballooning destination. Elevate Festival heralds the start of the National Ballooning Championships, where the skies of Northam are said to fill with colourful hot air balloons.
This time around, the balloons are inflated at sunset rather than sunrise. Spectators can even choose to stay for the whole evening and make it a fun, family outing surrounded by live music and other fun activities. Food and drink stalls will be available within the area too. For more information, go here.
Vivid Sydney (New South Wales)
May 26 to June 17
Views of Harbour Light installations on marine vessels moving across the Sydney Harbour during Vivid Sydney 2022. -- Destination NSW
Vivid Sydney is an annual celebration that showcases the soul of the city through creative and innovative productions by some of today's brilliant and boundary-pushing artists, musicians and content makers. The annual event – which is now in its 13th year – fuses art with technology, and features art displays, 3D light projections, live music performances, engaging discussions and more for 23 days.
Vivid Sydney 2023 will feature for the first-time dedicated food programming - Vivid Food - which will sit alongside Light, Music and Ideas.
This year's event will take place from May 26 to June 17. Click here for artist line up and other details.
Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival (Tasmania)
July 14 to 15
The Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival is all about celebrating the region's apple-picking history. -- Lusy Productions
If you visit Australia during winter, be sure to head to Tasmania for the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival. This event is all about celebrating the region's apple-picking history, which comes with a unique tradition called the "Wassail".
The Wassail is the tradition of scaring evil spirits away from the orchard, in hopes of getting a bumper crop for the season.
Other than that, the fun festival will also include shows by some of Tasmania's best folk-funk bands, a "best costume" competition, and lots more.
For details, click here.
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2023 (Queensland)
July 13 to 16
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2023 is Australia's premiere Indigenous art fair. -- Tourism and Events Queensland
Experience the vibrancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and cultures at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2023, happening in July. This is Australia's premiere Indigenous art fair, an event where visitors can experience the most diverse, creative and innovative Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and cultures.
The art fair will be held at the Cairns Convention Centre, with a list of dynamic events held throughout the four-day event.
For more information and updates, go here.
Floriade (ACT)
Sept 16 to Oct 15
Floriade Festival is a marvelous fiesta that is dedicated to color blooming. -- ACT
Here's another interesting festival held in Canberra during the spring season: Floriade, said to be Australia's biggest celebration of spring. This is a wonderful floral festival of sorts, where extensive showcases of flower arrangements, sculptures and other artistic creations are featured.
Visitors can also experience a diverse programme that includes music shows, cultural celebrations, horticultural workshops, artistic displays and recreational activities. Food and souvenirs will also be available here.
Click here for details.
OzAsia Festival (South Australia)
Oct 19 to Nov 5
OzAsia is Australia's leading contemporary arts festival that celebrates its culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Established in 2007 by Douglas Gautier AM, this festival takes place annually in spring and attracts an audience of up to 200,000 each year.
OzAsia festival invites audiences to engage with their neighbours and explores the diversity and richness of Asian cultures. Some of the activities held during the festival include a Moon Lantern Parade, a Lucky Dumpling Market and performances from local bands.
For more information on OzAsia Festival, click here.
Ready for a holiday? Visit australia.com for more travel inspiration and plan your great Australia adventure today.
About Come and Say G’day
In Australia, G'day is the start of every great adventure. Tourism Australia’s latest global campaign Come and Say G’day reminds the world why there’s nothing like Australia through showcasing its recognisable and beloved icons, stunning scenery and warm Aussie characters, inviting you to discover the true meaning of an Aussie welcome. Come and watch the short film G’day, or discover your Australia today.
