List of festivals in Australia


List of festivals in Australia, including any established festival or carnival in Australia.

Australian Capital Territory (including Canberra Region NSW)

New South Wales

FestivalLocationBegan / WhenNotes
Ardlethan German Beer and Wine FestivalArdlethan2007German Beer and Wine Festival held in July/August.
Arts in the ValleyKangaroo Valley2007Classical music, arts festival held in May/June.
Australian Beer FestivalThe Rocks, Sydney2005Beer Festival held annually in October.
Bankstown Bites Food FestivalBankstown2005Food Festival held annually in July.
Batlow CiderFestBatlow2012Cider festival held on the third weekend in May.
Bellingen Fine Music FestivalBellingenSeptember annuallyLocal to internationally known artists from Classical, World, Jazz music traditions
Bellingen Readers & Writers FestivalBellingen2011Writers Festival.
Bello Winter MusicBellingen2015July yearly
Biennale of SydneyVarious venues, Sydney1973Contemporary visual arts festival. Held every two years.
Bitter and Twisted Boutique Beer FestivalEast MaitlandAnnual beer festival held in November.
Big Day Outnational1992Annual summer music festival.
Blackheath Rhododendron FestivalBlackheath1953Annual festival held in late October to early November.
Blacktown City FestivalBlacktown1975Annual festival held in May. Originated as the Crafty Bunyip Festival, changing to the Blacktown City Festival in 1979. Includes the Blacktown City Medieval Fayre held at Nurragingy Reserve, Doonside.
The Blue Mountains Ukulele FestivalKatoomba2010Held annually over the second weekend in February.
Byron Bay BluesfestByron Bay1990Blues Music and cultural festival. Held annually over the Easter break.
BrigadoonBundanoon1977Annual Scottish festival held in April.
Bondi Short Film FestivalBondi Beach2001Held annually in November.
Bring It On! FestivalPrairiewood, Sydney2001Music, sporting and arts festival, held annually at the end of National Youth Week in April.
Brisbane Water Oyster FestivalEttalong Beach2000Held annually in November.
Byron Bay Film FestivalByron Bay2006International Film Festival.
Byron Bay Surf FestivalByron Bay2010Surf Culture Festival.
Byron Spirit FestivalMullumbimby2012Yoga, Tantra, Music, Dance, Healing.
Byron Underwater FestivalByron Bay2007Underwater Festival, Photography & Arts
CoastFestGosfordMusic and Cultural Festival
Coffs Harbour International Buskers & Comedy FestivalCoffs Harbour2001Annual festival of street theatre and performers. Held annually in late September to early October.
Collector Village Pumpkin FestivalCollector2003Pumpkin themed country festival. Held annually in May.
Crookwell Potato FestivalCrookwell2011Potato themed festival held in May.
CurryfestWoolgoolga2006Cultural, music, dance and food festival.
Darling Harbour FiestaDarling Harbour, Sydney1993Latin music, dance, food and culture, held annually in October.
Defqon.1 FestivalPenrith2009Hardstyle electronic music festival, held annually in September. Festival also held in the Netherlands since 2003 and Chile since 2015.
Deniliquin Ute musterDeniliquin1999The Deniliquin Ute Muster and Play on the Plains Festival is held on the October Labour Day long weekend.
ElectrofringeSydney1998Annual electronic arts festival and community organisation. Formally held in Newcastle 1998–2014.
Festival of Dangerous IdeasSydney2009Discussions and debates held annually at the Sydney Opera House.
Festival of Fisher's GhostCampbelltown1956Held annually in November: Arts, Music, Street Parade, Carnival, Cultural activities.
Festival of the SunPort Macquarie2001Outdoor music festival held in December.
Festival of the WindsBondi Beach, Sydney1978Kite Flying, Media Arts. Held annually in September.
FOMO FestivalParramatta Park2017ONE STAGE • NO CLASHES • PARTY TOGETHER
Folk by the SeaKiama2013Folk music festival, held annually in September.
Future Music FestivalRandwick Racecourse, Sydney2006Electro House Music
Granny Smith FestivalEastwood, Sydney1985Apple themed festival celebrating local pioneer Maria Ann "Granny" Smith. Held annually in October.
The Gum BallBelford, Hunter Valley2005Music Festival.
The Good Dog! International Film FestivalSydney2012Annual film festival featuring dogs.
The Henry Lawson FestivalGrenfell1958Annual arts festival held over the June long weekend.
Holi MahotsavDarling Harbour, Sydney2003Annual cultural festival held in March.
Hunter Valley SteamfestMaitland1986Steam Locomotive Festival held in April.
Ignite Film FestivalSydney2004Christian Short Film Festival.
Illawarra Folk FestivalBulli, Wollongong1985Annual international folk festival held on the 3rd weekend in January.
IronfestLithgow2000Annual iron themed, historical and cultural festival held in April.
Jacaranda FestivalGrafton1935Folk festival held in late October to early November
KISS Arts Festival Kiama2012Annual festival held in April. Comedy, Music, Circus & Performance
Lanterns on the Lagoon and Sculptures in the ParkTumut2011Lanterns on the Lagoon is a festival celebrating reflection, sustainable art and sculpture.
Coinciding with the Spring Equinox each year, visitors are welcomed with music, fine food and entertainment as they meander throughout the park to marvel at sculptures crafted from recycled, reclaimed and sustainable materials. At dusk, hand-decorated lanterns are gently released onto the lagoon as the park and sculptures are transformed by elegant lighting.
Malaysia Festival Pyrmont, Sydney1990Annual community and Malaysian cultural festival.
Merimbula Jazz FestivalMerimbula1981Jazz music Festival, held over the June long weekend.
Mullum Music FestivalMullumbimby2008The biggest little festival happens each November
Mudgee Wine and Food FestivalMudgeeAnnual wine and food festival, held in September to early October.
National Young Writers' FestivalNewcastle1998Writers Festival.
Newcastle Music FestivalNewcastle2016Annual fine music festival for classical, jazz and other genres, invited local and international performers. Festival Choir and Festival Orchestra opportunities for community members.
Newcastle Writers FestivalNewcastle2013Annual writers festival with packed program of events, mostly free to the community. Range of writers and speakers on diverse topics.
Newton's NationBathurst2008Annual gravity sports and music festival, formally known as Newton's Playground.
Newtown FestivalNewtown, Sydney1978Annual community festival held on the 2nd Sunday of November.
Tyalgum2016The O’Heart Festival is a three-day, acoustic folk event, contained within a massive 3 day market, intertwined with spirituality workshops and sustainability education presentations. Held mid to late August.
Orange Blossom FestivalCastle Hill1960Held annually in September.
ParramasalaParramatta2010South Asian multicultural festival held in March.
Parkes Elvis FestivalParkes1993Elvis Music Festival held annually in January.
Peak FestivalPerisher Valley2009Music festival held over the June long weekend.
Pohela BoishakhSydney Olympic Park2008Bengali New Year festival celebrated on 14 April.
Roaring 20's and all that Jazz FestivalBlue Mountains - Various locations20131920's themed festival. Month-long event held in February.
Rootstock SydneyEveleigh, Sydney2013Sustainable food and wine festival. Held annually in November.
St Albans Folk FestivalSt Albans1980Traditional and contemporary folk music festival, held annually in late April.
Scone & Upper Hunter Horse FestivalScone1980'sHorse themed community festival held annually in October. Includes the Scone Cup.
See Change FestivalJervis Bay area2000Biennial arts festival held in the Jervis Bay and St Georges Basin area, of the City of Shoalhaven, in late May and early June.
Shore ThingBondi Beach2005Annual New Year's Eve festival.
Spectrum Now FestivalSydney - Various venues2015Art, Music, Stage, Talks and exhibitions. Held annually in March.
Splendour in the GrassNorth Byron Parklands, Yelgun2001Music festival - Indie rock, hip hop, electronic, alternative. Held annually in July/August.
StereosonicSydney Olympic Park2007Electronic and dance music festival
Sunburnt ChristmasBondi Beach, Sydney2002Christmas Day Music Festival.
Surfing the Coldstream FestivalYamba2008Annual festival held annually in October - Arts, music, film, entertainment.
Sydney Blues and Roots FestivalWindsor2009Music festival, held annually in October.
Sydney Children's FestivalFirst Fleet Park, The Rocks, Sydney2008Held annually in March.
Sydney Chinese New Year FestivalSydney1997Annual festival held annually in January to February.
Sydney Comedy FestivalSydney - Various venues2005Annual comedy festival held in April–May.
Sydney Craft Beer WeekSydney - Various venues2012Beer Festival.
Sydney FestivalSydney1977Major Arts Festival, held between first and last week of January, annually.
Sydney Film FestivalSydney1954Annual film festival, held in June.
Sydney Fringe FestivalVarious locations - Inner West, Sydney1994 Alternative arts and culture festival
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi GrasSydney24 June 1978Festival, Parade and Party, during February/March annually.
Sydney International Piano CompetitionSydney1977International Piano Competition held every four years: 1981, 1985, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2012.
Sydney Writers' FestivalSydney1997Annual literary festival, held mid - late May.
Tamworth Country Music FestivalTamworth1973Annual Country Music festival, held in January.
Taste of the World Beer FestNew Lambton, Newcastle2011Annual beer festival in January.
Thirlmere Festival of SteamThirlmere1989Age of steam themed annual community festival, held in March.
This Is Not ArtNewcastle1998Independent contemporary arts festival, held annually in late September to early October.
Thredbo Jazz FestivalThredbo1987Annual Jazz Music festival, held in May
Tropfest & Trop JrParramatta, Sydney1993Short Film festival held in February.
Tulip TimeBowral1960Annual spring festival.
Tweed Valley Banana FestivalMurwillumbah1956Last week in August each year.
Uranquinty Folk FestivalUranquinty, Wagga Wagga1970Folk music festival, held annually on the October Labour Day long weekend. Originated as the Wagga Wagga Folk Festival held at Downside, until moving to Uranquinty in 1974.
Village FairBathurst1974Music Festival - Rock, Alternative, Indie, Hip hop, Electronic.
Vivid SydneySydney2009Annual outdoor lighting festival, held from May to June.
Warners Bay Beer FestivalWarners Bay, Newcastle2009Beer Festival
Winter Magic FestivalKatoomba1994Annual festival celebrated around the Winter Solstice in June.

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

FestivalLocationBegan / WhenNotes
Adelaide 500Adelaide1999Was Clipsal 500; annual motor racing event on Adelaide streets in March
Adelaide Biennial of Australian ArtArt Gallery of South Australia1990"The flagship visual arts event of the Adelaide Festival of Arts"
Adelaide Cabaret FestivalAdelaide2001Annual in June
Adelaide Fashion FestivalAdelaide2008Annual
Adelaide Festival of ArtsAdelaide1960Was biennial, annual since 2012; aka Adelaide Festival
Adelaide Festival of IdeasAdelaide1999Biennial
Adelaide Film FestivalAdelaide2003Biennial
Adelaide FringeAdelaide1960Was biennial now annual
Adelaide Guitar FestivalAdelaide2007Was annual now biennial
Adelaide Language FestivalAdelaide2014
Adelaide Writers' WeekPioneer Women's Memorial Garden 1960Part of the Adelaide Festival; annual in March
Big Day OutAdelaide1993–2014Multi-city music festival
BurnoutMutonia, Alberrie Creek, Oodnadatta Track2004was Mighty Burning Demon Festival
Cabaret Fringe FestivalAdelaide2008Annual open-access festival in June
Cheesefest; Cheesefest + FermentAdelaide2007–2013; 2017–Ran as Cheesefest until 2013; Ferment 2017; Cheesefest & Ferment 2018–
A Day On The GreenBarossa Valley, then McLaren ValeAnnual
DreamBIG Children's FestivalAdelaide1974Biennial; formerly Come Out
Feast FestivalAdelaide1997Australia's biggest lesbian and gay arts festival
Fleurieu Folk FestivalWillunga, South Australia2007Folk Festival held annually in October on the Fleurieu Peninsula
FOMO FestivalElder Park, Adelaide2017Multi-city festival in January
Future Music FestivalAdelaide2006–2015
Gawler Gourmet & Heritage FestivalGawler
Kernewek LowenderKadina, Moonta and Wallaroo1973Biennial, Cornish-themed festival held in Copper Coast towns
Leafy Sea Dragon FestivalFleurieu Peninsula2005–2013
Live at the ZooMonarto2008
Lizard's RevengeRoxby Downs2012Annual Music Arts and Culture Festival
OysterfestCeduna1991Held annually on the October Labour Day long weekend.
OzAsia FestivalAdelaide2007Annual; includes JLF International since 2018
SALA FestivalAdelaide1998South Australian Living Artists Festival, Annual Celebration of the Visual Arts
SchützenfestAdelaideShooting and Beer Festival
Sea and Vines FestivalMcLaren Vale
SoundwaveAdelaide2007–2015Multi-city music festival
South Australia's History FestivalSouth Australia2004SA's largest festival, 1–31 May; over 600 individual events in 2016.
StereosonicAdelaide2009–2005Annual; electronic dance music festival
TarnanthiArt Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide2015Annual in October; Contemporary Aboriginal and TSI Art
Adelaide2016Annual in July; multi-genre music festival in multiple venues
Vegan FestivalRundle Park, Adelaide2007Annual in October; celebrates and showcases vegan food and lifestyle
WOMADelaideBotanic Park, Adelaide1992Annual ; 4 days in March; world music

Tasmania

FestivalLocationBegan / WhenNotes
AgfestCarrick1982Held in May
Australian Wooden Boat FestivalHobart1994Held in February, biennial
The Derwent Valley Autumn FestivalThe Esplanade, New Norfolk2000Held in April
The Derwent Valley Medieval FestivalKensington Park New Norfolk2016Held in October
Henley-on-MerseyBells Parade, Latrobe1910Held on Australia Day featuring food, fun, fitness and ferrets.
Australian Shakespeare FestivalHobartHeld in January
Dark MofoHobart
Devil Country MusterSmithton2013Held in February
Kentish Arts FestivalSheffieldHeld in March–April
FestivaleLaunceston1988Held in February
Falls FestivalHobartHeld in January
Festival of BroadwayHobartHeld in June
King Island 20131 and 2 February. Folk, Blues, Indie, Surf, and a touch of Jazz and Country. All ages.
Fractangular Gathering - Open Air Collaborative Arts FestivalBucklandHeld in February
Huon Valley Mid Winter FestivalGrove
Mural FestSheffieldHeld on Easter Sunday
Cygnet1979Held in January
Tamar Valley Beer FestivalTamar Valley2010Held in January
Tasmanian BeerfestPrinces Wharf2006Held in November
TastroFest - Tasmania's Astronomy FestivalUlverstone, North West Tasmania2015Held in August
Hobart1988Held on the 28 December– 3 January Annually
Taste of the HuonRanelagh1995Held in March
The UnconformityQueenstown2010Held biennially in October
MONA FOMAHobart and LauncestonHeld in January
Chocolate Winterfest, LatrobeLatrobe2004Held in August - a wickedly delicious festival celebrating all things chocolate.
10 Days on the IslandStatewide2001Held in March

Victoria

FestivalLocationBeganDateNotes
Altona BaysideAltona1997Community Festival with Street Parade and Fireworks, held annually over a weekend in March.-
Apollo Bay Music FestivalApollo Bay-
Art is... festivalHorsham1995Annual Arts Festival-
ART+CLIMATE=CHANGEMelbourne2015Bi-annual arts festival focusing on climate change and the environment.
Ballarat Beer FestivalBallarat1995Annual Beer Festival In January-
BeerFestMelbourne1952Annual Beer Festival in February-
Beers by the BayMornington1952Annual Beer Festival on 17 November 2012-
Bendigo Blues & Roots Music FestivalBendigo2011Annual Blues & Roots Music Festival usually held on the first week of November each year.
Bendigo Easter FestivalBendigo1871Held annually over the Easter long weekend. Australia's oldest ongoing community festival.-
Begonia FestivalBallarat1952Tuberous flower festival - Labour Day long weekend-
Big West FestivalFootscray1997Biennial Contemporary Arts and Cultural Festival-
Broadford Country Music FestivalBroadfordCountry music festival-
Bruthen Blues and Arts FestivalBruthen1994third weekend in February annuallya weekend of blues music and fun
Brewers Feast Craft Beer and Food FestivalMelbourne2016 to presentfirst weekend in December annuallya weekend of independent Beer, paired with craft food and music
Buddha's Day and Multicultural FestivalFederation Square, Melbourne1995Annual Buddhist Festival celebrating the Buddha's Birthday-
Castlemaine State Festival of the ArtsCastlemaine1976Multi-arts, 10-day, Biennial Festival in odd years, March/April.-
Dancing Ground FestivalGembrook2011Weekend dance and movement workshop festival. Camping based, includes meals. Annually in February.-
Environmental Film Festival MelbourneMelbourne2010Environmental films from Australia and around the world-
EarthcorePyalong1993earthcore hosted the first Bush Doof to be held in Australia and continues to every year during November.-
Falls FestivalLorne1993Music festival - 29 December to 1 January-
Fest la FrogFrench Island7–13 April-
Festival of SailsGeelong1844
Foggy Mountain Bluegrass FestivalKinglake2014OctoberAnnual festival - Bluegrass music performances and workshops
Folk Rhythm & LifeEldorado1996-
Freeplay Independent Games FestivalMelbourne2004MayAustralia's longest-running and largest independent games festival.
Gala DayGeelong1916Festival held annually in November. -
Globe to Globe World Music FestivalClayton South2001Festival held annually around Australia Day. -
Good Beer WeekMelbourne2011runs from 18 to 26 May-
Grampians Grape EscapeHalls Gap1991Food, wine, music festival in the Grampians National Park. Held annually, first weekend of May.-
The Grass Is GreenerCairns
Great Australian Beer FestivalGeelong2013a Beer Festival Held annually, early February.-
Guildford Banjo JamboreeGuildford2004SeptemberAnnual music festival - performances, workshops
Healesville Music FestivalHealesville2010NovemberAnnual music festival with performances, workshops in a variety of venues
Let Them Eat Cake NYDWerribee Mansion2011New Year's DayA NYD gathering for electronic music lovers featuring artisanal food, manicured gardens and art installations
Maldon Easter FairMaldon1878Held annually over the Easter long weekend. Australia's oldest continuous Easter Fair.-
Maldon Folk FestivalMaldon1974Held annually over the weekend before the Melbourne Cup.-
Melbourne Art FairMelbourne1988A bi-annual contemporary art fair. The first international art fair hosted in Australia.
Melbourne Flower and Garden ShowMelbourne-
Melbourne Fringe FestivalMelbourne1983-
Melbourne Food and Wine FestivalMelbourne1993-
Melbourne International Games WeekMelbourne2015A week of events celebrating gaming culture in arts and education.
Melbourne International Singers FestivalMelbourne2010Melbourne's most exciting festival for all choirs, singing groups and individual singers! Held over the Queen's Birthday Weekend in June. Please go to our for details-
Melbourne Jazz FestivalMelbourne1998Music festival - May-
Melbourne Jazz Fringe FestivalMelbourne2005Music festival - May-
Melbourne International Arts FestivalMelbourne1986-
Melbourne International Comedy FestivalMelbourne1987-
Melbourne International Film Festival Melbourne1951Film festival - October-
Melbourne Queer Film FestivalMelbourne1991Film festival - March-
Melbourne School Bands FestivalMelbourne1989Music festival-
Melbourne Ukulele Festival Northcote2010Music festival - March-
Melbourne Underground Film Festival Melbourne1996Film festival - August-
Melbourne Writers FestivalMelbourne1986August
Meredith Music FestivalMeredith1991Music festival-
Midsumma FestivalMelbourne1989Summer lesbian and gay festival-
Mildura Jazz Food and Wine FestivalMildura1979Traditional and contemporary jazz in fabulous riverside and city heart locations with local food and wine-
Mildura Palimpsest BiennaleMilduraContemporary site specific visual arts festival-
Mildura Wentworth Arts FestivalMildura1996One of Australia's leading regional arts festivals, offering a rich and vibrant program in March each year-
Mildura Writers FestivalMildura1994Bringing together some of Australia's best writers in an intimate, winter program of workshops, lectures and discussion forums-
Moneyana FestivalPort FairySummer festival-
MoombaMelbourne1955-
Murray River International Music FestivalMildura2003Beautiful music in beautiful locations-
Nati FrinjNatimuk2000Arts festival-
National Celtic FestivalPortarlingtonCeltic festival-
Next Wave FestivalMelbourne1985Arts festival-
Pako FestaGeelong West1983Cultural festival-
Pitch Music & Arts FestivalMoyston2017MarchElectronic music and arts festival
Poppykettle FestivalGeelong1981Arts festival-
Port Fairy Folk FestivalPort Fairy1977Folk, blues, roots, Celtic, world music festival. Labour Day weekend annually.-
Pyramid Rock FestivalPyramid Rock, Phillip Island2004Music festival 30 December – 1 January -
Queenscliff Music FestivalQueenscliff1997Music festival-
Rainbow Serpent FestivalBeaufort1997Electronic music festival-
Rheola Charity CarnivalRheola1871
St Jerome's Laneway FestivalMelbourne2004Music festival-
St Kilda FestivalSt Kilda1981Music festival - 2nd Sunday in February-
Sex CampVictoria2012Sex Camp is a weekend of workshops, discussion, food, film and performance exploring the spectrum of sexuality-
Strawberry and Cherry Weekend is a celebration of the start of the growing season, picking from the farms, food, markets, carnival, live music and more----
Sustainable Living FestivalMelbourne1998Sustainable living festival-
Stringybark FestivalMelbourne1985Sustainability / environmental festival - 3rd weekend in October-
Sydney Road Street PartyBrunswick1989Cultural festival-
Tarra FestivalYarram1972Easter festival-
Tesselaar Tulip FestivalSilvan1954Tulip festival-
Thai Culture and Food FestivalMelbourne2004Multicultural festival-
The Big Freeze Winter Family FestivalCranbourne2016Encouraging families to stay active, creative and use their imaginations over winter-
Bolinda2014MelbourneCupWeekend 3 day, fully catered, camping festival.
Traditional crafts, nature skills & well-being tools.
Toast to the CoastGeelong20043-4 November 2012
Wandong Country Music FestivalWandong1972Country music festival-
WeeramaWerribee1978-
Williamstown Literary FestivalWilliamstown2002Literary festival April/May annually-
Winchelsea FestivalWinchelsea, Victoria2000Country festival November annually-
Wine and Cheese FestWilliamstown, Victoria2014Wine and cheese festival - October - annually-
Woodend Winter Arts FestivalWoodend2004Classical music and literature festival -

The Gordon Back in Time Festival, Gordon. 1 November

Western Australia