Just because summer has gone in the Southern Hemisphere doesn’t mean festival season has to go with it. All across Australia, there are plenty of music, arts, food and cultural festivals to keep you entertained all winter long.
Here are a few of our favourites to check out this year. See you there?
Queensland
- Noosa Alive (19-28 July) – Escape the cold with a winter-time trip to Noosa, a resort town in Queensland. For ten days this year, the area will be offering “festival of theatre, literature, music, dance, film, visual arts, cuisine and barrier-breaking forums”.
- Regional Flavours (20-21 July) – The only thing better than a food & wine festival is a FREE food & wine festival. This one in Brisbane is the biggest in Australia! Hope you’re hungry.
Victoria
- White Night (22-24 August) – White Night is an annual event in Melbourne that’s been taking place for 6 years. This year, hundreds of thousands of locals and visitors are expected to take to the streets for three nights of art, music, food and light installations.
- Winter Wonderlights (29 June-21 July) – This winter, you can head just 1.5 hours out of Melbourne to experience a wintry wonderland of ice skating, faux snow, Euro-style markets and penguin spotting at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat.
- Winterwild (18-18 August, 30 August-1 September) – Are you afraid of the dark? Then Winterwild isn’t for you. This Apollo Bay festival celebrates the macabre side of art and music.
- Darwin Festival (8-25 August) – If you’re heading to Top End this winter, make time to check out this 18-day festival of NT culture in Darwin. There will be workshops, concerts, theatre, cabaret and much more.
New South Wales
- Orange Winter Fire Festival (2-4 August) – This three-day food, wine and lifestyle festival in Orange (3.5 hours inland from Sydney) is inspired by camping, bonfires, and the Australian countryside.
- Bello Winter Music (11-14 July) – Bello identifies as a “boutique” music festival in Bellingen. The playful, eco-conscious and slightly psychedelic festival takes over the town each year, occupying 14 different venues and the streets between them.
- Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest (12-14 July) – Huon Valley is a folk festival centred around old pagan traditions including wassailing and fire-burning. There will also be costume contests, sculpture competitions and storytelling to be had.
- Festival of Voices (28 June-14 July) – This 15-year-old festival highlights the talented community of singers based in Hobart and around the world. Events include performances and workshops across two weeks.
South Australia
- South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival (August) – For over two decades, SALA has been providing the Adelaide community with visual art exhibitions and events. If you’re headed to SA this winter, SALA is a must-do activity.
Western Australia
- Northwest Festival (24-25 August) – If you’re looking to explore the Australian music scene, this local music fest is for you. The small but “premiere” festival is the perfect excuse to visit WA’s central coast.
So, what do you think – Headed to any festivals this season?
