A guide to the best festivals in Perth City

Reflect Respect Celebrate is Perth's annual Australia Day festival, bringing the community together for a full day of cultural reflection, family-friendly activities and shared celebration. Held across Victoria Gardens and Langley Park, the festival features a Whadjuk Noongar-led Smoking Ceremony and community breakfast, followed by an afternoon of free entertainment, rides, performances, food trucks and multicultural experiences. The day concludes with a spectacular light and fireworks show over the Swan River.

HoopsFest | Perth City

HoopsFest is an annual basketball festival that brings the sport to the heart of Perth with a city-wide celebration of games, entertainment and fan experiences. Featuring NBL and WNBL matches alongside community activations, live entertainment and interactive fan zones, the festival turns Perth Arena and surrounding spaces into a high-energy hub for players, fans and families. With its mix of elite sport, accessible activities and festival atmosphere, HoopsFest is a slam-dunk addition to Perth’s annual events calendar.

FEBRUARY

Lunar New Year | Perth City

Each February, Perth City comes alive with vibrant Lunar New Year celebrations. From cultural traditions to dazzling events, there are plenty of ways to join the festivities across the city. Celebrated across many Asian cultures, Lunar New Year marks a time to welcome a fresh year, honour traditions and celebrate with family and friends. The festival begins on the second new moon after the solstice and runs for 15 days, ending with the full moon - two weeks filled with colour, joy and celebration. Each year is represented by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. 

Rottnest Channel Swim Festival | Rottnest Island

The Rottnest Channel Swim is an iconic annual summer festival that transforms Cottesloe Beach and Wadjemup (Rottnest Island) into vibrant spectator hubs, even for those not taking on the swim. Early morning crowds gather at Mudurup (Cottesloe Beach) to watch swimmers depart, while Rottnest Island comes alive later in the day as competitors arrive to cheering crowds. With family-friendly activities, sponsor activations and entertainment running throughout the day, spectators can enjoy a festive island atmosphere, scenic finish-line viewing spots and a full day of celebrations.

Perth Festival | Perth City

Perth Festival brings world class performance, music, film, visual arts and literary events to Perth every summer. Australia's longest-running and most diverse international arts festival, Perth Festival puts the spotlight on international and local artists over three event-filled weeks and hundreds of shows, many of which are held outdoors to make the most of Perth’s late-summer days and nights.

MARCH

Joondalup Festival | Sunset Coast

This vibrant annual arts festival transforms the City of Joondalup into a playground of the weird, wild and wonderful, with weeks of art, music and performance popping up across the region. Featuring a diverse program of free and ticketed events by leading Australian artists and performers, the festival invites audiences to explore unexpected venues - from iconic coastal hubs to nostalgic local landmarks - and embrace creativity in all its forms. With something to delight all ages and interests, it’s a standout celebration of culture in Perth’s northern suburbs.

Mandurah Crab Fest | Mandurah

Subi Spritz | Perth City

Subiaco transforms into a little slice of Southern Europe. Think long lunches, buzzing evenings, refreshing spritzes and that unmistakeable feeling of la dolce vita. With 20+ events on the menu, delight in epic meals, settle in for a glass (or 3) of your favourite vino, or find yourself dancing (coffee in hand) through a morning disco. Much loved favourites like the Conti Roll Contest and The Kiosk return, alongside fresh new experiences designed to keep things deliciously surprising.

Sculpture by the Sea | Sunset Coast

Sculpture by the Sea is a much-loved annual outdoor art festival that transforms Cottesloe Beach into a spectacular open-air gallery each March. Stretching along the coastline from the sea wall to North Cottesloe, the free exhibition showcases large-scale sculptures by Australian and international artists, set against sand, ocean and sunset skies. With public programs, artist talks and education activities running alongside the exhibition, Sculpture by the Sea offers a relaxed, family-friendly way to experience world-class art in one of Perth’s most iconic beach settings.

APRIL

Fremantle International Street Arts Festival | Fremantle

The Fremantle International Street Arts Festival is a free, annual Easter weekend event that transforms the streets and laneways of Walyalup/Fremantle into a vibrant open-air stage. Showcasing world-class street theatre and bold, imaginative performances from artists around the globe, the festival invites audiences to explore, laugh and be surprised, while soaking up Fremantle’s lively food, bar and cultural scene.

Perth Comedy Festival | Perth City

The Perth Comedy Festival is the city’s biggest annual celebration of laughs, bringing top comedians from Australia and around the world to stages across Perth each April and May. Featuring everything from stand-up and satire to sketch, musical comedy, magic and kids’ shows, the festival offers something for every sense of humour, with performances ranging from major headline acts to exciting emerging talent.

Boorloo Heritage Festival | Perth City

Boorloo Heritage Festival is a month-long celebration held each April that showcases the rich built, natural and cultural heritage of the City of Perth. Highlighting the stories of Perth’s neighbourhoods and the enduring cultural heritage of the Whadjuk Nyoongar peoples of Boorloo, the festival features a diverse program of heritage walks, talks and workshops, alongside family-friendly activities. It’s a great opportunity to explore the city’s past and present through engaging, hands-on experiences for all ages.

MAY

UnWined Perth | Perth City

UnWined Perth is a relaxed, city-side festival at Langley Park West celebrating the best of WA wine, food and entertainment. Sip your way through tastings from leading wineries, craft beers, boutique spirits and cocktails, enjoy live music, and settle in on the lawn with a glass in hand. With exclusive experiences, cosy retreat spaces and plenty of delicious bites, UnWined is the perfect day out for wine lovers and good-time seekers alike.

Bickley Harvest Festival | Perth Hills

The Bickley Harvest Festival is an annual autumn celebration showcasing the best of the Bickley Valley’s wine, cider, spirits and local produce. Held across multiple venues just 35 minutes from Perth, the festival spans two weekends and invites visitors to explore the scenic Perth Hills through tastings, workshops, long lunches and family-friendly experiences. With each venue offering something unique, it’s an ideal way to discover the region, meet local producers and enjoy a relaxed countryside escape close to the city.

Moondyne Festival | Avon Valley

The Moondyne Festival is a free, family-friendly event held annually in the historic town of Toodyay, bringing the legend of Moondyne Joe to life. Encouraging visitors to dress in pioneer-era costume, the festival transforms the town into a lively celebration filled with humour, history and hands-on fun. Highlights include theatrical re-enactments of Moondyne Joe's infamous escapades, mock trials, street performances and playful encounters with bushrangers, swaggies and coppers throughout the day.

JUNE

Pinjarra Festival | Peel

JULY

Lightscape Perth | Perth City

Lightscape is an annual after-dark light trail that transforms the WA Botanic Garden into a glowing outdoor gallery of illuminated artworks, sound and colour. Featuring installations by local and international artists, the immersive experience offers a fresh creative theme each year, alongside food trucks and pop-up bars, making it a must-see winter event for all ages.

Revelation Perth International Film Festival | Perth City

OCTOBER

Blessing of the Fleet | Fremantle

The Blessing of the Fleet is a longstanding annual festival held each October in Fremantle, celebrating faith, fishing traditions and the city’s rich multicultural heritage. Dating back to 1948, the festival brings together the local fishing community alongside Italian and Portuguese families to honour a tradition introduced by post-war migrants from Molfetta and Capo d’Orlando. Marked by devotion, ceremony and community pride, the Blessing of the Fleet remains a meaningful celebration of Fremantle's maritime history and enduring cultural connections.

AWESOME Festival | Perth City

AWESOME Festival is an annual international arts festival designed especially for children and families, held in the Perth CBD during the spring school holidays. Presented by Barking Gecko Arts, the festival features a vibrant program of free and affordable performances, workshops and creative experiences by Australian and international artists. With a strong focus on accessibility, imagination and participation, AWESOME Festival invites young audiences to explore the arts in playful and inspiring ways, making it a standout family-friendly celebration on Perth’s festival calendar.

UnWined, Subiaco | Perth City

UnWined Subiaco is a much-loved wine and food festival celebrating the very best of Western Australia's local producers. With dozens of wineries pouring hundreds of wines, alongside boutique beer, cider, spirits, live music and top-notch food vendors, it’s a relaxed, social event made for wandering, tasting and soaking up the atmosphere - with optional premium experiences for those looking to indulge a little more.

NOVEMBER

Rockingham Beach Cup | Rockingham

The Rockingham Beach Cup is a unique coastal festival showcasing Western Australia’s only beach horse racing event, set along the stunning Rockingham foreshore. Held across two lively days, the celebration combines thrilling beachside racing with community festival vibes, live entertainment, markets, food stalls and family-friendly activities. With free community festivities alongside premium beach club experiences, the Rockingham Beach Cup delivers a vibrant weekend of racing, entertainment and seaside fun for all ages.

PrideFEST | Perth City

City of Perth Christmas Lights Trail | Perth City

Each year the Christmas Lights Trail lights up the Perth City and Northbridge with dozens of amazing light installations. You can walk the full trail, or take the family-friendly route to enjoy festive entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings – including visits from the big man in red himself!

And that wraps up a year of festival fun in Perth and surrounds. From summer street parties to winter light trails and springtime celebrations, Perth’s annual festivals bring the city to life and offer something for every traveller. Be sure to add one (or a few) to your itinerary next time you’re planning a visit — because there’s always something worth celebrating in Perth.​