Festivals

Australia hosts a number of events and festivals, especially in the summertime. Below is a list of the most popular events in each state and territory.
The Perth International Arts Festival: It is the oldest annual international multi-arts festival in the southern hemisphere and is Western Australia's premier cultural event. The first Perth Festival was in 1953 and it now offers the people of Western Australia some of the best international and contemporary drama, theatre, music, film, visual arts, street arts, literature, comedy and free community events.
New South Wales: Sydney Festival that is celebrated in January: It is the largest Australian celebration of arts, culture and entertainment in Australia's largest city. It runs for three weeks in January.
Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras: It is celebrated in February. Each year, Sydney is home to the largest gay and lesbian gathering in the world. The month-long festivities conclude with a massive parade and all-night party.
Melbourne Cup: First Tuesday of November: The country comes to a standstill each year as 24 horses run Australia's most famous race. Restaurants and pubs offer extravagant menus and people take off work to bet and grab a beer. The day is a public holiday in Victoria, and those who attend the races are dressed to impress.
Australia Capital Territory (ACT) Floriade; mid-September to mid-October: This spring festival celebrates the Canberra's blooming bulbs and annuals. More than a million are in full glory during this time. Main festivities are held at Commonwealth Park.
The Revelation Independent Film Festival : The Revelation Independent Film Festival (RIFF) has always maintained a high focus on documentary. The festival's history has seen the screening of a wide array of contemporary and archival documentaries including Oscar nominated pieces, progressive works from the international scene and work from the international underground.
National Folk Festival: Held over the Easter weekend in Canberra every year, the National Folk Festival draws together people from all around Australia and the world. They come to share in the songs, dances, tunes, and verse that have flowed through the ages from many communities into Australian folk culture. The festival includes over 100 concerts, poetry and storytelling sessions, various dance classes running all day, a kids program and of course lots of different eats options. Camping is availabe and many people spend the whole five days - and nights - at the festival

Other Festivals