Events To Attend Western Australia
Western Australia hosts major Australian and International events throughout each year, attracting athletes and spectators from around the world. We suggest that you take note of the dates, so that you can plan your holiday schedule to attend one or some of the events.
January
ATP Cup
Hosted at the iconic RAC Arena in Perth, this tournament attracts some of the highest ranked Male tennis players from around the world. The Perth tournament hosts eight countries, split into two pools, and sees the players battling it out for considerable prize money and ATP rankings.
Perth Cup
Western Australia's premier horse racing event which carries prize money of over AU$350 000. Held at Royal Ascot Raceway, the event is regarded as Australia's toughest test for thoroughbreds, run over the same distance as the Melbourne Cup, and is the highlight of the Perth Social Calendar.
Australia Day Fireworks
Uniting over 350 000 of Perth's citizens and visitors in a celebration of the Australian Culture as we observe this firework spectacular. Synchronised to Australian and popular music, fireworks are launched from the Narrows Bridge, Swan River and Perth's tallest skyscrapers.
February
Perth International Arts Festival
Australia's oldest and largest multi-arts festival and the only statewide multi-arts festival in Australia. The Perth International Arts Festival has an enviable world reputation in the arts for its innovative development, presentation of new works and provision of quality arts.
Rottnest Swim
The 20 kilometre swim is held from Perth's Cottesloe Beach to Thompson Bay, Rottnest Island. Each year individuals and teams endure one of the longest open water swim events in the world. Only swimming enthusiasts are advised to take up this endurance challenge.
Fringe World Festival
FRINGE WORLD is the most popular annual festival in Perth offering an incredible array of entertainment on offer. There is something for everyone; from comedy, music and musicals, circus and much more, plus ticket prices are great value so you can enjoy multiple shows in one night out.
March
Katanning Harmony Festival
People travel near and far to take part in Katanning’s Harmony Festival, which offers a smorgasbord of different cultural cuisines in one convenient location. Feast on the best of street food delights, including (arguably) the best satay in the state and take part in unique activities that allow you to connect with locals who represent a number of diverse cultures. The Katanning Harmony Festival runs over two days starting with the Friday Food Night ahead of the huge street festival on the Saturday.
RAC Karri Valley Triathlon
The RAC Karri Valley Triathlon showcases the beauty of Western Australia’s South West whilst providing triathletes with a unique racing experience. After swimming in the clean, fresh waters of Lake Beedelup you will be challenged by the undulating bike course under the canopy of the Karri Forest and soak up the majestic views and natural charm of the RAC Karri Valley Resort and surrounds during the road/trail run.
Sculpture by the Sea
The popular annual outdoor sculpture exhibition Sculpture by the Sea returns to transform Cottesloe's famous white sands during March. The exhibition is featured from the sea wall all the way along the sand towards North Cottesloe and on the surrounding grassed areas creating a beautiful sculpture park. Access to Cottesloe Beach can be made from the ramps or stairs at different locations along Marine Parade.
April
Margaret River Pro
A six-star World qualifying event featuring the world's best and well known surfers with considerable prize money on offer. Held annually at Margaret River since 1985, renowned for the large waves that surfers must compete on, usually over 15 feet high and set amongst the backdrop of some beautiful wine growing country and some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in the world.
X-Adventure Dunsborough
X-Adventure is the ultimate mix of triathlon and adventure racing featuring ocean swimming, trail running and mountain bike riding conducted in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere for everyone. As well as being Australia's largest off road triathlon it takes place in the pristine wilderness surrounding Dunsborough with crystal clear waters, a stunning granite coastline run and hinterland mountain bike ride.
Australian Masters Games
Perth will become the playground for the largest mass participation, multisport event the city has ever seen. This week-long festival of sport brings together weekend warriors from around Australia and the world to enjoy an extensive sport and social program in an exciting holiday destination. With around 50 sports on offer, including dragon boat, lawn bowls, basketball and athletics, and no qualification criteria aside from meeting the minimum age requirement (which for most sports is 30 years), there really is something for everyone.
June
Denmark Festival of Voice
The Denmark Festival of Voice is a celebration of the power and beauty of the human voice in all its forms. The annual festival is held over the June Western Australia Day long weekend in the beautiful south coastal town of Denmark. Not your average music festival, the Denmark Festival of Voice is one of only two dedicated vocal festivals in Australia. It is an immersive exploration of diversity, celebrating voices from near and far. Music is only one part of the program alongside storytelling, spoken word, poetry and experimental performance.
Leonora Golden Gift and Menzies Classic weekend
These two outback sporting events are ones you won't want to miss! The Leonora Golden Gift is Australia's richest mile running race, conducted along the dusty main road of the outback town Leonora. The racing carnival involves athletics events for the whole family, as well as fireworks, markets and a variety of entertainment that will be sure to please everyone. The Menzies Classic, a handicap cycling event, starts in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and finishes alongside the Menzies Town Hall. The event has an accompanying carnival, meaning you and the kids can get involved in the excitement and fun, as well as enjoy the variety of entertainment on offer.
Mullewa Muster and Rodeo
The Mullewa Muster and Rodeo is a family-friendly, affordable day out for the whole family. Events include the Australian Bushmen's Campdraft and Rodeo Association (ABCRA) affiliated Rodeo, Country Music Concert, Beaut Ute Competition and more. Be part of a massive West Australian Rodeo. As the sun sets, sit back and enjoy the Country Music Concert - featuring award-winning artists - The Wolfe Brothers and Tania Kernaghan, supported by Perth-based favourites; Renegade, plus a local band to open the show.
August
Avon Descent
Recognised as Australia's greatest and longest white water classic, the event sees over 600 competitors complete a huge 135km obstacle course along the Avon River from Northam to Perth. The course is run along almost the entirity of the Avon River at 134 kilometres long.
Broome International Airport Marathon
The Broome International Airport Broome Marathon is held on Cable Beach in Broome. The event also includes a variety of distances including the 10.5 kilometre Matso's Dash, the 21.1 kilometre Broome Half Marathon and the 42.2 kilometres Broome International Airport Marathon.
CinefestOZ Film Festival
The festival delivers immersive film experiences in the region’s cinemas, wineries, boutique breweries, small bars and galleries. Think world premiers with red-carpet events and after parties, intimate in-conversation lunches, and the screenings of the finalists for the prestigious CinefestOZ Film Prize. And if that’s not enough, the festival includes IndigifestOZ, showcasing Aboriginal filmmakers, the Cinesnaps Student Competition, the CinefestOZ Short Film Awards plus free community screenings and industry workshops. There really is something for everyone!
September
Kalgoorlie Race Round
Discover the Round, in other words the biggest event on Kalgoorlie-Boulder's social calendar, is a week of indulging in partying, fashion and horse racing. The main event of the week is the 2300m Gold Kalgoorlie Cup, attracting thousands of race goers to the region. The week isn't limited to racing, as it also involves a variety of tourism, cultural and sporting events to get involved in.
Perth Royal Show
Perth's most anticipated and biggest festival, showcasing Western Australia's leading horticultural, agricultural, rural, industrial, commercial and mineral resourses. The event attracts 400 000 people each year to sample wines, exhibits, sideshow alley and the famous showbags.
Astro Rocks Fest
Mount Magnet in the Murchison Region is at one with astronomy. Aboriginal astronomy stories of the Badimaya, the Aboriginal people here – still speak to the present age.
Step out of town to experience the Milky Wy from horizon to horizon, the black overarching emu in the sky – indicating tie to collect emu eggs.
From ancient Aboriginal observations, to present futuristic radio astronomy projects in Murchison Region, Mount Magnet celebrates the importance of astronomy and rocks here! A collaborative project, the MOUNT MAGNET ASTRO ROCKS FEST is a weekend event, commencing on Friday and concludes on Sunday night.
October
Dardanup Bull and Barrel Festival
The Dardanup Bull and Barrel Festival is proudly brought to you by the Dardanup community as a celebration of the diversity and vibrancy of the region. The festival is held every year on the last Saturday of the October School holidays. It is a great low cost day out for families with over 150 market and food stalls, live music and demonstrations, petting zoo, a free monster kids craft marquee and plenty of animals and kids attractions.
Kings Park Wildflower Festival
Australia's largest and most varied flower festival, the event has won numerous international awards for outstanding quality. One of the best ways to discover Australia's natural flora, hosted in the largest central city park in the world - Kings Park, Perth's Botanical Gardens.
Cape to Cape
Australia’s largest, longest running and most popular four day MTB stage race. Based in Margaret River Western Australia, this iconic riding experience includes access to stunning private trails, vineyard visits, brewery finishes and some of the warmest hospitality the region has to offer. Starting at Cape Leeuwin lighthouse and finishing four days later up at Cape Naturaliste, the course makes its way through a network of trails along the coast, through National Parks, forest, farm lands, mountain bike parks, and bush before heading up to the northern cape of the South West WA region.
November
Western Australia Gourmet Escape
The Western Australia Gourmet Escape is an extraordinary, memorable food and wine festival like no other. Bringing together Australian and International Culinary talent, it showcases the very best WA ingredients and locations through unique and exceptional food and wine experiences. Established in 2012, Western Australia Gourmet Escape is Australia's most acclaimed food and wine festival. Globally recognised, the festival is a bucket-list experience for foodies and has hosted some of the biggest names in the culinary world including Nigella Lawson, Heston Blumenthal, Rick Stein, Marco Pierre White, Curtis Stone and Tetsuya Wakuda.
December
City of Perth Christmas Pageant
Held through the main streets of Perth, the Christmas Pageant is the largest and most popular in Australia attracting over 300 000 Perth parents and their children to the city, viewing the collection of dazzling light covered floats, street performers, marching bands and clowns.
Saint Barbara's Festival
The Saint Barbara's Festival is an annual event that represents the relationship between the community of Kalgoorlie Boulder and the mining industry, and celebrates all the great things about living in Australia's largest regional outback city. The highlight of the event is the St Barbara's Parade, where thousands of spectators watch impressive pieces of mining equipment parade through the town. The event also has accompanying family-fun events to enjoy before the parade commences.
Ironman WA
Ironman 70.3 Western Australia takes place in the scenic town of Busselton in the south-west region of the vast state of Western Australia, alongside the Ironman Western Australia event. Incorporating the iconic Busselton Jetty, Ironman 70.3 Western Australia is renowned worldwide for being the place to go for a personal best, with the bike and run courses amongst the flattest on the global Ironman circuit.