List of festivals in Australia, including any established festival or carnival in Australia.
| Name | Location | Began | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art, Not Apart[1] | Canberra | 2010 | March | Multi-Arts Festival |
| AusFest (Australian Independent Music Festival)[2] | Canberra & Queanbeyan | 2006 | January | Australian and international Indie performers, arts and dance (previously in Melbourne, Adelaide & Brisbane) |
| Australia Day Live[3] | Lawns of Parliament House, Canberra | 1999 | 25 January | Starts with Australian of the Year award, followed by music and top acts. |
| Australian Science Festival[4] | Canberra | 1993 | August | Week long science festival held annually in May. |
| Canberra Balloon Spectacular | Canberra | 1986 | March | Formally known as Canberra Balloon Festival |
| Canberra Comedy Festival[5] | Canberra | 2013 | March | Local, Australian and International comedy acts. |
| Canberra Country Blues & Roots Festival[6] | Hall | 2009 | November | Originally established as the Canberra Country Music Festival |
| Canberra District Wine Harvest Festival[7] | Various venues across Canberra and the surrounding region | 1990s | April | Wine festival held annually in April. |
| Canberra Craft Beer & Cider Festival | Canberra | 2008 | March | Beer & Cider Festival |
| Canberra International Film Festival | Acton | 1996 | October–November | |
| Canberra International Music Festival[8] | Various venues across Canberra | 1997 | April–May | Chamber, classical, jazz, contemporary and world music festival |
| Canberra Nara Candle Festival | Canberra | 2003 | October | Japanese cultural festival |
| Canberra Writers Festival | Canberra | 2016 | August | |
| Enlighten Festival[9] | Parliamentary Triangle | 2011 | First two weekends of March | Annual art and cultural festival, held in the evening |
| Fireside Festival[10] | Canberra region | 2006 | July–August | Winter festival with food, wine and music. |
| Floriade[11] | Commonwealth Park | 1988 | September–October | Flower and entertainment festival held annually. |
| Foreshore Summer Music Festival[12] | Parliamentary Triangle | 2007 | November | Pop, Electronic, Indie, Rock & Hip hop music |
| Groovin the Moo[13] | Canberra and various locations nationally | 2005 | May | Dance and music |
| National Folk Festival[14] | Canberra | 1967 | 5-Days over Easter | Folk music, dance, and arts festival. Workshops and sessions day/night. Held in various cities across Australia from 1967 to 1991. Held in Canberra annually since 1992 |
| National Multicultural Festival[15] | Various venues – Civic, Canberra | 1997 | February | Arts, Music, Comedy, Parades, food and wine, street parties, exhibitions etc., held over three days. |
| Skyfire[16] | Central Basin, Lake Burley Griffin | 1988 | March | Fireworks festival. |
| Sydney Spring International Festival of New Music | Sydney | 1990 | September | Dedicated to contemporary classical music.The Festival was held from 1990 to 2001 (twelve editions in total) |
| Summernats[17] | Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Lyneham | 1988 | January | Car festival. |
| Stonefest | University of Canberra | 2001 | January | Rock music festival |
| Summer and Winter Festivals of Peace | Stage 88, Commonwealth Park | 1994 | Music and Peace festival | |
| Summer Rhythm Festival[18] | Goolabri, Sutton | 2009 | December | 3 Days, Music, Camping, Market Stalls |
| Trackside Festival | Thoroughbred Park (Canberra Racecourse), Lyneham | 2009 | November | Music, stores, carnival rides, international food & drink and market stalls |
| The Truffle Festival Canberra Region | Various locations – Canberra region | 2003 | July–August | |
| Tuggeranong Festival[19] | Tuggeranong | 1988 | November | |
| Wine, Roses and all that Jazz | Various locations – Canberra region | 2007 | November | Wine and jazz festival |
New South Wales
| Festival | Location | Began / When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ardlethan German Beer and Wine Festival | Ardlethan | 2007 | German Beer and Wine Festival held in July/August. |
| Arts in the Valley | Kangaroo Valley | 2007 | Classical music, arts festival held in May/June. |
| Australian Beer Festival | The Rocks, Sydney | 2005 | Beer Festival held annually in October. |
| Bankstown Bites Food Festival[20] | Bankstown | 2005 | Food Festival held annually in July. |
| Batlow CiderFest | Batlow | 2012 | Cider festival held on the third weekend in May. |
| Bellingen Fine Music Festival | Bellingen | September annually | Local to internationally known artists from Classical, World, Jazz music traditions |
| Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival[21] | Bellingen | 2011 | Writers Festival. |
| Bello Winter Music | Bellingen | 2015 | July yearly |
| Biennale of Sydney | Various venues, Sydney | 1973 | Contemporary visual arts festival. Held every two years. |
| Bitter and Twisted Boutique Beer Festival | East Maitland | Annual beer festival held in November. | |
| Big Day Out | national | 1992 | Annual summer music festival. |
| Blackheath Rhododendron Festival | Blackheath | 1953 | Annual festival held in late October to early November. |
| Blacktown City Festival | Blacktown | 1975 | Annual 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 Festival | Katoomba | 2010 | Held annually over the second weekend in February. |
| Byron Bay Bluesfest | Byron Bay | 1990 | Blues Music and cultural festival. Held annually over the Easter break. |
| Brigadoon | Bundanoon | 1977 | Annual Scottish festival held in April. |
| Bondi Short Film Festival | Bondi Beach | 2001 | Held annually in November. |
| Bring It On! Festival | Prairiewood, Sydney | 2001 | Music, sporting and arts festival, held annually at the end of National Youth Week in April. ([1]) |
| Brisbane Water Oyster Festival | Ettalong Beach | 2000 | Held annually in November. |
| Byron Bay Film Festival | Byron Bay | 2006 | International Film Festival. |
| Byron Bay Surf Festival | Byron Bay | 2010 | Surf Culture Festival. |
| Byron Spirit Festival[22] | Mullumbimby | 2012 | Yoga, Tantra, Music, Dance, Healing. |
| Byron Underwater Festival[23] | Byron Bay | 2007 | Underwater Festival, Photography & Arts |
| CoastFest | Gosford | Music and Cultural Festival | |
| Coffs Harbour International Buskers & Comedy Festival | Coffs Harbour | 2001 | Annual festival of street theatre and performers. Held annually in late September to early October. |
| Collector Village Pumpkin Festival | Collector | 2003 | Pumpkin themed country festival. Held annually in May. |
| Crookwell Potato Festival | Crookwell | 2011 | Potato themed festival held in May. |
| Curryfest | Woolgoolga | 2006 | Cultural, music, dance and food festival. |
| Darling Harbour Fiesta | Darling Harbour, Sydney | 1993 | Latin music, dance, food and culture, held annually in October. |
| Defqon.1 Festival | Penrith | 2009 | Hardstyle electronic music festival, held annually in September. Festival also held in the Netherlands since 2003 and Chile since 2015. |
| Deniliquin Ute muster | Deniliquin | 1999 | The Deniliquin Ute Muster and Play on the Plains Festival is held on the October Labour Day long weekend. |
| Electrofringe | Sydney | 1998 | Annual electronic arts festival and community organisation. Formally held in Newcastle 1998–2014. |
| Festival of Dangerous Ideas | Sydney | 2009 | Discussions and debates held annually at the Sydney Opera House. |
| Festival of Fisher’s Ghost | Campbelltown | 1956 | Held annually in November: Arts, Music, Street Parade, Carnival, Cultural activities. |
| Festival of the Sun | Port Macquarie | 2001 | Outdoor music festival held in December. |
| Festival of the Winds[24] | Bondi Beach, Sydney | 1978 | Kite Flying, Media Arts. Held annually in September. |
| FOMO Festival | Parramatta Park | 2017 | ONE STAGE • NO CLASHES • PARTY TOGETHER |
| Folk by the Sea[25] | Kiama | 2013 | Folk music festival, held annually in September. |
| Future Music Festival[26] | Randwick Racecourse, Sydney | 2006 | Electro House Music |
| Granny Smith Festival[27] | Eastwood, Sydney | 1985 | Apple themed festival celebrating local pioneer Maria Ann “Granny” Smith. Held annually in October. |
| The Gum Ball | Belford, Hunter Valley | 2005 | Music Festival. |
| The Good Dog! International Film Festival | Sydney | 2012 | Annual film festival featuring dogs. |
| The Henry Lawson Festival[28] | Grenfell | 1958 | Annual arts festival held over the June long weekend. |
| Head On Photo Festival | Sydney, NSW | 2010 | Annual international photography festival |
| Holi Mahotsav[29] | Darling Harbour, Sydney | 2003 | Annual cultural festival held in March. |
| Hunter Valley Steamfest | Maitland | 1986 | Steam Locomotive Festival held in April. |
| Ignite Film Festival | Sydney | 2004 | Christian Short Film Festival. |
| Illawarra Folk Festival | Bulli, Wollongong | 1985 | Annual international folk festival held on the 3rd weekend in January. |
| Ironfest | Lithgow | 2000 | Annual iron themed, historical and cultural festival held in April. |
| Jacaranda Festival | Grafton | 1935 | Folk festival held in late October to early November |
| KISS Arts Festival (Kiama International Seaside Arts Festival) | Kiama | 2012 | Annual festival held in April. Comedy, Music, Circus & Performance |
| Lanterns on the Lagoon and Sculptures in the Park | Tumut | 2011 | Lanterns 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. |
| Maitland Indie Festival | Maitland | 2020 | Annual festival. The Maitland Indie Festival started in 2020, with its primary focus being on supporting local, independent literature, writing and music markets. |
| Malaysia Festival (MFest)[30] | Pyrmont, Sydney | 1990 | Annual community and Malaysian cultural festival. |
| Merimbula Jazz Festival | Merimbula | 1981 | Jazz music Festival, held over the June long weekend. |
| Mullum Music Festival | Mullumbimby | 2008 | The biggest little festival happens each November |
| Mudgee Wine and Food Festival | Mudgee | Annual wine and food festival, held in September to early October. | |
| National Young Writers’ Festival | Newcastle | 1998 | Writers Festival. |
| Newcastle Music Festival | Newcastle | 2016 | Annual 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 Festival | Newcastle | 2013 | Annual writers festival with packed program of events, mostly free to the community. Range of writers and speakers on diverse topics. |
| Newton’s Nation | Bathurst | 2008 | Annual gravity sports and music festival, formally known as Newton’s Playground. |
| Newtown Festival[31] | Newtown, Sydney | 1978 | Annual community festival held on the 2nd Sunday of November. |
| O’Heart Festival | Tyalgum | 2016 | The 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 Festival | Castle Hill | 1960 | Held annually in September. |
| Parramasala | Parramatta | 2010 | South Asian multicultural festival held in March. |
| Parkes Elvis Festival | Parkes | 1993 | Elvis Music Festival held annually in January. |
| Peak Festival | Perisher Valley | 2009 | Music festival held over the June long weekend. |
| Pohela Boishakh | Sydney Olympic Park | 2008 | Bengali New Year festival celebrated on 14 April.[32] |
| Roaring 20s and all that Jazz Festival | Blue Mountains – Various locations | 2013 | 1920s themed festival. Month-long event held in February. |
| Rootstock Sydney[33] | Eveleigh, Sydney | 2013 | Sustainable food and wine festival. Held annually in November. |
| St Albans Folk Festival[34] | St Albans | 1980 | Traditional and contemporary folk music festival, held annually in late April. |
| Scone & Upper Hunter Horse Festival | Scone | 1980s | Horse themed community festival held annually in October. Includes the Scone Cup. |
| See Change Festival | Jervis Bay area | 2000 | Biennial arts festival held in the Jervis Bay and St Georges Basin area, of the City of Shoalhaven, in late May and early June. |
| Shore Thing | Bondi Beach | 2005 | Annual New Year’s Eve festival. |
| Spectrum Now Festival | Sydney – Various venues | 2015 | Art, Music, Stage, Talks and exhibitions. Held annually in March. |
| Splendour in the Grass | North Byron Parklands, Yelgun | 2001 | Music festival – Indie rock, hip hop, electronic, alternative. Held annually in July/August. |
| Stereosonic | Sydney Olympic Park | 2007 | Electronic and dance music festival |
| Sunburnt Christmas[35] | Bondi Beach, Sydney | 2002 | Christmas Day Music Festival. |
| Surfing the Coldstream Festival | Yamba | 2008 | Annual festival held annually in October – Arts, music, film, entertainment. |
| Sydney Blues and Roots Festival | Windsor | 2009 | Music festival, held annually in October. |
| Sydney Children’s Festival | First Fleet Park, The Rocks, Sydney | 2008 | Held annually in March. |
| Sydney Chinese New Year Festival | Sydney | 1997 | Annual festival held annually in January to February. |
| Sydney Comedy Festival | Sydney – Various venues | 2005 | Annual comedy festival held in April–May. |
| Sydney Craft Beer Week | Sydney – Various venues | 2012 | Beer Festival. |
| Sydney Festival[36] | Sydney | 1977 | Major Arts Festival, held between first and last week of January, annually. |
| Sydney Film Festival | Sydney | 1954 | Annual film festival, held in June. |
| Sydney Fringe Festival[37] | Various locations – Inner West, Sydney | 1994 (2010 in current format) | Alternative arts and culture festival |
| Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras[38] | Sydney | 24 June 1978 | Festival, Parade and Party, during February/March annually. |
| Sydney International Piano Competition[39] | Sydney | 1977 | International Piano Competition held every four years: 1981, 1985, 1988 (to coincide with the Australian Bicentennial celebrations), 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2012. |
| Sydney St Patrick’s Day Festival | The Rocks | 1790s in various forms. 1970s in current format. | Irish themed festival, currently held on weekends around 17 March. (Early history) |
| Sydney Underground Film Festival | Sydney | 2006 | Alternative, independent and experimental film festival. Held annually in Sydney at the Factory Theatre in Marrickville and in 2020 & 2021 streamed online due to COVID |
| Sydney Writers’ Festival | Sydney | 1997 | Annual literary festival, held mid – late May. |
| Tamworth Country Music Festival | Tamworth | 1973 | Annual Country Music festival, held in January. |
| Taste of the World Beer Fest | New Lambton, Newcastle | 2011 | Annual beer festival in January. |
| Thirlmere Festival of Steam | Thirlmere | 1989 | Age of steam themed annual community festival, held in March. |
| This Is Not Art | Newcastle | 1998 | Independent contemporary arts festival, held annually in late September to early October. |
| Thredbo Jazz Festival[40] | Thredbo | 1987 | Annual Jazz Music festival, held in May. |
| Tropfest & Trop Jr | Parramatta, Sydney | 1993 | Short Film festival held in February. |
| Tulip Time | Bowral | 1960 | Annual spring festival. |
| Tweed Valley Banana Festival | Murwillumbah | 1956 | Last week in August each year. |
| Uranquinty Folk Festival | Uranquinty, Wagga Wagga | 1970 | Folk 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. (Website) |
| Village Fair | Bathurst | 1974 | Music Festival – Rock, Alternative, Indie, Hip hop, Electronic. |
| Vivid Sydney | Sydney | 2009 | Annual outdoor lighting festival, held from May to June. |
| Warners Bay Beer Festival | Warners Bay, Newcastle | 2009 | Beer Festival |
| Winter Magic Festival | Katoomba | 1994 | Annual festival celebrated around the Winter Solstice in June. |
Northern Territory
| Festival | Location | Began / When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Desert Festival[41] | Alice Springs and the surrounding region | 2000 | Arts and cultural festival |
| Darwin Beer Can Regatta | Darwin | 1974 | Beer boat race |
| Darwin Festival | Darwin | 1978 | Arts and cultural festival |
| Darwin Fringe Festival | Darwin | 2015 | Arts and cultural festival |
| Henley-on-Todd Regatta | Alice Springs | 1962 | |
| Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures | Arnhem Land | 1998 | It is a celebration of the cultural inheritance of the Yolngu people. |
| Pure Sounds In The Park | Darwin | 2009 | Music festival |
| Bassinthegrass | Darwin | 2003 | Music festival |
| Bassinthedust | Alice Springs | 2003 | Music festival |
| Isotopia Festival | Darwin | 2005 | Music festival |
Queensland
| Name | Location | Began | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop Up North Queensland (PUNQ) Festival | Wulgurukaba and Bindal Country (Townsville), Yunbenun (Magnetic Island), Warrgamay, Nywaigi & Bandjin Country (Hinchinbrook) and Gudjal Country (Charters Towers) | 2017 | July–August | Biennial |
| Sea N Beats[42] | Brisbane | 2016 | 5–8 March | Annual |
| Anywhere Theatre Festival[43] | Brisbane | 2011 | May | Annual |
| Apple & Grape Harvest Festival[44] | Stanthorpe | 1966 | March | Biannual |
| Australian Italian Festival | Ingham | 1995 | First weekend in June | AnnualA two-day festival celebrating Italian culture with non-stop entertainment on two stages, delicious Italian food and lots more. Set in the award-winning TYTO wetlands and parklands.
|
| Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival[45] | Broadbeach | 2002 | May | Annual |
| Broadbeach Country Music Festival | Broadbeach | 2012 | August | Annual |
| Broadbeach Jazz Festival[46] | Broadbeach | 2012 | August | Annual |
| Australian Festival of Chamber Music | Townsville | 1991 | ||
| Beef Australia[47] | Rockhampton | 1988 | May | National Beef Exposition – Triennial |
| Buskers by the Lake | Lake Kawana, Sunshine Coast | 2014 | October | Annual |
| BeerFestABull | Innes Park | 2010 | 22–23 September 2012 | Annual |
| Big Day Out[48] | Gold Coast | 1994 | January | Annual |
| Brisbane Festival[49] | Brisbane | 1996 | September–October | Annual |
| Brisbane International Film Festival[50] | Brisbane | 1992 | Annual | |
| Brisbane International Youth Music Festival, Brisbane, Australia | Brisbane | 2012 | ||
| Brisbane Pride Festival | Brisbane | 1990 | Annual | |
| Brisbane Writers Festival | Brisbane | 1962 | September | |
| Bris Funny Fest[51] | Brisbane | 2016 | August | Annual fringe comedy festival |
| Burleigh Heads Single Fin Festival | Burleigh Heads | 2010 | Annual | |
| Bleach* | Coolangatta | 2010 | Annual | |
| Cardwell UFO Festival | Cardwell | 2014 | Third Saturday in October | Annual |
| Cairns Festival[52] | Cairns | 1962 | 12 August–4 September | Annual |
| Cairns Winter Solstice Festival[53] | Mount Garnet | 2006 | 12–15 June | Annual |
| Cairns Ukulele Festival[54] | Cairns | 2010 | July | Annual |
| Caloundra Music Festival[55] | Caloundra | 2007 | 28–30 September | Annual |
| Camooweal Drover’s Camp Festival[56] | Camooweal | 1996 | Fourth weekend of August | Annual |
| Capricorn Food & Wine Festival[57] | Rockhampton | 2013 | September | Annual |
| Carnival of Flowers[58] | Toowoomba | 1950 | September | Annual |
| Caxton Street Seafood and Wine Festival | Brisbane | 1994 | Annual | |
| Centenary Rocks! Festival[59] | Brisbane | 2003 | Last weekend of July | Annual |
| Childers Festival[60] | Childers | 1996 | July | Annual |
| Cooly Rocks On | Coolangatta/Tweed Heads | 2011 | June | |
| Dead of Winter Festival | Brisbane, Queensland | 2009 | June | Annual |
| Dingo Creek Jazz and Blues Festival[61] | Traveston (near Gympie) | 2002 | Varies | Annual |
| Dirt n Dust Festival | Julia Creek | 1995 | April | Annual |
| Earth Roots Culture Festival[62] | Brisbane | 2017 | Varies | Annual |
| Easterfest[63] | Toowoomba | 1999 | Varies | Annual |
| The Dreaming | Woodford | 2005 | June | International indigenous festival |
| FOMO Festival | Brisbane | 2016 | January | Annual |
| The GarterBelts and Gasoline Nostalgia Festival | Mount Tamborine, Queensland | 2002 | Annual | |
| Gayndah Orange Festival[64] | Gayndah | 1990 | June | Bi-Annual |
| Gemfest[65] | The Gemfields | 1988 | August | Annual |
| Gigs & Digs Festival[66] | Emerald | 2017 | August | Annual |
| Gladstone Harbour Festival[67] | Gladstone | 1962 | Easter weekend | Annual |
| Go Troppo Arts Festival[68] | Port Douglas | 2008 | October | |
| Gold Coast International Food, Wine and Music Festival | Robina | 2002 | Annual | |
| Gold Coast Film Festival | Gold Coast | 2002 | April | Annual |
| Golden Days Festival[69] | Coolum | 2010 | 19 & 20 November 2011 | Annual |
| Golden Mount Festival[70] | Mount Morgan | 1977 | Labour Day weekend in May | Annual |
| Gympie Muster | Amamoor Forest Reserve | 1982 | Annual | |
| Island Elements Festival | Adder Rock, North Stradbroke Island | 2015 | 23–25 October | Annual |
| Island Vibe Festival | Home Beach, North Stradbroke Island | 2006 | 30 October–1 November | Annual |
| Jungle Love Festival | Imbil, Queensland | 2014 | End of November | Two-and-a-half-day Music and Arts festival in late November that celebrates the Brisbane Music scene and the arts, with a range of visual, performance based and interactive artists creating the ultimate wonderland. The whole festival is alongside Yabba Creek, where festival goers are constantly in and out of the water. The festival promotes an inclusive community and is outwardly LGBT friendly. |
| Kenilworth Celebrates![71] | Kenilworth | 1997 | September/October | Annual |
| Kenilworth Cheese, Wine and Food Fest[72] | Kenilworth | 2009 | Easter Saturday | Annual |
| Kirra Kite Festival | Kirra | 2000 | July | Annual |
| Mary Valley Art Festival | Imbil | 2000 | July | Annual |
| May Day Fair[73] | Blackwater | Labour Day weekend in May | Annual | |
| Milking the Cow Beer Lovers Festival | Toowoomba | 2010 | June | Annual |
| Moura Coal & Country Festival[74] | Moura | 1971 | August | Annual |
| Noosa Jazz Festival[75] | Noosa | 1992 | September | Annual |
| Noosa Festival of Surfing | Noosa | 1992 | Late Feb/early March | Annual |
| Oktoberfest Brisbane | Brisbane | 2002 | October | Annual |
| Port Douglas Carnivale | Port Douglas | 1994 | May | Annual |
| Queensland Beer Week | Queensland | 2010 | June | Annual |
| Queensland Music Festival[76] | Queensland | 1999 | Biennial | |
| Queensland Poetry Festival | Brisbane | 1997 | Last weekend of August | Annual |
| Redlands Spring Festival[77] | Brisbane | 1958 | September | Annual |
| Reggaetown World Music Festival[78] | Cairns | 1987 | 10 & 11 September | Annual |
| Ripe | Noosa | 2009 | ||
| River Sessions | Mackay | 2009 | July | Annual |
| Rockhampton River Festival[79] | Rockhampton | 2015 | July | Annual |
| Soundwave | Brisbane | Annual | ||
| Splendour in the Grass | Woodford | 2010 | July | Splendour in the Grass was held near Woodford in 2010 and 2011 before returning to its regular site in Byron Bay.[80] |
| SPRUKE — Brisbane’s Ukulele Festival | Brisbane | 2013 | Spring (usually late September or early October) | Biennial |
| Shockwave Festival | Blackall | 2014 | 2–3 August | Annual |
| Straight Out of Brisbane[81] | Brisbane | 2002 | ||
| STUFFit Film Festival[82] | Sunshine Coast | 2012 | Student film festival, annual | |
| Sunshine Coast Ukulele Fest | Sunshine Coast/Kenilworth | 2014 | 14–17 April 2016 | Annual |
| Screen It! Film Festival | Gold Coast | 2013 | September | Annual |
| Surfers Paradise Festival | Surfers Paradise | ?? | annual | |
| Swell Sculpture Festival[83] | Currumbin | 2002 | September | annual |
| The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival | Winton | 2014 | late June-early July | Annual |
| Urban Country Music Festival[84] | Caboolture | 2004 | Qld May Long Weekend | Annual |
| VDMfest[85] | Biloela | 2017 | October | Annual |
| Village Festival[86] | Yeppoon | 2003 | August | Annual |
| Wallaby Creek Festival[87] | Rossville | 2002 | 23–25 September | |
| Wintersun Festival | Coolangatta/Tweed Heads | 1978 | June | |
| Woodford Folk Festival[88] | Woodford | 1987 | 27 December–1 January | Annual |
| Yeppoon Pinefest[89] | Yeppoon | 1967 | October | Annual |
| Yungaburra Folk Festival | Yungaburra | 1997 | May | Annual |
South Australia
| Festival | Location | Began / When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide 500 | Adelaide | 1999 | Was Clipsal 500; annual motor racing event on Adelaide streets in March |
| Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art | Art Gallery of South Australia | 1990[90] | “The flagship visual arts event of the Adelaide Festival of Arts”[91] |
| Adelaide Cabaret Festival | Adelaide | 2001 | Annual in June |
| Adelaide Fashion Festival[92] | Adelaide | 2008 | Annual |
| Adelaide Festival of Arts | Adelaide | 1960 | Was biennial, annual since 2012; aka Adelaide Festival |
| Adelaide Festival of Ideas | Adelaide | 1999 | Biennial |
| Adelaide Film Festival | Adelaide | 2003 | Biennial |
| Adelaide Food Fringe[93] | South Australia | 2020 | One of South Australia’s largest food and beverage festivals.[94] |
| Adelaide Fringe | Adelaide | 1960 | Was biennial now annual (as of 2007) |
| Adelaide Guitar Festival | Adelaide | 2007 | Was annual now biennial (as of 2009) |
| Adelaide Language Festival | Adelaide | 2014 | |
| Adelaide Writers’ Week | Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden (Adelaide) | 1960 | Part of the Adelaide Festival; annual in March |
| Big Day Out | Adelaide | 1993–2014 | Multi-city music festival |
| Burnout | Mutonia, Alberrie Creek, Oodnadatta Track | 2004 | was Mighty Burning Demon Festival |
| Cabaret Fringe Festival | Adelaide | 2008 | Annual open-access festival in June[95] |
| Cheesefest; Cheesefest + Ferment | Adelaide | 2007–2013; 2017– | Ran as Cheesefest until 2013; Ferment 2017; Cheesefest & Ferment 2018–[96][97] |
| A Day On The Green | Barossa Valley, then McLaren Vale | Annual | |
| DreamBIG Children’s Festival | Adelaide | 1974 | Biennial; formerly Come Out |
| Feast Festival | Adelaide | 1997 | Australia’s biggest lesbian and gay arts festival |
| Fleurieu Folk Festival[98] | Willunga, South Australia | 2007 | Folk Festival held annually in October on the Fleurieu Peninsula |
| FOMO Festival | Elder Park, Adelaide | 2017 | Multi-city festival in January[99] |
| Future Music Festival | Adelaide | 2006–2015 | |
| Gawler Gourmet & Heritage Festival | Gawler | ||
| Illuminate Adelaide[100][101] | Adelaide | 2021 | Includes Adelaide Festival of Ideas |
| Kernewek Lowender | Kadina, Moonta and Wallaroo | 1973 | Biennial, Cornish-themed festival held in Copper Coast towns |
| Leafy Sea Dragon Festival | Fleurieu Peninsula | 2005–2013(?) | |
| Live at the Zoo | Monarto | 2008 | (one-off) |
| Lizard’s Revenge | Roxby Downs | 2012 | Annual Music Arts and Culture Festival |
| Oysterfest | Ceduna | 1991 | Held annually on the October Labour Day long weekend.[102] |
| OzAsia Festival | Adelaide | 2007 | Annual; includes JLF International (literary festival) since 2018 |
| SALA Festival | Adelaide | 1998 | South Australian Living Artists Festival, Annual Celebration of the Visual Arts |
| Schützenfest | Adelaide | Shooting and Beer Festival | |
| Sea and Vines Festival | McLaren Vale | ||
| Soundwave | Adelaide | 2007–2015 | Multi-city music festival |
| South Australia’s History Festival | South Australia | 2004 | SA’s largest festival, 1–31 May; over 600 individual events in 2016.[103] |
| Stereosonic | Adelaide | 2009–2005 | Annual; electronic dance music festival |
| Tarnanthi | Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide | 2015 | Annual in October; Contemporary Aboriginal and TSI Art |
| Umbrella: Winter City Sounds | Adelaide | 2016 | Annual in July; multi-genre music festival in multiple venues |
| Vegan Festival | Rundle Park, Adelaide | 2007 | Annual in October; celebrates and showcases vegan food and lifestyle[104] |
| WOMADelaide | Botanic Park, Adelaide | 1992 | Annual (since 2003); 4 days in March; world music |
Tasmania
| Festival | Location | Began / When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agfest | Carrick | 1982 | Held in May |
| Australian Wooden Boat Festival | Hobart | 1994 | Held in February, biennial |
| The Derwent Valley Autumn Festival | The Esplanade, New Norfolk | 2000 | Held in April |
| The Derwent Valley Medieval Festival | Kensington Park New Norfolk | 2016 | Held in October |
| Henley-on-Mersey | Bells Parade, Latrobe | 1910 | Held on Australia Day (26 January) featuring food, fun, fitness and ferrets. |
| Australian Shakespeare Festival | Hobart | Held in January | |
| Dark Mofo | Hobart | 2013 | Held in June |
| Devil Country Muster | Smithton | 2013 | Held in February |
| Kentish Arts Festival | Sheffield | Held in March–April | |
| Festivale | Launceston | 1988 | Held in February |
| Falls Festival | Hobart | Held in January | |
| Festival of Broadway | Hobart | Held in June | |
| Festival of King Island (FOKI) | King Island (Tasmania) | 2013 | 1 and 2 February. Folk, Blues, Indie, Surf, and a touch of Jazz and Country. All ages. |
| Fractangular Gathering – Open Air Collaborative Arts Festival | Buckland | Was held in February, no longer happening | |
| Huon Valley Mid Winter Festival | Grove | ||
| Mural Fest | Sheffield | Held on Easter Sunday | |
| The Cygnet Folk Festival | Cygnet | 1979 | Held in January |
| Tamar Valley Beer Festival | Tamar Valley | 2010 | Held in January |
| Tasmanian Beerfest | Princes Wharf | 2006 | Held in November |
| TastroFest – Tasmania’s Astronomy Festival | Ulverstone, North West Tasmania | 2015 | Held in August |
| The Taste Of Tasmania Festival | Hobart | 1988 | Held on 28 December– 3 January Annually |
| Taste of the Huon | Ranelagh | 1995 | Held in March |
| The Unconformity | Queenstown | 2010 | Held biennially in October |
| MONA FOMA | Hobart and Launceston | 2008 | Held in January until 2022, Held in February 2023 |
| Chocolate Winterfest, Latrobe | Latrobe | 2004 | Held in August – a wickedly delicious festival celebrating all things chocolate. |
| 10 Days on the Island | Statewide | 2001 | Held in March |
Victoria
| Festival | Location | Began | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altona Bayside | Altona | 1997 | Community Festival with Street Parade and Fireworks, held annually over a weekend in March. | |
| Apollo Bay Music Festival | Apollo Bay | |||
| Art is… festival | Horsham | 1995 | Annual Arts Festival | |
| ART+CLIMATE=CHANGE | Melbourne | 2015 | Biennial arts festival focusing on climate change and the environment. | |
| Australian Contemporary Opera Co. | Melbourne, Yarra Valley | 2017 | Annual Opera Festival | |
| Ballarat Beer Festival | Ballarat | 1995 | Annual Beer Festival In January | |
| BeerFest | Melbourne | 1952 | Annual Beer Festival in February | |
| Beers by the Bay | Mornington | 1952 | Annual Beer Festival on 17 November 2012 | |
| Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival | Bendigo | 2011 | Annual Blues & Roots Music Festival usually held on the first week of November each year. | |
| Bendigo Easter Festival | Bendigo | 1871 | Held annually over the Easter long weekend. Australia’s oldest ongoing community festival. | |
| Begonia Festival | Ballarat | 1952 | March | Community cultural festival with begonia theme – Labour Day long weekend |
| Beyond The Valley Festival | Lardner, Victoria | 2014 | A multi-day music festival held annually at Gippsland Parklands in Lardner, Victoria, Australia over the New Year’s Eve period. | |
| Big West Festival | Footscray | 1997 | Biennial Contemporary Arts and Cultural Festival | |
| Broadford Country Music Festival | Broadford | Country music festival | ||
| Bruthen Blues and Arts Festival | Bruthen | 1994 | third weekend in February annually | a weekend of blues music and fun |
| Brewers Feast Craft Beer and Food Festival | Melbourne | 2016 to present | first weekend in December annually | a weekend of independent Beer, paired with craft food and music |
| Buddha’s Day and Multicultural Festival[105] | Federation Square, Melbourne | 1995 | Annual Buddhist Festival celebrating the Buddha’s Birthday | |
| Castlemaine State Festival of the Arts[106] | Castlemaine | 1976 | Multi-arts, 10-day, Biennial Festival in odd years, March/April. | |
| Dancing Ground Festival[107] | Gembrook | 2011 | Weekend dance and movement workshop festival. Camping based, includes meals. Annually in February. | |
| Environmental Film Festival Melbourne[108] | Melbourne | 2010 | Environmental films from Australia and around the world | |
| Earthcore[109] | Pyalong | 1993 | earthcore hosted the first Bush Doof to be held in Australia and continues to every year during November. | |
| Falls Festival | Lorne | 1993 | Music festival – 29 December to 1 January | |
| Fest la Frog | French Island | 7–13 April | ||
| Festival of Sails | Geelong | 1844 | ||
| Foggy Mountain Bluegrass Festival | Kinglake | 2014 | October | Annual festival – Bluegrass music performances and workshops |
| Folk Rhythm & Life | Eldorado | 1996 | ||
| Freeplay Independent Games Festival | Melbourne | 2004 | May | Australia’s longest-running and largest independent games festival. |
| Gala Day | Geelong | 1916 | Festival held annually in November. | |
| Geelong Highland Gathering | Geelong | 1857 | March | Annual Festival Held in Geelong. The original Highland Gathering was held on New Years Day and was organised and promoted by the local “Commun Na Feinne” Society formed in 1856.Clans known to attend include attend Boyd, Buchanan, Donald, Donnachaidh (Robertson), Edmonstone, Fraser, Grant, MacLeod, MacDonald, MacKenzie, McLaughlin, MacLean, MacPherson, Thomas, Sinclair, Scottish Gaelic, VSU.
Geelong Highland Gathering Association Website |
| Globe to Globe World Music Festival | Clayton South | 2001 | Festival held annually around Australia Day. | |
| Good Beer Week | Melbourne | 2011 | runs from 18 to 26 May | |
| Grampians Grape Escape[111] | Halls Gap | 1991 | Food, wine, music festival in the Grampians National Park. Held annually, first weekend of May. | |
| The Grass Is Greener | Cairns | |||
| Great Australian Beer Festival | Geelong | 2013 | a Beer Festival Held annually, early February. | |
| Guildford Banjo Jamboree | Guildford | 2004 | September | Annual music festival – performances, workshops |
| Healesville Music Festival | Healesville | 2010 | November | Annual music festival with performances, workshops in a variety of venues |
| Let Them Eat Cake NYD | Werribee Mansion | 2011 | New Year’s Day | A NYD gathering for electronic music lovers featuring artisanal food, manicured gardens and art installations |
| Maldon Easter Fair | Maldon | 1878[112] | Held annually over the Easter long weekend. Australia’s oldest continuous Easter Fair. | |
| Maldon Folk Festival[113] | Maldon | 1974 | Held annually over the weekend before the Melbourne Cup. | |
| Melbourne Art Fair | Melbourne | 1988 | A biennial contemporary art fair. The first international art fair hosted in Australia. | |
| Melbourne Flower and Garden Show | Melbourne | |||
| Melbourne Fringe Festival | Melbourne | 1983 | ||
| Melbourne International Singers Festival | Melbourne | 1993 | ||
| Melbourne International Games Week | Melbourne | 2015 | A week of events celebrating gaming culture in arts and education. | |
| Melbourne International Singers Festival | Melbourne | 2010 | Festival for choirs, singing groups and individual singers. Held over the Queen’s Birthday Weekend in June. | |
| Melbourne Jazz Festival | Melbourne | 1998 | Music festival – May | |
| Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival | Melbourne | 2005 | Music festival – May | |
| Melbourne International Arts Festival | Melbourne | 1986 | ||
| Melbourne International Comedy Festival | Melbourne | 1987 | ||
| Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) | Melbourne | 1951 | Film festival – October | |
| Melbourne Queer Film Festival | Melbourne | 1991 | Film festival – March | |
| Melbourne School Bands Festival | Melbourne | 1989 | Music festival | |
| Melbourne Ukulele Festival (MUF) | Northcote | 2010 | Music festival – March | |
| Melbourne Underground Film Festival (MUFF) | Melbourne | 1996 | Film festival – August | |
| Melbourne Writers Festival | Melbourne | 1986 | August | |
| Meredith Music Festival | Meredith | 1991 | Music festival | |
| Midsumma Festival | Melbourne | 1989 | Summer lesbian and gay festival | |
| Mildura Jazz Food and Wine Festival | Mildura | 1979 | Traditional and contemporary jazz, food and wine | |
| Mildura Palimpsest Biennale | Mildura | Contemporary site-specific visual arts festival | ||
| Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival | Mildura | 1996 | A large regional arts festival | |
| Mildura Writers Festival | Mildura | 1994 | Program of workshops, lectures and discussion forums | |
| Moyneyana Festival | Port Fairy | Summer festival | ||
| Moomba | Melbourne | 1955 | ||
| Murray River International Music Festival | Mildura | 2003 | Beautiful music in beautiful locations | |
| Nati Frinj | Natimuk | 2000 | Arts festival | |
| National Celtic Festival | Portarlington | Celtic festival | ||
| Next Wave Festival | Melbourne | 1985 | Arts festival | |
| Pako Festa | Geelong West | 1983 | Cultural festival | |
| Pitch Music & Arts Festival | Moyston | 2017 | March | Electronic music and arts festival. |
| Poppykettle Festival | Geelong | 1981 | Arts festival | |
| Port Fairy Folk Festival | Port Fairy | 1977 | Folk, blues, roots, Celtic, world music festival. Labour Day weekend annually. | |
| Pyramid Rock Festival | Pyramid Rock, Phillip Island | 2004 | Music festival 30 December – 1 January (held annually) | |
| Queenscliff Music Festival | Queenscliff | 1997 | Music festival | |
| Rainbow Serpent Festival | Beaufort | 1997 | Electronic music festival | |
| Rheola Charity Carnival | Rheola | 1871 | ||
| St Jerome’s Laneway Festival | Melbourne | 2004 | Music festival | |
| St Kilda Festival | St Kilda | 1981 | Music festival – 2nd Sunday in February | |
| Sex Camp | Victoria | 2012 | A weekend of workshops, discussion, food, film and performance | |
| Sustainable Living Festival | Melbourne | 1998 | Sustainable living festival | |
| Stringybark Festival | Melbourne | 1985 | Sustainability / environmental festival – 3rd weekend in October | |
| Sydney Road Street Party | Brunswick | 1989 | Cultural festival | |
| Tarra Festival | Yarram | 1972 | Easter festival | |
| Tesselaar Tulip Festival | Silvan | 1954 | Tulip festival | |
| Thai Culture and Food Festival | Melbourne | 2004 | Multicultural festival | |
| The Big Freeze Winter Family Festival | Cranbourne | 2016 | Encouraging families to stay active, creative and use their imaginations over winter | |
| The Village Continuum Festival | Bolinda | 2014 | MelbourneCupWeekend (Saturday – Monday) | 3 day, fully catered, camping festival.Traditional crafts, nature skills & well-being tools. |
| Toast to the Coast | Geelong | 2004 | 3-4 November 2012 | |
| Wandong Country Music Festival | Wandong | 1972 | Country music festival | |
| Weerama | Werribee | 1978 | ||
| Williamstown Literary Festival | Williamstown | 2002 | Literary festival April/May annually | |
| Winchelsea Festival | Winchelsea, Victoria | 2000 | Country festival, November annually | |
| Wine and Cheese Fest | Williamstown, Victoria | 2014 | Wine and cheese festival, annually in October | |
| Woodend Winter Arts Festival | Woodend | 2004 | Classical music and literature festival (Queen’s Birthday Weekend) | |
| YIRRAMBOI Festival | Melbourne | 2017 | Indigenous Australian culture, biennially in May |
Western Australia
| Festival | Location | Began / When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta River Festival | Augusta | Music festival held in March | |
| Avon Valley Writers Festival | Toodyay | Writers festival held in September | |
| Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival | Geraldton | Writers festival held in September | |
| Boyup Brook Country Music Festival[114] | Boyup Brook | Country music, ute and truck muster, markets, bush poetry, art exhibitions, workshops, held in February | |
| Blues at Bridgetown Festival[115] | Bridgetown | 1993 | WA’s longest running Blues & Roots Music Festival, held on the 2nd weekend of November each year. |
| Broome Arts & Music Festival | Broome | Music, arts and cultural festival held in March | |
| Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest presented by LiveLighter[116] | Mandurah | 1999 | Food and music festival held in March |
| Corrugated Lines: A festival of words | Broome | Writers festival held in August | |
| Darlington Arts Festival | Darlington | Community festival held in November | |
| Denmark Festival of Voice | Denmark | Choir music festival held in June | |
| Elmar’s Food & Beer Festival | Perth | beer festival | |
| Fairbridge Festival | Pinjarra | 1992 | Folk, blues, roots, Celtic, acoustic, world music festival held in April |
| FeBREWary | Perth | beer festival in 1–28 February 2013 | |
| Festival of Country Gardens | Balingup | Flora festival held in May | |
| Festival of The Wind | Esperance | Food and music festival held in March | |
| FotoFreo Festival[117] | Fremantle | International photography festival held biennially in April | |
| Fremantle Children’s Fiesta | Fremantle | An annual event celebrating children, and reflecting the diversity of the Fremantle community, held in Samson Park | |
| Fremantle Festival[118] | Fremantle | 1905 | Art and music festival held in November |
| Fremantle Heritage Festival[118] | Fremantle | Art, music, cultural festival held in May | |
| Fremantle Street Arts Festival[118] | Fremantle | 1997 | Arts festival held in April |
| Fremantle Tomato Festival | Fremantle | 2004 | One-day tomato festival held in either February or March as part of the Fremantle Village Art Market |
| Great Southern Taste Festival | Albany | Food, wine, art and music festival held in February/March | |
| GWN Great Southern Multi-Cultural Festival | Albany | Food and wine festival with street stalls held in March | |
| Jurien Bay Easter Festival | Jurien Bay | ||
| Kimberley Writers Festival | Kununurra | 2005 | Writers festival held in July |
| Kings Park and Botanic Gardens Wildflower Festival[119] | Kings Park | Flora festival held in September | |
| Leederville Street Festival[120] | Perth | Food and wine festival with street stalls held in November | |
| Mango Festival | Broome | Food festival held in November | |
| Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival | Margaret River | Writers festival held in May | |
| Margaret River Wine Region Festival[121] | Margaret River | Wine festival held in November | |
| Moondyne Festival[122] | Toodyay | 1984 | Cultural festival celebrating the history of Toodyay, with markets and entertainment, first Sunday in May |
| Mount Barker Wine Festival Weekend | Mount Barker | Wine festival held in January | |
| Mundaring Truffle Festival | Mundaring | 2007 | Food festival with a focus on edible truffles and other local produce, held in July |
| Nambung Country Music Muster | Nambung | Country Music festival including Bush Poets held last weekend in October | |
| Nannup Music Festival | Nannup | Music festival held in March | |
| Narrogin Spring Festival[123] | Narrogin | Open gardens, markets, music, food, street parade and other entertainment, held in October | |
| Ningaloo Whaleshark Festival | Exmouth | Environmental, arts and ocean sport festival held in May | |
| Northam Motorcycle Festival | Northam | Motorcycle festival held in October | |
| Northam International Festival | Northam | Music, arts and cultural festival held in November | |
| Over The Fence Comedy Film Festival[124] | Perth | 1996 | Travelling independent Australian comedy film festival held from May until March the following year |
| Pemberton Autumn Festival | Pemberton | Food & wine festival held on the first Saturday in May every year | |
| Perth Beer Festival | Perth | beer festival | |
| Perth Fashion Festival[125] | Perth | Fashion festival held in September | |
| Perth Fringe Festival | Perth | 2011 January–February | Arts and cultural festival held in January/February |
| Perth International Arts Festival | Perth | 1953 | Art, music, film, and theatre festival held in January and February |
| Perth International Comedy Festival[126] | Perth | 2012 | Curated comedy festival held in Mt Lawley over 19 days in May. |
| Perth Medieval Fayre | Perth | Fayre held in the style of a renaissance fair, entertainment, Combat displays, Vendors and food and drink. wear medieval costume have fun. 3rd Saturday in March | |
| Red Earth Arts Festival | Karratha | 2010 | Arts festival held in September |
| Revelation – Perth International Film Festival | Perth | 1997 | Film festival held in July |
| Rock It Festival | Joondalup | Biennial Music festival held at the Arena Jondalup in March and December | |
| Rockingham Community Fair | Rockingham | Family festival held in November | |
| Rollercoaster | Mandurah | 2004 | Annual music festival held on the Mandurah foreshore in December |
| Shinju Matsuri – Festival of the Pearl | Broome | 1972 | Music, arts and cultural festival held in September |
| South West Craft Beer Festival[127] | Busselton | beer festival in February | |
| SPLIF Festival[128] | Perth | 2001 | Independent short film festival for West Australian film makers held in January |
| Spring In The Valley Festival[129] | Swan Valley | Wine and music festival held in October | |
| Sprung in the Alley Craft Beer Festival | Perth | beer festival | |
| Staircase To The Moon Festival | Broome | Heritage, and environmental festival held in March | |
| Stuffit | Wanneroo | Taxidermy festival held in March | |
| The Sunshine Festival | Geraldton | 1959 | Community Festival held in October |
| UWA Annual Spring Feast | Perth | 1999 | Night market international food festival held in October |
| Vintage Blues Festival | Albany | Wine and music festival held in January at Wignalls Wines | |
| WA Beer Week | Perth | beer festival | |
| WA Food and Wine Festival[130] | Perth | Food and wine festival held in June | |
| West Coast Blues & Roots Festival | Fremantle | Sunset Events music festival held in February | |
| Whale Song Augusta Festival[131] | Augusta | 2010 | Music and entertainment, whale-watching, to celebrate the arrival of the southern right and humpback whales in the waters of Augusta during their annual migrations, first week of June |
| Wild West Comedy Festival[132] | Perth | 2007 | Comedy Festival |
| Words in the Valley Writers & Readers Festival | Bridgetown | Writers festival held in July | |
| York Jazz Festival | York | Jazz music festival held in September/October | |
| Yum In My Tum – a food festival just for kids![133] | Whiteman Park, Perth, Western Australia | WA’s only food festival dedicated to children, takes place annually on the last weekend in November |
