Annual Highlights

Take a look at some of the fun, family friendly festivals, free community events, carnivals, world-class concerts and sporting events Perth plays host to the whole year round.

 

Perth Cup (1 January)
First run in 1887, Western Australia's premier thoroughbred horse racing event is held annually on New Year's Day at the Ascot Racecourse and headlines the prestigious Perth Summer Racing Carnival. As well as the General Admission, tickets are available for private boxes, exclusive marquees and parties and attracts over 35,000 spectators and punters. www.perthracing.com.au

 

Hopman Cup (Early January)
Watch the world's top ranked tennis players compete in this annual tournament, first played in 1989 as a mixed teams championship. This exciting international event attracts over 100,000 fans with recent winners including Anabel Medina Garrigues & Fernando Verdasco (Spain), Tomas Berdych & Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic), John Isner & Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA), Tommy Robredo & Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (Spain), Dominik Hrbaty & Dominika Cibulkova (Slovak Republic), Mardy Fish & Serena Williams (USA). www.hopmancup.com

 

Australia Day Skyworks (26 January)
Skyworks is Western Australia’s largest Australia Day celebration. Events including free concerts, activities and air and water shows take place all day around the Swan River. Hundreds of thousands of people gather at vantage points around the Swan River to watch the evening’s incredible fireworks display. www.skyworks.visitperthcity.com.au

 

Fringe World Festival (January to February)
A summer smorgasbord of entertainment featuring more than 450 shows at 60 different venues around the City, the Fringe World Festival is packed with performances like cabaret, sketch and stand-up comedy, theatre and music, as well as film and visual art exhibitions. Featuring the De Parel Spiegeltent,  pop-up venues, specialty bars and restaurants, it's easy to see how Fringe World delights around 350,000 people over the four-week festival. www.fringeworld.com.au

 

Perth International Arts Festival (February)
The oldest annual international multi-arts festival in the southern hemisphere offering some of the world's best theatre, dance, music, film, visual arts, street arts, literature and free community events. Attracting over 300,000 patrons each year, the Perth International Arts Festival welcomes to Perth some of the world’s greatest living artists, showcasing imagination, innovation and entertainment. www.perthfestival.com.au

 

Chinese New Year Festival (February)
Each year offers up a unique festival theme, performances and food in Northbridge's China Town. Visitors can experience Chinese lion dances, firecrackers, traditional folk music, martial arts, costumes, calligraphy, face painting, balloon artistry and more. Gong xi fa cai! www.chinesenewyear.com.au

 

Eat Drink Perth (March or April)
Each year, the City celebrates its favorite eateries and new dining experiences with the annual Eat Drink Perth event. Cooking demonstrations, guest chefs, special dining offers, competitions and mouth-watering experiences feature during the month-long program. www.eatdrinkperth.showmeperth.com.au

 

Taste of Perth (May)
The ultimate foodie festival, Taste of Perth is an outdoor event in Langley Park over three indulgent days. Experience the City's latest, greatest and hottest restaurants showcasing exquisite signature dishes in taste sized portions. Browse premium food and drink producer stalls, see chef demonstrations and cocktail making workshops, or relax in the sunshine and enjoy live entertainment with a glass of beer, wine, cider or sparkling. www.tasteofperth.com.au

 

Kids in the City, presented by the City of Perth (April, July, October, December/January)
The City of Perth's award-winning holiday program (WA school holidays) provides free entertainment in Forrest Place. Theming and activities change each school holidays. www.visitperthcity.com

 

City of Perth Winter Arts Season (June – August)
This annual collaboration between the City of Perth and many iconic Western Australian arts organisations showcases Perth's dynamic contemporary arts and cultural scene over the winter months of June, July and August. Experience over 200 events across the genres of theatre, film, comedy, cabaret, opera, literature, circus, dance, music and visual arts. www.perthwinterarts.com.au

 

Avon Descent (First Weekend of August)
Held each year on the first weekend of August, this two day long white water racing event runs 124km from Northam to Bayswater along the Avon and Swan Rivers. Both paddle craft and power boats compete in a time trial over the gruelling course involving rapids and long stretches of flat water, providing plenty of exciting viewing action. www.avondescent.com.au

 

City to Surf (Last Sunday of August)
With over 45,000 participants annually, the City to Surf has been an icon of the Western Australian sporting calendar for 40 years and is the Activ Foundation's major charity fundraising event. Dubbed the 'most beautiful marathon in the world', the course stretches from Perth City to City Beach and is always an event full of community spirit, fun and laughter. Participants can register for the 42km Marathon, 21km Half Marathon, 12km Run, 12km Walk, 4km Walk and 4km Wheelchair Race. www.chevroncitytosurf.com

 

Kings Park & Botanic Garden Wildflower Festival (September)
An explosion of colours, sounds, scents and the most spectacular wildflowers found anywhere with over 3,000 native plant species to explore throughout Kings Park. The festival runs the whole of September and celebrates the start of Spring with floral displays, exhibitions, live outdoor music concerts, plenty of free activities to entertain the kids, competitions and free guided wildflower and bushland walks. Plus learn from expert horticulturalists and scientists with gardening advice, ideas for creating your outdoor space, biodiversity planting and more, shop for seeds and native plants... and don't forget your camera! www.kingsparkfestival.com.au

 

Perth Fashion Festival (September)
The annual spring-time Perth Fashion Festival features runway events, fashion shoots, model search, exhibitions, functions and shows, from designers like Camilla & Marc, Jaime Lee, Ellery, Empire Rose, Flannel, Morrison, One Fell Swoop, Ruth Tarvydas and Zhivago.  Perth’s streets, arcades and malls are filled with the newest collections, looks, clothes and accessories. www.perthfashionfestival.com.au

 

Perth Royal Show (September-October)
The Show is Perth's biggest annual community celebration. An unmissable event with entertainment for all ages, animals and live stock on display, free activities and attractions, the thrills of Sideshow Alley's rides and games, spectacular fireworks each evening, not to mention the huge choice of showbags! www.perthroyalshow.com.au

 

Perth International Golf Championship (October)
With Australian golf's richest prize purse, the Perth International brings some of the world's best players to Perth to compete for USD $2 million in prize money. Co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and the European Tour and promoted by global sports management company IMG, the tournament is played at Lake Karrinyup Country Club, one of the top ranked golf courses in Australia. www.perthinternational.com

 

Carnival Macabre (October - November)
This annual event celebrates Halloween and Mexican Day of the Dead over a week of spooky festivities throughout Northbridge. See a free horror movie screening at the Northbridge Piazza, dress up in your spookiest costume, party at the Vampire Ball and enjoy themed food markets, as well as music, performances and craft workshops. visitperthcity.com/news/carnival-macabre-now

 

UnWined Western Australia (October or November)
A boutique wine and food show, the day includes gourmet tastings, wine tastings, wine appreciation seminars, cooking demonstrations and live music. www.wineandfood.com.au

 

Perth Heritage Days (November)
Learn about Perth's fascinating past, history and colourful yarns behind the buildings and characters that created this city, from the indigenous traditional owners of the land, to the architecture, gardens, arts, medical history and religion. www.heritageperth.com.au

 

City of Perth Festival of Christmas (November – December)
Christmas in Perth is officially launched with the Turning of the Christmas Lights event (November) and is followed by a string of activities including the RAC Channel 7 Christmas Pageant with the City of Perth, the city’s Santa Train, IGA Carols by Candlelight and the Christmas Nativity. www.visitperthcity.com

 

The Ashes Cricket Series (December)
Held every 2 years, this historic series played between England and Australia since 1882 alternates venues between the two countries and is one of sport's most oldest and celebrated rivalries. Generally a series of five tests, the WACA grounds play host to the tour when it comes to Perth. www.waca.com.au

 

Symphony in the City (December)
A free night of symphonic music under the stars at Langley Park in the city. Performances include music from great film scores and audience favourites. Bring a picnic and experience this free spectacular event by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. www.waso.com.au