25 Top Festivals of Australia You Need To Explore

Australia is a multicultural country with most of the population in Australia being born overseas, making it a diversified country. Therefore, there are many types of festivals in Australia celebrated to cater to many communities.

If you have opted for a University in Australia, then you better get ready to paint the town red throughout the semesters! Australians are a party-loving bunch, and the country’s calendar is marked all over with vibrant and famous festivals of Australia. From New Year’s Eve by the beach to the Sydney Mardi Gras, here’s a list of some of Australia’s best celebrations for you to enjoy during your study abroad.

Famous Music Festivals of Australia

Australia is lined up with some of the best music festivals that cater to all types of people. Whether you love rock, country, punk rock, heavy metal, blues, or even cultural music, you’ve got to discover Australia’s music festivals. Here’s a list of festivals in Australia to get your head bumping, feet tapping or body jumping:

Ultra Australia

Time: Annual (3 Days Festival)
Location: Sydney, Melbourne, Worldwide

Ever dream of attending a global concert with a thriving crowd as they show in the movies? You’re in for a treat because Ultra Australia is literally an unforgettable music festival that takes place in Sydney around March-April. It is one of the best electro music festivals in Australia and a must-attend for students going to the continent for the first time.

Vivid Sydney Winter Festival

Time: Annual (23 Days + Nights Festival)
Location: Sydney

The clock is a little haywire at the OZ, and I bet you’ll be shell-shocked when you see snow during August. Add to that sleigh rides, music, and fireworks, and you have the Vivid Sydney Winter Festival. It’s the biggest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and there can be no better place to let your hair down, enjoy some lip-smacking barbeques, and chill with your friends.

Woodford Folk Festival

Time: Annual Festival
Location: Woodford, 72 km North of Brisbane

Keeping up with the spirit of the New Year celebrations, the Woodford Folk Festival takes place somewhere around December and January. One of the grandest folk festivals of the world, the Woodford Folk celebrates regional music in Australia, welcomes artists from all over the globe, and hosts a plethora of breath-taking performances ranging from dance, music, comedy, street theater, workshop and every other form of entertainment you can ask for.

Byron Bay Bluesfest

Time: Annual Festival (5 Days Festival)
Location: New South Wales

If you are into blues, jazz, and roots, this is one of the best festivals to attend in Australia. It is one of the premier and famous festivals in Australia, started in 1990, and one of the most loved festivals in the country. The festival has been hosting fans since the 90s and has always remained to be one of the safest, fun, and family-friendly events. There’s multiple stages with 200 performances of different genres playing music. There’s over600 camping areas, food stalls, garden beers and chill out spaces.

Splendour In The Grass

Time: Annual Festival (3 Day Festival)
Location: New South Wales

This is one of Australia’s biggest music festivals, popping on good tunes and fashion! The music festival has been running for 21 years and covers many kinds of music genres. Whether you are into pop, indie rock, hip hop, electronic, or alternative, you will enjoy them at each stage. If you like more than one genre, you can go stage hopping! The festival has hosted some of the best musicians, like Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, Kanye West, and many others in 21 years.

Canberra Country Blues & Roots Festival

Time: Annual Festival (3 Day Festival)
Location: Canberra

Australia is big for its country, blues, and roots musicians! If you haven’t come across any of the country music festivals in Australia, this is the place to enjoy this genre of music. It hosts local and international performers from across the world. Since it’s a three-day music festival, you can choose to stay on-site camping and attend anytime you like!

Rainbow Serpent Festival

Time: Annual Festival (4 Days Festival)
Location: Melbourne

The Rainbow Serpent Festival is more than just about music and food; it is about connection! People come to attend the festival and join the community of oneness, where they believe in one rainbow! There are many local artists, arts, workshops, exhibitions etc! This is a place for those seeking music, spirituality, and only good vibes.

Best Food Festival of Australia

Australia is more than just about places, adventures, or music! With its diversity, you have the chance to explore some of the best food from all over the world at Australia’s food festival. Here’s a list to indulge in these tasty delights:

Vegfest (AU)

Time: Annual Festival (1 Day Festival)
Location: Sydney, Melbourne

This is one of the biggest food festivals in Australia, selling cruelty-free food. The community supports the festival, and today, it is celebrated worldwide. The initiative of the festival is to create awareness of veganism, plant-based food choices, and sustainable living. If you are a vegan and want to explore the world of veganism, you can visit this vegan food festival in Australia.

Scenic Rim Eat Local Week

Time: Annual Festival (1 Week Festival)
Location: Queensland

If you want to discover, explore, and taste everything local, you should not miss out on the most authentic food and farming festival in Australia. You can take a tour of the farm, enjoy nature’s produce, and exclusive dining in Australia. The food is made by the best master chefs in Queensland- farm to plate! During the farm tour, you can enjoy wine tasting and distilleries!

Sample Food Festival Australia

Time: Annual Festival (1 Day Festival)
Location: New South Wales

As a foodie, you will enjoy this food festival in Australia. As the name suggests, it is all about sample tasting! You get to experience sample food from the best award-winning restaurants in New South Wales. The festival has round-offs between chefs, and you can watch them challenge each other, take food tips, and masterclasses!

Irish Food Festival

Time: Annual Festival (2 Days Festival)
Location: Sydney

If you’re Irish and missing home food or someone who wants to explore Irish food, explore this! The food is made from local produce and cooked as though it came straight from Ireland! There are many food stalls to savor at this food festival in Australia, with Irish dance entertainment and others!

UWA Annual Spring Feast

Time: Annual Festival
Location: Perth

This festival is celebrated in the spring to showcase cultural diversity through food. There will be 40 different food choices that you can savor at the festival. You get to enjoy the cultural theme along with performances and community bonding. It is a free festival to enjoy a pleasant time with food and entertainment.

Arts and Cultural Festival in Australia

The biggest arts and cultural festival in Australia is celebrated in many ways. It showcases arts and culture through events, festivals, food, and entertainment. There’s no better place to enjoy cultural diversity than Australia, and while you are in this country, here are some of the best arts and cultural festivals in Australia:

Sydney Mardi Gras

Time: Annual Festival (3 Weeks Festival)
Location: Sydney

Nowhere in the world do people celebrate lgbtq rights for three whole weeks! But in Australia, it is an entirely different story. The Sydney Mardi Gras has been happening for the last 40 years in March and ‘prides’ itself on being the largest lgbtq celebration ever. Attended by over 200,000 people, you will be lucky to find yourself in the middle of this iconic pride walk, signifying self-love and expression. The colors are vibrant, the smiles joyful – this should be a top on your to-list in Australia.

Parrtjima

Time: Annual Festival ( 2 Days Festival)
Location: Melbourne

It is an extraordinary festival in Australia, celebrated at night and commonly known as the Festival of Light. It is all about celebrating Aboriginal art and culture. Each year, a theme is chosen, and indigenous artists come together to represent and give the crowd a world of cultural experience. The Mac Donnell range acts as a canvas where lights, installations, music, workshops, performances, films, talks, and art show light backgrounds. With so many people coming together, there’s a sound vibration and energy to this festival.

Floriade, ACT

Time: Annual Festival
Location: Canberra

It is a flower arrangement and entertainment festival celebrated in Australia. It is commonly known as the Australia Celebration of Spring. The festival in Australia displays art and culture through flower bulb arrangements. They observe everything: flowers, gardens, and food attracting locals and tourists alike to watch a million blooms. There’s strong participation from all age groups, including school children. You can enjoy entertainment, artistic displays, cultural celebrations, and recreational activities

Truffle Melbourne Festival

Time: Annual Festival 2 Days Festival)
Location: Canberra

Australia is known for being the world’s third truffle producer. On the occasion of celebrating this, thus the festival. It is the showcase of the truffles grown in this country It is a free public festival for everyone to enjoy and experience truffles. Everything is truffle here; you will find truffle food, shops, and infused truffle cocktails. Then, there’s Parmesan wheel truffle pasta, truffle pie, and many others.

Melbourne Writers’ Festival, VIC

Time: Annual Festival ( 2 Days Festival)
Location: Melbourne

The annual literary festival is part of the World Alliance, founded in 1986. The festival intends to unite all readers to enjoy books, challenges, and ideas. Many programs include literature, art & design, big ideas, music and performances, children’s activities, and professional development.

Fireside Festival

Time: Annual Festival (1 monthFestival)
Location: Canberra

If you want to enjoy arts, music, and cultural experience, this one-month winter arts and music festival in Australia is the one you shouldn’t miss! There are over 50 wine stalls. The festival covers music of all genres, and whether you want an indoor or outdoor experience, it is your choice!

Famous Events of Australia

New Year’s Eve

Sure, every country celebrates New Year’s Eve with a lot of grandeur. But how many of them can boast of a New Year’s party by the beach with cold beers in hand? Australia is one of a kind when it comes to December, as the weather is hot. With the country bustling with fireworks and light shows, this is the perfect place to ring in the New Year with your gang in a way I bet you haven’t experienced before.

Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations

You haven’t explored anything unless you walk through the beautiful scenery in the Australian countryside. Add a glass of exotic wine to that exploration, and you are set for the day. This is precisely what the Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations is all about. It is one of South Australia’s best regional wine-tasting events to showcase Coonawarra’s signature red wine – Cabernet Sauvignon. Held every year during October, this is a great place to hang with your close buddies over groovy bands and fine wine. If you are feeling a little more adventurous, you can also try your hand at the ‘make your own wine’ workshops.

Melbourne Cup – Spring Racing Festival

In November, all the adrenalin junkies gather for the Melbourne Cup – Spring Racing Festival. First-timers who go there expecting to see high-end cars racing the tracks will be more than surprised to see well-groomed horses running a 3200m sprint among loud cheers from the audience. Held at the Flemington Racecourse, this festival also has a range of other events, including Derby and Oaks Day. Be sure to attend this unique race and see who wins the mega prize money, which was $6.2 Million in 2018!

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

A whole international festival for stand-up comedy only? That is Australia for you. One of the best platforms for budding and established stand-up comedians, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is held in the Town Hall every year in April. There is also an Open Mic competition, so if you are the funny one in your friend’s group, this is your star moment. The best way to enjoy the shows is to book random tickets from a big old blackboard outside.

Falls Music & Arts Festival

It is commonly known as Falls, which is celebrated over New Year’s or January. So many activities are held at the festival, from dance, music performances, theaters, circus, comedy, and other art forms. Many artists play hip-hop, rock, electronic, indie, blues, and roots. There’s a secret rave party too!

The Biennale of Sydney, NSW

It is one of the best art events in the world, running for three months. The event shares its history from 1973 and continues to be one of the leading international festivals of contemporary art. The Biennale of Sydney provides a global platform for 1700 artists from over 100 countries. Apart from art and exhibitions, there are performances, artist talks, guided tours, and others.

Dark Mofo, TAS

This is one of the darkest festivals in any part of the capital city of Australia. It is celebrated through art, music, food, light, and fire on the longest night. It is an excellent place for exploring dark energies. This event in Australia delves into daily rituals, exploring links between ancient mythology, religion, life, birth, death and rebirth.