In a country as diverse as Australia, there’s something fun for everybody. Events happen throughout the year, so visitors don’t have to worry too much about what to do in Australia. With summer kicking off in December, it’s the perfect time to head to the land down under and check out some of the best festivals happening around the country. Escape the wintry chill of the Northern Hemisphere and enjoy the sun as you take part in these summer festivals.
Falls Festival
Falls Music & Arts Festival has been part of Australia’s music festival scene for over 25 years. It began as a one-day concert in Lorne, Victoria located outside of Melbourne. Over the course of its history, the festival has grown to take place for about a week with acts performing in four different locations all over Australia. Attendees are allowed to camp for the duration of the festival and there are a variety of other performances to watch: from music to theater, dance, cabaret, and more.
Falls Festival
December to January
Lorne (Victoria), Marion Bay (Tasmania), Byron Bay (NSW), & Fremantle (Western Australia)
Official Website
The Taste of Tasmania
Head over to Tasmania’s capital city of Hobart and have a taste of local produce and foods from dozens of vendors at The Taste of Tasmania. Grab a meal as you walk around the harbor venue or enjoy a drink as you listen to the live acts performing on stage. Pick up locally produced cheeses, wines, and more to take home and delight in the gourmet experience Tasmania has to offer. Be sure to grab tickets for the New Year’s Eve party which features music performances and fireworks displays.
The Taste of Tasmania
December to January
Hobart, Tasmania
Official Website
Meredith Music Festival
Meredith Music Festival began in 1991 and has grown into a three-day music festival that attracts all sorts of crowds who set up camp on the festival grounds to enjoy a variety of musical acts. While the music covers all sorts of genres, festival-goers can also experience the creativity of costumes worn by other visitors and take part in an all-nude race called the Meredith Gift. There’s also a brass band that performs every year on the festival’s Saturday morning.
Meredith Music Festival
Mid-December
Meredith, Victoria
Official Website
Midsumma Festival
Midsumma is an annual LGBTQIA+ festival in Melbourne, Victoria that occurs for over 20 days in the summer. This celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture has become one of the largest Pride events in the world and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Artists from all around come together for the event and put on exhibitions and performances throughout the festival. Crowd favorites include the Midsumma Carnival Dog Show, and people are encouraged to come with their pets to enjoy the festivities.
Midsumma Festival
January to February
Melbourne, Victoria
Official Website
Tropfest
Skip out of Sydney for a day and head to Parramatta Park to catch screenings at Tropfest. Known for being the world’s largest short-film festival, Tropfest attracts many amateur and professional filmmakers and film-lovers to celebrate the art of filmmaking. All entries must include the year’s “item” to ensure that each film was made for the festival. The film competition has attracted a number of high-profile celebrities but the festival continues to maintain an open and casual setting to encourage aspiring filmmakers. For youngsters hoping to make their own movies one day, Tropfest has a junior competition open to registrants age 16 and under.
Tropfest
Early February
Parramatta, NSW
Official Website
FOMO
A rising star in Australia’s festival circuit, FOMO attracts hip-hop lovers with its lineup of incredible local and foreign acts performing on one stage. Despite having began just a few years ago, FOMO boasts a number of top-rated acts on the lineup every year. Its “no clash” philosophy ensures that fans can catch their favorite artists without missing out on others. The festival travels all over the country so there’s no need to travel too far to catch this musical party experience.
FOMO
Early to mid-January
Various cities
Official Website
St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival
Music-lovers have to add Laneway to their things to do in Melbourne. Beginning in 2005, Laneway Festival draws its name from its small start in a Melbourne laneway. Just after its first year, however, it began to expand to other cities and other countries. The festival’s lineup draws top indie and rock talents from around the globe and has become a major Australian tour stop for many foreign bands.
Laneway Festival
Early February
Various cities
Official Website
Make the most of your Australian summer getaway and drop by one or two of the country’s best festivals. Fill the rest of your vacation time with one of KKday’s Australian experiences for hassle-free booking.
*Featured image by Dan Boud via St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival on Facebook