11 epic Aussie festivals
Aussies love to celebrate, so much so our calendar is packed with any excuse for a good time. From art and film, to music and even flowers, there’s a festival for just about anyone.
To pay homage to some of the most epic events in the country, we’ve put together a list of the ones that shouldn’t be missed. So throw on some sparkles, lace up the dancing shoes, and get out there to party in Oz.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Party, protest, celebration of self-expression – the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has been one of the biggest events on the calendar since 1978. Each year, thousands line the city streets to watch the parade wind its way from Oxford Street all the way to Moore Park. It’s a cavalcade of colour, exuberance and, most of all, pride.
In 2023, Sydney Mardi Gras and Sydney World Pride unite to present LGBTQIA+ pride festival – the first time the event will be held in the Southern Hemisphere.
The theme for the festival is GATHER, DREAM, AMPLIFY and was developed in partnership with First Nations and LGBTQIA+ communities.
When: 17 February-5 March 2023
Where: Sydney, NSW
OzAsia
Dancing grandmothers, Shoalin Monk Kung Fu and interactive theatre via an app – that’s just a taste of what you can expect at Australia’s pre-eminent arts festival dedicated to Asia. From China and Cambodia to India and Indonesia, artists from across the world’s biggest continent converge on Adelaide each spring to showcase contemporary dance, music, film, theatre, visual arts and food.
The Lucky Dumpling Market is always a festival favourite. Indulge in delicious Asian cuisine from food vendors and bustling bars while live performers keep you entertained.
Spanning 40m, the majestic Hong Kong Dragon is undoubtedly the star of the festival’s Moon Lantern Trail – a stunning spectacle of beautifully illuminated lanterns winding its way through Pinky Flat and along the River Torrens. OzAsia is an important voice in the conversation about Asian culture in Australia.
When: 20 October-6 November 2022
Where: Adelaide, SA
Parrtjima – A Festival in Light
The Red Centre is known as the spiritual heartland of this vast continent; it’s also where a mesmerising natural light show occurs. The incandescent sky radiates pink, yellow and violet hues against a starry canopy at night.
Parrtjima – A Festival in Light complements this spectacular natural phenomenon. The 10-night festival showcases the world’s oldest continuous living culture using the newest technology on a 300-million-yearold desert canvas.
Local artists from across the region take festivalgoers on emotional journeys through First Nations cultures. Inspired by a signature theme, each light installation has a profound story to tell. This year, Carmen Glynn-Braun’s ‘Night Sky,’ a dome structure of painted orb lights fitted with soundscapes, connects audiences with cultural beliefs of sky country.
Parrtjima also features artworks, live music, film screenings, interactive workshops and thought-provoking talks exploring Aboriginal art, culture, sport, entertainment, the environment and more.
When: 7-16 April 2023
Where: Alice Springs, NT
