alian festivals covering all genres, music, arts, flowers, historic, literary, fashion, sport, outback, community + more! Check the festival calendar above or use the search box for specific 2012 festival info where available*.Please check all details for yourself. Subscribe to Festival Happenings to receive monthly news of upcoming festivals throughout 2012.
New South Wales
Sydney will once again be transformed into a spectacular canvas of light, music and ideas when Vivid Sydney takes over the city after dark from 25 May – 11 June 2012. More
Henry Lawson Festival of the Arts, NSW
Northern Territory
Experience Darwin's fantastic outdoor lifestyle and warm, tropical days and nights at a unique festival celebrating Darwin and its multicultural flavour and Asian connections. Where? Darwin, Northern Territories. When? 2012, 9 - 26 August More |
Victoria
Beginning in 1994 in Stefano de Pieri's cellar restaurant, the Mildura Writers' Festival has evolved to be acclaimed to be among the finest literary festivals in the country, not only because of its literary pleasures, but also because of the talent it attracts and its atmosphere of conviviality - building upon the provincial Victorian winter, with late night discussions around wood fires, showcasing the local and regional gourmet food and wine.When? 19 -22 July, 2012 Where? Mildura, Victoria More
National Celtic Festival, Port Arlington, Vic
South Australia
Penola Coonawarra Arts - The festival now spans 12 days and four nights. The programme is filled with exhibitions, performances, workshops and events. Where? Penola, South Australia. When? May 17- 27, 2012 More
Western Australia
Shinju Matsuri- 10 days of exciting multicultural events and activities showcasing the history, cultural diversity and talent of this beautiful port of pearls known as Broome. A world class Festival now in its 40th year in one of Australia's most unique and spectacular towns. When? Aug 31 to September 9, 2012 Where? Broome, Western Australia More
Featured Videos from The Festival OZ Crew
Cairns Adventure Film Festival (CAFF)- May 23rd & 25TH mAY 2012
The Cairns Adventure Film Festival, now in its third year, is Australia’s ONLY adventure film festival that celebrates specifically Australasian and SE Asian-themed adventure films. Be it films made in Australasia or SE Asia, about these regions or by people from these regions – it’s all about celebrating the depth of talent and love of adventure that resides under the southern sun.
23rd May, 7.pm Centre for Contemporary Art, Abbot St. Cairns, QLD Buy Tickets | 25th May, 7.pm See the best Australasian short adrenaline films of the year plus live music and live BMX & Skate demos. Where? From 7pm Jack Hotel cnr Sheridan & Spence St. Cairns $25 pre $30 on door. | Download and Print the Caff 2012 Official Program and Film Guide
Featured State Queensland
Festival Cairns is one of Australia's leading regional cultural festivals. A showcase for the region both nationally and internationally, featuring a strong program of creative, cultural and sporting events across a three-week period. Where? Cairns, North Queensland When? 17 August to 2 September 2012 More
Lions Festival, Dimbulah -
Kicks off with a ball on Friday night. A highlight is the Food Fest, featuring dishes of different ethnic groups including Italian, Spanish, Croatian, Philippino, Swiss and Dutch. Also a procession down Main Street, crowning of the Festival Queen, drinks, bar, dancing, trade displays, stalls, rides, band and entertainment, ending with fireworks. Where? Dimbulah, North Queensland (100km in land from Cairns) When? 26th May, 2012 Contact Dimbulah Lions Club: 4093 5105
Cooktown Discovery Festival “Two Cultures One People”
Over the 50 years that Cooktown has held this event, 
it has become a state-wide and national event of significance. The three day Festival includes a multitude of events – the Re-enactment, The Grand Parade, The Welcome to Cooktown Extravaganza, musical entertainment, movies in the park, markets, rides and sideshow alley, kids activities, exhibitions, fireworks as well as dinners , entertainment and events provided by local businesses and organisations. Where? Cooktown, QLDS When? 8-11 June, 2012 More
A magical festival held during the last two weeks of May within the seaside resort village and its surrounds. There’s music, arts, sports, food, culture and all styles of entertainment and some 20,000 people turn-up.. When? May 18 -27, 2012 Where? Port Douglas, QLD More
The free event platforms local and international talent within the streets and venues of Surfers Paradise, across an accessible mix of family events, exhibitions, live music, street markets and short film screenings. When? Wednesday 20 June – Saturday 14 July 2012 Where? Throughout Surfers Paradise, QLDS More
June Festivals Around the Nation
Adelaide Cabaret Festival, South Australia
Arab Film Festival Australia -- Capital cities
Cooktown Discovery Festival, QLD
Darling Harbour Jazz and Blues Festival Sydney, NSW
Henry Lawson Festival of the Arts, Grenfell, NSW
Melbourne International Jazz Festival,
Merimbula Jazz Festival, Merimbula, NSW
Merrepen Arts Festival, Daly River, NT -
National Celtic Festival, Port Arlington, Vic
Noosa Long Weekend Festival , QLD
South Australian Country Music Festival, SA
Surfers Paradise Festival, QLDS
Vivid Sydney, NSW
Voices on the Coast: A youth literature festival, Sunshine Coast, Qlds
Wintersun Nostalgia Festival, NSW
Winter Magic Festival, Katoomba, Blue Mountains
Woodend Winter Arts Festival, Woodend, VIC
Festival Australia On the Road video
Latest Festival Videos - Charters Towers Country Music - Dirt & Dust Triathlon - Bog Snorkelling Championship - World Lagerphone Record NFF- Tumbafest - Bungendore Country Music Muster - Parkes Elvis - Taralga Rodeo - Peats Ridge - National Multicultural Festival - Goulburn Australian Blues Tumbafest 2012 - Tumbafest Annual Duck Cup - Parkes Elvis 2012 - Bungendore Country Music - Latest Artist Video Interviews -Folk Singer Martin Pearson - Adam Thompson Chocolate Starfish - Owen Blundell - Benny Walker - Kalesti Butler - Terry Gordon - Dianne Lindsay - Lindsay 'Waddo' Waddington - Keith Jamieson - DoDaDums Latest Photo Essays Dirt N' Dust Races - Julia Creek Dirt Dust Triathlon - All Australian Jamboree Finalists - Bungendore Country Music- Parkes Elvis Festival Behind the Scenes - Peats Ridge Volunteer Coodinators - Peats Ridge Children's Festival Organiser- Parkes Elvis Organisers Live Music Charters Towers Country Music- All Australian Jamboree Video Highlights- National Folk Festival Choir - Nine Guitars Play Winter Winds - Alisha Smith Unplugged - Graham Rodgers "The Cooper Coming Down" Destinations - Leahton Park Texas Longhorns
Flower Festivals Blooming Around Australia
A round-up of some of Australia's flower festivals that take place in the spring with the majority happening in September through November. The Canberra Floriade and Bowral's Tulip Time Festival are amongst the most popular. A Round-up of Australia's Flower Festivals
festival Traveller - Featured State Queensland
Whether it's losing yourself in pristine world heritage rainforest, escaping to a remote Great Barrier Reef island, taking the family on a farm holiday, enjoying the slow pace of the vast outback, the Sunshine State shines bright.
Its diversity makes it a traveller's paradise - and there are little known gems waiting to be discovered - boutique wineries, indigenous culture, gourmet food regions and secluded country escapes.
And forget the crowds, the queuing and the bustle - you won't find them in Queensland. Here are just a few quirky Queensland ideas to get you thinking about where you might want to visit next. More
Queensland - Beautiful One Day Perfect the Next!
- A Taste of Queensland
- Brisbane -Vibrant Capital City
- A trip to Bundaberg is a wonderful way to experience several of Australia's greatest natural gifts
- Cave Adventures on the Capricorn Coast
- Family Fun on a Shoestring on Queensland's Central Coast
- Hervey Bay and Fraser Island
- Gold Coast Equals Family Holiday Fun
- A Guide to the Gold Coast's Theme Parks
- Life's Beach in Gorgeous Mackay
- Queensland's Outback shines after the rain
- Explore the Natural Encounters off Queensland's East Coast
- Townsville to Cairns - The Great Green Way
- Tropical North Queensland- Feeling Adventurous?
- A Wander Around the Western Downs
- Love in The Whitsundays
Because Life Should Be a Festival!
The personal journey of the Parker family through festival world. 
Impressions, depressions, elations, adventures, highs, lows and everywhere we possibly go (thanks BM).
Through 2012 we are planning to visit hundreds of festival events throughout the country . Just two video journos with 4 child cub journos contributing More
- Undara Experience in Far North Queensland with my family, by Lily age 8 2 hours 12 mins ago
- The Road To Dirt N' Dust Festival At Julia Creek 20-Apr-2012
- Enjoyable and Exciting NFF for Ten Year Old Finn 14-Apr-2012
- Enjoyable Workshops for a Ten Year Old Girl A the National Folkie 14-Apr-2012
- National Folk Festival Provides Fine Family Value for Easter Holiday 12-Apr-2012
- More to See and Do in Canberra! Outside of the Folk Festival: Kids IView 04-Apr-2012
- Boys Eye View Of National Folk Festival Programme 26-Mar-2012
- Negotiating A Way Around The NFF Programme With a Family of Six! 26-Mar-2012
Festival News
All the Best Butts Heading for Julia Creek!14-Apr-2012
One cheeky Australian was has been given a second chance to take out the Australia’s Best Butt..
Bog Snorkeling Entrenched at Julia Creek Dirt N Dust14-Apr-2012
The greatly anticipated bog snorkeling will make a welcome return to the Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Fes..
Family Value National Folk Festival Off to Fine Start - Get Along To Join The Fun05-Apr-2012
The National Folk Festival In Canberra got off to a gentle but quality start on Thursday night as ea..
Kate Ceberano Presents Fine Line-Up for Adelaide Cabaret Festival02-Apr-2012
Kate Ceberano has secured an impressive line-up of acclaimed international, national and local a..
SHORT and SWEET SYDNEY 2012 GALA FINALS27-Mar-2012
The Best of the Best Perform This Friday and Saturday Night! - Fri 30 March (judges' night) and Sat ..
Turkish Festival
The event will present the best of Culture and Art of Anatolia with all identities of Anatolia such as Turkish, Kurdish, Greek, Armenian, Turkmen, Alevi and Tatar invited to the event and are given opportunities to present and perform. When? Sunday, May 27th, 2012 Where? Darling Harbour, Sydney More
Mildura Country
When Australian country music fans talk of the festival "biggies", a country city in Victoria now rates a mention alongside the Tamworth Festival and the Gympie Muster as one of the big three. Mildura is Australia's biggest showcase of Independent entertainers. Where? Mildura, VIC When? September 28 - October 7, 2012 More
Dungog Film
The Dungong Film festival is unique to this country - a festival that celebrates Australian films exclusively in a non-competitive environment. Dungog has become a key event on the screen industry's calendar . When? 29 June-July 1, 2012 Where? Dungog, NSW More
Wheelbarrow Race!
In May of each year, the QLD Tablelands plays host to The Great Wheelbarrow Race! The 140km race attracts more than 450 competitors annually. Some teams go to remarkable lengths to raise money for their nominated charity during the lead-up to the race. Last year, competitors raised a total of $124,000! More
Australia's Major Art Festivals -
Australia's first multi-arts festivals were established in Perth in Western Australia in 1953 and in Adelaide in South Australia in 1960. Festivals in other cities and regional centres proliferated in the 1960s. Major multi-arts festivals are now held in Sydney (January), Canberra (February), Perth (February), Adelaide (March), Tasmania (March), Brisbane (September), Darwin (August) and Melbourne (October). Full Details
Australia's Music Festivals - A Quick Guide
Pick your musical bliss in Australia, where dance, blues, jazz, indie, rock, folk and classical music are all on offer in the jam-packed festival calendar. See international acts headline at huge national festivals, such as Big Day Out, Good Vibrations and Parklife. Combine great music with camping in lush, rural settings atfestivals such as Queensland's Woodford Folk Festival, the Falls Festival in Tasmania and Victoria or Splendour in the Grass in Byron Bay. Learn about ancient Aboriginal music at the Northern Territory's Garma Festival or take a world tour of musical styles at WOMADelaide. If you love music, Australia has a festival experience for you. Full details of Austrlaia's Major Music Festivals. Full Details
Country Music Alive and Kickin' Throughout Australia!
The Country Music scene is alive and well and kickin' throughout Australia. Authentic Auusie feel with talented musicians from coast to coast aplaying to appreciative audiences who, like Festival Australia, loveee Country. Notable events include Tamworth, Mildura, Bungendore, Gympie Muster, Deni Ute Muster. Just added Country Music Calendar 2012
Flower Festivals Blooming Around Australia
Australia's flower festivals mostly take place in the southern spring with the majority happening in September through November. An exception is Caloundra Ginger Flower Festival in sub-tropical Queensland which takes place in January.
So important a role do floral festivals play in the annual calendar that Australia Post, celebrated their contribution with the release of a special stamp issue on 8 March 2011. The five stamps in the issue feature colourful photographic depictions of popular flower species - the gerbera, jacaranda, Australian everlasting, violet and tulip. Full Details About Australia's Flower Festivals
Australian Folk Festival Calendar. Details of Over 60 Folk Gatherings
We have a brilliant folk music scene here in Australia with events generally marked by a relaxed family friendly atmosphere, fine musicians and yarn spinners a plenty. Each festival has it's own character, some prefering traditional folk whilst others favour contemporary folk with a big twist of world music. You will find well over 60 events details in our annual calendar.
Whilst tens of thousands flock to the major folk festivals, many also prefer the many smaller intimate gatherings that take place around the country. Full Details
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