Festival Australia provides details of 300+ Australian festivals covering all genres, music, arts, flowers, historic, literary, fashion, sport, outback, community and more! Check the festival calendar above for month by month run down or use the search box for specific 2012 festival info where available*. Links to all official sites are provided for updates. Subscribe to Festival Happenings to receive monthly news of upcoming festivals throughout 2012.

Perth International Arts

john_hollawayA jam-packed program of world-class theatre, music, dance, literature and visual arts. The 2012 programme is a first for new Director Johnathan Holloway (left). Mr. H. will no doubt be hoping for a big impact to inspire confidence as he embarks on his four year contract, a challenge made keener by the fact that the event is celebrating its’ 60th anniversary. Where? Perth, WA When? 10 Feb - 3 March, 2012 More

WomAdelaide - WOMAD

angus_julia_stoneThe program features performances and workshops on seven stages by some of the world's best musicians, dancers and DJs, alongside street theatre and visual artists and KidZone for children. When? 9-12 March, 2012 Where? Botanic Gardens, Adelaide, SA Who? Blue King Brown, Eddi Reader (Scotland), First Aid Kit (Sweden), Groundation (Jamaica/USA, Johnny Clegg (SA), Lo'Jo (France) More

moombaMoomba Festival - VIC One of the biggest and longest-running festivals in Australia, Moomba has survived in spite of its killjoy critics Where? Melborurne When? March 9 -12, 2012 More
adelaide_fesitvalAdelaide Festival -SA 2012 marks the establishment of the Festival as an annual event. The 17 day program features 68 events, including 37 world premieres Where? Adelaide, SA When? March 2 - 18, 2012 More

National Multicultural Festival

The National Multicultural Festival features local, national and international music, dance and creative arts. The headline act for 2012 is Anthony Callea, one of Australia’s favourite and most recognised singers and performers.

Features include a Greek glendi (a celebration of Greek culture), an international concert, a Pacific Islander showcase, international food and dance events. A vibrant fringe component complements the mainstream festival activities. When? Feb 1- 12, 2012 Where? Canberra, ACT More

The Adventure Travel Film Festival

Adventurous gems gracing the screen include classics from the golden age of exploration adventure_film_festivalsuch as First Overland - the 1955 Oxford & Cambridgge Land Rover expedition from Britain to Singapore, hardcore watery exploits from Canada, Colin Angus with his thrilling Yenisey River (2007) - paddling the wilds of Mongolia and Siberia, and rare motorcycle movies including the 1970 counter-culture treat, Cycles South featuring what is surely cinema's only stoned nude dirt-biking scene! When? 2012, 24 February - 26 February Where? Bright Vic More

Target Kids Day Out Festival

kids_day_outTarget's Kids Day Out Festival brings together the biggest names in kids entertainment for one massive event.

Packed with non-stop entertainment in an 18,000sqm venue this festival is one that is sure to get children's pulse racing. Sounds like heaps of fun featuring 34 top kids performers, Family Picnic Areas, Indoor Rides Arena (Ride coupons purchased separately), XBox 360 Gaming Arena, Roving Entertainers, Character Meets When? Saturday 3 March 2012 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (Doors open 9:30 am) More

The National Festival of Australian Blues.There are some 50+ free events in 2012 as well as ticketed events for the more prominent performers such as Eugene'Hideaway' Bridges, Chase the Sun and Claude Hay. When? Feb - 12, 2012 Where? Goulburn NSW, More
Ironfest, is an arts Festival ironfestwith a Metal Edge, art exhibitions, stalls, live music, historical re-enactments, (including St George’s Day Jousting and a Napoleonic battle re-enactment entitled ‘The Battle of Lithgow’ featuring infantry, cannons and cavalry! When? April 21 -22, 2012 Where? Lithgow Showground More
national_folkThe National Folk Festival- for five days Exhibition Park in Canberra hundreds of the world’s best musicians perform daily across twenty two venues +workshops,sessions & theatre Where? Exhibition Park in Canberra, ACT When? April 5 - 9 More

St Kilda Festival -VIC - A free celebration featuring Australia’s musical talent. Where? St. Kilda, Melbourne, VIC When? 4 - 12 Feb 2012 More
Adelaide Fringe is renowned for fresh ideas, risk, imagination, spontaneity and fun. Where? Adelaide, SA When? 24 Feb -18 March, 2012, More

The Sydney Latin Festival  brings the world's best Latin dancers and teachers to Australia.,Where? Sydney Olympic Park, Sports Centre When? 2n -5 Feb, 2012 More
Corinbank -ACT - 3-day, all-ages celebration of art, music, culture and people. Where? Corinbank 40 min Canberra When? 2 -4 March, 2012 More
NightOwls_Poster_FinalLittle Darlings NIGHT OWLS Kids Film Fest Films include - The Sound of Music,The Wizard of Oz, Happy Feet, Tangled, Despicable Me. When? 10-23 Jan, 2012 Where? Darling Harbour, Sydney More
gumballThe Gumball is a boutique music experience. Held in secluded bushland,live music & art, onsite camping, BYO Where? Belford, Hunter Valley When? 27 -28 April, 2012 More
Tropfest is one of Australia's most iconic cultural events, and the largest short film festival in the world. Where? Capital Cities around Australia When? February 2012 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 at womadelaidefestivals 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

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

jadeWe 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

Because Life Should Be a Festival!

because_life_should_be_a_festival_blog

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 journos with 4 child cub journos contributing More

  1. The Road to Parkes Elvis Via Cowra and Canowindra Maddi Parker 18-Jan-2012
  2. Sydney Festival Opener- OK But Don't Save Up For It - A 10_Year Old Boys View Kevin Parker 09-Jan-2012
  3. Peats Ridge Festival Passes Family Test Maddi Parker 08-Jan-2012
  4. A Girls-Eye View of Peats Ridge Festival Kevin Parker 08-Jan-2012
  5. Boys Eye View of Peats Ridge Festival Kevin Parker 08-Jan-2012

Festival News

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National Multicultural Festival - February 10 -12, 201227-Jan-2012

The National Multicultural Festival is held in Canberra in February each year (10 -12 February,..

Sydney Fringe Festival Continues to Grow27-Jan-2012

While further energizing its existing ‘Fringe Central’ precincts - Inner West, Inner..

2012 Film Program Adelaide Festival Centre 17-Jan-2012

Adelaide Festival Centre brings some of the world’s best ballet companies and musicals to Adel..

FINAL LINE UP ANNOUNCEMENT FOR WOMADELAIDE 2012!17-Jan-2012

The final round of artists for the 20th anniversary WOMADelaide have been announced. Joining a ..

Magical Show For Kids Comes to Adelaide07-Jan-2012

Adelaide Festival Centre and Windmill Theatre present White A playful and magical sh..

Great Online Shopping Bargains from Fishpond Australia. Books. Music. DVDs. Electronics. More
Great Flight & Holiday Deals For Domestic and International Travel From The Flight Centre. More
Great Hotel Deals. Festival Australia's Online Booking Service. Hundreds of Hotel Choices. More