W hen I think of festival memories, my mind becomes a happy whirl. In a “la, la, la”, I’m straight back to V Festival 2001 in the UK as Kylie Minogue performs “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” for the first time. Then in a flash I’m on the Ferris wheel between band-hopping at Coachella in California, and watching street artists at work at POW! WOW! mural festival in Hawaii.

In Australia, I’ve met authors I love at the Sydney Writers’ Festival, and reconnected with old friends at the Australian Celtic Festival in my NSW home town, Glen Innes.

For interests from rock music to tea cosies, there’s a festival for everyone. Here are some of the best Aussie festivals worth travelling for in 2024: 

NSW

Vivid Sydney, May 24-June 15

What: Light up the night.

Who goes: Everyone under the moon.

Highlight: The Global Rainbow beaming out of the Sydney Tower Eye will be a social media starlet this year, while Air and Underworld will be hot tickets at Vivid Live.

Stay: Watch the lights change from your bed at the Park Hyatt, Sydney. 

Local tip: Vivid Fire Kitchen returns in a new home on the Vivid Sydney Light Walk with leading pitmasters including Lennox Hastie of Surry Hills’ Firedoor.

vividsydney.com

Broken Heel Festival, September 5-9

What: Celebrate Priscilla Queen of the Desert’s 30th birthday in Broken Hill.

Who goes: Priscilla fans, drag queens, and a fun-loving crowd.

Highlight: At the Saturday Night Shindig you can shimmy in your Priscilla-inspired costumes while enjoying drag, comedy, cabaret shows and more.

Stay: The Palace Hotel from the movie now has a glam Priscilla Suite. 

Local tip: Get the party started with drag shows on the Silver City Stiletto Train from Sydney to Broken Hill.

bhfestival.com

Festival of the Fleeces, June 7-9

What: Meet the sheep in the Upper Hunter town of Merriwa.

Who goes: Farmers, families and grey nomads.

Highlight: See more than 200 sheep parade down the street in little red socks at the Running of the Sheep.

Stay: The Merriwa Golden Fleece Motor Inn and Lodge.

Local tip: Get a photo with the red-socked sheep silo art by David Lee Pereira.

festivalofthefleeces.com.au

QUEENSLAND

Melt Open, October 23-November 10

What: This brand-new Brisbane festival celebrates queer arts and culture.

Who goes: LGBTQIA+ communities, allies and friends.

Highlight: Led by Courtney Act, the River Pride Parade will be a family-friendly Mardi Raft of colourful boats, waterskiers and jetskis to watch from the riverbank.

Stay: The festival partner hotel, Ovolo The Valley, will host special events and have in-room goodies for guests. 

Local tip: Get strapped into your seat at Brisbane’s first vertical restaurant, Vertigo, high above the Brisbane Powerhouse.

meltopen.org

Cobb & Co Centenary Festival, August 16-25

What: Ride back in time to mark the 100th anniversary of the last Cobb & Co mail coach.

Who goes: History and horse lovers.

Highlight: The historic re-enactment of the final mail run will see carriages and riders join the Cobb & Co coach as it travels into Yuleba on the Finale Family Fun Day.

Stay: Book ahead to secure a camping spot in Yuleba and Surat.

Local tip: Check out the aquarium and art gallery in the Cobb & Co Changing Station in Surat.

cobbandcofestival.com.au

Taste Port Douglas, August 8-11

What: Take your tastebuds to the tropics.

Who goes: Food and Far North Queensland fans.

Highlight: A Night of Fire at Flames of the Forest will showcase open-fire cooking in a rainforest setting with a team of chefs led by Nick Holloway and the Nu Nu team.

Stay: The Sheraton Grand Mirage Port Douglas plays host to the festival village.

Local tip: Join an Indigenous guide on a Dreamtime Walk at Mossman Gorge to learn about the legends and stories of the rainforest.

tasteportdouglas.com.au

VICTORIA

Melbourne Fringe Festival, October 1-20

What: Get ready for comedy, cabaret, theatre and parties.

Who goes: Everyone who likes a good night out.

Highlight: This year’s line-up is yet to be revealed but expect more than 450 events including free and fun family outings.

Stay: W Melbourne on Flinders Lane. 

Local tip: Bring your layers so you can sip some rooftop bar drinks between gigs.

melbournefringe.com.au

East Gippsland Winter Festival, June 21-July 21

What: Wellness experiences and winter feasts.

Who goes: Friends, families, food lovers.

Highlight: Gather round the bonfire at the Bruthen Medieval Fire Festival in your best costumes and play medieval games over some local brews.

Stay: Waverley House Cottages. 

Local tip: At Lakes Entrance, you can buy freshly cooked prawns straight off some trawlers for a picnic.

egwinterfest.com.au

Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival, May 18-26

What: Where you can knit and natter over Negronis.

Who goes: Crafty types and kitsch aficionados.

Highlight: The Tea Cosy Exhibition plus a make-your-own crafting rope workshop with artist Sarah Parkes.

Stay: The Church House has luxury suites and sweeping views. 

Local tip: For Gippsland-made gifts and great coffee, head to the Little Oberon café.

teacosyfestival.com.au

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Illuminate Adelaide, July 4-21

What: Adelaide’s answer to Sydney’s Vivid is a strong one

Who goes: Art lovers, families, moths to the flame.

Highlight: French fire alchemists Compagnie Carabosse turn the Adelaide Botanic Gardens into Fire Gardens with flaming kinetic sculptures, candlelit archways and thousands of giant fire pots.

Stay: The Playford’s sculptural chandelier continues the light love theme.

Local tip: Enjoy some small-bar hopping down Leigh and Peel streets before bed.

illuminateadelaide.com

OzAsia Festival, October 24-November 10

What: Theatre, dance, film, food and more from across Asia.

Who goes: Culture lovers, lantern fans.

Highlight: The Moon Lantern Trail is a free family-friendly installation where you can see colourful lanterns light up at night, and join workshops on weekend days.

Stay: Crowne Plaza Adelaide. 

Local tip: Join a guided breakfast tour at the Adelaide Central Market to learn about stallholders while sampling their wares.

ozasia.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

EverNow, October – Date TBC

What: Perth’s new festival celebrates Kambarang, the Noongar season of birth and renewal

Who goes: Young and old, families and friends.

Highlight: The 2024 program is yet to be revealed, but will celebrate WA’s rich Aboriginal culture and biodiversity.

Stay: The Melbourne Hotel is a mix of heritage and contemporary rooms. 

Local tip: Kambarang is wildflower season. Join a guided walking tour or do a wildflower road trip to see them in bloom. westernaustralia.com

evernow.com.au

Truffle Kerfuffle, June 28-30

What: Truffle pig out in Manjimup.

Who goes: Foodies and truffle lovers.

Highlight: Long table lunches and dinners with lots of freshly unearthed truffles.

Stay: Camp, caravan or stay in a chalet at Fonty’s Pool. 

Local tip: The Manjimup Adventure Playground is one of the best free parks you’ll ever find, with a 17m slide and 40m flying fox.

trufflekerfuffle.com.au

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Darwin Street Art Festival, May 18-June 8

What: Watch walls come to life.

Who goes: Street artists and all those who love their work.

Highlight: Watching artists including Fintan Magee, Heesco, and Lucy Lucy at work before dancing at the outdoor gallery Block Party.

Stay: Adina Darwin Waterfront. 

Local tip: Download the Darwin Street Art Festival app to see some of the murals come to life.

darwinstreetartfestival.com.au

Bass in the Grass, May 18

What: The largest music festival in the NT is ready to rock.

Who goes: Locals and the will-fly-for-music-festivals crowd.

Highlight: Grammy award-winning rapper Macklemore headlines this year while Bag Raiders and Jet are among the 22 Australian and international artists.

Stay: Cool off in a tropical pool villa at the Darwin Airport Resort.

Local tip: Visit Charlie’s of Darwin to sip delicious cocktails with Darwin Distilling Co gins made on site.

bassinthegrass.com.au

TASMANIA

Beaker Street Festival, August 6-13

What: Take your inner nerd to Tassie for this festival of art and science

Who goes: Science lovers, stargazers and curious minds.

Highlight: A two-night east-coast retreat will combine scientist-led tours with breathwork, cold plunges, candlelit dinners and guided stargazing.

Stay: Hadley’s Orient Hotel is in the thick of the Beaker Street action.

Local tip: Follow the Battery Point Sculpture Trail to learn about Hobart history through art.

beakerstreet.com.au

Festival of Voices, June 28-July 7

What: From choral to contemporary, you can sing, sing and sing some more

Who goes: People who love to sing and love to listen.

Highlight: Seeing Macy Gray in concert and singing your heart out at The Big Sing round-the-fire singalong.

Stay: MACq 01 Hotel. 

Local tip: Whisky fans can whet their whistle with a local tipple at the Lark Cellar Door in Hobart.

festivalofvoices.com

ACT

Nara Candle Festival, October 26

What: Peace, love and candles.

Who goes: Families and Japanese culture appreciators.

Highlight: Watch traditional Japanese music and dance celebrating Canberra’s sister city, Nara, while eating Japanese food before the lighting of thousands of candles in the Nara Peace Park.

Stay: The QT Canberra. 

Local tip: Take a picnic boat around Lake Burley Griffin to see the city over a lunch afloat.

visitcanberra.com.au

See also: 

16 places you won't believe are in Australia

12 things Aussies do that are utterly unique

Weird thing you never noticed about Aussie country towns