culture
Perth Events & Festivals 2026, What's On
Complete Perth events calendar 2026: Perth Festival, Fringe World, Sculpture by the Sea & more. Dates, details and what's on this year in Western Australia.
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Perth's Major Annual Events and Festivals
Perth's events calendar has grown significantly in recent decades, reflecting the city's increasing population and cultural confidence. Isolated from the east coast by the Nullarbor, Perth has developed a distinct cultural identity and a vibrant local events scene built around the arts, sport, outdoor lifestyle and the state's resources boom wealth.
February to March, Perth Festival
The Perth Festival (formerly the Perth International Arts Festival) is Australia's oldest international arts festival, founded in 1953. Held across several weeks in February and March, the festival presents theatre, opera, music, visual arts and free public events across the city. The Chevron Gardens outdoor cinema and free weekend program on the Swan River foreshore are highlights.
January to February, Fringe World Festival
Fringe World Festival is Perth's beloved late-summer celebration of independent performance, arts and entertainment. Running from late January through February, Fringe is now one of the largest fringe festivals in the world by ticket sales, with hundreds of shows across hubs at Northbridge, the Cultural Centre and venues across the city.
October to November, Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe
Sculpture by the Sea transforms Cottesloe Beach and the coastal path into an outdoor sculpture gallery each March, when over 70 sculptures by Australian and international artists are installed along the beach. One of WA's most popular free public art events.
June, West Australian Ballet and WASO Season
The West Australian Ballet and West Australian Symphony Orchestra present their main seasons from late autumn through winter at His Majesty's Theatre and Perth Concert Hall, two of Perth's most beautiful heritage venues.
AFL Season (March to September)
Perth is a passionate AFL city, home to the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers. Optus Stadium at Burswood hosts AFL matches from March through September and is widely regarded as one of the world's finest stadiums.