08 March 2024
19 mins Read
There are some spectacular events popping up across the country this March. It seems it’s the month of festivals, with multiple happening across each state, celebrating everything from food and wine to film and music.
A number of highly anticipated events are on during March too; think fabALICE, Mardi Gras and WOMADelaide. Check out our comprehensive guide covering what’s on in your state to help build your March itinerary.
NSW | VIC | QLD | TAS | WA | SA | NT | ACT
Witness one of Shakespeare’s most loved plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this month at the Sydney Opera House. The production marks the first time Bell Shakespeare has staged the play in NSW’s capital since 2004.
under the watchful eye of Bell Shakespeare’s Artistic Director Peter Evans, the fast-paced production takes Shakespeare’s comedy and gives it new life. Guests can expect big names on stage as well, such as British-Australian actor Richard Pyros and Māori actor Matu Ngaropo.
Celebrate the Easter long weekend in one of the Riverina region‘s most charming towns with the Griffith Easter Party. The program is jam-packed with fun things to do for the whole family, including Berton’s Easter Picnic, The Bacchus fun run and the Blood, Sweat and Beers craft beer festival.
There will also be plenty to devour, with the region’s local produce on proud display for your tasting pleasure. Think freshly baked goods, locally sourced meat, wine from nearby vineyards, fruit, seafood and more.
Guests can look forward to enjoying a wide range of dining experiences.
The picturesque town of Merimbula, halfway between Melbourne and Sydney on the Sapphire Coast, is home to Eat Festival. Surrounded by ocean, bushland and lakes, the festival showcases the best of the region with fresh, local produce.
Running from 10am to 2pm each day, attendees can taste their way around the Sapphire Coast through local flavours, talented chef creations and unique dining options. There’s a real focus on paddock-to-plate and tide-to-table experiences, so prepare to be wowed.
Merimbula is well-known for its delicious oysters. (Image: David Rogers Photography)
Catch the critically acclaimed and wildly popular production of West Side Story at the Handa Opera on the Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquarie’s Point. The iconic show, which has delighted audiences around the world, is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Arrive early for harbourside drinks at sunset and a bite to eat from one of five onsite pop-up bars and restaurants. Then take your seat for a spectacularly immersive show, complete with live orchestra and fireworks. The musical masterpiece will be showing for one month only, so don’t miss out!
Don’t miss Handa Opera’s production of West Side Story. (Image: Keith Saunders)
On the border of NSW and South Australia is the small but mighty outback town of Broken Hill, host of the Perfect Light Film Festival. The short-film festival is one of the best outback events in Australia, showcasing incredible films by local talents.
A range of food trucks, interactive workshops, live entertainment and market stalls will keep you satisfied between screenings. What’s more, entry is free!
Cosy up for a night out watching local films.
The 24th Biennale of Sydney will begin in March and run through until 10 June 2024. This year’s edition of the contemporary arts festival is titled Ten Thousand Suns and will encompass the transformative power of art across six Sydney locations.
This year’s festivities will be held at the recently restored White Bay Power Station in the harbourside suburb of Rozelle. The 2024 edition is set to feature 96 artists and collectives from 50 countries and territories around the world.
Cristina Flores Pescorán, Catarsis [Catharsis], Textile work made with red threads of different sizes crocheted, Photo: Courtesy of the artist.
The much-loved Great Southern Nights is returning to NSW in 2024 with another star-studded line-up. A variety of talent will be taking to the stage, including Cub Sport, Hermitude, Jimmy Barnes, King Stingray and Ruby Fields.
This year, events will be held in seven regions across NSW including Sydney’s inner city, Western Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, Tamworth and the Northern Rivers. Tickets for gigs are on sale now.
Great Southern Nights will host more than 300 live gigs in March.
The heartland of Victoria’s Goldfields region will blossom once again as the Begonia Festival returns to Ballarat over the Labour Day long weekend. The three-day event embraces the city’s thriving, creative community and showcases its signature collection of rare begonias.
This year’s program includes colourful installations, fine food purveyors, markets, live music and activities for kids. Festival-goers can look forward to the debut of a never-before-seen begonia flower, which will be named after the Ballarat Botanical Gardens’ inaugural curator, George Longley.
Wander through a variety of beautiful begonias.
Eat your way through the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, running over 10 days and featuring cuisine from both Australia and around the world. The program is full to the brim with over 400 delicious things to do, from pizza buffets and private tours to gin tastings and the world’s longest lunch.
It doesn’t matter what your foodie niche is, there’s a flavour for every palette; baked goods, fresh seafood, international delicacies and mouth-watering sweets, plus so much more.
Try delicious food from around the world. (Image: Melissa Cowan)
Join Bridge Road Brewers to celebrate the Victorian hop harvest season this March. Set in picturesque Beechworth, the High Country Hop is all about showcasing brewers from across the region.
The event aims to spotlight a series of unique ales made using fresh, locally sourced hops from the harvest along with local winemakers and distillers. Attendees can also sit back and enjoy five hours of live music entertainment.
The annual Herb & Chilli Festival is returning to the picturesque Yarra Valley this March. Festival-goers can explore a variety of different cuisines through eating competitions, cooking demonstrations and entertainment for all ages.
The program is jam-packed with crowd-pleasing events, from live folk music and Mexican masked wrestling to a wing-eating competition and fashion show. Plant stalls, markets, a kid’s zone and a beer garden mean there’s something for everyone.
Explore different flavours at the Herb & Chilli Festival.
Starting from humble beginnings, ChillOut Festival has grown over the years to become the biggest country Queer Pride event in regional Australia. The jam-packed program includes both free and ticketed events which will have you spoilt for choice.
Think pool parties, bush dances, a street parade and drag story time happening all across Daylesford. Join Chillout Festival this year to help promote and encourage tolerance, understanding and inclusion of regional Victoria’s LGBTQIA+ community.
ChillOut Festival is the biggest Queer Pride event in regional Australia.
Moomba is a long-running free Melbourne festival known for being one of Australia’s largest free community events, with a focus on people, families and accessibility for all. Those with walking aids, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and prams can enjoy Moomba.
Everyone from tiny tots to adults will have something to look forward to. There’s a variety of workshops, rides, food, discos, sporting events and live entertainment. The Moomba Parade and Birdman Rally are always crowd-pleasers.
Moomba entertainment is always fun and fierce.
Indulge in a weekend of wine at Tastes of Rutherglen, featuring 16 cellar doors and more than 200 wines to taste. Pairing the wines of Rutherglen with some of the region’s finest cuisine, visitors can enjoy tastings, masterclasses and behind-the-scenes experiences.
Oenophiles can while the weekend away, wine in hand, against a background of lush lawns and autumn vineyard colours. Tickets are on sale now, available from $25 per person.
Discover all things science at the 2024 World Science Festival at the Queensland Museum in Brisbane. Between a selection of paid events and free activities, your interest is sure to be peaked by some spell-binding science subjects. Think dinosaurs, exo-planets, insects, fungi and anatomy.
The World Science Festival in Brisbane is all about highlighting Queensland Museum’s position as a leader in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and engagement.
The World Science Festival is sure to peak your interest. (Image: Tourism & Events Queensland)
The annual Cairns Tropical Writers Festival brings together creatives from across Australia for three days of reading, writing and all things books. This year, celebrated authors such as Julia Baird, Clementine Ford, Tony Park and Joel McKerrow will take the stage.
From workshops and panel talks to book launches and a storytellers’ lunch, bookworms will be spoilt for choice. Tickets are on sale now.
Bookworms can enjoy live panel talks from their favourite authors.
Held in the buzzing Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley, Juicy Beer Festival celebrates modern and independent beer from breweries across the country. Immerse yourself in a contemporary festival setting that focuses on food, music and most importantly, beer.
Held at the Fortitude Music Hall, tickets are on sale now for around $150 a pop. Your ticket encompasses an all-inclusive beer-tasting session (there are two to choose from), samples from each brewery and a funky festival tasting glass.
Sample delicious beers from over 10 independent breweries.
Evolving from a longboarding contest back in 1992, the Noosa Festival of Surfing sees surfers from Australia and around the globe gather to compete on Noosa’s best sets. Loosely based on the popular Biarritz Surf Festival in France, the festival attracts record levels of competitors each year as well as thousands of spectators.
This month, head down to First Point in Noosa to witness surfing legends do their thing. A beach bar, live music, training sessions and art shows are also there to keep you entertained between sets. A local favourite is the annual dog surfing event.
Cheer pups along as they take to the waves. (Image: Tourism & Events Queensland)
Immerse yourself in Tropical North Queensland‘s exotic fruit and local produce at the 2024 Feast of the Senses, held in the jaw-dropping Cassowary Coast region.
Meander your way through various food events, from guided walks to family feasts. Fun fact: Feast of the Senses is the Guinness World Record holder for the world’s longest banana split, recorded at a whopping eight kilometres in length!
Enlighten your tastebuds with locally grown exotic fruits.
Queensland‘s biggest annual country music festival is returning to Bloomsbury in 2024. Country Fest Queensland will run over two days, hosting a variety of country music legends like Morgan Evans, Lee Kernaghan and James Johnston.
In an exciting twist, John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival will be headlining the show in an Australian exclusive. The country music legend will be performing for the first time in Australia since 2012.
Calling all animal lovers – the Dog Lovers Festival is returning to Brisbane this month, bringing with it the first-ever Cat Lovers Festival to the Queensland capital. Over 400 dogs and 200 cats will be in attendance across the weekend.
The program is practically barking with amazing events, from competitions and fashion runways to live panel talks and Pet-A-Pooch and Pet-A-Cat zones, which are sure to be a favourite.
Get ready to meet (and cuddle) plenty of pretty pooches.
Switch on your senses for the East Coast Harvest Odyssey Festival, commonly known as ECHO, to experience the traditions of harvest, both old and new. In the picturesque wine country unfolding at the edges of Swansea, meet chefs, winemakers, producers and artists through an amazing program.
Think live music, workshops, yoga, bush food walks, food demos, wine and whisky tastings and interactive activities. Tickets are on sale now.
Unwind with yoga sessions at ECHO Festival. (Image: Dearna Bond)
The Tasmanian Garlic & Tomato Festival celebrates local and seasonal produce, the culture of food and bringing families and communities together. This year’s theme – What’s happening in your backyard? – focusing on home-grown produce and seasonal goods.
Visitors can also expect workshops, produce competitions, cooking demonstrations, farm tours, music and plenty of activities for kids. A program highlight is the Long Table Lunch with Selena Lowe and The Kitchen Collective.
This year’s festival theme is “What’s happening in your backyard?”.
Navigating universal themes of people, place and politics, this year’s Palestinian Film Festival will deliver another enthralling program of the newest Palestinian films to Australian audiences. The festival ventures into many different film forms, from documentaries to features and shorts.
With 12 unforgettable films set to screen, all telling a unique story of Palestine and Palestinians, you won’t want to miss this exciting event in Hobart. The festival will also be touring in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth.
Sculpture by the Sea is set to transform Perth suburb Cottesloe’s iconic waterscape into a gorgeous sculpture park for its 20th anniversary, showcasing artists from across Australia and the world.
This year, over 70 artists from 14 countries will showcase their work across the 18-day exhibition, including sculptors from Japan, New Zealand, England, Denmark, USA and Ukraine. Wander the beach from the sea to its grassy surrounds to admire a collection of stunning sculptures, only on display once a year.
Lucy Humphrey’s ‘Horizon’ for Sculpture by the Sea Cottesloe in 2017. (Image: Jessica Wyld)
In the centre of WA’s stunning southwest on the banks of the Blackwood River is Nannup, a small timber town known for its local music festival. Held annually, the streets of Nannup come alive with stalls, performances and activities, spearheaded by a community-minded spirit.
Guests can expect an eclectic mix of incredible acts over free and ticketed venues, plus street performances, markets, yoga, workshops and activities for kids.
Nannup Music Festival is known for its huge markets.
Highlighting the best of Mandurah, the Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest is coming back for another year of family, fun and food. The annual event is all about showcasing the location and lifestyle that makes this WA town so special.
This year’s Crab Fest encompasses fresh food, live music and performances, children’s entertainment, competitions and cooking demonstrations. Program highlights include beer yoga, cocktail masterclasses and pottery workshops.
If you’re a west-coast dweller and can’t head east for Sydney’s Mardi Gras, fear not. Broome Pride has come to the rescue with a stellar line-up and a range of fabulous activities.
The Broome festival is celebrating its 10th year in 2024, so expect big things. Think Mardi Gras cabaret, dance parties, the Big Splash Boat Party and the Mardi Gras Buzz Regatta. Tickets for the unmissable event are on sale now.
Guests can expect a range of fabulous activities. (Image: Abby Murray Photography)
Beer, cider and wine – oh my! Amongst the beautiful greenery of Perth’s Wellington Square East, City Feast celebrates all things food, wine, spirits, cider and beer. Local producers will be serving up your favourite beverages to enjoy alongside live music and delicious food.
City Feast is boutique in size and huge on delivery, inviting you to gather with friends and family to sample and appreciate tasty beverages at one of the city’s favourite events.
Join all of your favourite South Australian wineries, distilleries, breweries, cideries and food vendors in one place at A Taste of the Hills this March. Exhibitors include Nepenthe Wines, Cowell Oysters, Red Cacao Chocolatier, Udder Delights Cheese and Paracombe Wines.
Take part in tastings and masterclasses among the tranquil scenery of the Adelaide Hills. Guests can add on a pre-arranged private minibus, including pick-up and drop-off in the city. Tickets are on sale now.
Gin distillers will tantalise your tastebuds with their latest creations.
Get excited – the iconic WOMADelaide, which stands for World Of Music, Arts and Dance, is returning to Adelaide this March. The open-air festival is one of the most celebrated annual festivals in the City of Churches, spanning across four thrilling days.
This year’s program offers performances from local and international artists, plus street theatre, art, stalls and installations. There will also be plenty of food and beverage offerings for guests to enjoy.
WOMADelaide brightens the South Australian capital each year. (Image: Grant Hancock)
Promised to be bigger and better than previous years, the free Summer Garden Festival will run over two days this year at Civic Park, Modbury. Live bands, roving performances, hilarious shows and local musicians will keep the whole family entertained.
Food trucks, bars and art installations will be scattered around Civic Park to keep bellies fed and imaginations roaming. Tickets for the Summer Garden Festival are not required, all you need to bring is your excitement!
Witness action-packed entertainment during the Summer Garden Festival.
If you’re a car lover, you’re going to love this. Held the week before the Australian Grand Prix, the Adelaide Motorsport Festival is a museum in motion displaying historic, rare and significant racing vehicles. The event combines automotive history with the latest tech to celebrate the power, speed and innovation of the industry.
This year’s program is sure to get your wheels rolling; from car displays and demonstrations to a street party precinct and celebrity guests, there’s truly something for every revhead. Tickets are on sale now.
Some of the world’s best automotive brands will be present.
For one day only, Never Never Distilling Co. and Fever Tree are joining forces to bring you The Great Aussie G&T Off in McLaren Vale. Three G&T recipes will be meticulously recreated by Never Never’s highly-trained bartenders and judged by the industry’s best. This includes you!
Every guest will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite libation. There will also be live music from Tommy Tequila, lawn games, gin flights, delicious cocktails and Italian street food by Cucina Di Strada.
Taste some of Never Never’s best gin in masterful cocktails. (Image: Meaghan Coles)
Continue the Mardi Gras party this March at fabALICE, a festival of drag and cabaret that celebrates the inclusivity and diversity of Mparntwe/Alice Springs. There is so much to look forward to this year, with the fabALICE program simply bursting at the seams.
From lip sync battles and cabaret to drag queen bingo and fashion shows, your itinerary is set to be jam-packed. Join the community of Alice Springs as it sparkles this March to celebrate pride, love and diversity.
Mparntwe/Alice Springs will be sprinkled with fabulousness for fabALICE. (Image: Tourism NT)
Warm your vocal cords, the incredible Australian INXS Show is coming to Darwin this month. The fully immersive Wembley-style experience features an authentic six-piece lineup, alongside an incredible original video show.
The performance is fronted by Dellacoma Rio, whose portrayal of INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence has captivated audiences worldwide. Guests can expect hits like By My Side, Original Sin, New Sensation and Don’t Change on the night.
This one is for all you film buffs out there. The annual FlickerFest film festival is returning to Alice Springs this March to showcase a selection of brilliant short films.
Bring a chair or blanket down to the Araluen Circus Lawns for two nights of innovation and entertainment; Aussie short films will show on Friday night and International short films on Saturday night. Food and refreshments will keep you going throughout the evening.
Watch Canberra light up with Enlighten Festival, a 17-day event taking over the capital this March. A diverse and exciting program will consume the city under a cloak of culture and creativity. From after-dark activities to film and music events, prepare to be wowed.
Highlights of the festival include Enlighten After Dark, City Illuminations, Symphony in the Park and the Canberra Balloon Spectacular. Enlighten Festival is mostly made up of free events, however, tickets can be purchased now for the few that require them.
Architectural projections light up at the annual Enlighten Festival in Canberra. (Image: Photox for VisitCanberra)
Canberra Craft Beer and Cider Festival showcases, you guessed it, the best breweries, cideries and distillers the country has to offer. The festival will feature over 40 well-known brewers from across Australia including Coastal Brewing Company, Mountain Goat and Bucketty’s.
Live entertainment, interactive games, food trucks and masterclasses make for the perfect match pair. From curious beginners to budding craft brewers, all enthusiasts are welcome!
Join in the fun and games at the Canberra Craft Beer & Cider Festival.
The inaugural Dahlicious, a month-long festival devoted to all things dahlia and design, is coming this March. Born from the mind of bisonhome founder Brian Tunks, the festival celebrates the fusion of ceramics, glass design and colour.
The program is sure to get your bonnet buzzing, featuring weekly masterclasses with leading chefs and creative artists, Saturday yoga in a dahlia patch and flowers, flowers, flowers!
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Please note that Fremantle in Western Australia is not Freemantle as on your website.
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Thank you so much for pointing this out Beverlie. Even our writers have a bit of a silly moment!
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