January 20, 2023
20 mins Read
As the holiday season comes to a close, it can be a little harder to find out what’s going on in around the country this month.
But don’t stress, we’ve got you covered with our up-to-date guide on all the best things happening in your state this February, helping you plan your calendar accordingly.
NSW | VIC | QLD | TAS | WA | SA | NT | ACT | Nationwide
This year, Sydney Mardi Gras and Sydney WorldPride have united to present an amazing, two-week LGBTQIA+ pride festival. The festival theme for 2023 is GATHER, DREAM, AMPLIFY, which was developed in partnership with First Nations people and LGBTQIA+ communities.
From art exhibitions and theatre shows to sporting events, live performances and dance parties, there will truly be something for everyone. Tickets are on sale now for over 300 free and ticketed events.
The Mardi Gras Parade is one of WorldPride’s biggest events. (Image: Destination NSW)
It may not be the snow season just yet, but what better excuse to head to Thredbo than for delicious food and wine? Thredbo’s Taste of the Snowies Food & Wine Festival will showcase an array of local artisans, winemakers, distillers and brewers, plus plenty of incredible food stalls offering the region’s finest produce.
Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket and stock up on supplies from the Village Green Markets to create the perfect al fresco dining experience to accompany the live music among the mountains.
Sample some of the best regional produce on offer at the Village Green Markets.
The Kimpton Margot Sydney is hosting the launch of OUT at Margot’s, a dazzling disco brunch hosted by Australian drag superstar, Hollywould Star. Guests will be entertained by Miss Hollywould herself, along with DJ Brett Riesling and another up-and-coming drag star.
Australian drag superstar, Hollywould Star will host the brunch.
In celebration of Sydney WorldPride, the event will offer guests a five-course set menu with specially created dishes and bottomless glasses of sparkling rosé for just $95 per person, or kick off the fun with a Strapping Sour Cocktail. Bookings essential.
Kick off the fun with a Strapping Sour Cocktail.
Starting in 2010, the Inland Sea of Sound Festival was originally comprised of small gigs at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre and in backyards across Bathurst. By 2020, it had grown into a major festival on the summit of Mount Panorama.
This year, Inland Sea of Sound is in some ways returning to its roots, with concerts at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, plus a number of other venues. The setlist includes Gordi, Owen Campbell and Jude Perl, however, there will be free events for both kids and adults. Tickets are on sale now.
Local artists are set to wow with live performances.
Sip and Savour is a new, two-day festival coming to the streets of Albury, showcasing the very best of regional food, wine, beer, spirits and music both inside and out. Attend masterclasses and workshops from local artisans and uncover flavours unique to local producers and the region.
Artists Josh Pyke, Telenova, Kate Miller-Heidke and Lisa Mitchell will grace the music stage across the two days, while a culinary stage and masterclass stage offer something fun and fresh. This is also a family-friendly event, with kids’ entertainment another feature of the festival.
Experience a taste of the region’s best wine and food.
Celebrating 37 years in 2023, Surfest is one of the largest surfing festivals in the southern hemisphere. Over 800 competitors from across the Asia-Pacific region compete for cash prizes and World Surf League points.
Surfest is inclusive and interactive, with competitive events for men, women, children and Indigenous surfers at a number of beautiful Newcastle beaches. Family and friends can come down and watch the action, grab some food and even meet some world-class surfers.
Surfest attracts over 800 surfers from Australia and around the world. (Image: Surfest)
SailGP, one of the world’s biggest sailing events, is heading to Australia in February. Get up close and personal to the 50-foot catamarans racing at speeds of 90 kilometres an hour across Sydney Harbour.
Teams from all over the world will be competing for precious points, including Australia, who are currently sitting in first place. Spectators can board an official spectator boat or watch from shore, where there will be live commentary, a bar, fan shop and post-race entertainment.
Australia are currently at the top of the leaderboard. (Image: Australia Sail Grand Prix Sydney)
Your Valentine’s Day plans are set in style this year thanks to Loves Me at Lana, where Head Chef Alex Wong has curated a collection of 10 dishes for the Lana ‘Loves Me’ set menu.
Think chicken wing fritto with scallop and konbu or squid and coral tooth mushroom, alongside a punchy collection of cocktails and wine. Treat yourself and the one you love to this dreamy and romantic dinner, priced at $149 per person.
Lana’s amorous interiors will match the Valentine’s vibe. (Image: Steven Woodburn)
For 24 hours this February, The Mint in Sydney will be transformed into a free native garden, showcasing local plants and flowers as they were on the Gadigal land. At night, the garden will glow in the dark under a blacklight, accompanied by classical music.
The garden is also an invitation to wander and meet Sydney’s most talented floral artists. There will be workshops and demonstrations, plus the star of the show – life-sized flower art constructed by artists Cecile Keogh and Tatiana Bovlova.
At night, the garden will glow in the dark under a blacklight.
Keen for a girls’ night out without the hangover to match? Gather the girls and sign up for the Twilight 20km hosted by Coastrek, Australia’s iconic hiking challenge for women. Starting at 5 pm along the golden sands of Long Reef Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, trek along the coastline with your girl gang all the way to Balgowlah Heights.
Bright tutus, glo sticks, glitter, neon tights and music will get you dancing and inject a little fun into your fitness. Registrations for Coastrek Twilight 20km close on 12 February, with the event taking place on 24 March.
Registrations close this month for the event in March.
Young Henrys Presents is heading to Lulie’s Tavern in south Melbourne for an exciting month-long live takeover, featuring an all-star Aussie lineup. Local acts including Auntie Leo & The Backstabbers, Lorretta Miller, Salarymen and more will take to the stage, supported by legendary Melbourne-based DJ, Pistol Pete Whelan.
Every Friday night, Young Henrys will be serving up a selection of their mouth-watering beers to those who’ve come to enjoy the sensational live music event. Entry is free, with doors opening at 7pm.
Auntie Leo & The Backstabbers are known for their 60s surf-rock vibes.
St Kilda Festival returns in 2023 to celebrate summer, Aussie music and community spirit. Shifting from the one-day format of recent years, the extended two-day program traverses local music, family activities and market stalls, putting it up there with some of the best summer festivals in Australia.
This year, the setlist features Christine Anu, Hoodoo Gurus and Confidence Man, with the full program set to be released soon.
St Kilda Festival is one of Australia’s oldest music festivals.
With the primary aim of making positive change, the National Sustainable Living Festival is the largest sustainability festival in Australia, not just in numbers, but in impact. Educate yourself on everything sustainability with a month of workshops, talks, demonstrations, artworks, exhibitions, films and live performances.
The festival fosters and provides tools for the change we want to see and the difference we want to make in the world, making it not only fun and interactive but practical and informative too.
Honouring all things garlic, the Meeniyan Garlic Festival in the south Gippsland region is a local highlight of the year. With a focus on regional produce, visitors can expect music and entertainment, alfresco dining, live cooking demonstrations, family games and plenty of garlic.
With dedicated precincts to garlic and greens, food and produce and crafts and homewares, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Support local and stroll through town with its quaint cafes, pubs, shops and galleries.
Check out live demonstrations to see how different chefs use garlic.
This well-loved autobiographical musical is an ode to theatre and New York City by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning composer, Jonathan Larson.
Australia’s Hugh Sheridan takes on the role of Larson in Tick, Tick… BOOM!, the man behind the famous rock musical, Rent. The broadway show will be held at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre, with both matinee and night performances. Tickets are on sale now.
Victoria’s only polo event for the summer, the Twilight Beach Polo, is returning to the sands of St Kilda West Beach this February. The event delivers everything Melbourne has to offer – fashion, sport, food and wine, in an atmosphere that makes it one of the city’s must-attend events.
Guests can choose from a range of ticketing options and VIP packages, including the Grainshaker Beach Club, Grainshaker private booths, Provincial Home Living Pavilion and new in 2023, the Luxury Escapes Lounge.
Twilight Beach Polo is Victoria’s only polo event for the summer.
At this year’s St Jerome’s Laneway Festival in Melbourne, Jameson Irish Whiskey will host their first House of Rounds celebration, with the Australian debut of an immersive Green Dome experience, an illuminated world of curated light projections and live music performances.
The set features DJ’s from across Australia, including Tasman Keith, DAWS, Shantan Wantan Ichiban and Sam Alfred. Jameson will also celebrate their newest Jameson Orange Whiskey by transforming the Green Dome into an orange oasis.
Enjoycurated light projections and live music performances under the Green Dome at Laneway.
Get ready for a weekend of sunshine and swimming at the Noosa Summer Swim, including swimming on Noosa Main Beach and through the stunning Noosa National Park.
Whether you’re an avid swimmer or just looking for a break from the heat, there’s room for everyone to participate. There will be either a product or cash prize for each category.
The swim starts at Noosa’s gorgeous Main Beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Cabaret the night away with Big Band Cabaret‘s Valentine’s Day dinner and show at the larger-than-life Cloudland in Brisbane. Expect the unexpected, from burlesque to surprise special guests.
Dinner and show packages are priced at $119 per person plus a booking fee. Tickets on sale now.
The Valentine’s Show is sure to be a hit with the crowd.
Established in 2008, the Cairns Tropical Writers Festival brings together a regional community of writers and readers in Cairns with Australian and internationally revered authors.
Presented by Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales, guests can expect to see special guests like Aaron Fa’Aoso, Megan Daley, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Luke Rutledge and Jane Caro. Tickets are on sale now.
Listen to authors talk about their books live.
Known as the watermelon capital of Australia, the rural town of Chinchilla is set to host a Melonfest for all fans of the summer fruit. Watch the streets turn pink with crazy activities like melon skiing, melon bungee and the melon bash. There will be less messy activities too, such as markets, a park run, farm tours and even a street parade.
Chinchilla is known as the watermelon capital of Australia.
As the sun sets and the lights come on at Metricon Stadium, take part in a fun-filled run at the Gold Coast’s most iconic sporting precinct. There are categories for everyone, from the 10-kilometre and 5-kilometre to the 2.5-kilometre and the Kids Dash.
All courses complete a lap of Metricon Stadium, home of the Gold Coast Suns. Enjoy a post-run drink, live entertainment, food trucks and even pop-up yoga.
All courses complete a lap of the iconic Metricon Stadium. (Image: Paul Manning)
r/brisbane is bringing their online creativity to life with an art exhibition thanks to Reddit’s Community Funds programme, an initiative that launched early 2022 with $1 million in funding to help to bring Reddit community ideas and passions to life. Held at the Woolloongabba Art Gallery, one of Brisbane’s best galleries, the exhibit will display pieces of artwork submitted by those in the r/brisbane community; the theme being ‘Everything Brisbane’.
Three pieces of artwork will be auctioned off on opening night, with proceeds going to Brisbane Zero, which seeks to reduce homelessness for individuals and families rough sleeping by 2025. Voting for the People’s Choice Award is now open.
Known as Tasmania’s premium summer event, Festivale is a three-day celebration of regional food and beverages and local entertainment in Launceston.
Guests are immersed in a variety of activities, from beverage masterclasses and chef demonstrations to live music and countless stalls. Under historic elm trees decorated with hanging lights, family and friends can relax in the open space of City Park.
There will plenty of stalls to browse offering regional food and drink. (Image: Adam Gibson)
Get your running gear ready, your bike helmet out and your swimsuit on because the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania is here! The swim leg takes place in the calm waters of the River Derwent in Hobart, followed by a testing bike ride and a run through historic ports towards Cornelian Bay. There will also be an IRONKIDS race, so the whole family can get involved.
This free four-day festival brings together some of the most beautiful and skilfully crafted wooden boats in the southern hemisphere. Visitors can visit the maritime marketplace, Tasmanian fishing industry display, international wooden boat symposium and the Shipwright’s Village.
For boating enthusiasts, there are also ticketed events. Try the Sea Shanties workshop, guided tours or breakfast aboard the Soren Larsen with chef Eloise Emmett.
The huge wooden boats lining the dock are impressive. (Image: Samuel Shelley)
Transport yourself to the streets of Italy with the help of Festa Italia, Hobart’s own celebration of all things Italy. Not only will visitors be treated to a range of delicious Italian food, but will experience the culture of a country that’s over 15,000 kilometres away.
Dive in to a glorious range of Italy’s best dishes at Festa Italia.
Perth Festival is jam-packed with plenty for all, with events ranging from performance and music to film, literature and art. With both free and ticketed events, visitors can pull their own unique itinerary together based on not only their interests but their budgets too.
Amazing local and international artists will grace the stage, including Icelandic sensation, Björk. Join in the conversation with Jess Ho on her recently published book or even contribute to a poem beamed into the night sky of Perth as morse code signal lights.
Immerse yourself in the Perth Festival
Tug on your togs and get ready for the 19.7-kilometre open-water Rottnest Channel Swim from Cottesloe Beach to the iconic Rottnest Island. Paddlers and support boats are available throughout the long journey, with safety paramount to the event.
The event attracts a large crowd, with family and friends welcome to come down and check out the action. The annual Shirt Design Competition will continue in 2023 as well; get creative and you could win a $500 cash prize.
The Rottnest Channel Swim is highly regarded among WA residents.
Experience the power of a small community creating something big at the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival in south west WA. For 35 years, the townsfolk of Boyup Brook have volunteered to put together the musical celebration by the Blackwood River. Attendees can expect a ute and truck muster, street markets, bush poets and of course, lots of good ol’ country music.
Calling all beer lovers; enjoy over 150 craft beers from more than 20 local brewers this month at the South West Craft Beer Festival on one of the best beaches in Perth. Sip on tasty brews while enjoying live music and wandering through brewery stalls, sampling everything from the traditional to the obscure.
For those with a different palate, fear not; cider and wine will be available as well. Food trucks will also be on-site to feed hungry bellies.
More than 20 local brewers will be at the festival this year.
Enter a world of splendour and romance, of glitz, grandeur and glory with the Moulin Rouge Musical at Perth’s Crown Theatre this month. The musical brings Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film of the same name to life on stage. The soundtrack represents over 160 years of music, from legendary artists such as Rihanna, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Adele and more. Tickets on sale now.
The largest arts festival in Australia is coming to Adelaide throughout February and into March. Every skerrick of the city is immersed in the arts, from comedians in pubs, shows in historic bomb shelters and book signings in cafes.
This month, attendees can experience theatre and dance shows, art and photography and of course, comedy, all on the program for 2023.
The Fringe is one of Adelaide’s most popular events. (Image: Joshua Pathon)
Rock the Ranges invites you to boogie with Birds of Tokyo, End of Fashion, Husky Hicks and more surrounded by the stunning Flinders Ranges in Pichi Richi Park. Visitors can even camp on site, adding a whole new level of festie-going to your experience. Local food vendors are catering the event, so expect lots of tasty snacks and treats to keep you going. Tickets on sale now.
Quorn is a quaint town nearby the festival. (Image: heidi who photos)
Some of Australia and the world’s biggest artists will take to the stage this February at Laneway Festival, held at Bonython Park. Music icons including Haim, Joji, Pheobe Bridgers, Girl in Red and The Jungle Giants will have the audience grooving well into the night. Food trucks aplenty will be on site to fuel your best dance moves; both your belly and your ears will leave satisfied.
Artists will have you moshing all day and into the night. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)
The streets and laneways of Adelaide come alive in summer with the Urban Wine Walk, as a line-up of venues transforms into a cellar door in the city for your self-guided trail.
Each location is in easy walking distance from the next, so gather a group of friends and get ready to taste the best of Adelaide, wine style.
Divulge in delicious wines throughout the city of Adelaide.
Whether you’re into funk and disco, soul and R&B or hip-hop and rock, you’ll find your favourite 9o’s genre at The Big 90s Party in the Darwin Amphitheatre this February. Boogie about with friends and family in the sunshine to DJs smashing out the best 90s hits and local bands playing covers.
Food trucks will keep you fed throughout the day. By night, the stage will transform into a mass karaoke platform, so warm up those vocal cords to brave the crowd and belt your fav track.
Join in the celebrations of World Wetlands Day, which occurs every year to raise awareness around the importance of wetlands and biodiversity for both humans and the planet. Wetlands make up a significant part of Kakadu National Park and they’re an integral part of its ecosystem, which must be conserved. Book a tour to discover more.
Wetlands are an integral part of the ecosystem. (Image: Tourism NT)
The Travelling Film Festival showcases Australian and international features, documentaries and short films in regional Australia, creating a program specific to each location. The 2023 program is looking good, with plenty of films touching on a range of different topics and themes.
This year in Darwin, the program will open with Sweet As, a debut short film by Nyul Nyul/Yawuru woman, Jub Clerc, featuring a soundtrack of all-Indigenous artists. Tickets are on sale now.
Regional Australia is treated to short films and documentaries. (Image: Tourism NT/Charlie Bliss)
This year is the 25th anniversary of the National Multicultural Festival, a community-led event that celebrates the multiculturalism and diversity of Canberra in a kaleidoscope of culture, music, food and entertainment.
Headlining the show will be Mitch Tambo, Lisa Hunt, Justine Clarke, Parvyn and the Multicultural Comedy Gala, which features some of Australia’s best stand-up comedians. Cooking demonstrations, market stalls and even a parade are to be expected as well.
This year will be the 25th anniversary of the festival. (Image: VisitCanberra)
Jimmy Carr, one of the UK’s best comedians, will be in Canberra this February, performing new and hilarious material at the Canberra Theatre. Titled Terribly Funny, Carr will have you cackling at some terrible things – we’ll leave what exactly to your imagination.
If you’re unsure of his comedic talents, we’d say take the gamble. Carr’s Netflix comedy special was the most streamed on the website in 2021. Tickets are on sale now.
The Canberra Theatre will host Jimmy Carr’s comedy show. (Image: VisitCanberra)
The Royal Canberra Show is the city’s largest all-ages event, event, hosted annually by the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society. While agriculture has remained at its core, the show has expanded to include rides, entertainment, educational features, exhibitions and plenty of food.
There’ll be something for the whole family at the Canberra Show, from the farmyard nursery and dog show to the Capital Brewing beer garden and craft expo.
There will be plenty of rides to choose from. (Image: VisitCanberra)
Altos’ Tequila are hosting an Aussie-wide Mexican Wave, where you can snag one of 10,000 free margaritas at selected venues across the country. Voted the number one tequila for margaritas by Aussie bartenders, Altos invite you to sip on the signature cocktail in celebration of World Margarita Day, 22 February. To kick off the festivities, Altos has enlisted mixologist Josh Deane, comedians SketchShe and creator Style by Deni to continue the wave. Register now for your free marg and get sippin’!
Sip on this signature cocktail in celebration of World Margarita Day.
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