Camp under the stars at an outback music festival, strap on your skates and hit the ice in the Hunter or warm up with mulled wine and a vibrant street festival in the heart of the Blue Mountains.
Archibald Prize
Where: Sydney
When: May–August
Why visit: First awarded in 1921, the Archibald Prize for portrait painting is one of Australia’s most prestigious art prizes. Over the winter, the walls of the Art Gallery of NSW are adorned with portraits of Australia’s cultural stars, from politicians to celebrities, sporting heroes to artists. While you’re at the gallery, take in the entries for the Wynne Prize for landscape painting and figurative sculpture, as well as the Sulman Prize for subject or genre painting and mural.
Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2025 Exhibition, Sydney - Credit: Ken Leanfore
Copyright: Art Gallery of New South Wales
Thirlmere Festival of Steam
Where: Thirlmere
When: May
Why visit: When the piercing steam whistle sounds at the centre of town, you know it’s time for the annual Thirlmere Festival of Steam, a weekend-long celebration for train enthusiasts big and small. This is NSW’s biggest rail festival, with rides on historic steam trains, live entertainment, blacksmith and leatherwork demonstrations, food and market stalls, a street parade and activities at the NSW Rail Museum. A short walk away at the Thirlmere Sportsground, the Family Carnival offers rides from the gentle to the thrilling, as well as a ticketed sensory-friendly carnival session.
NSW Rail Museum, Thirlmere
Vivid Sydney
Where: Sydney
When: May–June
Why visit: As the weather turns cold, the night lights up with Vivid Sydney. For 23 days and nights, the arts festival celebrates creativity and delight with showstopping light installations, talks by leading creative minds and tickets to a stellar line-up of music acts. See the sails of the Sydney Opera House lit with stunning artwork, book a spot at a chef-hosted dinner or fortify yourself with dramatic, fire-kissed dishes at Vivid Fire Kitchen before striking out to see the light installations throughout the CBD.
Vivid Sydney, Sydney
Sydney Film Festival
Where: Sydney (multiple venues)
When: June
Why visit: Over 12 days in June, silver screens from the State Theatre in the city to The Enmore in Newtown come alive with more than 200 superb films from countries all over the world. Celebrating courageous, cutting-edge cinema and bold storytelling, the Sydney Film Festival program covers issues like cultural struggle, identity and climate change. Whether you’re there to cheer on emerging talent in an independent film or see the stars walking the red carpet, the film festival must not be missed.
Sydney Film Festival, Sydney - Credit: Sydney Film Festival
Merimbula Jazz Festival
Where: Merimbula
When: June
Why visit: The history of the Merimbula Jazz Festival stretches back to 1982 when the far South Coast town hosted its first gathering of jazz musos. Since then, the festival has grown to eight venues hosting more than 100 acts across big band, swing, modern, funk, fusion and ragtime. Lend your voice to the festivities at a vocal workshop or learn some new footwork at a swing dancing lesson. Dip in and out of the four-day festival, touring the Sapphire Coast to visit oyster farms (and eat oysters shucked fresh from the water) as well as the excellent local distilleries.
Merimbula Jazz Festival, Merimbula - Credit: Brent Occleshaw
Copyright: Merimbula Jazz Festival
Winter Magic Festival
Where: Katoomba
When: June
Why visit: On nearly every Winter Solstice since 1994, Katoomba’s streets have exploded into celebration for the Winter Magic Festival. By day, the Grand Parade of performers and vibrant entertainers makes its way down the high street among the market stalls selling crafts, food and art while Art Street transforms the laneways, driveways, alleys and vacant shop fronts into exhibition spaces for local artists. By night, musicians perform on stages and in venues around Katoomba’s centre while a fireworks display lights up the sky above the Carrington Hotel. Dress up or come as yourself and join the fun.
Winter Magic Festival 2023, Katoomba - Credit: Brigitte Grant Photography
Snow Time in the Garden
Where: Hunter Valley
When: June–July
Why visit: Snow might not be a natural occurrence in the Hunter Valley, but that doesn’t mean you can’t don your cosiest beanie and head to Snow Time in the Garden for some human-made flakes. Toboggan down the slopes in inner tubes, strap on your skates and spin around the ice, make a snowman or take a ride in the Ferris Wheel for views of the lovely Hunter Valley Gardens.
Snow Time in the Garden, Pokolbin - Credit: Snow Time in the Garden
Bondi Festival
Where: Bondi
When: July
Why visit: Bondi is all about the crashing surf, the expanse of soft sand and the pumping energy of the main drag. Each July, this sunny suburb transforms into a vibrant winter wonderland as it hosts the comedy shows, music performances, food markets, Ferris Wheel rides and ice rink glides of the Bondi Festival.
Bondi Festival, Bondi Beach - Credit: Bondi Festival
National Indigenous Art Fair
Where: The Rocks
When: July
Why visit: From the Tiwi Islands to Yuendumu in the Northern Territory to Gadigal, Aboriginal artists, designers and makers from all over Australia come together each July for the National Indigenous Art Fair in The Rocks. Showcasing bush tucker cooking demonstrations, weaving workshops, cultural talks, live music, dance, children’s activities and a vibrant marketplace, the art fair is a lovely way to connect with the longest continuous culture in the world.
National Indigenous Art Fair, The Rocks
Festival of W
Where: Wagga Wagga
When: July
Why visit: Strap on your ice skates and hit the rink at Wagga Wagga’s Festival of W. This beautiful celebration of winter takes over the country town’s CBD with live music, cosy firepits under trees dripping with fairy lights, light installations for all ages, plus a line-up of local and regional musicians. Warm up with a meal at one of the stalls inside the House of FOW and finish off the night with a hot cider or mulled wine.
Festival of W, Wagga Wagga
A Taste of Italy
Where: Griffith
When: August
Why visit: For an exploration of Italian culture and cuisine, head to the Riverina each winter for A Taste of Italy. Paying homage to the area’s 90 years of Italian migrant history, the festival features are traditional regional dishes to sample plus cooking and cultural demonstrations. A second festival closes off the week with a lively salami-making competition and banquet at the Festa della Salsicce (Festival of the Sausage).
A Taste of Italy, Griffith - Credit: A Taste of Italy
Mundi Mundi Bash
Where: Broken Hill
When: August
Why visit: Beyond the lights and sounds of the Mundi Mundi Bash’s main stage is just the expanse of outback as far as the eye can see. And at night, there's a fathomless black sky filled with stars. Tickets to this three-day outback music festival will get your blood pumping as you join thousands to watch Australian and international rock and country musicians perform live. And when each night is finished, you don’t have to go far. BYO camping is the best way to experience the full festival – caravans, motorhomes and tents are all welcome. If a hotel is more your speed, book accommodation early in Broken Hill, a 40km drive from the festival grounds.
Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash, Silverton - Credit: Mundi Mundi Bash
