This year the City of Perth will host family-friendly events right across the long weekend from 24 to 27 January, giving Perth families the chance to enjoy Australia Day through a variety of activities and free entertainment.

Chair Commissioner Andrew Hammond said the City of Perth’s Australia Day events would be inclusive of the whole community, celebrating diversity and welcoming people of all cultures, backgrounds and abilities. 

“The City of Perth’s Australia Day events encourage acceptance, inclusion and respect for all people and invite our whole community to enjoy an Australia Day long weekend full of fun,” Commissioner Hammond said. 

“From delicious food at the Twilight Hawkers Market, to the colourful shows of Fringe World and Australia Day festivities at Skyworks, the city will be packed with experiences and entertainment, making it the perfect place to celebrate with family and friends this Australia Day long weekend.”

Returning for its 36th year, the City of Perth’s annual Australia Day Skyworks event will take place on Sunday 26 January with a variety of entertainment at Langley Park and the Supreme Court Gardens, with additional viewing locations at Kings Park and Sir James Mitchell Park in South Perth. 

Proudly supported by Lotterywest, Mix 94.5, and Channel 9, this year Skyworks will be an opportunity to build community spirit and fundraise for Australians affected by ongoing bushfires.

“The City of Perth Skyworks is the biggest Australia Day event in the country. Let us use this event to build community spirit and show our support for our fellow Australians,” Commissioner Hammond said. 

“We strongly encourage the WA community to participate in Skyworks in a show of solidarity, particularly for our mates over east. On the day, roving volunteers will be fundraising for the Australian Red Cross via EFTPOS and cash donations. People can also visit one of our fundraising booths at Skyworks or head to our website to make an online donation in the lead up to Skyworks and on the day.”

Families can enjoy free rides and activities at the Lotterywest Entertainment Zone in Langley Park from 3pm at Perth Foreshore. In addition to highlights such as the puzzling Aussie Maze and cool Water Playground, an Accessible Zone will provide a Silent Disco, Cup & Saucer Ride, Flip Flop Painting workshop and more amusements for varying ages and abilities.

Over in Supreme Court Gardens, the Birak Concert will feature an Elders Marquee, local and interstate performances, stalls, workshops and a live radio broadcast to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

Birak Concert Artistic Director Phil Walleystack said the annual show is an integral part of Skyworks, showcasing Aboriginal culture through a range of performances and embracing diversity in our community. 

“Celebrating Aboriginal culture on Australia Day is something very special. It’s inclusive - our culture has always been inviting and inclusive and [it’s about] involving everybody,” Mr Walleystack said.

“It’s very important to me to be a part of Birak because it’s keeping our culture strong but it’s also educating people on our culture in an entertaining way. It’s also important to empower our children, to give our children strength and teach them their identity and show them that they can be proud of who they are as an Aboriginal person but also as an Australian.”

With entertainment not confined to just the ground, this year a major attraction at Skyworks will be the return of the air show, which will see a variety of aircraft take to the skies between 3 and 8pm ahead of a spectacular fireworks finale.

“Families watching this year’s air show will be impressed by flights from a variety of aircraft including the Victa Airtourer, Christian Eagle and Royal Australian Air Force PC-21’s. We’ll also see skydivers landing on Langley Park, planes and helicopters flying in formation, acrobatic displays and much more,” Commissioner Hammond said. 

People are encouraged to take note of road closures which will be in place from 6am to 11.30pm inclusive on 26 January. It is recommended people make use of public transport options and plan their journey to and from Skyworks.  For those families driving into the city, a road closures map and list of carparks are available on the City of Perth website.

For more information about Skyworks, including a full line-up of entertainment, accessibility guides, the best locations to view the fireworks and how to donate to the bushfires, head to visitperth.com.au/skyworks. 


Issued by: Madeleine Quy, Corporate Communications Officer, 0437 653 511, madeleine.quy@cityofperth.wa.gov.au 

What's on in the city this Australia Day long weekend

FRINGE WORLD Festival 2020
Every day | Throughout the city | Various times | Ticketed and free | fringeworld.com.au
Check out Perth’s most popular annual festival and the third largest fringe festival around the globe. That’s right, FRINGE WORLD is hosting cabaret, comedy, theatre, music, film and visual arts events at more than 150 venues across Perth. With plenty of shows to see, city revellers can enjoy newly added venues such as the Girls School as well as the magical atmosphere of returning hub, the Woodside Pleasure Garden.

Rooftop Movies
24 and 25 January | 68 Roe Street, Northbridge | 6pm | Ticketed | rooftopmovies.com.au
Experience the ultimate summer movie entertainment atop the City of Perth parking complex in the heart of Northbridge.

Twilight Hawkers Market
24 January | Forrest Place | 4.30pm to 9.30pm | Free | visitperth.com.au 
Experience delicious dishes from around the globe at Perth's original and largest hawkers market. With 35 food vendors and live entertainment, it’s the perfect place to spend a balmy Friday night this summer. 

Yoga at Northbridge Piazza
25 January | Northbridge Piazza | 8am to 9am | Free | visitperth.com.au
Join Yoga Vine for a free Saturday morning yoga class in Northbridge Piazza. Don’t forget to bring your yoga mat and plenty of positive vibes.

City of Perth Australia Day Skyworks
26 January | Perth Foreshore | From 3pm | Free | visitperth.com.au
In its 36th year, the City of Perth’s Skyworks is the largest Australia Day celebration in the country. Come along from 3pm and enjoy the free family events at the Lotterywest Entertainment Zone in Langley Park. Don’t forget to keep an eye on the sky as the spectacular Air Show returns before securing your spot on the foreshore to watch the fireworks display. The City of Perth’s Skyworks is proudly supported by Lotterywest, Mix 94.5, and Channel 9.  

Birak Concert
26 January | Supreme Court Gardens | From 3pm | Free | visitperth.com.au
With a variety of music, dance, art and food, the Birak Concert at Supreme Court Gardens is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and communities. Featuring an Elders Marquee, local and interstate performances, community stalls, workshops and a radio broadcast, this cultural event is not one to miss. 

City of Perth Festival of Sail
26 to 31 January | Elizabeth Quay | Various times | Free | swanriversailing.com
Experience two exciting days of free sailing for children and adults at Elizabeth Quay plus all the action of The Warren Jones International Youth Regatta.