From Friday 22 through to Tuesday 26 January, the City of Perth will come alive with a festival like we’ve never seen before in Perth.

The launch event - Shining the Light: The Story of Us - will tell the story of the Traditional Owners of the land, the Whadjuk Nyoongar people, in the form of a captivating light and water projection at Elizabeth Quay. 

Featuring stories of courage and resilience during the time of colonisation, the City has worked closely with the City of Perth Elders Advisory Group to create the immersive event.

“If we are going to have genuine healing, we need opportunities like these to tell our story so we can have the best possible chance for genuine healing and this will take us to a much stronger future," Elder Uncle Noel Nannup said.

Neighbourhood groups such as the West Perth Local, East Perth Community Group, Northbridge Common, City of Perth Western Residents and Activate Perth have collaborated with the City on a range of inclusive and free events, including a Big Aussie Barbeque, sunset sounds and family concerts over five days.

The Lotterywest Carnival and Water Playground on Langley Park will be a must on Tuesday 26 January as will the Motocross and BMX displays.  The traditional Birak Concert at Supreme Court Gardens will round out an amazing five days of celebration.

“While we won’t be able to have Skyworks, this Australia Day we have created an amazing five-day festival that will allow us all to reflect, respect and celebrate our unique country we all call home by staging events, markets, performances, concerts and immersive exhibitions across five full days of fun,” City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said.

“We will take time to reflect on our nation’s true history and celebrate our place in the world – a proud, ancient, multicultural nation built on shared values.

“We encourage everyone to make their way into the city during the Australia Day Festival to enjoy a diverse range of food, music and cultural experiences. Don’t forget there’s also free three-hour parking on weekends in all CPP carparks.

 “I want to congratulate and thank all of the team at the City of Perth for their fast turnaround on this five-day festival program. When we heard from the Premier it would not be possible to hold Skyworks this year, the challenge for our events team was to ensure the City of Perth remained the home of Australia Day celebrations. What they have achieved in a short space of time is a program I am immensely proud of. 

“Thank you also to all our partners who have made the Australia Day Festival possible, including Lotterywest, Auspire - The Australia Day Council WA, Mix 94.5 and Channel 9.” 

For more information on city activities this Australia Day or to register for free events from Monday 11 January, head to visitperth.com/ausdayfest. The second release will occur on Monday 18 January at 10am.

Issued by: Brooke Hunter, Media and Communications Officer, 0448 610 834, brooke.hunter@cityofperth.wa.gov.au

Australia Day Festival Program

Lighting projections, concerts, a water playground, Elders stories, carnivals and more - all planned for the City of Perth Australia Day Festival. 

Headline event

Shining the Light: The Story of Us 
Elizabeth Quay | Friday 22 to Tuesday 26 January | Session 1: 7.45pm to 8.45pm, Session 2: 9pm to 10pm | Free tickets essential at visitperth.com

The feature event of the Australia Day Festival, Shining the Light: The Story of Us consists of two parts; 

Yarning Together: a captivating water projection showcase, that shines the light on the story of the Whadjuk Nyoongar people starting with the dreamtime moment of creation. The Elders will share their stories of courage and resilience during the time of colonisation, while shining the light towards a more inclusive future, all in the format of a captivating water projection.
Immersive experiences: a selection of immersive light installations accompanied by live performances and art will also tell diverse Australian stories throughout Elizabeth Quay. Visitors will take a journey as art tells a story, beginning with Aboriginal culture and progressing through our multicultural diversity.

Twilight Hawkers Market
Forrest Place | Friday 22 January | 4.30pm to 9.30pm
The Twilight Hawkers Market is Perth’s original and biggest street food market, bringing the tastiest food from around the globe to the heart of Perth.

Moorditj Bridyas – Solid Bosses 
Council House | Friday 22 and Monday 25 January | 9am to 5pm
A photographic exhibition honouring the City of Perth Elders Advisory Group – the Bridyas (the bosses). 

Brass Band Performances
Yagan Square | Saturday 23 January | 12pm
Murray and Hay St Malls | Monday 25 January | 6pm
City of Perth band will be performing with their Concert Band at Yagan Square Amphitheatre and their Marching Band in the malls. 

Australia Flag Fly-past
Perth Foreshore | Friday 22 January and Tuesday 26 January | Times to be announced
This 60m Australia Flag will be towed along the foreshore by a helicopter and can be enjoyed by all celebrating the start or the end of the Australia Day Festival.

Programmed Busking
Throughout the city | Friday 22 to Tuesday 26 January | Various times
A selection of Perth’s best buskers will entertain crowds as they come and go between the festivities on offer. 

Water Pistol Park
Yagan Square | Saturday 23 January | 10am to 5pm
Beat the heat and challenge your friends to a water pistol showdown. Upon arrival, select your water pistol of choice and fill ‘er up at the water station - but be quick to run and hide behind a field barrier before you become a target. Good old-fashioned fun for kids and kids at heart.

Afternoon Delights
Northbridge Piazza | Saturday 23 January | 2pm to 8pm
WAM together with the City of Perth presents Afternoon Delights at the Northbridge Piazza for an exciting afternoon of local live music, family-friendly activities and a special screening of iconic Australian film ‘The Sapphires’.

Fairlanes Concert
Fairlanes Amphitheatre, 181 Adelaide Terrace | Saturday 23 January | 5pm to 7.30pm
Head down to see Australian folk music performances by Ashlea Reale and the Outlaws in the street level plaza amphitheatre out the front of the Fairlanes building in East Perth. 

Roving Entertainment
Murray and Hay Street Malls | Saturday 23, Sunday 24 and Tuesday 26 January | 10am to 5pm
Roving entertainers and musicians will brighten up day with their colourful antics and upbeat music. 

Family Concert
Forrest Place | Sunday 24 January | 10am to 5pm
A day of family friendly entertainment including puppets, magicians, music and dancing fun. 

Sunset Sounds
JH Abrahams Reserve | Sunday 24 January | 5pm to 8pm
Nestled in the Crawley community, Sunset Sounds will feature an Aboriginal dance group, multicultural performances and classic Aussie rock music. Food trucks and children’s activities will get everybody in the spirit of the Australia Day Festival.

Ngangk Wirdiny – Birak Bonar
Perth Cultural Centre | Sunday 24 January | 4pm to 7.30pm
Bring along a picnic to enjoy incredible performances and acts from Nyoongar Bibbulmun singers, bands, artists, poets and dancers. Come down early for the Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony performed by a local Whadjuk Elder. Ngangk Wirdiny – Birak Bonar is Nyoongar for sun going down, summer season.

Perth Home Grown Market
Murray Street Mall | Sunday 24 January | 11am to 4pm
Explore Perth’s sustainable living market filled with specialty baked goods, unique handmade gifts, homewares and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Claisebrook in Concert
Victoria Gardens | Monday 25 January | 5pm to 8pm
Pack a picnic and join your local East Perth community on the green for this free concert. Enjoy an evening filled with music, entertainment and food stalls in the beautiful Victoria Gardens. 

Birak Concert
Supreme Court Gardens |Tuesday 26 January |2pm to 6.30pm
Celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island cultures, the annual Birak Concert boasts a stellar line up of Aboriginal entertainment. Grab a feed from the food trucks on site, settle in to enjoy the show or take part in the many activities and entertainment on offer.

Lotterywest Carnival
Langley Park | Tuesday 26 January | 10am to 5pm| Free tickets essential at visitperth.com.au
Fun for the young and the young at heart, the Lotterywest Carnival features a range of free rides including the ever-popular Wave Swinger, Dodgem Cars, Super Sizzler, Castle of Fun and Cup and Saucer. One hour of unlimited rides with a free ticket. 

Lotterywest Water Playground
Langley Park | Tuesday 26 January | 10am to 5pm| Free tickets essential at visitperth.com.au 
Splash your way through the Australia Day Festival at the Water Playground. With masses of water slides and activities galore our water playground sure beats the backyard slip n’ slide! One hour of unlimited water fun with a free ticket.

Ultimate Adrenaline: Motocross and BMX Displays
Langley Park | Tuesday 26 January | 11am to 4pm
Witness awe-inspiring feats of gravity as some of Perth’s best motocross and BMX riders show off their moves. Enjoy the twists, turns, loops and jumps. 

Australia Day Market
Forrest Place | Tuesday 26 January | 4.30pm to 8.30pm
A special Australia Day edition of the much-loved Twilight Hawkers Market featuring international cuisines from across the globe.

Big Aussie BBQ
Hay Street (between Outram and Colin Street), West Perth | Tuesday 26 January | 3pm to 8pm
The Big Aussie BBQ pays homage to a favourite Australian pastime. What better way to celebrate than by closing the street and filling it with a BBQ for all? Beginning with Aboriginal bush tucker and making our way through a diverse selection of cultures, with vegetarian and vegan options included. Accompanied by musical performances and roving entertainers, this street vibe event is a perfect way to spend an Australia Day afternoon.

Skydivers Drop
Langley Park | Tuesday 26 January | 2pm
Witness skydivers twirl and twist from the sky, towing Australia flags and trailing coloured smoke before they land on Langley Park amongst the Australia Day festivities.
Third-party events 

Yagan Square’s Nyumbi
Yagan Square | Friday 22 January |5.30pm to 6.30pm
Enjoy performances by local Aboriginal dance groups as they share stories of the world’s oldest living culture through music, dance and language.

Burlesque Cinema
Rooftop Movies, 68 Roe Street | Friday 22 to Sunday 24 January | From 6pm
The glitz and glamour of the burlesque world is brought to life by Perth’s best Burlesque entertainers this summer. 

City of Perth Fringe World Power Hour 
Yagan Square | Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 January | 5pm to 6pm
Come down and check out a unique selection of highlights from some of the best performers this FRINGE WORLD Festival.

Fringe World
Friday 22 to Tuesday 26 January | Various locations and times
You’ll be spoilt for choice with hundreds of shows to see at venues including The Woodside Pleasure Garden and Girls School. There’s something for everyone at FRINGE WORLD; from comedy, music and musicals, circus and much more.

Moonlight Cinema
Kings Park | Friday 22 to Sunday 25 and Tuesday 26 January | 6pm | Ticketed
Enjoy cult classics, new releases and much-loved favourites under the stars in Kings Park while you share a picnic and make the most of Perth’s long hot summer nights with a glass of wine and a picnic.

Lotterywest Films
Somerville Auditorium | Friday 22 to Tuesday 26 January | 6pm | Ticketed
Kick back under the stars and enjoy Perth’s most picturesque outdoor movie location.

AWESOME at Cathedral Square
Cathedral Square | Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 January | 11am to 3pm
The Cathedral Square lawn will be transformed for two days of colour and movement in partnership with Awesome Arts Australia including Guru Dudu Silent Disco, Weaving Circles & Yarn Looms and Earth Sculptures.
 

COVID-19 safe measures

The City of Perth is committed to keeping the community safe and healthy by implementing COVID-safe measures as advised by the Western Australian State Government. 

The City is encouraging people to stay home if they are unwell, practice physical distancing and use the hand sanitiser provided. Contact tracing is required at all events, via pre-registering for a ticket (ticketed events only) and by downloading the SafeWA app, to check-in upon arrival.