To pay homage to some of the most epic events in the country, we’ve put together a list of the ones that shouldn’t be missed. So throw on some sparkles, lace up the dancing shoes, and get out there to party in Oz.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Party, protest, celebration of self-expression – the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has been one of the biggest events on the calendar since 1978. Each year, thousands line the city streets to watch the parade wind its way from Oxford Street all the way to Moore Park. It’s a cavalcade of colour, exuberance and, most of all, pride.

In 2023, Sydney Mardi Gras and Sydney World Pride unite to present LGBTQIA+ pride festival – the first time the event will be held in the Southern Hemisphere.

The theme for the festival is GATHER, DREAM, AMPLIFY and was developed in partnership with First Nations and LGBTQIA+ communities.

When: 17 February-5 March 2023

Where: Sydney, NSW

OzAsia

Dancing grandmothers, Shoalin Monk Kung Fu and interactive theatre via an app – that’s just a taste of what you can expect at Australia’s pre-eminent arts festival dedicated to Asia. From China and Cambodia to India and Indonesia, artists from across the world’s biggest continent converge on Adelaide each spring to showcase contemporary dance, music, film, theatre, visual arts and food.

The Lucky Dumpling Market is always a festival favourite. Indulge in delicious Asian cuisine from food vendors and bustling bars while live performers keep you entertained.

Spanning 40m, the majestic Hong Kong Dragon is undoubtedly the star of the festival’s Moon Lantern Trail – a stunning spectacle of beautifully illuminated lanterns winding its way through Pinky Flat and along the River Torrens. OzAsia is an important voice in the conversation about Asian culture in Australia.

When: 20 October-6 November 2022

Where: Adelaide, SA

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light

The Red Centre is known as the spiritual heartland of this vast continent; it’s also where a mesmerising natural light show occurs. The incandescent sky radiates pink, yellow and violet hues against a starry canopy at night.

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light complements this spectacular natural phenomenon. The 10-night festival showcases the world’s oldest continuous living culture using the newest technology on a 300-million-yearold desert canvas.

Local artists from across the region take festivalgoers on emotional journeys through First Nations cultures. Inspired by a signature theme, each light installation has a profound story to tell. This year, Carmen Glynn-Braun’s ‘Night Sky,’ a dome structure of painted orb lights fitted with soundscapes, connects audiences with cultural beliefs of sky country.

Parrtjima also features artworks, live music, film screenings, interactive workshops and thought-provoking talks exploring Aboriginal art, culture, sport, entertainment, the environment and more.

When: 7-16 April 2023

Where: Alice Springs, NT

Floriade

Nothing says spring quite like flowers in full bloom. You may feel like you’ve stepped inside a time machine back to the 70s, but Floriade is a festival you’re lucky enough to experience in this era. The annual flower festival is hosted in Canberra’s Commonwealth Park, which overlooks Lake Burley Griffin.

Witnessing the park come alive and burst with fresh scents, vivid colours and intricate garden bed designs is a spectacular sight.

A variety of pansies, tulips and daffodils, among other bulbs, light up the precinct with floral fireworks. Each garden bed is a chapter in a bigger book inspired by a chosen theme. Spectacular by day, Floriade becomes truly magical when the sun goes down. NightFest blossoms with bright lights, live music and fun attractions over two weekends.

When: 17 September-16 October 2022

Where: Canberra, ACT

WOMADelaide

Feel the pulsating rhythms. Taste delicious recipes from faraway homelands. Free your mind and your body will follow.

For 30 years, people from across the country and all over the world have gathered at Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla for WOMADelaide, a four-day festival that brings global music, dance, cuisine and thought-provoking orations to Adelaide.

This eclectic event draws up to 600 artists from more than 30 countries. Where else can you hear booming Afrobeats, First Nations hip-hop, and avant-garde Latin guitarists on any given night? Music is the universal language, after all.

Starting out mainly as a music festival, WOMADelaide has evolved over the years. Today, it’s bigger and better than ever, offering a rich program of cultural diversity and creative discovery through workshops, discussion panels, cooking demonstrations and large-scale installations. Oh, and there’s plenty of bars, food stalls and artisan markets to check out between shows.

When: 10-13 March 2023

Where: Adelaide, SA

Sculpture by the Sea

The walk from Bondi to Tamarama is a coastal delight. There’s even more reason to make the trek during spring when this scenic 2km stretch becomes an open-air gallery for the world’s biggest public sculpture exhibition.

More than 500,000 visitors flock to Sculpture by the Sea each year to check out 100 or so works by acclaimed artists from all over the world. A giant frying pan half-buried in sand, monster ants crawling over a classic car and a towering red pencil looking out at sea featured in previous exhibitions.

When you’ve finished the grand walk, cool off with a dip at one of the world’s most famous beaches and watch the sun go down with some tasty fish and chips.

When: 21 October-7 November 2022

Where: Bondi, NSW

Parkes Elvis Festival

Bust out those blue suede shoes! More than 20,000 Elvis Presley fans descend on Parkes to celebrate the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll over five leg-shaking, lip-curling, hip-swivelling days. Live concerts, buskers, karaoke, markets, trivia nights, art exhibitions and movie screenings are just some of the fun events for the whole family.

The street parade is an annual highlight with Elvis-themed floats, Elvis and Priscilla look-a-likes and classic cars.

And what would an Elvis festival be without impersonators? They take centre stage for the chance to compete at the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist event in Memphis during Elvis Week, held every August.

When: 4-8 January 2023

Where: Parkes, NSW

Knights of Fire – Ballarat Winter Festival

Jousting, sword fights, witches and wizards! Step back into medieval times at Kryal Castle during the Knights of Fire – Ballarat Winter Festival.

Once inside these mighty fortified walls, navigate your way through the maze, conjure up magic potions at spellcasting school and make your own wands and witch or wizard hats.

Kryal Castle is like your favourite fantasy book, movie or TV show come to life. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for the unicorn.

When: 2023 July winter school holidays

Where: Ballarat, VIC

Australian Wooden Boat Festival

Village ambience, heritage buildings and a breathtaking deepwater port are hallmarks of Hobart’s historic waterfront – the perfect place to host the Australian Wooden Boat Festival.

Sailing in from all over the world, you’ll see the biggest fleet of wooden vessels in the Southern Hemisphere, including jaw-dropping tall ships, berth in Hobart’s Sullivans Cove and Constitution Dock. Soak up the Parade of Sail opening event, which showcases more than 200 wooden boats.

Swing by the Shipwright’s Village to learn about the craft of building wooden boats, and cheer on the Quick ‘n’ Dirty challenge, where schools build, decorate and race their own wooden vessels.

When: 10-13 February 2023.

Where: Hobart, TAS

Ord Valley Muster

The Kimberley can’t be tamed. This wild frontier of rugged ranges, sweeping savanna and grand gorges provides a spectacular backdrop to the Ord Valley Muster.

Live music, comedy, tastings and a rodeo are among more than 30 events to keep you wildly entertained over a wild few days.

Some famous festivalgoers who’ve hit the Ord Valley Muster stage over the years include Jessica Mauboy, Jimmy Barnes and Paul Kelly.

When: 19-27 May 2023

Where: Kununurra, WA

Laura Quinkan Dance Festival

For centuries, Laura has been the central meeting place for Cape York’s First Nations population and is home to some of the most well-preserved rock art in the world. At the Laura Quinkan Dance Festival, you can immerse yourself in the culture of the region and discover why this is Queensland’s longest-running First Nations event.

Every second year, Laura sets the stage for up to 1000 performers from 20 different communities to showcase their culture over three epic days. It’s not just a magnificent display of dance and art – there are also workshops where festivalgoers can get a real hands-on experience.

As an added bonus, the area is home to Quinkan Rock Art, touted by UNESCO as one of the top 10 rock art sites in the world.

When: 7-9 July 2023

Where: Laura, QLD