Explore the magic of winter with some of Australia's best festivals and seasonal events.
From dazzling light displays and delicious winter feasts to live music, family-friendly attractions and cosy nights out, there's no shortage of activities to embrace the cooler months. We've rounded up the highlights to help you build your Australian Events Calendar this winter.
With exciting Australian Events taking place across every state and territory, winter is the perfect time to hit the road and discover something new. Whether you're planning a weekend road trip or a longer Australia Winter Travel adventure, these must-see festivals and celebrations are well worth adding to your itinerary.
Top Australian winter festivals and events this 2026
With family activities, spectacular winter lights and a cosy atmosphere. These are some of the best seasonal events to add to your Australian Events Calendar this winter.
- Winter Wonderlights (Ballarat, VIC) 26 June - 19 July 2026
- Vivid Sydney (Sydney, NSW) May - June 2026
- EKKA (Royal Queensland Show) (Brisbane, QLD) 8 - 16 August 2026
- Monet to Matisse: Defying Tradition (Adelaide, SA) 11 July - 8 November 2026
- Lightscape (Perth, WA) 5 June - 26 July 2026
- The Royal Darwin Show, (Darwin, NT) 23 - 25 July 2026
- Permission to Trespass (Table Cape, TAS) 1 - 15 July 2026
Victoria's best winter events
Sorrento Solstice Festival, Sorrento, Victoria
20 - 21 June 2026
Looking for Melbourne Winter Activities? Celebrate the Winter Solstice under the stars at a one-night event featuring dancing, live music, roaming performers, and immersive light experiences.
Electric Wonderland, Bendigo, Victoria
26 June - 12 July 2026
Rug up and enjoy a family-friendly event with enchanting sound and immersive light installations like a reef of underwater creatures and a giant magical snow globe. A mesmerising display full of wonder located in Bendigo’s Historic Rosalind Park.
Winter Wonderlights, Ballarat, Victoria
26 June - 19 July 2026
See the iconic Sovereign Hill transform into a dazzling wonderland of lights. With faux snow falling on Main Street, light shows, and festive winter activities, this is one event the whole family will enjoy.
New South Wales winter events worth the drive
Vivid Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales
May - June 2026
Experience a festival of lights, music, minds and food all across Sydney. With magnificent light installations, musical performances, talks and ideas from creative minds.
Snow Time in the Garden, Hunter Valley, New South Wales
27 June - 26 July 2026
Need an excuse for Sydney Winter Travel with the family? Take a trip to the Hunter Valley for a perfect winter event, featuring ice skating, ice tobogganing, amusement rides and more.
Bondi Festival, Sydney, New South Wales
3 - 19 July 2026
Come winter, Bondi comes alive with 3 weeks full of comedians, artists, musicians, performers, and even an ice rink, bringing a festive atmosphere to Sydney’s famous beachfront.
Queensland winter festivals and events
Scenic Rim Eat Local Month, Scenic Rim, Queensland
29 May - 30 June 2026
For the month of June, you can explore farms, distilleries, wineries, and dine in true paddock-to-plate experiences throughout the region. This is a culinary showcase of delicious food and flavours hosted by top chefs in Queensland.
The Curated Plate, Sunshine Coast, Queensland
24 July - 2 August 2026
One tasty celebration you’ll want to add to your Australian Events Calendar. 10 days of events and dining, including a long lunch, cruise and dine, picnics, farm to plate and much more.
EKKA (Royal Queensland Show), Brisbane, Queensland
8 - 16 August 2026
One of the region's most iconic events brings together music, agriculture, arts, fashion, food, wood chopping, giant vegetables and carnival rides to one destination. EKKA is a family-friendly event that has something for everyone.
South Australia events and festivals
Illuminate, Adelaide, South Australia
1 - 19 July 2026
Winter nights are sorted with Illuminate. A collection of events across Adelaide featuring immersive light installations, augmented games, music performances, art exhibitions and more.
Monet to Matisse: Defying Tradition, Adelaide, South Australia
11 July - 8 November 2026
AGSA Winter Art Series is back with works by some of the most influential European and American artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibition includes works from Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
Winter Weekends, Adelaide, South Australia
1 - 23 August 2026
Keep your winter weekends cosy with delicious food and beverages across Adelaide’s restaurants and cafes. There’s live entertainment and roaring fire pits to chase away the winter chills.
Western Australia winter events to add to your calendar
Lightscape, Perth, Western Australia
5 June - 26 July 2026
Perth is lighting up winter with Lightscape. A critically acclaimed immersive light trail in Kings Park and Botanic Garden, bringing incredible light displays, large-scale artworks, and music under the night sky.
Calcio Italiano, Perth, Western Australia
5 - 11 August 2026
Experience some of Serie A’s biggest rivals go head-to-head in a celebration of football held right here in Perth over 3 spectacular nights. If you’re a soccer fan, this is one Australian Event you won’t want to miss.
Tasmania’s top winter events
Permission to Trespass, Table Cape, Tasmania
1 - 15 July 2026
Unlock exclusive access to private properties, stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage in Wynyard and Table Cape. There’s storytelling, live music, adventure and delicious food.
Canada vs USA Ice Hockey Classic 2026, Glenorchy, Tasmania
2 - 4 July
Watch one of the biggest hockey rivalries battle it out across 2 unforgettable nights in Tasmania. With fast-paced plays, dramatic goals, fierce competition, and an electric crowd, this is one sports spectacle not to miss.
Festival of Voices, Hobart, Tasmania
3 - 12 July 2026
A winter celebration of singing and music for all music lovers from choral, cabaret, classical, comedy and contemporary, you can come and listen or join in too.
Northern Territory events to attend this winter
The Alice Springs Show, Alice Springs, Northern Territory
3 - 4 July 2026
Enjoy a fun day out with the family at the Alice Springs Show. There are rides, show competitions, free entertainment, cuddly animals to pet and more.
The Royal Darwin Show, Darwin, Northern Territory
23 - 25 July 2026
Spend the day at the show with 3 jam-packed days of exhibits, culture, produce, animals, crafts, and live music. There’s so much to see and do, including a nighttime fireworks display.
FlicNics, Palmerston, Northern Territory
30 May - 1 August 2026
Pack a blanket or something cosy to sit in and visit FlicNics, a free outdoor movie cinema all winter long.
Planning your Australian winter travel with KINTO
With so many fun events to add to your Australian Events Calendar this winter, a little planning can help you make the most of this season. We recommend mapping out your route and grouping nearby festivals and attractions into one memorable trip. Popular winter events can sell out quickly, so booking tickets and accommodation early is best to ensure you don’t miss out.
Choosing the right vehicle can make a big difference, especially if you’re planning to travel with friends, family or a lot of luggage. KINTO’s flexible range of hire cars can make winter travel simple and convenient. Members can book and unlock a KINTO all from their smartphone, helping you get on the road to all the events and festivals on your must-visit list this season.
Final thoughts
Australia’s winter calendar is full of exciting events, festivals and experiences worth travelling for. From immersive lights, winter wonderlands, food festivals and family-friendly activities, now is the time to plan your winter adventure with KINTO. Make the most out of the cold season by adding these festivals to your calendar and let KINTO take you there.
Explore the magic of winter this cold season with KINTO. Book a KINTO vehicle and start discovering Australia’s best winter events.
What are the must-see winter attractions and festivals in Victoria?
Victoria is home to popular winter events, including the Mansfield Lantern Festival, Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill, and, of course, skiing at Mt Buller. If you’re looking for Melbourne Winter Activities, look no further than Sorrento Solstice Festival and Lightscape at the Royal Botanical Gardens.
How to plan a winter holiday in Australia on a budget?
Enjoy Australian Winter Travel on a budget by booking accommodation and car hire early, travelling mid-week where possible, and including free or low-cost Australian Winter Festivals in your trip itinerary. Plus, regional destinations can offer excellent value, and road trips allow you to explore multiple Australian Events and attractions without the expense of flights.
Which Australian cities host a winter festival with the best family activities and food stalls?
You’ll find family-friendly activities and food stalls in all Australian cities, but a few stand out on the Australian Events Calendar. Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane all have a great range of winter events and activities for the whole family to enjoy. From winter lights to live music and hot food, there are plenty of fun winter events and festivals to attend with the family.
