Make the most of Perth’s summer sunshine and get out to experience everything from magicians to street food festivals, Australia Day events to Chinese New Year celebrations.
This is your guide to the best events in Perth.
Monday, January 23rd
Fremantle Then & Now: Historical Panoramas
Explore the legacy of Fremantle via a series of sweeping panoramas taken from the 1800s to the modern day. Across seven different points in the port city, Fremantle Then & Now: Historical Panoramas showcases the changing face of Fremantle over 155 years.
Visitors can take a guided tour of the panoramas via an immersive, in-gallery installation, and familiarise themselves with pre-colonial history, convict influence, gold rush buildings, street life, and the development and significance of the port.
Tuesday, January 24th
Stadium Karts
Perth’s newest outdoor karting experience, Stadium Karts, has zoomed into Optus Stadium.
Challenge friends and family as you zip around the 740-metre course at speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour. The track weaves through the Stadium Park east precinct near the Perth Stadium train station and stretches around gardens and under overpasses.
One drive starts at $59.00, with a small discount for packages of two or more drivers.
Wednesday, January 25th
Asian Street Food Festival
The first Asian Street Food Festival of the year is taking place at Rickman Delawney Reserve in Balcatta this coming Wednesday.
Grab pillowy-soft bao buns from Baolicious, Indonesian satay from Java Stix, or Japanese from Maneki Neko. There will also be burgers and Tex-Mex trucks for lovers of an American flavour profile.
The GDPT Chanh Tin Lion Dancing Troupe will be entertaining with dancing said to chase away evil spirits and bring happiness, good luck, and longevity. Kids can get their faces painted or join the free silent disco while adults peruse the market stalls.
Thursday, January 26th
Australia Day @ Langley Park
This year’s main Australia Day event takes the humble sky show one step further, combining fireworks and a drone show over the Swan River. Bring a picnic and find a spot on the foreshore for the 30-minute show, kicking off at 8:15 pm. The best views will be from Langley Park.
Didn’t bring a picnic? Pick up some dishes from around the globe from vendors at the giant food hall in the Entertainment Zone. Prior to filling your stomach, get the adrenaline pumping on some of the rides, or watch some of Australia’s extreme freestyle motocross and BMX riders as they do backflips, crazy tricks, and mind-blowing stunts.
Featuring informative, educational, and entertaining short films and animations, the Reflect Respect Celebrate Film Dome will be showing Six Noongar Seasons, Shining the Light, and The Story of Us on rotation.
Birak Concert
Hosted by Aboriginal Shows and Productions, the Birak Concert is a way for all Australians to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
This year’s lineup features a traditional Welcome to Country and WA talent Lilly Gogos, Pipeline Band, and Flewnt — amongst many more.
There will also be fun activities, including a community art canvas, market stalls with hand-crafted items, and a 23-metre-long warrior obstacle court.
Friday, January 27th
Toy Story In Concert
Join Woody, Buzz, and their friends on the big screen at Toy Story In Concert, a celebration of 100 years of Disney.
The classic Disney film will be showing while the West Australian Symphony Orchestra plays along, live, to the well-known score. Shows are at 1:00 pm or 7:00 pm at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Saturday, January 28th
Triple J Hottest 100
Venues all around the city will be opening their doors in celebration of this year’s Triple J Hottest 100.
Spread across four stages and two car parks, COAST Port Beach’s annual Hottest 100 beach party is selling fast.
Grab a cocktail from the tiki cocktail hut or the Soulsbys beach bar, and food from one of the many pop-ups. Afterwards, dance with your friends on the beach at the silent disco, Motif main stage, or cargo container rave room.
Have a dip in the pool, sip refreshing drinks, and revel in the music at the Indian Ocean Hotel for a more relaxed day.
Cosentino
Celebrating ten years as Australia’s most successful magician, illusionist, and escape artist, Cosentino takes to the stage for his greatest hits tour, Decennium.
Cosentino will delight audiences with death-defying escapes, cutting-edge street magic, and mind-boggling stage illusions.
There will be two shows, one at 2:30 pm and one at 7:30 pm, with the former including a meet and greet for an extra fee.
Sunday, January 29th
SummerSalt Festival
Bask in the sunshine and enjoy live music by Australian and international artists at the SummerSalt Festival.
Dance to the tunes of this year’s lineup featuring Angus & Julia Stone, Ben Harper, The Rubens, Alex the Astronaut, Middle Kids, and City and Colour. Eat food from the multiple food trucks and drink from the pop-up bars. The event is family-friendly, with face painting and roaming kids’ entertainment.
Perth Chinese New Year Fair
Ring in the year of the rabbit at The Perth Chinese New Year Fair across James and Lake Streets, Northbridge, and Northbridge Piazza.
Yagan Square will come alive with workshops, entertainment, and activities like calligraphy, live animal petting, and Vietnamese roll workshops to honour the Lunar New Year. See dragon and lion dances, K-Pop performances, and special appearances from Chinese characters such as Kung Fu Panda. Or, write well wishes for the New Year in the beautifully decorated Luck Lane to bring good luck and prosperity your way.
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Lead image: Summersalt Festival
