Perth’s summer calendar is bursting with energy this January, from basketball and concerts to immersive exhibitions and open-air cinema under the stars. Whether you’re after adrenaline-fuelled sport, cultural experiences, or simply a night out in the balmy evening air, there’s something to fill just about every day of the month.
Here are some of our top picks of what to do around Perth.
Terracotta Warriors exhibition at the WA Museum
Life-sized, stoic, and intricate — the Terracotta Warriors have called the WA Museum home since late June.
Touted as the most significant museum exhibition ever staged in Western Australia, the display includes more than 225 ancient artefacts. Among them are eight of the world-famous Terracotta Warriors from the mausoleum of China’s First Emperor, Qin Shihuang, each carrying thousands of years of history.
Running until February 22nd, 2026, Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor offers fresh insights into the life, legacy, and afterlife of the First Emperor. With immersive, cutting-edge technology and artefacts never seen outside China, this exhibition brings the legacy of an ancient civilisation to life right here in Perth.
For those planning a visit, the museum has added a compelling incentive. By purchasing your exhibition ticket online and agreeing to become a WA Museum subscriber, you’ll automatically enter the draw to win an all-inclusive trip for two to Xi’an.
The prize includes return flights to China, five nights in a five-star hotel in the heart of the city, airport transfers, a guided city tour, and a visit to the Terracotta Warrior Mausoleum.
When: Until February 22nd, 2026
Where: WA Museum Boola Bardip
Cheer on the Perth Wildcats
It’s time to join the Red Army.
The season is rapidly approaching that crucial run-in to finals, and the Perth Wildcats are fighting to finish as high on the ladder as possible as they contend for their next Championship title. If you haven’t been to a game before, now is the time. It’s an always entertaining fan experience from the minute you arrive at The Jungle — the name that The Wildcats fans have given to the homecourt at RAC Arena — right up until the game ends.
In January, there are three games you should go to:
January 22nd — the Perth Wildcats are playing the Cairns Taipans. It’s Pride Round and the Wildcats’ first official home game back in the Jungle since the break. Grab a jersey, purchase your tickets, and head down to show the team some of that Perth love they’ve missed during an extended run of away games. The Jungle will be loud!
January 25th — the Perth Wildcats are playing Melbourne United. These two teams have a long-standing rivalry that always brings out the best in both teams. Last time United were in Perth, the Wildcats secured a very comfortable win, so this time, you can guarantee it’ll be a fiery, high-tempo game.
January 28th — this game is part of the NBL’s new in-season tournament, the Ignite Cup, where there’s more on the line than just regular-season points. This Cup game, we’re playing South East Melbourne Phoenix. It’s a Wednesday night game and the perfect excuse for a mid-week night out.
Where: RAC Arena
Tickets are available here.
Family Fun At Whiteman Park
With the post-Christmas bank balance looking a little light, Whiteman Park offers the perfect wallet-friendly escape just 20 kilometres north of Perth’s CBD. The sprawling 3,700+ hectare park delivers a full day of entertainment without breaking the bank, making it ideal for families looking to stretch those holiday dollars well into the new year.
Little ones can cool off in the mini splash pool (open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm), while adventurous types can embark on nature walks through the Children’s Forest to hunt for bugs, spot birds, or discover the 14 hidden fairy doors scattered throughout. Pack your bike and pedal to Pia’s Place, the park’s stunning all-abilities playground centred around a 13-metre lighthouse with sweeping views across the reserve. For a touch of nostalgia, hop aboard a vintage train or heritage tram that winds through the beautiful banksia woodlands – and if you’re visiting on the second Sunday of the month, don’t miss the tractor parade kicking off at 1:15 pm outside the Tractor Museum or in the Village Mall.
The park’s network of barbecues makes it easy to enjoy a picnic lunch or treat the kids to an ice cream or sweet treats from The Lolly Stop to round out your day. Stop by the Visitor Information Centre to pick up a park map and chat with the friendly volunteers who’ll help you make the most of your visit.
Edge of the Earth Exhibition at WA Maritime Museum
Michael Haluwana — arguably Perth’s best photographer and cinematographer — is hosting an exhibition at the WA Maritime Museum, called Edge Of The Earth. The Exhibition is a showcase of the immense beauty and fragility of the Arctic and Antarctic, shown through his lens. Through large-scale photography and immersive digital artwork, the exhibition draws you into the stillness, colour, and power of the planet’s most remote landscapes.
With a career that includes work for National Geographic, Virgin Galactic, the BBC, and Sir David Attenborough, Haluwana has had the fortune (driven by hard work) of experiencing parts of the world that most people will never see. Find out more about the exhibition here, and follow Haluwana on Instagram here.
When: Saturday, December 13th – Monday, April 27th
Where: WA Maritime Museum
Tickets are included with General Admission to the museum.
United Cup at RAC Arena
This January, Perth will once again take centre stage as it hosts the opening rounds of the 2026 United Cup. From Friday, January 2nd to Wednesday, January 7th, RAC Arena will play host to electrifying matchups featuring the world’s top-ranked players, setting the stage for a tournament that will culminate in Sydney on Sunday, January 11th.
This year’s competition features 18 nations, each represented by up to five men and five women. With a minimum of US$11.8 million in total prize money and participation fees (that’s $17.6 million in Aussie dollars), 500 ATP/WTA ranking points, and international pride on the line, the stakes are higher than ever.
Tennis fans can witness history with tickets starting at $43.00 for adults and $23.00 for children ages three to 11. Family passes — for two adults and two children — are available starting at $109.00.
As a sweetener for So Perth readers, we’ve organised for 30% off all tickets using this link.
When: Friday, January 2nd to Wednesday, January 7th
Where: RAC Arena
Tickets are available here.
FRINGE WORLD Festival
From January 21st, one of Australia’s largest Fringe Festivals takes over Perth with more than 600 events scattered across the city. FRINGE WORLD is held in venues from Northbridge to Fremantle, bringing comedy, cabaret, circus, music, visual arts, and theatre to curious punters looking for a bit of entertainment.
When: January 21st to February 15th
Full event schedule and tickets are available here.
HoopsFest
Hoopsfest returns to Perth this January. It’s the biggest basketball, culture, and lifestyle festival in Australia. All ten NBL teams and eight WNBL teams converge for an electrifying round of games, with five NBL and four WNBL matches across the four-day event.
The new HoopsFest Cup also offers open-age players the chance to compete for a $50,000 prize pool, whilst the Fan Zone celebrates basketball culture with activities, entertainment, and the country’s largest sneaker festival, Sneakerland.
When: January 15th to 18th
Where: RAC Arena
Tickets are available here.
Rooftop Movies
Perth’s favourite open-air cinema continues throughout January, screening films seven nights a week from its rooftop in Northbridge. From cult classics to recent releases, watching movies under the stars with the city skyline as your backdrop is one of our favourite things to do.
Doors open 30 minutes before screenings, giving you time to grab a beverage from the bar and settle into a beanbag or premium swing seat. The relaxed atmosphere, regular beer takeovers from local breweries, and special events like double features make it a great night out. Check the programme for themed screenings and special events throughout the month.
When: Until March 22nd
Where: 68 Roe St, Perth
Full programme and tickets are available here.
Now You See Me Live
Crown Theatre hosts this spectacular stage adaptation of the blockbuster film franchise from January 23rd to February 1st. Four world-class illusionists — assembled from around the globe — bring death-defying escapes, cutting-edge technology, and grand feats of illusion to the Perth stage in a two-hour show.
When: January 23rd to February 1st
Where: Crown Perth
Tickets are available here.
Ed Sheeran
Global superstar Ed Sheeran returns to Optus Stadium in January as part of his all-new Loop Tour. Since first opening Optus Stadium in 2018, Sheeran has sold over 2.5 million tickets across Australia and New Zealand, and he’s back with a brand-new stage setup and material from his latest album, Play.
Special guests Vance Joy, Mia Wray, and BIIRD join him for what promises to be one of the biggest concerts of the summer.
When: Friday, January 31st
Where: Optus Stadium
Tickets are available here.
SailGP
Fremantle’s Bathers Beach becomes the epicentre of international sailing when the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix launches the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship season on January 17th and 18th. Twelve national teams race identical 50-foot foiling catamarans at speeds exceeding 100 kilometres per hour, right in front of you.
When: January 17th and 18th
Where: Fremantle
Tickets are available here.
