All the Big Events to Look Forward to Across Australia in 2021

The new year can be a time to reflect on the one just gone by, or a time to look forward to what the next 12 months have in store. It's also a time to be hopeful. For instance, with 2020 featuring few major cultural events, we're betting that you're crossing your fingers that 2021 will be filled to the brim with things to do. Although the year may have begun with border closures and increased gathering restrictions in parts of the country, many events around the nation are planning COVID-safe outings for 2021. Here are a few that have locked in details, so you can add them to that new diary that you received for Christmas.

COVID-19 restrictions across Australia, including border restrictions, can change frequently — and may affect these events. For more information about the status of COVID-19 around the country, head to the Australian Government website.

List

Map

{"id":796234,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003EWednesday 26th May - Sunday 6th June\u003Cbr\[email protected] Various Melbourne locations\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"RISING MELBOURNE","description":"Replacing Melbourne International Arts Festival and White Night, the inaugural festival will start on a full moon in May 2021.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Judy-Chicago-Purple-Poem-for-Miami-static-1-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Judy-Chicago-Purple-Poem-for-Miami-static-1-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/rising-melbourne","latitude":"-37.815579","longitude":"144.96269899999993","address":""}

Arts & Entertainment
Rising Melbourne

Replacing Melbourne International Arts Festival and White Night, the inaugural festival will start on a full moon in May 2021.

BUY TICKETS
{"id":793989,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003EFriday 15th January - Sunday 24th January\u003Cbr\[email protected] Various locations across Hobart and Launceston\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"MONA FOMA 2021","description":"The huge summer festival will feature more than 352 artists \u2014 across everything from light and laser shows to huge art installations and heaps of live tunes.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Aqua-Luma_Robin-Fox_credit-Nick-Roux_Image-courtesy-of-the-artist-and-and-Mona_supplied-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Aqua-Luma_Robin-Fox_credit-Nick-Roux_Image-courtesy-of-the-artist-and-and-Mona_supplied-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/mona-foma-2021","latitude":"","longitude":"","address":""}

Arts & Entertainment
Mona Foma 2021

The huge summer festival will feature more than 352 artists — across everything from light and laser shows to huge art installations and heaps of live tunes.

BUY TICKETS
{"id":792917,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003EFriday 12th March - Sunday 28th March\u003Cbr\[email protected] Various locations across Brisbane\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"CURIOCITY BRISBANE 2021","description":"Interactive installations are popping up all around town at this city-wide art fest.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Curocity-2021_Evanescent_01_supplied-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Curocity-2021_Evanescent_01_supplied-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/curiocity-brisbane-2021","latitude":"-27.4709331","longitude":"153.0235024","address":""}

Arts & Entertainment
Curiocity Brisbane 2021

Interactive installations are popping up all around town at this city-wide art fest.
{"id":796235,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003EFriday 5th March - Monday 14th June\u003Cbr\[email protected] National Gallery of Australia\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"BOTTICELLI TO VAN GOGH: MASTERPIECES FROM THE NATIONAL GALLERY, LONDON","description":"It includes Van Gogh\u2019s 'Sunflowers' \u2014 and it's the largest batch of works to venture beyond the United Kingdom in the gallery's history.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Installation-view_Vincent-van-Gogh_Sunflowers_The-National-Gallery-London-\u00a9-The-National-Gallery-London_supplied-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Installation-view_Vincent-van-Gogh_Sunflowers_The-National-Gallery-London-\u00a9-The-National-Gallery-London_supplied-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/botticelli-to-van-gogh-masterpieces-from-the-national-gallery-london","latitude":"-35.300631","longitude":"149.136837","address":" Parkes Place East"}

Arts & Entertainment
Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London

It includes Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ — and it’s the largest batch of works to venture beyond the United Kingdom in the gallery’s history.

BUY TICKETS
{"id":796216,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003EFriday 6th August - Saturday 28th August\u003Cbr\[email protected] Various locations across Sydney\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"VIVID SYDNEY 2021","description":"After taking 2020 off, Vivid will return to Sydney in August.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/vivid-sydney-opera-house-2018-supplied-dnsw-488x300.jpeg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/vivid-sydney-opera-house-2018-supplied-dnsw-488x300.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/vivid-sydney-2021","latitude":"-33.866830","longitude":"151.207101","address":""}

Arts & Entertainment
Vivid Sydney 2021

After taking 2020 off, Vivid will return to Sydney in August.

BUY TICKETS
{"id":796233,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003EFriday 3rd September - Saturday 25th September\u003Cbr\[email protected] Various Brisbane venues\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"BRISBANE FESTIVAL 2021","description":"Brisbane's annual arts and culture festival returns \u2014 with the world premiere of 'Boy Swallows Universe'.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Brisbane-Festival-2020_Sunsuper-NIght-Sky_01_Atmosphere-Photography_supplied-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Brisbane-Festival-2020_Sunsuper-NIght-Sky_01_Atmosphere-Photography_supplied-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/brisbane-festival-2021","latitude":"-27.4689443","longitude":"153.0234109","address":""}

Arts & Entertainment
Brisbane Festival 2021

Brisbane’s annual arts and culture festival returns.

BUY TICKETS
{"id":796108,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003EFriday 26th March - Sunday 5th September\u003Cbr\[email protected] Various\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"THE NATIONAL 2021: NEW AUSTRALIAN ART","description":"The National returns for 2021 to exhibit works from 39 rising Australian artists across three Sydney venues.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/carriageworks-david-mcdonald-flickr-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/carriageworks-david-mcdonald-flickr-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/the-national-2021-new-australian-art","latitude":"-33.8671","longitude":"151.207","address":""}

Arts & Entertainment
The National 2021: New Australian Art

The National returns for 2021 to exhibit works from 39 rising Australian artists across three Sydney venues.
{"id":761524,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003ESaturday 17th April\u003Cbr\[email protected] Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"GABS 2021","description":"The Great Australasian Beer Spectapular returns with hundreds of brews and plenty of beer-fuelled fun.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/gabs-sydney-2017-supplied-2-488x300.jpeg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/gabs-sydney-2017-supplied-2-488x300.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/gabs-2021-brisbane","latitude":"-27.4767954","longitude":"153.0176709","address":"Merivale Street"}

Food & Drink
GABS 2021

The Great Australasian Beer Spectapular returns with hundreds of brews and plenty of beer-fuelled fun.

BUY TICKETS
{"id":796104,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003ESunday 1st March - Tuesday 31st March\u003Cbr\[email protected] The Domain\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"SUMMER IN THE DOMAIN","description":"An all-star lineup is taking to The Domain over six autumn nights.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Vera-Blue-the-domain-supplied-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Vera-Blue-the-domain-supplied-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/summer-in-the-domain","latitude":"-33.8715119","longitude":"151.21484239999995","address":""}

Arts & Entertainment
Summer in the Domain

An all-star lineup is taking to The Domain over six autumn nights.

BUY TICKETS
{"id":794594,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003EFriday 8th January - Friday 23rd April\u003Cbr\[email protected] Sidney Myer Music Bowl\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"LIVE AT THE BOWL","description":"A two-month COVID-safe music festival at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl featuring the likes of Missy Higgins, Lime Cordiale and Birds of Tokyo performing with the MSO.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/piknic-electronik-melbourne-sidney-myer-music-bowl-credit-Wade-Malligan-supplied-05-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/piknic-electronik-melbourne-sidney-myer-music-bowl-credit-Wade-Malligan-supplied-05-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/live-at-the-bowl","latitude":"-37.8233277","longitude":"144.97467270000004","address":"21 Linlithgow Avenue"}

Arts & Entertainment
Live at the Bowl

A two-month COVID-safe music festival at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl featuring the likes of Missy Higgins, Lime Cordiale and Birds of Tokyo performing with the MSO.

BUY TICKETS
{"id":796212,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003ESaturday 6th March\u003Cbr\[email protected] Sydney Cricket Ground\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"MARDI GRAS PARADE 2021","description":"Australia's biggest LGBTQIA+ celebration takes over a temporary new home this March.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Jeffrey-Feng-Photography-MardiGras-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Jeffrey-Feng-Photography-MardiGras-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/mardi-gras-parade-2021","latitude":"-33.8936","longitude":"151.219","address":"Driver Avenue"}

Arts & Entertainment
Mardi Gras Parade 2021

Australia’s biggest LGBTQIA+ celebration takes over a temporary new home this March.

BUY TICKETS
{"id":796103,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003EFriday 15th January - Wednesday 31st March\u003Cbr\[email protected] Federation Square\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"FED OASIS","description":"Fed Square is transforming into a greenery-filled oasis with a program of free film screenings, live music and workshops. ","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/FedSQ_FED-Oasis_\u00a9LiamNeal_supplied-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/FedSQ_FED-Oasis_\u00a9LiamNeal_supplied-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/fed-oasis","latitude":"-37.8179789","longitude":"144.96905760000004","address":"Corner Flinders and Swanston streets"}

Arts & Entertainment
Fed Oasis

Fed Square is transforming into a greenery-filled oasis with a program of free film screenings, live music and workshops.
{"id":794591,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003EWednesday 1st September - Thursday 30th September\u003Cbr\[email protected] Toowoomba\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"TOOWOOMBA CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS 2021","description":"This splash of spring florals is returning for a whole month in 2021.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Toowoomba-Carnival-of-Flowers_01_supplied-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Toowoomba-Carnival-of-Flowers_01_supplied-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/toowoomba-carnival-of-flowers-2021","latitude":"-27.5612196","longitude":"151.88240489999998","address":""}

Travel & Leisure
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 2021

This splash of spring florals is returning for a whole month in 2021.

BUY TICKETS
{"id":796230,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003ESaturday 17th April\u003Cbr\[email protected] Doug Jennings Park\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"FOR THE LOVE","description":"Get your dancing shoes on for this waterfront festival.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/For-The-Love-crowd-supplied-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/For-The-Love-crowd-supplied-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/for-the-love-2","latitude":"-27.9650379","longitude":"153.4269116","address":"The Spit"}

Arts & Entertainment
For the Love

Get your dancing shoes on for this waterfront festival.

BUY TICKETS
{"id":795909,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003ESunday 21st February\u003Cbr\[email protected] Rippon Lea Estate\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"SO FRENCHY SO CHIC LE LONG LUNCH","description":"Spend an afternoon at Rippon Lea House and Gardens drinking champagne, eating cheese and frolicking on the lawn.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/So-French-So-Chic-Le-Long-Lunch_01_credit-Max-Kruse_supplied-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/So-French-So-Chic-Le-Long-Lunch_01_credit-Max-Kruse_supplied-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/so-frenchy-so-chic-le-long-lunch","latitude":"-37.879638","longitude":"144.998957","address":"192 Hotham Street"}

Arts & Entertainment
So Frenchy So Chic Le Long Lunch

Spend an afternoon at Rippon Lea House and Gardens drinking champagne, eating cheese and frolicking on the lawn.

BUY TICKETS
{"id":761959,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003EMonday 30th August - Saturday 18th September\u003Cbr\[email protected] QPAC Playhouse\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"BOY SWALLOWS UNIVERSE \u2014 QUEENSLAND THEATRE","description":"After being postponed from 2020, the award-winning Aussie novel will hit the Brisbane stage next year.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Boy-Swallows-Universe_QPAC-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Boy-Swallows-Universe_QPAC-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/boy-swallows-universe","latitude":"-27.4744254","longitude":"153.019341","address":"Corner Grey and Melbourne streets"}

Arts & Entertainment
Boy Swallows Universe — Queensland Theatre

The award-winning Aussie novel hits the stage.

BUY TICKETS
{"id":792843,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003ESaturday 6th March - Sunday 7th March\u003Cbr\[email protected] Brisbane Showgrounds\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"WILDLANDS FESTIVAL 2021","description":"The dance, electronic and hip hop festival returns with a stacked lineup of homegrown talent.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Wildlands_01_supplied-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Wildlands_01_supplied-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/wildlands-festival-2021","latitude":"-27.4509681","longitude":"153.0326413","address":"Gregory Terrace"}

Arts & Entertainment
Wildlands Festival 2021

The dance, electronic and hip hop festival returns with a stacked lineup of homegrown talent.

BUY TICKETS
{"id":796225,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003ESunday 31st January - Sunday 21st February\u003Cbr\[email protected] Melbourne Park\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2021","description":"The world's biggest tennis stars head Down Under.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Australian-Open-2015_wikimedia-commons_Tourism-Victoria-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Australian-Open-2015_wikimedia-commons_Tourism-Victoria-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/australian-open-2021","latitude":"-37.82267","longitude":"144.98005","address":" "}

Travel & Leisure
Australian Open 2021

The world’s biggest tennis stars head Down Under.

BUY TICKETS
{"id":752764,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003ESaturday 22nd May\u003Cbr\[email protected] The Big Pineapple\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"THE BIG PINEAPPLE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2021","description":"Nambour's must-attend music event has postponed its live tunes until May 2021.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/BPMF2019_Atmos_ClaudiaCiapocha_096_supplied-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/BPMF2019_Atmos_ClaudiaCiapocha_096_supplied-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/the-big-pineapple-music-festival-2021","latitude":"-26.67211","longitude":"152.99109899999996","address":"Nambour Connection Road"}

Arts & Entertainment
The Big Pineapple Music Festival 2021

Nambour’s must-attend music event has postponed its live tunes until May 2021.

BUY TICKETS
{"id":753144,"type":"event","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003ETuesday 1st June - Tuesday 31st August\u003Cbr\[email protected] Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria - Melbourne Gardens\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"LIGHTSCAPE","description":"This after-dark light and sound show will take over the Royal Botanic Gardens.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Lightscape-at-Royal-Botanic-Gardens-supplied-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Lightscape-at-Royal-Botanic-Gardens-supplied-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/brisbane\/event\/lightscape","latitude":"-37.8303689","longitude":"144.9796056","address":" Birdwood Avenue"}

Arts & Entertainment
Lightscape

This after-dark light and sound show will take over the Royal Botanic Gardens.