All the Big Events to Look Forward to Across Australia in 2021
From jam-packed music festivals to world-class light shows, you can pop these huge, bright and exciting events in your calendar.
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.
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EventRISING Melbourne
Sat, 1 Jun - Sun, 16 Jun 2024
Various Melbourne locations, Melbourne
Replacing Melbourne International Arts Festival and White Night, the inaugural festival will start on a full moon in May 2021.
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EventHamilton the Musical
Wed, 17 Mar - Sun, 5 Sep 2021
Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star, Sydney
Don’t throw away your shot to see the blockbuster, Tony Award-winning musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
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EventMona Foma 2021
Fri, 15 Jan - Sun, 24 Jan 2021
Various locations across Hobart and Launceston
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.
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EventCuriocity Brisbane 2021
Fri, 12 Mar - Sun, 28 Mar 2021
Various locations across Brisbane, Brisbane
Interactive installations are popping up all around town at this city-wide art fest.
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EventBotticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London
Fri, 5 Mar - Mon, 14 Jun 2021
National Gallery of Australia, Parkes
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.
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EventBrisbane Festival 2021
Fri, 3 Sep - Sat, 25 Sep 2021
Various Brisbane venues, Brisbane
Brisbane’s annual arts and culture festival returns.
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EventThe National 2021: New Australian Art
Fri, 26 Mar - Sun, 5 Sep 2021
Various Sydney venues, Sydney
The National returns for 2021 to exhibit works from 39 rising Australian artists across three Sydney venues.
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EventLive at the Bowl
Fri, 8 Jan - Fri, 23 Apr 2021
Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
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.
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EventMardi Gras Parade 2021
Sat, 6 Mar, 2021
Sydney Cricket Ground, Moore Park
Australia’s biggest LGBTQIA+ celebration takes over a temporary new home this March.
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EventToowoomba Carnival of Flowers 2021
Wed, 1 Sep - Thu, 30 Sep 2021
Toowoomba, Toowoomba
This splash of spring florals is returning for a whole month — and its night garden, food trail, sideshow alley and ferris wheel are all coming back, too.
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EventFor the Love
Sat, 19 Feb, 2022
Doug Jennings Park, Main Beach
Get your dancing shoes on for this waterfront festival.
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EventSo Frenchy So Chic Le Long Lunch
Sun, 21 Feb, 2021
Rippon Lea Estate, Elsternwick
Spend an afternoon at Rippon Lea House and Gardens drinking champagne, eating cheese and frolicking on the lawn.
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EventBoy Swallows Universe — Queensland Theatre
Mon, 30 Aug - Sat, 9 Oct 2021
QPAC Playhouse, South Brisbane
The award-winning Aussie novel hits the stage.
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EventWildlands Festival 2021
Sun, 26 Dec - Mon, 27 Dec 2021
Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills
The dance, electronic and hip hop festival returns with a stacked lineup of homegrown talent.
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EventAustralian Open 2021
Mon, 8 Feb - Sun, 21 Feb 2021
Melbourne Park, Melbourne
The world’s biggest tennis stars head Down Under.
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EventThe Big Pineapple Music Festival 2021
Sat, 22 May, 2021
The Big Pineapple, Nambour
Nambour’s must-attend music event has postponed its live tunes until May 2021.
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EventLightscape
Fri, 24 Jun - Sun, 7 Aug 2022
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria - Melbourne Gardens, South Yarra
This after-dark light and sound show will take over the Royal Botanic Gardens.
