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.
Ben Hansen
Published on January 04, 2021
List
Map
  • Event

    RISING 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.

  • Event

    Hamilton 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.

  • Event

    Mona 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.

  • Event

    Curiocity 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.

  • Event

    Botticelli 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.

  • Event

    Brisbane Festival 2021

    Fri, 3 Sep - Sat, 25 Sep 2021

    Various Brisbane venues, Brisbane

    Brisbane’s annual arts and culture festival returns.

  • Event

    The 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.

  • Event

    GABS 2021

    Sat, 12 Jun, 2021

    Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Brisbane

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

  • Event

    Live 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.

  • Event

    Mardi 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.

  • Event

    Fed Oasis

    Fri, 15 Jan - Wed, 31 Mar 2021

    Federation Square, Melbourne

    Fed Square is transforming into a greenery-filled oasis with a program of free film screenings, live music and workshops.

  • Event

    Toowoomba 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.

  • Event

    For the Love

    Sat, 19 Feb, 2022

    Doug Jennings Park, Main Beach

    Get your dancing shoes on for this waterfront festival.

  • Event

    So 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.

  • Event

    Boy Swallows Universe — Queensland Theatre

    Mon, 30 Aug - Sat, 9 Oct 2021

    QPAC Playhouse, South Brisbane

    The award-winning Aussie novel hits the stage.

  • Event

    Wildlands 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.

  • Event

    Australian Open 2021

    Mon, 8 Feb - Sun, 21 Feb 2021

    Melbourne Park, Melbourne

    The world’s biggest tennis stars head Down Under.

  • Event

    The 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.

  • Event

    Lightscape

    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.

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