Perth Festival

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Arts & CulturePerth
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
Duration24 daysListed event span
CrowdVery LargeAbout 500,000 people
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsIts seven-decade pedigree makes it the
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: AUD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Perth Festival in Perth

Australia's oldest annual arts festival, running since 1953 out of the University of Western Australia, fills Perth's summer with roughly four weeks of theatre, dance, music, literature and visual art. Signature outdoor venues like the Somerville Auditorium and Chevron Gardens let audiences watch films and concerts under the stars before moving to another show in a different mood entirely.

Established in 1953 by the University of Western Australia, Perth Festival is Australia's oldest continuously running arts festival and the oldest annual international multi-arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Its seven-decade pedigree makes it the benchmark against which every other Australian arts festival is measured, and its founding link to the University of Western Australia gives it an unusually strong academic and civic backing that has kept it running without interruption since 1953

02

The mystery stays covered

The open-air Somerville Auditorium, tucked beneath tall Norfolk Island pines on the UWA campus, is a genuinely distinctive venue — a purpose-built outdoor cinema that has screened films to festival audiences for decades

03

The city starts moving

Because the program runs across a full month rather than a single weekend, visitors can build an entire holiday itinerary around it, sampling wildly different art forms on consecutive nights rather than choosing one show and going home

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Outdoor film screenings at the Somerville Auditorium under its canopy of Norfolk pines have been a fixture of the festival for generations and remain one of its most loved recurring rituals

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

Use the event area in Perth to set the route; normal travel times can stretch once crowds build.

What to wear

Dress light and casual for warm evenings, but bring a layer for after-dark cooling, especially at open-air venues like Somerville and Chevron Gardens.

Safety

At Perth Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Perth.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

AUD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map31.95 S, 115.86 EOpen in Google Maps

Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Nearest airportPER — Perth
TransportUse the event area in Perth to set the route; normal travel times can stretch once crowds build.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Perth.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Perth via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Perth, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearDress light and casual for warm evenings, but bring a layer for after-dark cooling, especially at open-air venues like Somerville and Chevron Gardens.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Australia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Perth Festival?

Perth Festival is listed for Past edition: 6 February–1 March 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Perth Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Perth, Australia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

24 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Perth, Western Australia, Australia

How big is it?

Very Large: 500000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLwa.gov.au
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusOfficial source linked
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