This index brings together festivals in Australia confirmed through official sources and organises them by locality and venue. It includes documented celebrations in Brisbane and Cairns, Australia.
Festival culture in Australia has developed through religious and civic calendars, seasonal cycles and regional customs passed between generations. That historical continuity now coexists with contemporary cultural formats.
The cultural diversity of Australia is visible in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, performing arts, film, music and regional festivals. Local forms preserve distinct territorial identities within a varied national calendar.
Within Oceania, Australia contributes its own traditions and takes part in regional cultural exchange through heritage celebrations and contemporary festivals.
The international reach of Australia is expressed through cultural networks, co-productions and gatherings connecting communities, institutions and artists from different countries.
Major festival families in Australia include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, performing arts, film, music and regional festivals. The inventory on this page documents specific examples through official sources.
QMusic describes BIGSOUND as Australia's leading music industry gathering. For four days in September, artists and industry professionals meet in Fortitude Valley, the Brisbane neighbourhood whose venues host the festival and conference.
1-4 September 2026 · Brisbane · Fortitude Valley
The 25th edition of BIGSOUND presents one hundred artists across several Fortitude Valley venues over three nights, alongside an industry conference, international delegations and artist-development activity.
AFIN International Film Festival takes place in Brisbane, Australia, with three screening nights at Dendy Cinemas Portside and an awards event at SunPAC.
15-19 September 2026 · Brisbane · Dendy Cinemas Portside and SunPAC
The ninth edition presents 35 films from 12 countries across three screening programmes and an awards night.
WOW Australia brings to Cairns a programme developed with more than 200 local women. Events take place at Bulmba-ja Arts Centre, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort and other venues in Cairns, Australia.
10-12 September 2026 · Cairns · multiple venues
The programme combines talks, film, workshops, performances and comedy, while marking Cairns's 150th anniversary and the contribution of women and girls in the region.
Brisbane, Australia · Fortitude Valley, the host neighbourhood with multiple venues published by the official organiser.
Brisbane, Australia · Dendy Cinemas Portside and SunPAC, the venues for the AFIN 2026 screenings and awards event.
Cairns, Australia · Bulmba-ja Arts Centre, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort and other spaces listed in the official programme.