Festival Calendar
Fresh starts and celebration
New Year's Eve
Australians welcome the year with fireworks, festivals, and community gatherings across the country. It is a time for reflection, renewal, and setting goals with family and friends.
Reflect, respect, connect
Australia Day / Invasion Day / Survival Day
Many people celebrate with concerts, barbecues, and citizenship ceremonies. For First Nations peoples it is a day of mourning, marked with reflection and truth telling.
New beginnings with tradition
Chinese / Lunar New Year
Communities celebrate with lion dances, lanterns, and colourful parades across major cities.
Families gather for reunion dinners and exchange gifts to mark good fortune and hope.
Love, care, and connection
Valentine’s Day
Couples, families, and friends share gifts, flowers, and kind words.
It is a cultural day of showing affection and appreciation.
Fasting, prayer, and community
Ramadan
Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset and gather for nightly meals.
The month is a time for reflection, prayer, and acts of charity.
Celebrating our capital city
Canberra Day (ACT)
Residents of the ACT mark the founding of Canberra with public events and performances.
Families enjoy a holiday filled with outdoor activities, community festivals, and reflection on local history.
Irish spirit in Australia
St Patrick’s Day
Parades, music, and cultural events celebrate Irish heritage across the nation.
Communities enjoy food, dance, and lively gatherings in pubs and public spaces.
Everyone belongs in Australia
Harmony Day
Schools and workplaces highlight Australia’s cultural diversity through activities and events.
The day encourages inclusivity, acceptance, and respect for all cultures.
Renewal, hope, and joy
Easter
Christians mark the occasion with church services, reflection, and family meals.
It is also celebrated with chocolate eggs, hot cross buns, and time together.
Lest we forget
ANZAC Day
Dawn services and marches commemorate Australians and New Zealanders who served.
The day honours sacrifice and courage, with wreaths laid in respect.
Pacific pride and culture
Pasifika Vibes Festival
Māori and Pacific Islander communities share music, dance, and traditional food.
The festival is a vibrant celebration of heritage, unity, and identity.
Honouring mums with love
Mother’s Day
Families celebrate with gifts, flowers, and special meals at home or restaurants.
The day is dedicated to showing gratitude and love for mothers.
Learning, listening, walking together
Reconciliation Day
Events promote truth telling, shared history, and the voices of First Nations people.
It is a day for reflection, learning, and building respectful relationships.
Honouring the monarchy
King’s Birthday
Australians observe a public holiday with ceremonies and community events.
For many it is simply a time to relax and enjoy a day off.
Keep the fire burning
NAIDOC Week
Communities honour the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Events include storytelling, art exhibitions, and recognition of First Nations leaders.
Thank you, dads everywhere
Father’s Day
Families show appreciation with gifts, breakfast, and quality time together.
It is a national day to celebrate the role of fathers and father figures.
Light over darkness
Diwali (Festival of Lights)
Hindu communities celebrate with candles, lamps, and colourful displays.
Families exchange sweets, gifts, and joy, marking hope and renewal.
Spooky fun and costumes
Halloween
Children enjoy trick-or-treating and dressing in playful costumes.
Communities gather for parties, decorations, and festive fun.
The race that stops a Nation
Melbourne Cup Day
Australians watch horse racing while enjoying food, fashion, and celebration.
In Victoria it is a public holiday that brings the nation’s focus to Melbourne.
Lights, family, and faith
Hanukkah
Jewish families light the menorah and share meals and gifts.
The celebration honours faith, joy, and dedication across eight nights.
Together in love
Christmas
Australians celebrate with family meals, gifts, and festive decorations.
For Christians it is the religious observance of the birth of Jesus.