Between markets, community meet-ups, outdoor concerts and other free local council events the weekend social calendar can fill up pretty quickly in the Summer and early Autumn months. Here’s a list of the biggest local Festivals (mostly free) that you want to pencil in your diary now so you don’t miss out (note – this is Festivals only, not markets or general events – check out our blog, Facebook Page or monthly newsletters for more details of those).
Beauvine
Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th October
Birdwood Square, Cnr Beaufort & Bulwer Sts, Perth
Ticket prices start at $30
This inaugural festival of meat, wine, music and art is bought to you by JumpClimb Events, the team behind the Beaufort Street Festival. We wish them well for a successful kick off! More info on sessions, events and tickets can be found on their website.
Angove Street Festival
Sunday 25th October
10am to 5pm
On and around Angove Street, North Perth
FREE
Centred around Angove Street, the Festival incorporates the Golden Days Vintage Market at the Rosemount Hotel, a Kids Zone and the North Perth Primary P&C School Fete to offer a family and community friendly festival with a vast array of stalls, stages and activities for all ages. Local artisan stalls, cafes and retailers feature and the emphasis is on browsing, shopping, eating, chinwagging and generally cruising around or relaxing. There’s alcohol & live music options too, but not to the same extent as the Beaufort Street Festival. One of my personal faves and not to be missed.
Beaufort Street Festival
Saturday 14th November
12pm to 9pm
Beaufort Street, between Queens Cres & Lincolns Sts, Mount Lawley & Highgate
FREE
Perth’s largest street festival, attracting an estimated 150,000 people in 2014, grows in popularity and numbers each year. A dedicated kids zone at the City end separates the families from the masses and offers a respite from what can be huge crowds come mid afternoon, but for many this Festival is all about food, bars and live music. The sun can be hot and the queues can be long if you arrive later in the afternoon so getting there early is recommended if you’re keen to find a seat somewhere and soak up the atmosphere. Otherwise, wear a hat, sunscreen and comfy shoes! The Dog Show at the City of Vincent Stage is always a highlight but be prepared to set aside a couple of hours if you’re planning to take your pooch along. Don’t forget to look up or explore the smaller alleyways as this is where you’ll find the more interesting events and art installations. If you’re planning on driving there’s paid parking at Forrest Park or better yet, catch public transport there.
Hyde Park Community Fair
Sunday 6th & Monday 7th March (long weekend) 2016
8am to 8pm (check closer to the date for changes)
Hyde Park, Perth/North Perth
FREE
One of Perth’s oldest and longest running community events, the Hyde Park Community Fair is run by the Rotary Club of North Perth on the grounds and around the lakes of beautiful Hyde Park. With a main entertainment stage, kids fairground rides, market stalls and in 2016, the introduction of a food & wine section and morning Farmer’s Market, it looks set to continue its attraction for both locals and visitors alike for many more years to come.
Summerset Arts Festival
Dates & venues tba
FREE & Ticketed events
Billed as the City of Stirling’s premier cultural event, the Summerset Arts Festival consists of a number of free and low cost events held at numerous venues over a number of weeks across the City of Stirling. With Inglewood and Mount Lawley off the agenda as venues last year, most likely reflecting the Council merger debacle which would have seen both suburbs move to Bayswater, here’s hoping for a few events closer to home next year. Expressions of interest have closed for the 2016 festival but at the time of writing no dates or events had been announced.
Maylands Street Festival
Sunday 1st May 2016
12pm to 7pm
Eighth Avenue, Maylands
FREE
With City of Bayswater funding and questions around who would run in resolved (it’s local not-for-profit community group LACE Inc.), the date has been set for this community based Street Festival typically centred around Eighth Avenue, Maylands from the train station up to The Rise. Planning is currently underway and if you’re interested in being a sponsor or stallholder or just want to be kept up to date with what’s happening head over to the Maylands Hawkers Market website and subscribe to their email updates.
City of Bayswater Autumn River Festival
Dates and times tba
Riverside Gardens, Bayswater
FREE
No details announced for this annual day out at the time of writing.
Is there a local festival scheduled that I’ve missed out on that I need to profile? Send me an email or drop me a comment to let me know!
