What's on in Perth, Australia through the year

Peak crowds — Fringe World, Summer holidays in Australia

• Festival

  Fringe World

  18 Jan – 16 Feb · usuallyMajor festivalCrowded

  Four weeks of comedy, circus and cabaret in spiegeltents around the city and Northbridge, at the hottest time of the year, which is why so much of it starts after dark. Source ↗

Still on: The Fremantle Doctor (1 Nov – 31 Mar), Bushfire season (15 Nov – 15 Apr (usually))

Busy — Fringe World

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Fringe World (18 Jan – 16 Feb (usually)), The Fremantle Doctor (1 Nov – 31 Mar), Bushfire season (15 Nov – 15 Apr (usually))

Busy — Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe

• Festival

  Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe

  1–25 Mar · usuallyMajor festivalCrowded

  Three weeks of sculpture along Cottesloe Beach in March, free, and best in the hour before sunset when everyone else has the same idea. Source ↗

Still on: The Fremantle Doctor (1 Nov – 31 Mar), Bushfire season (15 Nov – 15 Apr (usually))

Busy — Autumn / Easter break in Australia, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Bushfire season (15 Nov – 15 Apr (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in May.

Busy — Winter (July) break in Australia, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in June.

Busy — Winter (July) break in Australia, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in July.

Quiet — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in August.

Peak crowds — Perth Royal Show, Spring break in Australia

• Nature

  Humpbacks off the coast

  1 Sep – 5 Dec · usuallyWhale season

  Humpbacks pass Rottnest and the metropolitan coast on the way south, calves in tow, from September to early December. The boats leave from Hillarys and Fremantle.

• Festival

  Everlasting Kings Park Festival

  1 Sep – 5 Oct · usuallyWildflowers & blooms

  The botanic garden above the city puts on its wildflower month through September, which is also when the roadsides an hour out are worth the drive. Free, and busiest at the weekend. Source ↗

• Festival

  Perth Royal Show

  20 Sep – 6 Oct · usuallyMajor festivalCrowded

  A week of showbags, sideshow alley and livestock at Claremont at the end of September, timed to the school holidays and rained on at least once. Source ↗

Peak crowds — Perth Royal Show, Spring break in Australia

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Humpbacks off the coast (1 Sep – 5 Dec (usually)), Everlasting Kings Park Festival (1 Sep – 5 Oct (usually)), Perth Royal Show (20 Sep – 6 Oct (usually))

Busy — one of its best months for weather

• Season

  The Fremantle Doctor

  1 Nov – 31 MarWind season

  The sea breeze comes in most summer afternoons and takes the edge off a hot day within an hour. Locals plan the beach, the river and the barbecue around when it arrives.

• Hazard

  Bushfire season

  15 Nov – 15 Apr · usuallySmoke season

  Fires in the hills east of the city put smoke over the suburbs on still days and close the walking trails on the worst ones. Total fire bans are declared district by district. Source ↗

Still on: Humpbacks off the coast (1 Sep – 5 Dec (usually))

Busy — Summer holidays in Australia, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Humpbacks off the coast (1 Sep – 5 Dec (usually)), The Fremantle Doctor (1 Nov – 31 Mar), Bushfire season (15 Nov – 15 Apr (usually))