The best autumn festivals around Australia in 2026

The season of cosiness and colour calls for celebration.

Summer has well and truly had her time in the spotlight this year, with sweltering hot days delivering beachside bliss. But for those who prefer the cooler months, autumn’s arrival is a welcome change. So grab your favourite knitted cardigan and follow us – it’s time to celebrate this glorious season at Australia’s cosiest autumn festivals.

Lighting the Sound

Albany, WA: 13–29 March

Lighting the Sound is a large-scale outdoor light installation that will transform Albany’s coastline into an immersive experience over three weekends. Visible from key locations across town, the illumination of landforms around King George Sound shifts attention from the coast to the ocean – a life-giving source rich in ancestry, culture, ecology and history. Created by internationally renowned artist Kari Kola, it’s anticipated to be the largest light installation on Earth .

Canberra Balloon Spectacular

Canberra, ACT: 14–22 March

For nine mesmerising days, the nation’s capital comes alive with the Canberra Balloon Spectacular , which sees countless hot air balloons dance across the sky in a kaleidoscope of colour. Taking place in the John Dunmore Lang Place Park, keen spectators can arrive early to see the balloons up close before they take off each morning. Or grab a top-quality coffee before heading to Lake Burley Griffin, arguably the best spot to view the iconic floating parade.

Orange FOOD Week

Orange, NSW: 20–29 March

Hosted across a variety of the town’s iconic and emerging venues, Orange FOOD Week is a love letter to the region’s incredible local produce and the people who grow it, nurture it, bottle it or transform it on a plate. This year, the festival celebrates 35 years, and to honour the milestone, the program is going big. More than 100 events will allow guests to experience Orange at its best – it is one of Australia’s prettiest autumn towns after all.

FabAlice

Alice Springs, NT: 26–29 March

Continue the Mardi Gras party this autumn at fabALICE , a festival of drag and cabaret that celebrates the inclusivity and diversity of Mparntwe/Alice Springs. Across four glitter-filled days, the town transforms into a stage for dazzling performances, disco dance floors, drag queen bingo, film nights, cabaret shows and a sparkling street parade that brings everyone together. Join this vibrant NT community as it sparkles in honour of pride, love and diversity.

A Taste of the Hills

Adelaide Hills, SA: 28–29 March

Join a collection of South Australia’s top wineries, distilleries, breweries and cideries all in one place this March at A Taste of the Hills . Explore the region by glass with vendors like Golding Wines, Vinteloper, Tin Shed Distilling Co, Heaps Good Spirits, Silver Bark Brewery, Lenswood Cider Co and more. There will also be live music and plenty of local food vendors to keep you satiated between sips.

Feast of the Senses

Innisfail, Qld: 29 March

Fruit market — Load up on a range of fresh tropical fruit. (Credit: Getty/Cacio Murilo de Vasconcelos)

Discover the riches of Tropical North Queensland’s backyard at Feast of the Senses , held on the jaw-dropping Cassowary Coast. Here, the spotlight is on locally sourced produce and exotic fruits, but attendees can also sample the region’s best meat, seafood, herbs, spices and wine. Meander your way around Innisfail via various events, from guided walks and food-focused trails to trivia nights and live music delights.

Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival

Macedon Ranges, Vic: 1–30 April

The month-long Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival encapsulates over 50 curated events across nine of the region’s prettiest towns. Focusing on local food, wine, art and history, the program spans from farmers markets and guided tours to trivia nights and painting classes. Be sure to join the Pie & Tart Trail for sweet and savoury treats; or if wine is more your style, tag along on the Tipple Trail.

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Tasmanian Autumn Festival

Derwent Valley, Tas: 1–30 April

Basket full of mushrooms — A mushroom foraging workshop is the perfect autumn activity. (Credit: Getty/Knape)

Once summer disappears, Tasmania’s Derwent Valley dials up its charm. A major part of its allure is the month-long Tasmanian Autumn Festival , where local producers come together to showcase the best of the region. Embrace the cool change with kitchen garden tours, guided walks, wine tastings, ghost walks, foraging workshops, long lunches and more – just don’t forget your woolly hat!

International Street Arts Festival

Fremantle, WA: 3–6 April

Over the Easter long weekend, WA’s breezy port city transforms into an epic outdoor exhibition for the International Fremantle Street Arts Festival . local favourites and global standouts unite for more than 160 family‑friendly performances, filling the heart of Freo with colour and movement. Best experienced on foot, the free event is open to all – no tickets, no barriers, just pure unfiltered entertainment.

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light

Alice Springs, NT: 10–19 April

The only Aboriginal festival of its kind, Parrtjima – A Festival in Light, celebrates the arrival of autumn on Arrente Country in Alice Springs. A stalwart of the city’s arts calendar, the free 10-night event blows guests out of the water each year with nightly projections against the MacDonnell Ranges. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore the outback in all its glory and learn about one of the oldest living cultures in the world.

Outback River Lights

Cunnamulla, Qld: 17–19 April

Outback River Lights puts its own spin on autumn along the banks of the Warrego River. Across three days, Cunnamulla celebrates the spirit of community and local life with everything from workshops and competitions to live performances and cultural experiences. Whether you do dinner under the stars, join a bush tucker cooking class or take a fire-twirling lesson, you’re in for an autumnal treat.

Autumn Garden Festival

Clare, SA: 19 April

Gardening Australia's Costa Georgiadis — Get some top gardening tips from Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis.

One of the best things about autumn is watching the landscape transform – which is why the SA Autumn Garden Festival is such a hit every year. Known as South Australia’s first-ever gardening fest, it welcomes green thumbs of all abilities to learn about plant care in the cooler months. This year, catch Gardening Australia‘s Costa Georgiadis and Sophie Thomson at workshops and panel talks across the program.

Bright Autumn Festival

Bright, Vic: 24 April – 3 May

Bright autumn streets — The cosy town of Bright peaks during autumn. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Deciduous tree species and a cool alpine climate make Bright in Victoria’s High Country a true seasonal delight. Each year, the small but mighty town celebrates this claim to fame at the Bright Autumn Festival , a 10-day affair showcasing the region’s best. With local markets, live music, historic tours, art exhibitions, guided walks and more, it’s the perfect excuse for an autumnal road trip.

Falling Leaf Festival

Tumut, NSW: 1–3 May

Tumut in Snowy Valleys, NSW — Tumut is best experienced in autumn. (Credit: Jake McBride)

At the Falling Leaf Festival , it’s all in the name. Whether warming your hands on a mug of mulled wine or dancing through piles of golden leaves in the park, Tumut invites you to explore this autumn. Nestled in a cosy pocket of the Snowy Valleys, the regional town comes alive across three splendid days with creative workshops, market stalls, live music, comedy shows and more.

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Bickley Harvest Festival

Perth Hills, WA: 3 May – 1 June

La Fattoria in Perth Hills, WA — La Fattoria will welcome guests during the Bickley Harvest Festival. (Credit: Experience Perth Hills Kalamunda)

It may be home to one of the best wineries in Perth, but Bickley has more to offer than its world-class vino. Case in point: the Bickley Harvest Festival . Running throughout May, guests can taste their way around town via its best venues, from cideries and farms to wineries and restaurants. This year, guests can stop by Brookside Vineyard, Carmel Distillery, La Fattoria, Masonmill and more.

Tasting Australia

South Australia: 8–17 May

Journey Beyond presents Tasting Australia 2026 , an iconic foodie festival that takes over SA each autumn. At its heart, the 10-day program is a celebration of eating and drinking, evolving over the years to unite people, place and produce. Events are held everywhere from the Flinders Ranges to the Fleurieu Peninsula, including Adelaide, the Barossa, Kangaroo Island and across the Riverlands. This year, there’s even an exclusive new culinary rail journey on The Ghan.

Ord Valley Muster

Kununurra, WA: 15–25 May

A traditional Corroboree under the night sky. A long lunch on a working cattle station. A real-life rodeo (with real-life cowboys). This is autumn in the Kimberley. This is the Ord Valley Muster , a nine-day extravaganza of diversity, tradition, culture and character. From bush tucker foraging to black-tie dinners, the program alone makes this a bucket-list experience.

Ballarat Heritage Festival

Ballarat, Vic: 21–24 May

The beloved Ballarat Heritage Festival has always been a favourite among locals and visitors of The Golden City. A diverse annual program spotlights the history of Ballarat and those who shaped it, through art exhibitions, heritage tours, panel talks and creative workshops. Other highlights include the antique fair, vintage car show, and steam train rides through town.

Vivid Sydney

Sydney, NSW: 22 May – 13 June

Vivid Sydney is turning 16 in 2026, and to celebrate, the 23-day event promises to delight like never before. This year’s program has been given a revamp, filled with an exciting mix of light shows, soundscapes, live music, art exhibitions and a whole lot of food! Spend the evening wandering the Light Walk, having a boogie with local bands, tasting your way through the Fire Kitchen or enjoying open-air circus acts, the dazzling city as your backdrop.

Taste of Kakadu

Kakadu National Park, NT: 23 May

This May, Karrimanjbekkan An-me Kakadu: Taste of Kakadu will take you on a sensory journey of taste and sound. Discover the foods and stories that come alive during Kakadu’s Bangkerreng and Yekke seasons, which correspond with autumn on the Western calendar. Immerse yourself in the landscape through weaving workshops, cooking demos, dance performances, bush tucker tastings and more – offering an insight into Indigenous culture through a First Nations lens.

The Mornington Peninsula is a coastline of contrasts, where convict and military history meets shipwrecks, wild seas and adventures above and below the surface.

The Mornington Peninsula can be the kind of place where salt-tangled hair feels like a badge of honour – proof you’ve been somewhere wild, raw and real. Peel back the layers and you’ll discover stories that anchor this region to something other than its famed food and wine.

This land is the traditional Sea Country of the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung people. Long before grapevines were planted and artisanal goods were crafted, the Bunurong Traditional Owners lived in deep connection with the land and sea. Today, places such as Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary echo that tradition, with families exploring its rockpools in search of colourful sea stars and crabs at low tide and learning how these fragile ecosystems have been cared for across countless generations.

a group of people visiting the Port Nepean National Park — Take in the rugged coastal landscape at Port Nepean National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

A visit to Point Nepean National Park feels like stepping back through time. The fort, built in 1882, protected the narrow entrance to Port Phillip Bay until the end of the Second World War. It was here that the first Allied shot of the First World War was fired – at a German cargo ship trying to escape just hours after war was declared. Nearby, the old Quarantine Station, one of Australia’s first permanent quarantine facilities, established in 1852, still stands. Walking through the hospital and disinfecting complex evokes stories of those who arrived from faraway shores.

Not far from here is a story of survival that inspired the Aussie phrase ‘you’ve got Buckley’s chance’. In 1803, escaped convict William Buckley vanished into the bush near what’s now Sorrento. Everyone thought he had no hope of surviving, but he reappeared 32 years later, having lived with local Aboriginal people.

Even the waters here hold history. The infamous stretch known as The Rip, just three kilometres wide at the entrance of Port Phillip Bay, is among the most treacherous waterways. Countless ships were lost here in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and in 1967, Australia’s own Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared while swimming off the coast, never to be found.

a seal swimming in Port Phillip Bay — A seal swimming in Port Phillip Bay. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

But for all its danger, the sea here also holds extraordinary beauty. Dolphins are often seen near Sorrento’s cliffs, while below the surface, seagrass meadows and rocky reefs teem with life. Marine tours offer a viewing to this underwater wonderland, while back on terra firma, walking trails lead along beaches, through coastal scrub, and over rock pools.

And if you think you’ll forget about the Mornington Peninsula once you’ve left? You’ve got Buckley’s chance.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the suite interior at InterContinental Sorrento — Luxury interiors at the historic InterContinental Sorrento. (Image: Greg Elms)

Point Nepean Discovery Tents is immersive glamping beside the historic Quarantine Station. Or upgrade to luxury at the 1875-built InterContinental Sorrento .

Playing there

an aerial view of Cape Schanck Lighthouse — Make your way to the Cape Schanck Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

Bayplay Adventure Tours offer eco-adventures from snorkelling with sea dragons to kayaking with dolphins and cycling Point Nepean. Cape Schanck Lighthouse is fascinating to explore on a guided tour, which takes you into the lighthouse and keeper’s cottage.

Eating there

Portsea Hotel is a beautifully restored 1876 Tudor-style pub right on the beach, serving seasonal local fare.