These are the best festivals for summer
There’s no better time for a festival than summer.
Sure, food and wine festivals are extra cosy when the weather is cooler, but there’s something about being able to stay outdoors after the sun goes down that can’t be beaten.
Lucky for us, the Australian summer is packed with festivals – be it music, art, food, or other kinds of fun – and there are plenty to still look forward to in 2016.
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To help you make your choice, we’ve compiled a small list of festival favourites all over Australia, each with their own unique spin on a theme.
Whether it’s a Brazilian party atmosphere you’re after, or something more subdued, there’s something for everyone if you know where to look.
Return to Rio
When: March 18-20
Where: Del Rio Resort, NSW
What: If you’re after a left-of-centre weekend getaway filled with colour and fun, this boutique festival might be for you.
Now in its fifth year, Return to Rio’s offering can be summed up as electronic and house music with a Brazilian party theme.
Held at the Del Rio Riverside Resort on the Hawkesbury River, R2R is two nights of Brazilian hedonism without the price of a flight to Rio. Buy tickets here
Golden Plains
When: 7-9 March
Where: Meredith, VIC
What: Golden Plains started as a DIY bush bash in the stunning town of Meredith, Victoria, and has evolved into something much bigger while maintaining that original charm.
The weekend festival has become a favourite for Victorians who want a mixture of folk music and bands during the day and dance music when the sun goes down.
Costumes are a must for this one, as is glitter. Buy tickets here
Tropfest
When: 14 February
Where: Centennial Park, Sydney
What: Saved at the last minute from bankruptcy, this year’s Tropfest almost didn’t happen.
The biggest short film festival in the world, Tropfest started as a 200-person screening inside Sydney’s Tropicana Cafe, before evolving to reach an audience of 150,000.
Thankfully officially going ahead, this year’s Tropfest will be held in Sydney’s gorgeous Centennial Park, with talent from all over the world.
All entries must be new material, and also must feature the year’s ‘Tropfest signature item’, which in the past has been a gherkin or a lightbulb. Buy tickets here
WOMAdelaide
When: 11-14 March
Where: Botanic Park, Adelaide
What: With a focus on bringing round-the-world talent to South Australia’s capital, WOMADelaide is in its 20th year.
The festival, held in Adelaide’s beautiful Botanic Gardens, makes full use of the stunning terrain with eight stages playing world music, funk, reggae and more.
This year’s event will feature everyone from Australia’s very own Sarah Blasko and the Cat Empire, to German techno talent, not to mention food, arts stalls and more. Buy tickets here
Port Fairy Folk Festival
What: 11-14 March
Where: Port Fairy, Victoria
What: Despite originally featuring just Irish music, the Port Fairy Folk Festival now embraces folk, blues, roots, world music and much more.
The semi-hippy, laid back festival is now in its 40th year and a stalwart of the world folk scene.
The small seaside town of Port Fairy plays a perfect host to folk fans of all ages and persuasions over four days in March. Buy tickets here
Sculptures By the Sea
When: 6-23 March
Where: Cottesloe
What: One of the more spectacular festivals Australia has to offer, Sculptures by the Sea brings big, quirky and sometimes crazy sculptures to Sydney and Perth’s beaches every year.
Perth will host its next event in March by the beautiful Cottesloe Beach. Over 70 local, interstate and international artists will transform the popular beach into a stunning sculpture park visited by hundreds of thousands. Find out more here
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