Add these must-do regional festivals to your 2026 calendar
SOURCE:ABC Australia|BY:Shiloh Payne
From pint-sized penny farthings to tuna tosses, a beer can regatta to the Running of the Sheep, there's a regional festival for everyone's interests.
Welcome to January, where you peel off the plastic on your new calendar and plan for your best year yet.
Luckily, regional Australia is bursting at the seams with festivals and events for a memorable 2026.
Whether it's music, food, rodeos or the Running of the Sheep, don't miss all the fun these regional gems have to offer (conveniently listed below in chronological order).
Parkes Elvis Festival
The Elvis Festival attracts tourists from around the world. (ABC Central West: Brigitte Murphy)
Where: Parkes, central western New South Wales
When: January 7 to 11, 2026
What: Celebrate all things Elvis Presley at this mega festival that attracts more than 25,000 fans. A jam-packed itinerary features a long list of performances, muscle cars and lookalikes on every corner. It's the 33rd year of the event, set in January to coincide with Presley's birthday.
Tunarama
Time to start practising your tuna toss. (Supplied: Fran Solly)
Where: Port Lincoln, South Australia
When: January 16 to 18, 2026
What: Ever wondered how far you can toss a tuna? Wonder no more and head to Tunarama, where competitors sign up to hammer throw a 10kg rubber fish. The festival also features a street parade, seafood, cooking demonstrations and fireworks to cap off the celebrations.
National Penny Farthing Championships
Where: Evandale, Tasmania
When: February 21 to 22, 2026
What: A historical penny farthing bike race is quite a sight to behold, and hundreds of spectators line the streets of Evandale every year to watch. But that's not where the fun stops. Food trucks and entertainment surround the race circuit, offering something for the whole family.
Multicultural performances are on display at the Harvey Harvest Festival. (ABC: Back Roads)
Where: Harvey, Western Australia
When: March 6 to 8, 2026
What: Celebrating its migrant communities and proud agriculture traditions, the Harvey Harvest Festival boasts a three-day program filled with live music, art, food and cultural experiences. Its main attraction — the WA Grape Stomping Championships — attracts competitors from around the globe, with anyone from amateurs to professionals getting their feet wet.
Immerse yourself in literature in the Goldfields town of Clunes. (Supplied: David Jones Photography)
Where: Clunes, central Victoria
When: March 20 to 21, 2026
What: The main street of this small town of less than 2,000 people is flooded with literary fans from all over the world. The historic buildings of this gold rush town serve as a temporary home to authors from around the country, hosting writers' talks, entertainment and rare finds.
What: This annual event has been bringing the rural LGBTQIA+ community together for 25 years, making it the longest-running queer pride event in regional Australia. From bush dances to parades and performances with special guests, the event draws a large and colourful crowd.
Parrtjima
Witness Alice Springs illuminate at Paartjima. (Supplied: Parrtjima)
Where: Alice Springs, Northern Territory
When: April 10 to 19, 2026
What: This free, 10-night event illuminates the world's oldest living culture with expansive light installations and interactive experiences. The 2026 theme for Paartjima is Language, with installations exploring the stories and beauty of Language, from ancient to contemporary.
Dirt n Dust Festival
Get around the rodeo in Julia Creek. (ABC: Tony Hill )
Where: Julia Creek, north-west Queensland
When: April 17 to 19, 2026
What: If live music and real-life cowboys are more your style, add the Dirt n Dust Festival to your calendar. The two-day rodeo event features buck jumps, bronc rides and all the live music to keep your energy high.
What: This charity relay sees teams push a wheelbarrow a total distance of 140km over three days. It's a community event aimed at honouring Far North Queensland miners, who would travel around the region in the late 1800s to look for work, using wheelbarrows to carry their possessions.
What: Compete in the Great Australian Pumpkin Roll or have your own Cinderella moment at this festival revolving around the winter staple. Get the whole family involved with the pageant featuring decorated pumpkins of all shapes and sizes.
Dark Mofo
Embrace your dark side at Dark Mofo. (Supplied: Dark Mofo)
Where: Hobart, Tasmania
When: June 11 to 22, 2026
What: The annual winter Dark Mofo Festival celebrates dark and ancient pagan rituals. The famous nude winter solstice swim is a key part of the program, accompanied by art installations, music and food, ending with the burning of the Ogoh-Ogoh effigy.
Beer Can Regatta
It's time to start designing your entry. (ABC News: Roxanne Fitzgerald)
Where: Darwin, Northern Territory
When: June 28, 2026
What: Put your tinnies to good use by constructing a makeshift raft at the annual Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta. The rules are simple: design a vessel from cans, plastic bottles or milk cartons, and make sure it floats. For those wanting to stay dry on land, enjoy a full day of beach festivities, with thong throwing and sand castle-making competitions.
Goldfields Gothic: Festival of Dark Ideas
Enter the fashion show at Goldfields Gothic. (Supplied: Goldfields Gothic: Festival of Dark Ideas)
Where: Maldon, central Victoria
When: July 21 to August 2, 2026
What: Embrace your dark side at this festival based around the gothic history of the central Victorian goldfields. This family-friendly event has everything from haunting storytelling about bushrangers and ghosts, to gothic tai chi.
Henley on Todd Regatta
A regatta on sand? We're intrigued. (ABC Alice Springs: Xavier Martin)
Where: Alice Springs, Northern Territory
When: August 15, 2026
What: It's a boating regatta in the middle of the outback, with no water in sight. Henley on Todd sees participants race their 'boats' on the dry riverbed of the Todd River in the most creative ways. The main event aside, there's also a street parade and children's activities.
Shinju Matsuri Festival
The Shinju Matsuri Festival celebrates Broome's diverse cultures. (ABC Kimberley: Dunja Karagic)
Where: Broome, far north Western Australia
When: August 22 to September 6, 2026
What: Shinju Matsuri means Festival of the Pearl in Japanese and celebrates Broome's multicultural pearling history. Experience sunset dinners, lantern ceremonies and cultural performances right by Broome's picturesque seaside.
Cementa Festival
Get artsy at Cementa Festival. (ABC Central West: Toby Hemmings)
Where: Kandos, mid-western New South Wales
When: September 17 to 20, 2026
What: In a town famous for making cement, contemporary art and culture come alive at the Cementa Festival. This biennial arts festival features immersive art exhibitions, performances and workshops for all.
You'll want to find a mate with a ute for this regional event. (ABC Riverina: Shannon Corvo)
Where: Deniliquin, south-west New South Wales
When: October 2 to 3, 2026
What: The humble utility vehicle is at the centre of this regional festival that celebrates all things ute culture. It offers a mix of activities and entertainment, featuring big country music stars and precision driving competitions.
Boorowa Irish Woolfest
Where: Boorowa, south-west New South Wales
When: October 2 to 4, 2026
What: The Running of the Sheep is the signature event for the Boorowa Irish Woolfest, where a large flock runs straight down the main street. But that's not the only entertainment: the spring long weekend is jam-packed with Irish accent competitions, a street parade and a Guinness pie-eating competition, all celebrating the town's Merino wool trade, and its connection with the town of Clonoulty in Tipperary, Ireland.
Tulip time comes but once a year. (ABC Northern Tasmania: Rick Eaves)
Where: Wynyard, north-west Tasmania
When: Date TBC, spring 2026
What: Catch a shuttle bus to the Table Cape Tulip Farm, which opens its gates each year during this festival so the public can enjoy the tulips in full bloom. Afterwards, enjoy food stalls and carnival rides by the water.
Bay to Birdwood
Witness vintage cars of all shapes and sizes. (ABC News: Isabel Dayman)
Where: West Beach to Birdwood, South Australia
When: October 18, 2026
What: Pull up for a parade of historic vehicles in the Adelaide Hills, organised by the National Motor Museum to reflect Australia's social history. Catch the action along the 67-kilometre route, or enjoy the Finish Festival in Birdwood and get up close and personal with the cars.
Grafton Jacaranda Festival
This wholesome festival centres around a flower. (ABC Open contributor intuit_photography)
Where: Grafton, northern New South Wales
When: Dates TBC, spring 2026.
What: Become immersed in a sea of purple as thousands of jacarandas bloom in Grafton. This 10-day festival celebrates the bright, flowering trees with garden parties, park lunches and a parade.
Mannalargenna Day
Connect with the world's longest continuous living culture. (ABC)
Where: North-east Tasmania
When: December 5, 2026
What: Held each year to honour the memory of Indigenous leader and warrior Mannalargenna, the day combines live music, cultural experiences, dances and food. It features yarning circles, crafting and spear-throwing competitions for attendees to connect with culture.
What: It's business at the front and party at the back at Mulletfest, the annual festival celebrating the best mullet haircut. Originating in Kurri Kurri, the festivities went nationwide in 2025, with heats held across the country. Participants aren't just judged on their hair, though; overall presentation and stage presence also play a part. The grand final is held in Kurri Kurri each December, but there could be a heat to check out closer to home.