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JANUARY
Summernats (ACT), 7-10 January
The annual Street Machine Magazine Summernats is more than a car show; it’s a festival of the street machine lifestyle. The event attracts enthusiasts from Australia and overseas to see, feel and participate. Exhibition Park offers the opportunity to cruise the kilometres of roadways, and stretch performance to the maximum, in the outrageous Burnout and Go-Whoa competitions on the world’s first and only purpose-built burnout facility.
Sydney Festival (NSW), 9–30 January
The Sydney Festival is a three week celebration of dance, theatre, visual arts, opera and music from the classics to hip hop. Incorporating events and artists from around the world, as well as the much-heralded outdoor program including the Domain concerts, the Festival presents the very best international and national performing and visual arts.
Tamworth Country Music Festival (NSW), 15–24 January
The annual Tamworth Country Music Festival is a celebration of Australian Country music, culture and heritage. The festival is the second biggest country music festival in the world and Cuban heels, rhinestone cowgirls, white leather tassels decorate the streets.
Tour Down Under (SA), 17–24 January
The Tour Down Under is a 728 kilometre premier international cycling event that takes cyclists through some of the most beautiful countryside and city precincts in South Australia. The fittest cyclists on two wheels hit the streets of Adelaide and surrounds in a true test of endurance as the elite riders battle for the ochre jersey in the highest ranked international cycling event in the Southern Hemisphere.
Australia Day (National), 26 January
Australia Day is a time for Australians of all backgrounds to celebrate national unity. It is also a time to appreciate heritage and history and to take an active part in the community and remember colonial pioneers.
Australian Open (VIC), 18 January–31 January
See stars serve up grand slam action in Melbourne for two weeks of explosive tennis, the first international title of the year. The Australian Open offers a colourful and vibrant atmosphere with giant video screens broadcasting live matches, live music, interactive activities and a huge variety of food outlets with cuisine to tickle everybody’s fancy.
FEBRUARY
The Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Festival (VIC), 14–15 February
The Yarra Valley plays host to a weekend full of fun and frivolity presented by the Yarra Valley Wine Growers Association. The Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Festival includes the Yarra Valley’s regional wineries, with a focus on beautifully crafted wine, superb food and the deluxe sounds of world-class musicians.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival (NSW), 20 February–6 March
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has grown from a local gay pride event to being one of the most spectacular gay and lesbian events in the world. There will be a month of high quality arts, sporting and social events culminating in the fabulous Parade and Party on 6 March.
Adelaide Fringe Festival (SA), 19 February–14 March
The Adelaide Fringe Festival is one of Australia’s largest arts events. The Fringe is renowned for fresh ideas, imagination, spontaneity and fun. Artists from across the globe participate alongside home-grown talent, in all art forms.
MARCH
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2010 (VIC), 12–23 March
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival offers a full program of events promoting the quality produce, talent and lifestyle of Melbourne and the state of Victoria. The festival attracts food and wine experts from across the world, including world-renown chefs and winemakers, growers, purveyors, authors and critics to present alongside some of Australia's best.
Surf Life Saving Championships (QLD), 16–21 March
An exciting sporting event, the Surf Life Saving Championships this year will be held at Kurrawa Beach on the Gold Coast. The event attracts over 6,000 competitors from Australia and internationally.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival (VIC), 24 March–18 April
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is Australia’s largest cultural comedy event. It celebrates Australia’s comedy acts and introduces international acts to Australian audiences.
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (VIC), 24–28 March
Held in one of Australia’s World Heritage sites, the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is a celebration of Australian lifestyle and the great outdoors. It is recognised as the largest and most successful horticultural event in the southern hemisphere.
APRIL
National Folk Festival (ACT), 1–5 April
For five days Exhibition Park in Canberra dresses up and becomes a magic place, filled with colour and sound. Hundreds of the world’s best musicians perform daily at the National Folk Festival, in a non-stop flow of entertainment.
MAY
Sydney Writers Festival (NSW), 17–23 May
The Sydney Writers Festival has a packed events program with something for everyone, from fun children’s workshops to serious literary discussion panels with renowned authors.
JUNE
Sydney Film Festival (NSW), 3–21 June
Sydney Film Festival is one of the world's longest running film festivals. The festival presents an annual showcase of films that range from the audacious to the charming.
The Dreaming Festival (QLD), 5–8 June
The Dreaming is a vibrant, exciting and a valuable destination where local, national and international audiences look forward to their annual ceremony time along with the most comprehensive showcase of Indigenous arts from across the country and around the world.
JULY
Gold Coast Airport Marathon (QLD), 4 July
Held on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia is an event that motivates and challenges tens of thousands of people of all ages and abilities. The Gold Coast Airport Marathon features a marathon, half marathon, 10km run, community walk and junior dash.
Lions Imparja Camel Cup (QLD), 10 July
If you're looking for a fun event not just for your family and friends, then the Camel Cup is it. Not only do you get a good laugh just by watching the races (guaranteed that no two races are the same) you will also be entertained by fun and interaction between races, with lots of great local stalls.
AUGUST
The Australian Safari (WA), 1–8 August
The Australian Safari is one of the world’s most challenging cross-country rallies. Often referred to as the ‘Dakar’ of the Southern Hemisphere, the event invites participants in cars, motorbikes and quads to cross over 500 kilometres of outback terrain.
Darwin Festival (NT), 12–29 August
The Darwin Festival features local and touring performances and events including outdoor concerts, workshops, theatre, dance music, comedy and cabaret, film and visual arts. During the Festival, Darwin buzzes with performers, artists, locals and visitors enjoying the vibrant and colourful atmosphere and festivities of the Darwin Festival.
SEPTEMBER
Kings Park Festival (WA), 1 September–1 October
Western Australia’s newest annual event, the Kings Park festival showcases spectacular displays of wildflowers.
The Birdsville Races (QLD), 3–4 September
The annual Birdsville Cup Racing Carnival was first held in 1882 as an event for hack and stock horses with a few local spectators. The world famous Outback carnival now includes a 12-race program and prize money in excess of AU$110,000.
Floriade (ACT), 11 September–12 October
The national capital bursts into colour with Floriade, a massive spring festival with over 1 million blooms flowering. Aussie inventions, celebrities, landscapes, sporting culture and history are all represented in an incredible display.
OCTOBER
Panasonic World Solar Challenge (NT & SA), 25–31 October
The Panasonic World Solar Challenge participants will traverse more than 3000 kilometres across Australia, from tropical Darwin to balmy Adelaide, in cars powered by nothing more than the sun. The challenge to design and build a car capable of crossing Australia on the power of daylight attracts teams and individuals from corporations and universities all over the world.
NOVEMBER
Melbourne Cup (VIC), 2 November
It’s the horse race that stops the nation. Held each year on the first Tuesday in November, the Melbourne Cup is now more than a horse race; it’s a fashion-fuelled week of celebrations.
Ashes- Australia vs England (Around Australia), 25 November – 7 January
Australia will do battle with England over five Tests in 2010-11, with the opening game locked in for the Gabba in Brisbane from 25 – 29 November 2010. Matches in Adelaide and Perth will follow, with Melbourne’s Boxing Day Test and Sydney’s New Year’s Test completing the series. The Ashes are a thrilling contest between world cricket’s biggest rivals Australia and England.
DECEMBER
Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race (NSW &TAS), 26 December – 1 January
The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race starts on 26 December and is conducted on the waters of Sydney Harbour, the Tasman Sea, Storm Bay and the Derwent River. Over the past 64 years, the Rolex Sydney Hobart has become an icon of Australia’s summer sport, ranking in public interest with such national events as the Melbourne Cup horse race, the Davis Cup tennis and the cricket tests between Australia and England.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations around Australia, 31 December
Different, unique and amazing celebrations take place across Australia to welcome in the New Year. Celebrate in a quiet rural town, by the sea, or even on an island in Sydney Harbour to watch a spectacular display of fireworks and fun.