All the best things happening in your state this July

There’s no shortage of things to do in Australia. If anyone knows that, it’s us…

However, with such a breadth of things going on around the country, it can sometimes get a little overwhelming to separate the champs from the chumps. You’re busy people, we get it.

To help you out, we have collated a guide of the best-goings-on for the month of July, helping you plan your calendar accordingly. Thank us later.

All events correct at the time of publishing. We are doing our best to keep this post updated but due to the evolving Covid-19 situation please check the event’s website directly before attending and follow all current safety restrictions.

NSW

Bathurst Winter Festival
Bathurst
26 June – 11 July

Known as the “place of great happiness”, Bathurst Winter Festival is back again to turn the town into an electrifying sea of colour and music.

From games where you fly through virtual clouds using your own phone, to changing plant colours in the interactive Fernery, to carnival rides and slides, there are activities for the whole family to enjoy.

And if the light projections and enchanting forest displays weren’t enough, Saturday nights will see the venue inundated with mulled wine, craft beer and the most delicious eats, as you enjoy all the entertainment on show.

The Winter Village is Popping Up in Parramatta
Paramatta
All July

Mega pop up The Winter Village will make its debut in Parramatta for its inaugural launch this June, making its way to NSW due to popular demand as Sydney-siders finally get a taste of the alpine-inspired winter wonderland. Open daily, it will run for three months, from June 19 – September 12, 2021.

The Winter Village has partnered with the City of Parramatta’s popular Winterlight for its 10th year running, to transform Prince Alfred Square in Parramatta into a winter wonderland, complete with an ice skating rink, igloo village, daily snow showers and food and drink pop-ups serving the ultimate cosy comfort food.

Bastille Festival
Sydney
July 11-18

This July, the French are returning to Sydney for 5 days of Food, Wine and Arts Revolution – get ready for a tricolour party in Circular Quay.

If you’re not familiar with it yet, the Bastille Festival is a French cultural celebration – It is free entry and we are proud of it. With 70 pop-up wine & food bars, you’d better start preparing your stomachs for a cheese and wine melange.

Merivale relaunches pick up and takeaway
Sydney

Some of Merivale’s most-loved restaurants are now open for pick-up and takeaway. Think Peking duck pancakes from Mr Wong, wood-fired bread from Totti’s and The Paddington’s famous roast chicken.

Find out more here.

VIC

Vegan Market
Melbourne
July 3

Queen Victoria Market will once again play host to the popular Vegan Market of Melbourne, as it returns this Saturday 3 July from 9 am – 4 pm.

The brainchild of Melbourne-based vegan Simon Hughes, the Vegan Market of Melbourne brings together an eclectic mix of stalls including food, fashion, art, craft, education and more, and is the first monthly vegan market established in Melbourne. With some of Melbourne’s favourite vegan pop-ups, this special market showcases why vegan foods and products continue to grow in popularity amongst the wider community.

Stalls include:

Oh My Döner: vegan Berlin-style döner kebabs
D.R Peanut Butter: homemade, preservative-free, double roasted nut butter
Simply TU Natural Hair Products: plant-based, natural hair products
Spliced Eco Fashion: vegan fashion and designer wares
Urban Farming Collective: fresh produce
G. Free Donuts Melbourne: gluten-free doughnuts

Melbourne’s Winter Gin Market
Collingwood
22 – 25 July

Fellow Gin connoisseurs, this one is for you. The Winter Gin Markets are back for one night only to warm up Melbourne this winter.

Filled with an abundance of high-quality gin from a number of distilleries, the 10 plus stalls will include the likes of Bass & Flinders, Mountain Gin and many more.

Meet the gin makers themselves, try the deliciously designed charcuterie boards at the G&T pop-up lounge, and experience the ‘golden age of craft gin distillation’ at the city’s ever so popular gin market.

Alba Thermal Springs & Spa announcement
Mornington Peninsula

Alba Thermal Springs & Spa will launch on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula in June 2022, offering luxurious spa and bathing experiences.

Launching winter 2022 to coincide with World Bathing Day (22 June), Alba Thermal Springs & Spa on the Mornington Peninsula will offer contemporary bathing experiences and spa treatments to renew, repair and recalibrate. The expansive 15-hectare space will offer a wide selection of indoor, open-air, and outdoor treatment rooms and bathing pools.

ACT

Truffles in July
Canberra
4 July

The truffle season is almost upon us, which means a myriad of events popping up in celebration of it.

As a result, Mercure Canberra is putting on a very special Truffles in July at Olims Bar & Bistro, for an evening of decadent truffle dishes and wine tastings to pair.

The chefs dinner spread will bring you Canberra’s delectable Black Gems from Macenmist Black Truffles, with the best local wines from Lerida Estate Wines Canberra, Long Rail Gully Winery and Mount Majura Vineyard. Celebrate the season in style with Truffles in July.

Wintervention
Civic Square
Until July 11

Canberra’s most coveted winter attraction, Wintervention is back for 2021, turning Civic Square into an open-air ice-skating arena from Friday 25 June until Sunday 11 July for the school holiday period.

Take a moment to enjoy the true joys of winter and embrace the frost around entertainment, activities, food, and market stalls. The rink is open 10 am to 8 pm from Sundays to Thursdays, and 10 am to 9 pm Fridays and Saturdays. Visitors are required to book in for their skate sessions.

The markets will run across two weekends (Friday 25 to Sunday 27 June and Friday 2 to Sunday 4 July). Stars on Ice will keep the crowds entertained with live performances on Fridays and over the weekend. Throughout the week skate sessions, music performances and hot drinks and food stalls are available.

 TAS

Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival
Huan Valley
16 – 17 July

Tasmania has a deep-rooted apple history, so much so they created a festival to celebrate their rich apple culture. Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival is a three day, pagan inspired, winter bash held at the Willie Smith Apple Shed in Grove.

The festival revolves around awakening the apple cider trees through traditional chanting and singing around the trees, to chase away evil spirits and ensure a good harvest season. After all that dancing, quench your thirst with the best cider, beers and wines from local producers, and indulge in a feast at the mid-winter banquet.

From the burning of a two-story wicker man, costume competitions, an epic bonfire and enough eclectic beats to keep you flowing throughout the 3 days, there’s no better way to wake up this winter.

Festival of Voices
Hobart
Until July 11

The Festival of Voices is back again to light up Tasmania with the most distinguished choral music from all over the world.

The program focuses on the power of song, offering concerts, workshops and choir packages that all support the theme of bringing vocalists and choristers together. The highlight each year is the massive bonfire where thousands of people sit around singing together.

The event will be held in multiple venues, including churches and museums. So come join in on the action and find your voice.

WA

Mowanjum Festival
Derby
12 July

Celebrate the living culture of the Ngarinyin, Worrorra and Wunambal peoples at the annual Mowanjum Festival in Derby. The indigenous dance and cultural event put on a variety of performances, as a creative way to tell the locals stories.

Thousands of visitors flock to the event each year, to enjoy not only the acts but the vast array of workshops on offer, including boomerang making, didgeridoo playing and ochre painting. It’s an amazing way to get in touch with the vibrant culture of Australia’s aboriginal people.

Cabin Fever Festival
Margaret River
16 – 25 July

From quality wines, wholesome comfort food, and relaxing by a bonfire, Margaret Rivers popular winter festival, Cabin Fever, is sure to be a big hit this year.

The free event has a phenomenal foodie program throughout 35 epic locations, including indulging in gourmet comfort food, wine blending, spice classes, and cheese fondue fireside.

 

Guests will also be able to enjoy live music, workshops and other unique events, with a beautiful backdrop of Margaret River’s iconic landscape. How can you resist?

SA

Umbrella: Winter City Sounds
Adelaide
July 16 – August 8

No matter your musical taste, Umbrella: Winter City Sounds got you covered. Made up of 350 live music events across Adelaide CBD and surrounding suburbs, the festival sees local and international artists flock to the city to perform.

Head down south and watch the city become illuminated this winter, with Winter City Sounds cultural music explosion over the 17 days.

Winter Reds Weekend
Adelaide Hills
23 – 25 July

Settle in by an open fire, among a rustic cellar setting, with a delicious glass of Cabernet wine or some wholesome comfort food during the Winter Reds Weekend celebration.

With a variety of vineyards and estates in Adelaide Hills playing host, events will range from long table lunches, fireside feasting, firepit sessions and wine trails. So grab a group of friends and head to the region, because this luxurious cosy event is best experienced with those closest to you.

NT

Territory Day
Darwin
1 July

*TERRITORY DAY HAS BEEN POSTPONED IN LIGHT OF THE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS* 

A day recognised throughout the whole of the Northern Territory, there are many to go to celebrate Territory Day. But it seems that Darwin Waterfront is the place to be this year.

The festivities will kick off at 5 pm, with kapow balloon twisting and glitter painting for the little ones, and performances throughout the night from local artists and DJ’s. Plus the signature firework shows that’ll light up the skies at 8 pm.

So either dine in at one of the surrounding restaurants or pack a picnic and chill out on the lawn to watch the spectacular light show take place.

Darwin Fringe Festival
Darwin
July 2-11

The Darwin Fringe Festival is the biggest platform for emerging artists in the Top End. The open-access festival supports the development of the community, providing opportunities for all artists to emerge, experiment, and showcase new and diverse works in Darwin to local and national audiences.

With 100 shows covering more than 11 genres, it is a fabulous 10 days in July.

QLD

Big Red Bash Festival
Birdsville
July 6-8

The Big Red Bash is an eccentric, rock-fuelled Australian outback pilgrimage like no other.

The Big Red Bash, Birdsville, outback Queensland, widely acknowledged to be the world’s most remote musical festival – a three-day extravaganza filled with iconic Australian artists in a classically Australian setting, located just 11 kilometres from the South Australian border on the eastern edge of the Simpson Desert where red dust from the 1,100 sand dunes whir endlessly and ‘Buy me another beer, you’re still ugly’ posters line the walls of local pubs.

Paul Kelly will be joined by a festival-record 19 Australian music greats, including Ian Moss, Tim Finn, John Williamson, Kate Ceberano, Ian Moss, Shannon Noll, Dragon, The Radiators, Mi Sex, Wendy Matthews, Thirsty Merc, Marc Gable, Dragon, Glenn Shorrock, Caitlin Shadbolt and more.

Brisbane Good Food Month
Brisbane
July

Good Food Month presented by Citi returns to Brisbane this July, bringing together some of Australia’s biggest names for a celebration of the senses. Shining a light on home-grown talent, exceptional produce and the power of culinary collaborations for the eighth year running, Good Food Month

Queensland’s own Alanna Sapwell brings her pop-up restaurant Esmay back to Brisbane after touring around the country; Ben Williamson’s fire-fuelled Agnes will be welcoming Melbourne’s own master of fire, Dave Verheul of hatted Embla into the kitchen for the perfect fiery feast; Louis Tikaram is set to mentor some of the region’s brightest up-and-coming chefs as they put on a fine four-course lunch at Howard Smith Wharves; Shane Delia joins forces with fellow hatted chef, Adam Wolfers at Gerard’s Bistro for an inspiring Middle Eastern feast; and Shannon Martinez will pay tribute to the vibrant Tel Aviv dining scene with a tantalising plant-based menu at Za Za Ta Bar & Kitchen.

Scenic Rim Eat Local Week
Scenic Rim
26 June – 5 July

Journey down to the south of Brisbane and enjoy all the beauty the Scenic Rim region has to offer, during its annual Eat Local Week. From vineyard wine tastings and farm tours to cheesemaking and degustation lunches, the community is opening their doors for the nine-day feasting affair.

One look at the stellar program and you’ll see events for all ages to enjoy; country cooking, music performances, bushtucker tours and many more. But it’s the Winter Harvest Festival that’s the signature event. With 70 plus market stalls, it’s an indulgent showcase of the locals best produce.

The entire week is a celebration of the region’s food and people, so make sure you carve out time to attend the festival, and ‘eat your way around the Scenic Rim’.