Make May your best month yet with these epic events around the country.

Australia’s action-packed calendar is heating up this May, keeping that autumnal chill at bay with its fiery line-up of events. There’s plenty to keep you warm as the leaves fall and the temperature drops, whether it’s a delectable foodie affair, a fireside music festival or a sweat-inducing sports event.

What’s marked on my calendar, you may ask? I’ll definitely be booking myself a cosy weekend away. It’s the perfect time to make the trip to regional towns like Mudgee, where you can find award-winning cellar doors, cosy B&Bs and plenty of friendly locals. I can already see myself set up somewhere fireside with a red wine in hand, a charcuterie board and a fleecy blanket at the ready. Inspired yet? Let’s dive in then!

Taylah’s top picks of the month:

• Best foodie event: Taste of Kakadu, Kakadu National Park, NT (23 May)
• Best music event: Blues on Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Qld (14–17 May)
• Best cultural event: Ord Valley Muster, Kununurra, WA (15–24 May)
• Best outdoor event: Tea Cosy Festival, Gippsland, Vic (16–24 May)
• Best arts event: Great Artist Market, Sydney, NSW (2 May)

Upcoming events to keep on your radar:

• Sydney Film Festival in Sydney, NSW (3–14 June)
• Dark Mofo in Hobart, Tas (11–22 June)
• Beanie Festival in Alice Springs, NT (19–22 June)
• Winter Wonderlights in Ballarat, Vic (26 June–19 July)
• Illuminate in Adelaide, SA (1–19 July)

What’s on in NSW in May

Sydney Writers’ Festival
Sydney
17–24 May

Grab your notebook and pen, you’re going to need them for the annual Sydney Writers’ Festival at Carriageworks. The 2026 program is packed to the brim, featuring conversations with internationally acclaimed names like R.F. Kuang, Shaun Micallef, Lily King, Trent Dalton, Evelyn Araluen and more. Between talks, grab a coffee, browse the pop-up bookshop for all the latest releases, and even grab a photo with your favourite author at a book signing.

Make Good Festival
Shoalhaven
30–31 May

After a successful debut in 2025, Bundanon is bringing its Make Good Festival back to NSW’s South Coast, a two-day affair with sustainability, regenerative practices and conscious consumption at its core. Highlights of this year’s program include an embroidery workshop, twilight feast, outdoor art show, providore market and more. Special guests from unique fields of work will present each event, from cultural anthropologists, environmentalists and forensic psychologists to artists, writers and activists.

Pyrmont Festival
Sydney
23–24 May

Grab your favourite picnic rug and make a beeline for Pirrama Park on Sydney Harbour for Pyrmont Festival, a celebration of all things food and wine. Across two days, a buzzing hub of creative workshops, live music, market stalls, art exhibitions and outdoor games will keep you entertained for hours. In between activities, fuel up at the festival’s gourmet food trucks or take a seat (and a sip) from wine and craft beer pop-ups.

Oyster Festival
Narooma
1–3 May

Sample the distinctive flavours of NSW’s sustainable seafood industry at the Oyster Festival, held on the shores of Narooma’s Wagonga Inlet. While this year’s program, as always, is centred around these delicious briny bivalves, there’s plenty more to reel guests in – hook, line and sinker. Enjoy live cooking demonstrations, wander local markets, cheer on contestants at Australia’s Oyster Shucking Championships, and down as many of the slippery suckers as you can!

Vivid
Sydney
22 May – 13 June

Vivid Sydney is back – and this year’s list of highlights is long and varied. Across 23 nights, the festival will connect our city to light artists, music makers, brilliant thinkers and creatives through four key concepts: Light, Music, Food and Ideas. Head into the night and discover secret tunnels laced with light. Take part in interactive art installations. Dance to live tunes in the park. Unpack ideas through evocative artwork. Explore a side of Sydney you rarely get to see.

Brian Robinson: Multiverse
Newcastle
From 23 May

Following four years of extensive renovations, the Newcastle Art Gallery has reopened with renewed confidence. Now the largest public art institution in NSW outside of Sydney, it’s making a mark on Australia’s art scene with a program that unites Australian and international artists. Among the highlights is Brian Robinson: Multiverse, a state-first solo exhibition by the titular artist, who grew up on Waiben (Thursday Island) in the Torres Strait with Maluyligal and Wuthathi cultural heritage.

The Great Artist Market
Sydney
2 May

The first-ever Sydney edition of The Great Artist Market will take place this month at Felons Barrel Room, Manly Wharf. More than 40 artists and makers have been selected to take part in the one-day waterfront market, showcasing a diverse mix of original art, ceramics, fashion, homewares and handcrafted goods – as well as live music and local food trucks. The event is free for all to attend and will run from 8am to 3pm.

Falling Leaf Festival
Tumut
1–3 May

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.

What’s on in Victoria in May

Tea Cosy Festival
Gippsland
16–24 May

Nestled in the rolling hills of South Gippsland, Fish Creek bursts comes alive each autumn – but not for the reason you may think. While falling leaves bring fiery reds and canary yellows, the Tea Cosy Festival paints the streets in a rainbow. For nine days, teapots transform into works of art across Fish Creek, with art exhibitions, outdoor displays, community markets and the self-guided “cosy crawl" through town. Come for the tea – stay for the scones and cream.

Melbourne Art Book Fair
Melbourne
15–17 May

Celebrate Melbourne’s status as a UNESCO City of Literature with the Melbourne Art Book Fair, held at the National Gallery of Victoria this May. Across three days, visitors can attend creative workshops, panel talks, art exhibitions and the epic stallholders fair, a showcase of local and international zines, magazines, photobooks and more. The celebration spans beyond the city limits until 24 May, with a variety of regional pop-ups to explore.

Ballarat Heritage Festival
Ballarat
21–24 May

Head inland this month for the Ballarat Heritage Festival, which honours the city’s past, appreciates its present and celebrates its future. The annual community event unfolds across four days, bringing Ballarat’s Victorian-era streetscapes and gold-rush history to life. With vintage car shows, antique fairs, historic tours, period performances and high tea luncheons, it truly feels as if you’ve stepped back in time.

Pint of Origin
Melbourne
15–24 May

Experience the best of Melbourne’s iconic pub scene this month at Pint of Origin, The Crafty Pint’s epic choose-your-own-adventure pub crawl. Over 10 days, local venues across the city swap out their taps to pour inter-state and international beers, taking your tastebuds on a delicious world tour. As you hop between venues, collect stamps using your PoO (Pint of Origin) Passport to unlock bonus beers, access to competitions and even prizes. We’ll cheers to that!

Great Ocean Road Running Festival
Lorne/Apollo Bay
16–17 May

Tie your laces, folks, the Great Ocean Road Running Festival is back for another year of pounding the pavement. Inclusive of all ages and abilities, the endurance event features eight different distances across two days – from a 1.5-kilometre kids loop to the 60-kilometre Ultra Marathon between Lorne and Apollo Bay. Reward your efforts at the Festival Hub, home to live music, nourishing food, spa treatments and healing saunas; just flash your race bib for free entry.

Rising
Melbourne
27 May – 8 June

As the temperature drops across Melbourne, Rising turns up the heat. Taking over theatres, laneways and unexpected corners of the city, this exciting winter festival unites music, performance and immersive art from hundreds of local and international artists. A variety of free and ticketed events include everything from late-night DJ sets and dance floors to large-scale installations and experimental live shows across the CBD.

What’s on in Queensland in May

Grazing the Granite Belt
Southern Downs
2–3 May

This month, just one ticket will grant you access to one of the most underrated foodie regions in the country. Held over one weekend in May and November, Grazing The Granite Belt puts Queensland’s food bowl (and those who sow, nurture and harvest it) centre stage, with two days of fresh produce, award-winning wines and more. The proverbial cherry on top? Unlimited use of the event’s hop-on, hop-off bus service – so you can sip, snack and sample without a worry in the world.

Stones Corner Festival
Brisbane
3 May

If you love live music and good times, you’ll love Brisbane’s Stones Corner Festival. Now in its 11th year, the free street party is bringing the energy with a stacked line-up of food trucks, market stalls and live music gigs by big names like the Rogue Traders with Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Super Disco Club, Ray Beadle and Laurel Hill. It’s all for a good cause, too; the festival’s partnership with the MND and Me Foundation is still going strong.

Festival of Outback Opera
Winton/Longreach
19–25 May

The Festival of Outback Opera is a week-long extravaganza of live outdoor concerts, held in the regional Queensland towns of Longreach and Winton. Headlining this year’s program is New Zealand-Tongan tenor Filipe Manu, joined by some of the genre’s top singers, musicians, composers and performers. Don’t miss the Dark Sky Serenade – an orchestral sunset performance at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum.

Blues on Broadbeach
Gold Coast
14–17 May

Blues on Broadbeach is one of Australia’s largest free music festivals, made even better by its spectacular Gold Coast skyline backdrop. Held over four days in the heart of Broadbeach, the line-up features talented musicians from both Australia and around the world, including The Tesky Brothers, Emma Donovan, Ian Moss, Ruthie Foster and more.

Affordable Art Fair
Brisbane
7–10 May

Art lovers, this one’s for you. Returning to Brisbane for its third year, the Affordable Art Fair brings together more than 55 independent galleries and over 100 artists under one roof. With works priced from $100 to $10,000, it’s designed for both first-time buyers and seasoned collectors. Expect live painting demonstrations, interactive installations, panel talks and the chance to discover (and take home) original artworks.

GourMay
Mary Valley
1–31 May

Queensland’s stunning Mary Valley, just 45 minutes inland from Noosa, is preparing for a bumper month of food-focused fun with the annual GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival. Eat your way through a massive 2026 program, which features sunrise breakfasts, long lunches, outdoor dinners, open farm days, foraging walks and cooking demonstrations, as well as expert-led sessions for those keen to sharpen their cooking skills.

What’s on in Tasmania in May

Forage Festival
Stanley/Tarkine
13–17 May

A weekend filled with gastronomic delights and immersive experiences is coming to Tassie’s rugged north-west in celebration of its rich and bountiful produce. This year’s Stanley & Tarkine Forage Festival is a true feast for the senses, bringing the region’s world-class seafood, beef, dairy, fruit and vegetables direct to the plate. With a long (and continuous) history as a fishing village and close proximity to the ancient Tarkine rainforests, Stanley is the perfect place for it.

Maltstock
Bothwell
15–17 May

For something a little different this May, head into Tassie’s highlands for Maltstock Down Under, a three-day, all-inclusive whisky gathering set on a historic Bothwell farm. Designed for amateurs and enthusiasts alike, guests can look forward to distillery visits, masterclasses, tastings and intimate fireside chats come evening. Add in shared meals, late-night drams and a share-the-bottle ethos, and it starts to feel more community retreat than traditional festival.

Agfest Field Days
Carrick
1–9 May

Agfest is one of Tasmania’s biggest regional drawcards, bringing together more than 600 exhibitors for a three-day celebration of rural life. From cutting-edge farming tech and local produce to livestock showcases and machinery displays, there’s plenty to explore across the paddock. Beyond the exhibits, a lively program of events spanning wood-chopping contests to craft markets provides the perfect snapshot of country living at its finest.

Island Readers & Writers Festival
Hobart
28 May – 1 June

Celebrate Hobart’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature at the first-ever Island Readers and Writers Festival in Hobart. Produced by leading literary organisation Island, the inaugural program is sure to delight, featuring everything from panel discussions and live readings to writing workshops and guided masterclasses. With a mix of emerging and established authors, it captures the breadth and creativity of Australian literary culture today.

What’s on in Western Australia in May

UnWined
Perth
15–16 May

Hey Perth, it’s time to unwind – or should I say, UnWined? Oenophiles are invited to the ultimate winter celebration of wine in the WA capital, held at Langley Park West. Sample top drops from some of the city’s best wineries and cellar doors, before settling in for the Bottomless Long Lunch – a 90-minute session of unlimited beer and wine paired with tasty tapas. Come evening, cosy up by the firepit for gourmet bites and an expert-led barrel session.

Ord Valley Muster
Kununurra
15–24 May

Hidden among ancient boabs on Miriwoong Country, the annual Ord Valley Muster in Kununurra is one of the most incredible ways to experience Australia’s outback. Its 10-day program reads like a love letter to culture, community, creativity and Country, spanning small, intimate experiences to huge, headline events. Start your day with a coffee aboard a boat on the Ord River, then join a bush tucker workshop, cultural tour, 4WD safari or storytelling session before a black-tie dinner under the stars.

Melville Open Studios
Perth
2–3 May

For one weekend only this May, 80 talented artists are sharing their homes and creative spaces with the public as part of Melville Open Studios. Now in its ninth year, the program spans a diverse range of disciplines, from ceramics and painting to floristry and textiles. The community-driven project offers a rare opportunity to meet local makers in their studios, hear the stories behind their work and experience the breadth of Perth’s creative talent. 

Readers & Writers Festival
Margaret River
15–17 May

Escape to a world where creativity and expression have no limits at the 18th annual Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival. Lose yourself in a weekend of words shared with bookworms, authors, journalists and academics at the biggest regional literature event in the state. Head to the festival hub at Nala Bardip Mia – Margaret River HEART for panel talks, writing workshops, live readings, book signings and more.

What’s on in South Australia in May

History Festival
Adelaide
1–31 May

Past, present, future – this is what you can expect to learn about at South Australia’s History Festival. The month-long affair explores the constantly evolving nature of history, what we can learn from its most prominent voices and how it influences our future. The 2026 program is jam-packed with over 550 educational events that explore a different part of the city and its past.

Tasting Australia
Statewide
8–17 May

Welcome to foodie paradise. Savour the best our country has on offer at Tasting Australia 2026, which spans 150 events and 10 days across a number of stunning South Australian regions. Presented by experiential tourism brand Journey Beyond, the flavour-filled festivals allow you to choose a destination or event and transport your tastebuds, quite literally, from intimate dinners in Adelaide to winery tours of the Barossa.

Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival
Penola/Coonawarra
15–17 May

Now in its 34th year, the annual Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival has grown exponentially over the decades, now recognised as one of the most energetic regional arts festivals in South Australia. Fusing literature, art and the finest wines from the Coonawarra region, visitors can expect public exhibitions, art competitions, local music, wine tastings, workshops and markets.

Chardonnay May
Adelaide Hills
1–31 May

Lovers of the buttery white wine varietal rejoice this month as Chardonnay May takes over a variety of the Adelaide Hills’ best wineries. Cellar doors from across the region invite chardy lovers to experience their version of the varietal through tasting flights, masterclasses, dining experiences and more. This year, guests can expect beloved local vintners like Bird in Hand, Cobb’s Hill Estate, Golding Wines and Howard Vineyard, just to name a few.

What’s on in the Northern Territory in May

Darwin Street Art Festival
Darwin
22 May – 5 June

A decade on from its inception, the Darwin Street Art Festival returns to the Northern Territory capital with a program designed to delight. Spanning two colourful weeks, the festival is a celebration of the local creative community, who have spent years decorating Darwin’s streets and laneways with more than 100 public murals. Attend this year’s festival to watch these artists add to the collection in real time and celebrate 10 years of Top End creativity.

Taste of Kakadu
Kakadu National Park
23 May

This May, Karrimanjbekkan An-me Kakadu: Taste of Kakadu will take you (and your tastebuds) on an intimate journey through one of Australia’s most unique UNESCO-listed sites, home to the world’s oldest living culture. For one day only within Kakadu National Park, you’ll learn about the cuisine, culture and Country the Bininj people, with communal feasts, cooking demos and workshops, as well as traditional dance, music and storytelling.

BASSINTHEGRASS
Darwin
16 May

May marks the return of Darwin’s biggest music event of the year, turning the peaceful palm-lined shores of Mindil Beach into a playground for rhythm revellers. For its 23rd edition, BASSINTHEGRASS is bringing beats in abundance with an unrivalled line-up of talent. Top acts from around Australia and beyond will take to the stage, including Ball Park Music, Denzel Curry, G Flip, Peking Duck and plenty more.

What’s on in the ACT in May

Ngura Pulka – Epic Country
Canberra
Throughout May

Big in both scope and scale, the National Gallery of Australia presents Ngura Pulka – Epic Country, led by senior First Nations artists and collectives from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, Coober Pedy and Adelaide/Tarntanya. Its five-month tenure in Canberra centres around 30 paintings depicting Country and celebrating powerful Tjukurpa (Anangu Creation stories), each deeply rooted in culture and place.

Cheese Festival
Canberra
8 May

It doesn’t matter if you prefer cheddar, gouda, brie or blue – if you’re a fan of fromage, consider this your happy place. The Canberra Cheese Festival brings together some of Australia’s best cheesemakers for a weekend of tastings alongside local wines and indulgent bites, from gooey raclette to parmesan-wheel pasta. Held across multiple sessions, it’s your chance to meet the makers, discover new favourites and stock up on gourmet goods.

International Music Festival
Canberra
29 April – 3 May

The eclectic sounds of musicians from all over the world will fill the autumn air as part of this year’s Canberra International Music Festival. Founded in 1994 by the late Ursula Callus and held annually since 1997, it’s a masterclass of talent, featuring concerts, lectures and masterclasses to awe-inspired audiences. Join in for a musical journey around the globe, with a program that ranges from new works to timeless classics.