While summer is on its way out (sad react), festival season happenings are still in full swing, with some on their way in. There’s plenty of exciting things to do in Perth this February so get out there and make the most of the sunshine, while it lasts. From music festivals to the tail-end of Fringe World, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this February in Perth.
1. Remastered screening of Titanic in 3D
It’s been 25 years since the release of the award-winning film, Titanic. To mark the occasion, a remastered version will be shown in cinemas across Australia from Thursday 9 February. The re-release is in 3D 4K HDR – a vast improvement on the once cutting-edge visuals of the original. You can catch screenings at Event and Wallis cinemas, including the outdoor Moonlight Cinema in Kings Park! Find out more info about Titanic in 3D here.
2. Urban Wine Walk
On Saturday 11 February Perth city will be host to Urban Wine Walk, a self-guided wine trail that will see streets and laneways come alive. A line-up of the best pubs and bars will turn into a cellar door festival of sorts – with each venue offering tastings of delicious wines from 12 Australian and New Zealand winemakers. It’s basically a glorified pub crawl, but fancier and with wine. Read all about Urban Wine Walk and secure your tickets here.
3. Vengaboys 25th anniversary tour
Come Sunday 19 February, Metro City in Perth will be throwing it back with the legendary 90s and 2000s euro-dance-pop band, Vengaboys for their 25th anniversary tour. Comprised of members Cowboy Donny, Captain Kim, PartyGirl D’Nice and SailorBoy Robin—they just don’t name ’em like they used to—you’re going to need to get ready, to get, get, get down to the Venga-Vengabeat. Find your tickets and read all about the anniversary tour here.
4. Refo Festival Of Wine
With a motto that boasts ‘music, friends, food and wine’, REFO Festival Of Wine is set to gather some of Western Australia’s top producers, restaurants, and musicians for a mid-summer celebration across Friday 17 and Saturday 18 February. Held in the Victoria Gardens’ grassy nook next to the picturesque Claisebrook Cove, REFO is all about showcasing the cream of the crop in a wholesome, but lively atmosphere. Find out all the details here.
5. 2D Cafe
Plonk yourself inside a storybook-like setting while enjoying a coffee and snack on the creative side. The 2D Cafe is set to transform a secretive location by artistically turning literally everything in the room to a monotone sketch…the walls, the chairs, the ceiling, you name it. The black and white environment most definitely requires bookings for its duration from 31 January until 31 May 2023, Find out more about the 2D Cafe here.
6. South32 Rottnest Channel Swim
After a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19, Western Australia’s infamous open-water swim, South32 Rottnest Channel Swim from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island is set to return on Saturday 25 February. Now in its 33rd year, the Rottnest Channel Swim is going fourth with almost 2,700 participants registered from around the world for the 19.7km oceanic race. Get in on the action and find out more here.
7. Laneway Festival
It’s that time of the year – music festivals in Perth are rampant, and that means the trusty St Jerome’s Laneway Festival is returning on Sunday 12 February for the first time since 2020. Laneway Festival is never not a good time, and it’s descending upon Wellington Square in East Perth with a downright decent line-up of artists across multiple genres including: Haim, Joji, Phoebe Bridgers, Turnstile, and Fred Again. Check out the full line-up and nab tickets here.
8. Spot the bright green comet that hasn’t visited us since the Ice Age
The last time our home planet was visited by Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF), it was a solid 50,000 years ago. Even though the comet made its closest approach to the Sunday 12 January, there are still a couple of weeks before it makes its closest pass of Earth, where it will be visible in the southern hemisphere. On Thursday 2 February, the comet will fly by at an impressive 42 million kilometres from home and we’ll be able to see it in Australia. Find out all the details about Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) in Perth here.
9. Farah Al Qasimi: Star Machine Exhibition
Opening on Saturday 4 February at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the vibrant installation that is Star Machine brings together over 20 works from a key five-year period of Farah Al Qasimi’s practice and includes some of her most well-known photographs and videos. Employing overflowing frames, reflective surfaces, precise lighting, and a meticulous attention to detail, the hyper-colourised photographs frame the mundane with fierce beauty, humorous indifference and transgressive social commentary. There’s even an opening night party on Friday 3 February. Find out more details about Star Machine and the party here.
10. Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. And if you’re looking to plan something different for you and your date or mates in 2023, luckily Perth is full of awesome things to do for the most romantic time of the year. We’ve compiled a list of 10 lovely Valentine’s plans you can enjoy in and around the city – some on V-Day and some around the date in case you’re busy on the 14th. Check out the full list here.
11. Fringe World
Our already vibrant city is about to up the ante and things are about to get weird and wild, but fun in Perth with the return of the annual Fringe World festival from Friday 20 January until Sunday 19 February. Fringe World is a celebration of diverse arts, culture, and creative experiences with performances from comedy, music and musicals to circus and heaps more for audiences of all ages. And this Fringe season, there’s a huge 430 events to enjoy in the playground that will be Perth. Read all about Fringe World Perth and check out some top picks here.
12. Moonlight Cinema
Perth’s Moonlight Cinema has returned from now until Sunday 26 March. You’ll find it on the May Drive Parkland atop the stunning Kings Park and Botanic Garden, just on the outskirts of Perth City. Pack up a picnic rug or a bean bag and sprawl across the lawn for a perfect night at the movies. Read all about it here.
13. Markets By The Sea
On Sunday 12 February from 10am until 3pm, the oceanside suburb of Kallaroo, just north of Hillarys, will be host to Markets By The Sea. With over 50 incredible artists, creators, designers, growers, and plenty of food trucks, the event will be sure to provide relaxed Sunday vibes, with a side of live music too. Read all about it and find out more details here.
14. Rooftop Movies
Rooftop Movies has made a glorious return atop a six storey building on Northbridge’s busy Roe Street until Sunday 2 April . You’ll be able to catch all the buzz films with the likes of Don’t Worry Darling, and Amsterdam, along with some hidden gems such as The Woman King. A few other absolute classics set to show include The Princess Diaries, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and 10 Things I Hate About You. Find out more information here.
15. Summer X Salt
On Saturday 4 and 18 February, Clarko Reserve will be host to Summer X Salt, an award-winning beachside market. It’s the ideal market for conscious folk and ocean lovers, with a keen focus on sustainability; being a completely plastic-free and zero waste affair. It’s easy to see how Summer X Salt took home WA’s Best Small Event award in 2021.
The surfy-salty market sees a huge line-up of more than 200 ocean-inspired local creatives, artists and designers showcasing their goods. And to compliment the moseying around the grounds, enjoy live music by emerging musicians, get the kids into some nature play activities, or get your hands dirty during a coastal clean-up. Read all about it here.
16. Camelot Outdoor Cinema
From now until Wednesday 8 February, kick back under the stars in the garden of the iconic Camelot Arts Centre – debatably one of the state’s most majestic art deco venues. Chill al fresco-style with a different film each night, from new releases to pre-release previews and live music special events.
Relax into a bean bag or deck chair, catch films with the likes of She Said, Mrs Harris Goes To Paris, The Menu, Bones And All, The Velvet Queen, Triangle Of Sadness, The Lost King, Empire Of Light, The Whale, Emily, The Fablemans, and A Man Called Otto – to name a few flicks. Read all about it and nab your tickets here.
17. Somerville Outdoor Cinema
From now until Sunday 9 April, you can catch a film in style beneath the stars, surrounded by looming pines in some sort of cabin in the woods type scenario, minus the cabin. It’s no wonder Lotterywest Films at UWA Somerville was recently named one of Time Out’s Top 40 outdoor cinemas in the world.
All three Best Film winners from the international festival competitions Cannes, Berlin and Venice, feature within the program – Triangle of Sadness, Alacarras, and All The Beauty And The Bloodshed. As well as 16 other cinematic wonders. Find out all the details here.