Summer is officially in full swing – and thank God for that after that weird, extended winter we were having. There’s plenty of exciting things to do in Perth this January so get out there and make the most of the sunshine while it lasts. From music festivals to markets, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this January in Perth.
1. Get amongst the magic at 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.
2. Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit at the Perth Chinese New Year Fair
The Lunar New Year is upon us which means the annual Perth Chinese New Year Fair is preparing for their Year of the Rabbit celebration on Sunday 29 January. The soiree will see both James Street, Lake Street, the Northbridge Piazza and Yagan Square enlivened with a spree of lion and dragon dances, multicultural concerts, zodiac lantern displays, scrumptious food and stalls, cultural arts, craft workshops, competitions, games, and rides. Plus, there’s guaranteed to be a whole lot of dancing in the street. Find out more information here.
3. Countdown the Hottest 100 in style at this beach party in Freo
The annual, and sell-out, Motif’s Hottest 100 Beach Party is going down on Saturday 28 January at Coast Port Beach which will see the seaside pub transform into a musical mecca with four stages, two carpark party areas, and a beach stage on the sand for an epic, jammin’ day.
As well as the Hottest 100 countdown, the beach party will provide all-day entertainment with indoor and outdoor silent discos, a cargo container rave room, a beach lounge, and audiovisual shows – sitting around just ain’t an option. Read all about it and book your tickets here.
4. Witness magic in the making with Yotam Ottolenghi live
Chef, restaurateur and author, Yotam Ottolenghi is set to journey across Australia for his Flavour Of Life – Live On Stage tour, and is hitting up the Perth Concert Hall on Monday 30 January. Yotam is recognised for his modern take on Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, bringing flavours that aren’t used in mainstream kitchens to the forefront of home cooking in a relaxed and informative style.
The Flavour Of Life tour sees Yotam discussing his life in food, sharing his experience as a chef, kitchen entrepreneur, and food writer, while offering insights into how flavours are amplified and why it works. He will be accompanied by award-winning author and broadcaster, Alice Zaslavsky; during which you get to join in on the fun with interactive activities on-stage. Read more and nab your tickets here.
5. Sit back amongst the pine trees at 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.
6. Soak up some sunrays at the Boardwalk Beach Club
From now until Sunday 29 January the Boardwalk Beach Club is returning to Hillarys for a taste of European beach clubs. Relax on a custom-made cabana with a drink in one hand, delicious food in the other, along with entertainment and unobstructed views of the harbour. Read all about it and secure your spot here.
7. Treat yourself to a huge international musical concoction at Falls Festival
The annual Falls Festival is returning to Fremantle across Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 January with a line-up that features a number of the biggest and current international artists, alongside a slew of festival favourites and up-and-coming facts of the future across three huge stages.
Catch the Arctic Monkeys, Lil Nas X, Peggy Gou, Chvrches, Jamie XX, Amine, Ocean Alley, Camelphat, DMAs, Genesis Owusu, Young Franco, Mall Grab, Rico Nasty, WA’s very own Spacey Jane, and plenty, plenty more. Secure your tickets here.
8. Try something tasty at this new South-East Asian vegan restaurant
For the vegans and vegan-curious of Perth, tucking into a delicious cruelty-free meal just got a little bit easier, thanks to Northbridge’s brand new restaurant and cafe, Vegan World. Serving a mouth-watering range of South-East Asian cuisine, the sunlit, family-run and owned eatery is welcoming guests to try their vegan counterparts to the popular and traditional fare of the region.
Vegan World’s menu enlists plant-based dishes with the likes of – Chicken satay bbq skewers, traditional Vietnamese pho, creamy curry laksa with char siu, mee goreng noodles, asam fish, Vietnamese fried sardines with a tomatoey sauce base, rendang nasi lemak, tom yum fried rice, and fish noodle soup – all vegan of course. Read all about it here.
9. Be awe-inspired at the art deco, 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.
10. Check out the award-winning eco market, Summer X Salt
On Saturday 7 and 21 January, 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.
11. Catch an al fresco film at the 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.
12. Zoom around this karting track at the Optus Stadium grounds
This January there’s a new kid on the block for the thrill-seekers, adrenaline junkies and karting enthusiasts as Stadium Karts is burning into Stadium Park in Burswood. The surrounds of Optus Stadium will become host to a 740-metre outdoor karting track, designed by racers, for racers, with the help of world-class SodiKarts.
Stadium Karts’ custom-built track will be testing your need for speed and agility with some twisty corners and speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour. Read all about it and book in here.
13. Mosey around the picturesque Markets By The Sea
On Sunday 8 January 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. Help welcome Summer Jam to Perth with their basketball-themed launch day
Australia’s largest basketball tournament, Summer Jam, is returning to the city and there’s a celebratory mini festival in the works to welcome the competition’s launch. On Friday 6 January from 11am through to 3pm, Yagan Square in the heart of Perth City will transform into a family-friendly mecca for basketball culture and sneaker nuts.
The free, basketball-themed day is set to host a series of activities including ‘Shoot Like Jordan’ challenges, a sneaker design station, and a sneaker key machine game to win limited-edition sneakers and vouchers. The Launch Day at Yagan Square is set to hype up basketball fiends for the main Summer Jam tournament and event, being held in Forrest Chase on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 January. Find out more information here.
15. Catch a flick and an epic view at 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.