Unsure how you’re travelling, but we’re well and truly feeling the cold – winter is upon us! And while the frostier months are usually for hibernating, with a healthy dose of Netflix and chillin’, there’s plenty of different things to do in Perth this June. From spectacular festivals of light and markets to foodie festivals and exhibitions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this June in Perth.
1. Ballet Revolucion
From funky hip-hop to exhilarating Cuban dances, Ballet Revolución has delighted audiences from London to Paris over the last ten years. Featuring a memorable evening of dance performances to hits from artists like Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber, Adele, Daft Punk and Justin Timberlake, the show will now return to Australian shores with a brand new production on the cards. Find out more about Ballet Revolucion here.
2. Lightscape at Kings Park
Spanning six weeks across June and July this year, Lightscape is set to transform Kings Park and Botanic Gardens/Kaarta Koomba into a winter wonderland of light, colour, and sound. The breathtaking, interactive experience is bound to leave you awe-inspired as you journey along a 1.8-kilometre trail in an after-dark setting through the park grounds, all whilst gazing upon 100,000 tiny, twinkling illuminations. Read all about Lightscape here.
3. Disney on Ice
Explore a whole new world of magic and enchantment when Disney On Ice returns to Perth. Watch your favourite characters come to life, while performing high-flying acrobatics, surprising stunts and of course, world-class ice skating. The event this year will be celebrated as Disney on Ice presents 100 Years of Wonder, so you can expect the show to feel truly special. Get the deets about the Perth performance here.
4. Manjumup Truffle Festival
Join Manjimup’s best truffle producers, winemakers and chefs for three exquisite days of fine food and drink from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 June. The Manjimup Truffle and Wine Festival will again showcase the best local producers with truffle tours, farm visits, truffle hunts, truffle and wine tastings, gourmet degustation dinners, entertainment, and wine masterclasses. Find out more about the festival here.
5. Arara
New South American multi-level complex, Arara is officially open in the former Flour Factory on Queen Street in Perth’s city centre. Arara melds the bright colours, textures, bold food, and rhythmic music of Latin American countries through the medium of a rooftop patio, laneway gardens, a number of bars, and a fab restaurant, Tupí – check it out here!
6. Simpsons Rave at The Court
Touring the country come winter, this Simpsons Rave shindig promises a slew of nostalgic fun, from Simpsons DJs spinning party bangers and tunes from the show (cough cough, ‘In The Garden Of Eden’ on repeat?) to Simpsons visuals, giveaways, and a prize for the best Simpsons costume. The themed rave is heading to The Court in Perth on Saturday 3 June – find out more here.
7. Dining In The Dark
An experience that’s been backed by psychologists as an ‘amplified’ way to enjoy food, the enticing Dining In The Dark event returns to Perth on Wednesday 7 June, so you can find out for yourself if it’s true. The Stables restaurant in the heart of Perth’s CBD will play host to this innovative foodie experience, but with a limited number of spots available, you’ll need to reserve your spot soon.
8. Luca Brasi at Rosemount Hotel
On Saturday 3 June from 7pm, head down to North Perth’s intimate live music venue, Rosemount Hotel for Luca Brasi’s first national headline tour since the release of their single, Party Scene. The Tasmanian rock band are set to perform alongside special guests Eaglemont and OK Hotel. If you’re unfamiliar with Luca Brasi, definitely have a listen to Clothes I Slept In and Let It Slip if you like all things rock.
9. AGWA’s 31st Pulse Festival
Between 28 April and 20 August 2023, the Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) will see the return of their annual, and 31st The Western Australian Pulse festival. The Pulse program for 2023 is an avant-garde youth festival and provides a platform to showcase the state’s young talent across all creative forms. For the first time, WA’s talented young creatives are invited to take over the State Art Gallery too. As well as celebrating young artists through the exhibition, the program also features all forms of art and culture, including music, design, fashion, writing, and performing arts.
10. Sea Shepherd’s Day For The Ocean
On Sunday 4 June from 8:30am until 11:30am, head on over to Scarborough Beach for Sea Shepherd’s Day For The Ocean where you can get involved with cleaning up one of Perth’s loveliest beaches within a community of like-minded people, all while learning about caring for the environment.
10. Wellness Month at The State Buildings
From Thursday 1 through to Friday 31 June, join The State Buildings in Perth city for the return of their Wellness Month. Designed to recognise the importance of prioritising wellness, and self-care, the celebration seeks to provide a welcoming environment for guests to learn new skills, make positive lifestyle changes, and connect with like-minded individuals. Take part in an array of events, workshops, and experiences aimed to help improve your physical and mental well-being.
11. Bottomless Gnocchi at Market Grounds
Back for another winter season, Market Grounds’ Bottomless Gnocchi affair is back every Wednesday from June 7. The fourth installment of the crowd favourite carb experience sees three gnocchi recipes to choose from, including old faithful tomato sugo. The two-hour long sitting is sure to fill your tum. Find out more about the bottomless potato affair here.
12. Hair Of The Dog at The Guildford Hotel
Every Sunday throughout June, go for a lil’ drive to The Guildford Hotel for Hair Of The Dog – the ultimate pub experience for your pooch. The Hotel’s team have created a kinda hilarious, but kinda cool, full menu of pub grub for dogs, so your furry friend can enjoy a day at the local as much as you do. And yes, there’s a puppy parmi on the menu.
13. Strange Festival
Returning to Perth City between Friday 16 and Sunday 25 June, Strange Festival is set to transform the cityscape with whacky, but marvellous installations, exhibitions, and performances. Strange will showcase over thirty visual artists across twenty vacant spaces throughout the city via a captivating free-to-see art trail, with a couple of new initiatives on the horizon for this year’s fiery fest! Read all about Strange Festival 2023 here.
14. Stampa! at Print Hall
Lead by two chefs with a lifetime of international and Michelin star restaurant experience, Stampa! inside Brookfield Place’s Print Hall is open for business come Thursday 25 May! With sophistication at the forefront, Stampa!’s menu enlists classic seafood dishes inspired by the coastal Amalfi to hearty hand-made, fresh pasta dishes that’ll transport your mind, body, and soul to the Northern Hemisphere locale. Read all about Stampa! here.
15. Scarborough Sunset Markets
Every Saturday evening from Saturday 13 May until the end of winter, you’ll be able to wander up the Scarborough Esplanade, which will be filled with a lengthy selection of food trucks and artisanal market stalls. Watch the sunset over the ocean while you browse the goodies on offer, all while sat next to a fire pit during those chilly evenings where a marshmallow over a flame is an absolute must. Find out more details about the Scarborough Sunset Markets Winter Edition here.
16. Native Threads at Yagan Square
On Monday 5 June from 1pm until 3:30pm, get down to Yagan Square’s Amphitheatre in Perth City for Native Threads – a fashion runway spectacle showcasing First Nations culture, designers, and models, along with the Perth debut of a rising force in Australian hip-hop, JK-47. Be inspired and engage with the designers and models as they unveil their latest creations.
17. Spanish Film Festival
From Thursday 15 June though to Monday 5 July, the Spanish Film Festival is making a comeback with a curated selection of films from Spain and Latin America set to screen at Palace Cinemas Raine Square, Luna Cinemas Leederville, and Luna on SX. During the festival you can catch films with the likes of: Two Many Chefs, Prison 77, The Kings Of The World, and Staring At Strangers, to name a few quality cinematic hits.
18. Honeywood Estate Local Farmers Market
The Local Farmers Market at Honeywood Estate is reoccurs every Sunday from 8am until 12pm for a day where you can explore all that local farmers, producers and manufacturers have to offer, with the addition of baked goods, coffee, crafty goods and entertainment. The Honeywood locale provides a great opportunity to take a scenic route out to the nearby Perth Hills too – out in that luscious greenery and pristine country air. Find it on the oval next to The Honeywood Primary School on Litoria Drive in Wandi.
19. Hatched: National Graduate Show
From now until Sunday 23 July at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) in Northbridge, join the gallery as it presents a new generation of artistic voices in its flagship annual exhibition Hatched: National Graduate Show. Now in its 32nd year, Hatched is showcasing the work of 26 graduates from 21 art schools, with many a different medium to discover through the PICA’s gallery maze.
20. Perth City Farm Farmers Market
Every Saturday from 8am to 12pm, head over to City Farm for the Perth City Farm Farmers Market. Expect farm fresh and organic products straight from the producer to you. Held outside in the green gardens, you’ll be able to connect with your groceries on another level, while engaging in conversation about sustainable food stuffs. There’s a cafe and nursery on site to for a bite to eat and a gander. Find everything from spray-free fresh fruit and vege, local honey and olive oils, to homemade soaps, eco-friendly beauty products and niche little gifts.
21. Poinson Creek at Cape Arid Rooms
Cape Arid Rooms inside the flash COMO The Treasury has launched their stunning afternoon tea, Poison Creek. Journey through the Cape Arid National Park with the afternoon tea inspired by Western Australian flavours and utilising local produce. Think: spiced sable with caramelised white chocolate mousse, coffee chantilly, Wagin duck rillette, parfait, and pickled beetroot.
22. Western Australian Road Trips
Mitsubishi Motors Australia’s recently carried out a mammoth study, Secret Road Trip Hotspots that analysed over 38,000 Trip Advisor attractions to reveal a final list of 141 nature-based spots in Australia. And they’ve revealed the best places to visit to avoid the crowds and inspire different road trip and destination planning. Find out which 10 Western Australian road trip hotspots are on the list here.
23. Small Bars
Perth and its surrounds really do have a lot to offer in terms of the hospitality scene. Fremantle is buzzing, Leederville pops off, Victoria Park is on fire, plus Maylands and Mount Lawley have become a bit of a hotspot too. Small bars in particular are on the rise in the ‘burbs and in the city too – so we’ve put together a list of our favourite small bars in Perth and beyond right now – take a look at the full list here!
24. Explore Victoria Park
If you’re a true Victoria Park-er, you’ll likely remember the OG Blockbuster perched high and mighty on the corner of Albany Highway’s main drag and Mint Street in all its blue and yellow glory. But if not, no matter – we’ve put together a guide for best things to do in Victoria Park while you’re visiting the south-east neighbourhood. Take a stroll and discover a new cafe or restaurant, hone in on a niche gift shop, try your hand inside an artist hub, or roam around a market – amongst the plentiful things to do in Victoria Park.
25. The Best Burgers In Perth
A good burger really just hits the spot sometimes, there’s no doubt about it. We asked you and your fellow West Aussies where to find the best burgers in Perth, and the people have spoken. Check out the full list of 14 of the best burgers in Perth to get all drippy.
26. Strange Company X Nowhereman Brewing Co
On Sunday 4 June between 2pm and 7pm, head to small bar, Strange Company in Fremantle for Sunday Street Series which will see a collaboration between Strange and Nowhereman Brewing Co. Enjoy a street-side pop-up bar, indulge in delicious pizza from the wood-fired oven, and relax in style whilst catching the last glimpse of autumn rays. Sip on session ales, IPAs, XPAs, and stouts, while listening to tunes by locally acclaimed artist Nick Abbey Trio.
27. Perth Upmarket
On Sunday 18 June from 10am until 4pm, head to University of Western Australia’s Winthrop Hall for the Perth Upmarket. Roam the picturesque grounds around the Hall while looking for your winter-spiration – from sustainable fashion and bespoke jewellery, to handcrafted furniture and incredible contemporary homewares, there will be plenty of unique finds at the quarterly Upmarket. You’ll find a whopping 200 of Western Australia’s premium creatives, gourmets and artisans showcasing their products.