As May brings a touch of chill this Autumn, we bring to you the best things to do in and around Perth this weekend. From relaxing weekend haunts to fun festivals that justify stepping out, this list showcases the best of what the Aussie city has to offer.
Highlights include a Titanic exhibition that sheds new light on the people aboard the most famous ship in history, the iconic Candlelight Concerts, and a unique escape room experience featuring 35 puzzles! Here are the best things to do in Perth on May 16-17.
Uncover the poignant stories aboard the legendary Titanic exhibition

After sold-out runs worldwide, Titanic The Human Story arrives in Perth, offering a deep dive into the lives affected by the “unsinkable ship”. This refurbished experience goes beyond a simple display, using original artifacts and personal belongings to weave a human narrative. An audio-guided journey, complete with survivor testimonies and period music, transports visitors to 1912, allowing them to witness recreated interiors of various kinds from the ship. Book this profound journey before it closes its doors.
Get immersed in Trần Lương’s contemporary exhibit at the Art Gallery of Western Australia
While Trần Lương has been creating art for 30 years, Tầm Tã – Soaked in the Long Rain is his first significant presentation in Australia. The Vietnamese artist wears multiple hats; he’s an artist, activist, curator, facilitator, and more. Tầm Tã is a culmination of Lương’s journey supporting contemporary art in Vietnam.
Catch this thought-provoking exhibit soon!
Take a bubble-soaked painting class at Rottnest Island

Beach days never looked as good as they do with Brush & Bubbles, a unique experience combining art with gorgeous beachside views at Rottnest Island. With two sessions during the day, this is a great way to spend a warm Sunday. The morning and evening itineraries each offer something different. This WA-specific experience also includes refreshment and bubbles, ferries going to and fro, and is limited to adults. Register for this unique painting session here!
Solve 35 thrilling puzzles at Prison Island Perth

An escape room with a twist, Perth’s weekends will be brighter with Prison Island. Bring together friends, family (one adult ticket included for children’s parties), or even Hens and Stag parties (the bride or groom join for free!), and join in groups of 2 to 5 across 35 themed cells. With a combination of mental puzzles, physical tests, and working together, wrap up the tasks within a set time for points. Buy tickets before they sell out!
Spend a day horsing around at the Belmont Park Racecourse
What better activity to do this weekend than step out to the Drummond Golf Belmont Opening Day? With tickets starting at free General Admission, one can bask in the thrill of the $200K Group 3 Drummond Golf-Belmont Sprint over 1400m with family and friends. The Belmont Park Racecourse is one of the best places in Perth to watch the races. In addition, one can also grab lunch at the Peninsula Dining Room or a pint at the Sports Bar on the Ground Floor for the complete experience.
Catch Pretty Women: The Musical at Crown Theatre

This April brings Pretty Woman: The Musical to Perth’s Crown Theatre. The 1990 film, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, has had a profound impact on pop culture, and this adaptation reimagines it for the live theatre with new songs and dynamic staging. With Samantha Jade as Vivian Ward and Ben Hall as Edward Lewis, the production boasts a brilliant cast from Australia, music by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and scenic design, costume, and lighting experts with experience in major Broadway and West End shows. Helmed by prolific Broadway director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell, catch this theatrical phenomenon this weekend!
Stroll around one of Perth’s best markets

Perth is home to many markets that show the best of what WA has to offer. From seasonal produce to knick-knacks that you didn’t know you needed, the best international cuisine and even local artwork, stepping into a market in and around the city is a great activity this weekend. This weekend has a special Perth Makers Market on May 16 at Burswood that you must check out.
Experience a Candlelight Concert featuring tributes to your favourite musicians

Live classical music tributes unfold inside the City of Fremantle Town Hall, Perth Town Hall, and other heritage landmarks in Perth. Thousands of candles illuminate the ornate architecture, soaring ceilings, and elegant chandeliers, transforming the historic spaces into a warm, immersive environment. The hall provides a striking acoustic setting for these unique performances, including tributes to ABBA and Hans Zimmer. Buy tickets here.
Craft exquisite cocktails at Little Things

The perfect Saturday consists of getting to learn how to create not one but three cocktails at Little Things. Balance flavours, understand the difference between shaking and stirring, and bring along a date! An experience one won’t forget in a hurry, this one is for all those who appreciate mixology and want to take home a few cocktail recipes for their next party.
Attend Saturday Night Stand-Up at Leederville Comedy Club
Laugh, cackle, and snicker at the one-hour comedy show at the Leederville Comedy Club. Drinks start 30 minutes before the show to ensure one is primed to enjoy. With dinner options at the Leederville Hotel, this evening treat at one of Perth’s premier comedy destinations is not to be missed.
Celebrate the best of Bickley at the Bickley Harvest Festival
Drive about 35 minutes from Perth for the most beautiful May weekend at Bickley Valley. With over 25 participating vendors showcasing wine, cider, spirits, and local produce, it truly is a celebration of the valley’s finest. Walk around picturesque autumn landscapes, participate in wine tastings, and indulge in Italian food all in one place.
Experience Aussie culture at the Fremantle Heritage Festival
Bask in the deep history and culture of Fremantle or Walyalup (place of the Walyo/kangaroo rat) at the Fremantle Heritage Festival. It consists of various immersive experiences including walks around the area, a special sailing experience for ANZAC Day, and even tours of Fremantle Prison art. A month-long festival, those interested can register for individual events here.
Celebrate 40 years of Top Gun with back-to-back showings
Forty years since we first saw Top Gun, the Tom Cruise classic returns to cinemas. For one week only, you can catch back-to-back showings of Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick at various Perth cinema theatres! Book tickets and experience it this weekend.
Take a trip down gamer history at the Nostalgia Box Museum

With over 100 consoles from the 1970s to the 2000s, The Nostalgia Box is a veritable gamer paradise. It has classic consoles, including the Magnavox Odyssey, the first home video console, and early versions of Atari and Nintendo. Recent consoles like the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 also find a home here. From Super Mario Brothers to Donkey Kong, try out classic and modern video games at this one-of-a-kind experience.
Explore the city with Secret Society of Perth: A Detective City Game

Step into the shoes of a masterful spy while playing Secret Society of Perth: A Detective City Game. There is a massive conspiracy in Perth, and one must use their smartphone and find clues around the city. Played solo or in a group, this unique experience is sure to open up new ways of looking at the places you know in a whole new way! Book it now.
Witness the WAFL KIA State Game 2026 at the Sullivan Logistics Stadium (Leederville Oval)
If you’re a footy fan and wish to get your family involved a bit more, this is the place to be this weekend. Both the WAFL and WAFLW State Games will be played on the same day for the first time. This, alongside a showcase between the WA Under-20s and WA Under-18s, makes it all the more exciting. Spend the day at Leederville Oval and experience three games alongside your loved ones this Saturday.
Enjoy a searing jazz performance at The Ellington Jazz Club
While the WA jazz club has excellent performers seven days a week, Saturday evening performances are the ones to look forward to. Whether you’re a jazz fiend or simply trying out a new genre, the star performers at The Ellington Jazz Club will win your heart. This week, Perth’s own Amanda Dee pays tribute to Aussie legend, Renee Geyer. Book it now.
Behold the luminous “Ballet of Lights” dance show retelling of ‘The Sleeping Beauty’

Experience a stunning reimagining of The Sleeping Beauty at the Ballet of Lights in Perth, where Tchaikovsky’s classical ballet is brought to life with colourful costumes and an enchanting light show. This modern interpretation, held at the Octagon Theatre, seamlessly blends traditional ballet with innovative design, creating an accessible and magical experience for all. Don’t miss your chance to see this captivating performance; limited tickets available!
Participate in a cheeky, adults-only Balls Up Bingo
Drag queen Lola Blades hosts an adult-only twist on the traditional bingo format at Balls Up Bingo, this time held at Mount Henry Tavern. The evening combines standard gameplay with loud, chaotic comedy and a selection of prizes. Blades replaces traditional number-calling with unfiltered humour, transforming a typically quiet activity into a high-energy nightlife event. Book now!
Groove to the tunes at Beachside Disco Sunday Sessions in Cottesloe
The Beach Club at the Cott is throwing a coastal Sunday party that bridges the gap between afternoon dining and evening entertainment. Long lunches lead into sunset sessions featuring food and drinks.
As the afternoon progresses, a silent disco takes over the venue after 5 pm, turning a relaxed dining environment into an active dance floor to close out the weekend. Reserve tables to secure a dedicated space for the day.