The first weekend of September is here, and mate, we’re so lucky to be in Perth this time of year. Spring is on the horizon, and barring a smattering of rain, the weather should behave. From lovely walks around the city to Father’s Day festivities, this list showcases the best of what the WA capital has to offer over the weekend.
Highlights include the Prison Island escape room with a difference, the Perth Boat Show, and a cabaret-circus show unlike any other. Here are the best things to do in Perth on 4, 5, and 6 August 2026.
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!
Drag Dad along for Father’s Day festivities
September 6 marks Father’s Day here in Australia, and there is certainly no dearth of things to do with Dad in Perth. From delicious lunches to inflatable axe-throwing, adrenaline-packed adventures and trips down nostalgia lane, check out our list of things your dad might like this weekend.
Sail into the Perth Boat Show
The Perth Boat Show fills six pavilions with marine technology, on-water gear, and vessels ranging from family trailer boats to high-performance watercraft. The lineup includes live demonstrations and Sea Safe sessions at the Boat Shed Stage, with broadcasts hosted by Pete Curulli. Families can head to Little Nippers Cove for free children’s activities over the weekend, while Sunday features a Father’s Day program with giveaways for the first dads through the door and entries into a weekend warrior prize pack. Book your tickets here.
Take in Macbeth in ballet form with live music by WASO
If you’re after a dramatic night out this weekend, try this version of Macbeth. Choreographer Alice Topp transforms Shakespeare’s tragedy into a contemporary ballet centred on boardroom intrigue, media manipulation, and sudden violence. Members of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra provide the live backing for the performance, playing Christopher Gordon’s original score.
Snag some lovely pieces at the SIR. warehouse sale
Australian label SIR. brings its warehouse sale to Perth, clearing out past-season pieces, samples, and signature styles. Browse the racks for their recognisable cuts at archive pricing. Get in early to procure the best items before the sizes sell out.
Gaze upon the flowers at Yates Springtime Tulip Festival
The Yates Springtime Tulip Festival fills Araluen Botanic Park with 250,000 tulips and 50,000 spring bulbs. This weekend, walk through the 59-hectare valley garden to see flowering daffodils, hyacinths, irises, jonquils, and liliums. For more information and to book your tickets, click here!
Watch a range of movies at CinefestOZ 2026
CinefestOZ takes over cinemas, wineries, boutique breweries, small bars, and galleries across WA’s South West. It features world premieres, red-carpet events, after-parties, and in-conversation lunches, alongside screenings for the CinefestOZ Film Prize. Additionally, it runs Deadly Days, highlighting Aboriginal filmmakers, and the Cinesnaps Student Competition and the Short Film Awards. For more information, check out cinefestoz.com.
Live it up at a space-western cabaret and circus show, LASSÙ
If you’re keen to add a little spectacle to your weekend plans, keep an eye out for LASSÙ, a space-western cabaret and circus show created by Merrik Ashton, heading to Northbridge. The performance blends traditional circus acts with burlesque, featuring a cast of characters that includes space cowboys, alien drifters, and the Rodeo Sisters. The storyline follows Rodeo Clown Rusty as he attempts to revive the saloon’s past. Reserve your seats here!
Walk around criminally underrated spots with the Perth True Crime Tour
Step away from the scenic waterfronts and trace the footsteps of notorious criminals on this guided walking tour. The route covers historic crime sites hidden in plain sight across Perth, digging into the city’s dark legacy of scandals, devious alibis, and unsolved cases. Reserve your spot here!
Catch Stormie Mills’ solo exhibition at the AGWA
If you’re keen on an artsy outing this weekend, WA street artist Stormie Mills is taking over the state gallery for his first major solo exhibition, packing four decades of his career. Moving from underground graffiti to the contemporary art spotlight, Mills explores themes of isolation and resilience through his signature restrained palette of black, white, grey, and silver.
Spend a day horsing around at the Belmont Park Racecourse
What better activity to do this weekend than checking out Farnley Stakes Day? With tickets starting for free, one can bask in the thrill of the $125K Listed Farnley Stakes over 1400m with family and friends.
The Belmont Park Racecourse is one of Perth’s best racecourses. After the race, one can also grab lunch at the Peninsula Dining Room or a pint at the Sports Bar on the Ground Floor.
Experience a Candlelight Concert featuring tributes to your favourite musicians
Live classical music tributes open 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 Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and Vivaldi. Buy tickets here.
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.
The Canning Vale Winter Night Markets, Scarborough Sunset Markets, and the Perth Makers Market are some to look forward to this weekend.
Revel in the Illuminate: Oceans Exhibition at WA Museum Boola Bardip, Perth
WA Museum Boola Bardip is projecting a large-scale, multisensory night installation by Aeroture to mark World Ocean Day. The visual display aims to highlight sustainable ocean management and the environmental impact of human activity. The projection features marine mammal footage, deep-sea life displays, and aerial views of Western Australia’s coastline across the museum’s exterior. A perfect activity, especially if you have kids to entertain during these July holidays!
Laugh out loud at Leederville Comedy Club’s Saturday Night Stand-Up at
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.
Engage in healthy competition with ‘Quiz Room Perth: Immersive Gameshow Experience’
Minimum booking for 3 people
Quiz Room delivers an immersive TV game show experience featuring real spotlights, podiums, and buzzers. Groups of 3-18 players compete in fast-paced trivia battles after selecting their format from options such as The Original Quiz, Music Quiz, Kids Quiz, or the strategic Mole game. To participate in this high-energy competition this weekend, book now!
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.
Enjoy a live jazz performance and cocktails at Bobèche
While the cocktail bar serves excellent drinks all 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 trio performers at Bobèche will win your heart. Book it now.
Sing your heart out with the Hot Keys Piano Club at DEADBEAT
Deadbeat hosts the Hot Keys Piano Club, turning its basement space into a massive, crowd-led sing-along. A live pianist will take requests and play universally known anthems from artists like Elton John, Billy Joel, and Queen. You’re the choir, so sing and scream the choruses to nostalgic hits. Book here.
Warm up with Small Print’s cheese-fuelled Fromage Affair
If winter has you craving something cosy, Small Print Wine Bar is bringing a cheese-heavy menu to its cellar as a refuge from the cold. Diners melt slices of raclette in individual coupelles and add them over boiled potatoes, gherkins, pickled onions, and air-dried charcuterie for a bottomless night-time meal. The venue also serves a traditional Swiss Fondue blending Gruyère AOP, Emmentaler AOP, and mountain cheese with crusty bread for dipping. To complete the meal, sommeliers match the food with a daily selection of red or white wines.
Try to get out of Escape This with various themes
You’ve never been to an escape room like this before. With distinct themes that include terrifying horror movies, pirates, mafia, wizards, and even Sherlock Holmes, prepare to be thoroughly entertained and scared, solving puzzles to get out. Book it here.
