We might be nearing the end of the year, but that doesn’t mean there’s any less to do across Australia. As the days get warmer and the nights get brighter, cities across the country are coming alive with music festivals, markets, live shows, and more. Planning your month? We’ve done the hard work for you. Find our pick of things to do across Australia in October, 2024, below.
NSW
Taronga Zoo is combining two of our favourite things this October: the iconic Sydney harbour, and great films. Their Harbour View Cinema is a pop-up open-air cinema that will run until 6 October, with popcorn, ice cream, beer, wine and other delicacies on offer.
Creatives, listen up. This month, SXSW Sydney will play host to an array of insightful panels, inspiring performance, and more across its week-long program, which runs from 14–20 October .
Australian electronic music duo Electric Fields will join forces with The Sydney Symphony Orchestra, for a unique performance at the Sydney Opera House on 16 October.
After being postponed in 2023, The Weeknd is finally bringing his ‘After Hours Til Dawn’ tour to our shores. Shows in Sydney will take place on the 22–23 October.
Sculptures By The Sea returns for its 26th year, with artists from across the world displaying their creations across the iconic Bondi coastline from 18 October until 4 November.
P.E Nation is on the move and will be opening a pop-up boutique in Bondi this Saturday 5 October.
AGNSW is presenting three special After Hours nights in October exploring rituals and coming-of-age celebrations with the likes of Betty Grumble, Matthew Aberline and CREATION on Wednesday 9, 16 and 23 October.
The inaugural Potts Point In bloom festival is running from 10–20 October, transforming the streets of Potts Point with vibrant floral displays.
FIOR, the Shire’s foodie hotspot is set to launch an exciting spring line up of collaborative events for “Every Other Sunday”. The program will launch on 6 October.
Western Australian artist Reif Myers will present his first solo exhibit in Sydney. ‘Bird Bath’ will be shown at Rainbow Studios from 24 October until 7 November.
‘Old Ways, New Stories’ is a group exhibition showcasing first nations artists, and curated by Hannah Lange. The show is opening on Friday 11 October at HAKE House of Art, and will be commemorated with live music and drinks from 6 – 8pm.
Hack-Cafe is popping up on the Bondi Beachfront on the 18th and 19th of October. Hosted by Ayesha Madon and TikTok creators Tina Provis, Breakfast Shirts, and Tom Smallwood, the cafe will serve drinks inspired by TikTok coffee hacks
Cyrstalbrook Byron is inviting guests to join them every Sunday in October for a delightful, Bottomless Mimosa experience for just $35 per person.
The Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) returns from 27 October to 22 December, presenting an extraordinary line-up of films that reflect the diversity, complexity, and richness of Jewish culture.
Multi-award-winning Australian electronic music duo, and Eurovision contestants earlier this year, Electric Fields joins forces with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for one night only on 19 October.
Sydney Dance Company presents the Melbourne debut of Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela’s latest full-length dance work momenta at Arts Centre Melbourne from 8–12 October.
QLD
Tyla, John Summit, 21 Savage, Skepta, Flo Milli and Sub Focus are headlining Listen Out festival, which is slated for 5 October at the Brisbane Showgrounds.
The Brisbane Powerhouse will be transformed for a month-long culinary experience with Night Feast. You can experience delicious creations from the likes of Gerard’s, Gelato Messina, Southside, and Byblos, beginning from 16 October.
The Sydney Dance Company will head north to perform their captivating choreography, Twofold. You can book tickets for the shows, which run from 17–19 October, via Ticketek.
The Brisbane Good Food and Wine Show will return for its 23rd year, with chefs like Donna Hay and Miguel Maestre taking over the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 25 – 27 October.
West End’s Metro Arts will play host to the Australian Independent Film Festival, which runs from 25–27 October . The program spans the very best Australian and international short films, plus documentaries, animations, and experimental films.
Mooloolaba Beach will hold the second swim in the Ocean Swim Series on October 19, with plenty to do after the event for participants and spectators alike.
VIC
Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF), returning for its 27th year from 18–27 October.
Melbourne Fringe Festival‘s jam-packed program — which boasts over 450 captivating events — will take place across the city from 1–20 October.
For the first time since 2019, the vibrant Circus Oz Hub returns with a stacked program featuring some of Australia’s most exciting circus acts, school holiday fun for the family and electric late night entertainment for the duration of Melbourne Fringe from 1–20 October.
The Gluten-Free Expo will take over the Convention and Exhibition Centre for a weekend gluten-free goodness. From 5–6 October, you can indulge in gluten free delights from the likes of Well and Good, Arnotts, Senza, Two Bays Brewing Co., and Venerdi.
Spring is the perfect season to explore Victoria’s world-class wineries, and what better way than with Shedfest? From 12–13 October , the weekend festival will see 14 of the Yarra Valley’s most popular wineries open their doors to ticket-holders for tastings, live music, and more.
The Sydney Dance Company will perform Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela’s latest full-length work, Momenta, for the first time in Melbourne. Performances will take place at the Arts Centre Melbourne from 8–12 October.
The Melbourne Gluten-Free Expo will take place from 5–6 October, featuring a show floor bursting with exhibitors; the ultimate destination to discover, sample and purchase new products spanning tasty treats to essential pantry items, without the worry of having to ask whether any of the food contains gluten.
SA
Nestled on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula is the Ceduna Oyster Festival, a two-day celebration of the region’s illustrious oyster industry. Taking place from 5–6 October , there’s set to be everything from cooking demos to oyster eating competitions.
From 11–13 October, Adelaide Fashion Week will celebrate local fashion, beauty, art and food. In addition to runway presentations, the stacked program includes lunches, shopping experiences, and styling sessions.
The Adelaide Film Festival will showcase 110 films from over 40 countries across a thought-provoking week-long schedule. You can check out the program, which begins on 23 October, and book tickets on the AFF website.
WA
Experience the St. Ali Italian Film Festival in its 25th year, from 1–31 October with films showing in Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and Windsor Cinema.
Fremantle Design Week will take place from October 18 – 25, with a program of over 50 events, conversations, tours and workshops scheduled throughout the week, celebrating the theme ‘transition.’
ACT
In 2024, the Canberra Art Biennial returns for its 5th year. Taking place until 23 October, the festival will showcase artworks and installations that respond in some way to Canberra’s history, from 65,000 years to the present day.
On Sunday 20 October, Australia’s biggest curated thrift market, Fashion Thrift Society, will return to Exhibition Park, so you can bolster your Summer wardrobe with some pre-loved gems.
Gang Gang Cafe will host Sundowner, a music festival featuring 17 artists across two stages, from 12 – 10pm, Saturday 26 October. There’s also set to be market stalls, plenty of food options, and spaces to relax. Tickets are available through Humantix.
TAS
Hobart Gin Festival 2024 will happen from 25–26 October, and will see over 50 Aussie craft distillers in attendance, along with food trucks and Schibello Coffee available to keep you fuelled up throughout the day.
The Woolmers Estate Annual Art Exhibition will surprise visitors to the galleries from 26 October with vibrant and colourful accents, picturesque surfaces, the variety of medium and finishing touches delivering an exhibition of exceptional quality for all tastes.
NT
Mindil Beach Sunset Market will be taking place until 31 October, and is the heart of Darwin’s cultural melting pot and truly epitomises the word ‘multicultural’.
Darwin International Laksa Festival Food Tour is being held from 1–31 October and is a celebration of the Territory’s multicultural community, tropical lifestyle and love of laksa.
The Territory Bar-BQ Festival, hosted by One Mile Brewing Company from 5–6 October, is a sizzling celebration that will feature the first-ever sanctioned Australian Barbecue Alliance event in the Northern Territory with pitmasters battling it out for the title of BBQ Champion. Tickets are available now.
