Event Calendar: A Collection of Australian Cultural Highlights in 2020
Australia presents a year-round calendar of colourful cultural events each year: theatre, music, opera and art, ancient indigenous traditions through to cutting-edge contemporary presentations. Here we have curated a collection of cultural highlights on the 2020 Australian events calendar:
Tropical Light (until April 2020, Darwin)
Following on from the success of the highly acclaimed artist, Bruce Munro’s breathtakingly beautiful Field of Light installation at Uluru in Australia’s Red Centre (which has been extended until December 2020), “Tropical Light” will illuminate the streets of Darwin with eight striking light installations on display from October 2019 through to April 2020)
Sydney Festival (8-26 January, Sydney)
An annual three-week festival celebrating cutting edge theatre, music, dance, visual art and summer in Sydney with a collection of free and ticketed events throughout the city.
Encounters 2020 (24 February 2020 – May 2021, Australia)
A series of celebrations across the nation that follow the Endeavour replica’s voyage around Australia to mark the 250th Anniversary of Captain Cook’s charting of the East Coast of Australia.
Bienale of Sydney: NIRIN (14 March – 8 June 2020, Sydney)
Australia’s leading art event presents extraordinary art in unexpected locations, bringing together the talents of more than 70 artists from around the globe. A biannual, city-wide exhibition, NIRIN in 2020 will focus on First Nations.
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour – La Traviata (27 March – 26 April 2020, Sydney)
Handa Opera returns to Sydney Harbour in 2020 with a magical outdoor performance of La Traviata set to the spectacular backdrop the Sydney Opera House, Harbour and Harbour Bridge.
Byron Bay BluesFest (9-13 April 2020, Byron Bay)
An annual musical highlight that attracts an international line up of some of the biggest names in Blues and Roots.
Pas de deux in paradise (23-25 May 2020, Hamilton Island – Whitsundays)
An intimate and breathtaking performance by the Australian Ballet under the stars at qualia on Hamilton Island.
Vivid Sydney (end May – mid June 2020 dates TBC, Sydney)
The largest event of its kind in the world VIVID is an annual colourful celebration of technology and creativity that illuminates the city with cutting-edge light installations, interactive sculpture and grand-scale projections.
Dark Mofo (10-22 June 2020, Hobart)
An annual mid-winter celebration of light and dark presented by Tasmania’s iconic and thought-provoking MONA (Museum of Old and New Art). Feasts , film, fire and fun; music, art and more.
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (8-12 July 2020, Cairns)
Enjoy the 10th anniversary of Australia’s premier Indigenous Art Fair – an annual celebration of Australia’s Aboriginal culture and creativity with a series of free and ticketed events, talks, workshops and exhibitions.
Sculpture by the Sea (end October – mid November dates TBC, Sydney)
The spectacularly scenic Bronte to Bondi coastal walk in Sydney is dotted with striking sculptures with dramatic ocean backdrops.
The Ring Cycle (10 November – 5 December 2020, Brisbane)
The pinnacle of opera, Wagner’s Ring Cycle is an epic performance enjoyed over four fabulous nights. Experience this legendary opera through a futuristic lens with a state-of-the-art digital performance on a grand scale.
Contact the Southern Crossings Travel Design team to craft an itinerary incorporating personalised luxury travel experiences to suit your individual passions and interests.
Or read on for more inspiration about Australia’s unique festivals and events.
