23 days, 108 events, 20 world premieres: Perth Festival has just released its program for 2026

Visit Perth24 Oct '25

The Embassy

Perth Festival has announced its 2026 lineup, the second program under Artistic Director Anna Reece, with the City set to come alive with creativity, connection and bold storytelling. Perth will become a living, breathing canvas - where office towers, cathedrals, and even the night sky are transformed into stages for art in all its forms.

Must-see events across the City

Step into old-world glamour at The Embassy at Perth Town Hall – your ultimate destination for jazz, blues, cabaret and soul. Think big band swing, smoky blues, soulful voices and bold new sounds, served with a side of cocktails and sophistication. Perth’s own Ali Bodycoat returns with The Embassy Big Band for two unforgettable nights, alongside cabaret acts brimming with charm, cheek, and nostalgia - from dazzling drag to a Tina Turner-inspired extravaganza.

The Festival’s beloved Lotterywest film program kicks off early at UWA’s Somerville Auditorium on 24 November. First up: Nouvelle Vague by Oscar-nominated Richard Linklater, a love letter to 1960s Paris and a must-see for cinephiles.

Lotterywest Films

Look to the skies for Karla Bidi, a breathtaking spectacle drawing inspiration from the Noongar tradition of lighting fires to greet and guide visitors. This year’s edition brings a brand-new soundscape of song and story, illuminating the Derbarl Yerrigan/Swan River with glowing beacons stretching from the hills all the way to the Indian Ocean.

Continuing on their mission to repurpose Perth icons into works of art, the Festival’s launching their Sanctum Series: a series of intimate and electrifying concerts to be held in the luminous surrounds of St Mary’s Cathedral. The Cathedral will shapeshift and transform as it hosts a wide array of musical stylings throughout the series: from bold, boundary-pushing compositions to traditional Irish music and centuries-old Nordic melodies.

Karla Bidi

Perth Moves by STRUT Dance will be invigorating Forrest Place, bringing eight nights of dance classes, a one-night-only dance battle party, the world premiere of Concrete Echoes, a powerful work uniting 200 dancers together in the heart of the City.

The Festival kicks off Friday 6 February and runs until Sunday 1 March. Don’t miss your chance to be part of Perth’s biggest celebration of art and culture. Explore the full program now on their website.