Mark Your Calendar: Australia's 12 Most Exciting Sports and Events Month by Month

Of the few countries that worship cricket with the same fervour as India, Australia immediately comes to mind. Fortunately, the Great Southern Land knows how to deliver a cracking score on and off the pitch. Extraordinary celebrations are a way of life as the nation plays host to some of the best festivals and international sports tournaments in the world. Expect a rousing line-up of year-round events irrespective of when you visit Oz!

January

Australian Open

For two action-packed weeks in January, Melbourne Park transforms into a tennis paradise, drawing in the world's finest tennis players and over five-and-half lakh passionate spectators who can't get enough of the high-octane Australian Open. The excitement spills out onto the city’s streets, where matches are broadcast on colossal screens, and revellers flock to festive beer gardens, buzzing pubs, and lively music venues to soak up the electric atmosphere.

February-June

Sydney Mardi Gras

For three weeks across February and March, Oxford Street—the beating heart of Sydney’s queer community—transforms into a colourful jamboree for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. The stretch is witness to a dazzling annual parade that celebrates the rich legacy of the region’s LGBTQIA+ history through exuberant performances, music, and magnificent floats.

World’s Longest Lunch

The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is straight out of a glutton’s dreams, attracting over a lakh-and-a-half foodies and culinary stalwarts like Nigella Lawson and Ben Shewry. With hundreds of diverse events spanning ten days in late March and early April, the festival is a gastronomic adventure like no other. Every year a different chef curates The World’s Longest Lunch—one of the flagship events—at the lush Treasury Gardens. For the best seats, gather around a special table that spans more than 500m in length; this is where all the action unfolds. Travel influencers Prachi and Harsh can vouch for the al fresco experience.

World Surfing Championships

Autumn (March-May) in Australia is a dream season for surf enthusiasts. The World Surfing Championships feature a series of men's and women's tournaments and events, starting in the surfing capital of Australia, the Gold Coast. With three Australian events on the calendar—the Quicksilver & Roxy Pro Gold Coast, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in Victoria, and the Margaret River Pro in Western Australia—fans have plenty of chances to witness the world's best surfers tackle big swells.

The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix

In a Venn diagram featuring star-studded events in Australia, with sleek cars and adrenaline, the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix features bang in the centre. Every year in April, fans get the added thrill of witnessing F1 champions fire up their new engines in Melbourne’s 5.2-kilometre Albert Park Circuit. The Albert Park Circuit itself offers a picturesque setting for the race, with its combination of fast straights, challenging corners, and scenic surroundings. Fans can choose various viewing areas, including grandstands, general admission spots, and hospitality suites, ensuring a memorable and immersive experience.

Vivid Sydney

The ‘Festival of Lights’ takes on a whole different meaning here, attracting visitors from around the world for over three weeks across May and June. Vivid Sydney showcases stunning light installations and projections on the city's famous landmarks free of charge. Check out the night markets, street performances and music concerts, along with Vivid ideas which consists of a range of talks, fora, and workshops centred around the creative industries.

July-August

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

The ninth edition of the women’s tournament will go down in history as the first-ever event of its magnitude to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Between July 20 and August 20 this year, exemplary sportsmanship will be on full display in host cities and stadiums, with Australia welcoming fans and athletes to Sydney’s Stadium Australia for the inaugural and final matches.

September-October

Floriade

Spring (September-October) in the nation's capital is a sight to behold as Floriade, the largest flower festival in the Southern Hemisphere, blossoms to life. Over one million blooms put on a colourfully impressive display with tulips stealing the show. The month-long event is centred in Canberra’s Commonwealth Park and features an exciting line-up of music, entertainment, horticulture workshops, and festive activities.

November-December

Melbourne Cup Carnival

Fashion, food, festivities, and heart-pumping horse racing: The Melbourne Cup Carnival has it all. Known as ‘the race that stops a nation’, the 1861-inaugurated sensation spans over a week, and features parties, parades, special events, and four one-of-a-kind race days, including the iconic Melbourne Cup Day on the first Tuesday of November.

The Ashes

Australia and England share a common love for cricket, particularly the coveted Ashes Series trophy. This historic cricket event takes place every two years between November and January, with the two countries competing in a series of test cricket matches on the previous winner's soil. Dating back to the 1800s, the longstanding tradition has created a heated yet healthy rivalry, with passionate fans adding to the excitement in every city.

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

If you think car races are thrilling, wait till you catch a sailing race. With decades of history, the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race attracts boating aficionados to witness the 1,012-kilometre journey between Sydney and Hobart in the last week of December, complete with a carnival-like atmosphere and a sea of boats.

New Year’s Eve

There’s nowhere quite like Sydney to bid adieu to the year gone by. More than a million people flock around Sydney Harbour to watch one of the world’s largest spectacles of fireworks. Even if it may seem impossible to skip the crowds, some of the best non-ticketed vantage points in the city are worth checking out. Head to Observatory Hill at Millers Point, Blues Point Reserve at McMahons Point, Pirrama Park and Giba Park in Pyrmont, and Manly’s North Head to embrace new beginnings.

Immerse yourself in the thrill of world-class motorsports, witness intense tennis matches between the best players in the world, and experience the joy of cultural celebrations and food festivals. These events not only showcase Australia's sporting prowess but also provide an opportunity to connect with the vibrant spirit of the country and its people. So, get ready to witness incredible feats of athleticism, indulge in mouthwatering culinary delights, and embrace the contagious energy of these sports events and festivals in Australia. Mark your calendar and prepare for an u nforgettable year filled with unforgettable moments.

In association with Tourism Australia.