Events, Activities and Things To Do Around Australia in January

January 5th to January 27th

Every January, Sydney Festival enlivens and transforms Sydney with a bold cultural celebration based on the highest quality art and big ideas.

Entertainment is varied throughout the festival from burlesque circus to New York rap to Russian theatre; from contemporary dance to family programs to traditional Indigenous arts practice.

The program comprises around 300 performances and around 100 events performed by over 1000 artists.

The Sydney Festival celebrates Sydney’s unique history and potential with Black Capital, a series of performances, seminars and exhibitions reflecting Sydney’s diverse contemporary Indigenous culture in Carriageworks in the heart of Redfern.

Set across more then 20 venues and in celebration of Australia’s strong creative spirit, the Festival has a whole host of Australian innovators.

Priding itself on the many wonderful global artists and companies many world known names and well renowned musicians will grace Sydney during the festival.

The creators of the Sydney Festival claim it to be the most wonderful summer festival in the world. There is only one way to find out.

January 14th to January 27th

The big events just keep showing up in Melbourne.

January brings with it the Australian Open Tennis Championship from Melbourne Park.

Based alongside the MCG, Melbourne Park is the perfect venue to host the worlds best in the first Grand Slam Tournament of the year.

Grab tickets for the major courts, or grab a ground pass to wander the outer courts.

The first 4 days always have cracking games on the outer courts and great fun can be had on the lawn.

Entertainment is provided, along with a big screen and plenty of beer. So there are no excuses not to attend a ripper of an event.

January 18th - January 19th

As it does every year, Adelaide’s Schutzenfest festival will showcase a massive line-up of bands and entertainment.

The festival has been running since 1964 and is hosted by the South Australian German Association.

Historically a shooting festival, Schutzenfest goes back to its German roots with a traditional Vogel shoot, where celebrities will be given their first chance to fire a rifle.

There will be no shortage of opportunities for event-goers to immerse themselves in German culture, with slap dancing performances, cultural sites and souvenirs.

Beer will be flowing, and tastebuds are sure to be tantalised by authentic German food from more than 40 stalls.

The Adelaide Schutzenfest is one of South Australia’s most popular events and is the largest ethnic festival in the Southern hemisphere.

Tickets are $16 and the event is located at Ellis Park in West Terrace.

January 11th - January 13th

The streets of Cygnet will come alive again this January with music and dance as mainland and international folk performances converge on pubs, halls, cafes and parks.

The programme features a mix of talented artists including local Tasmanians, mainland Australians and International guests.

The sleepy township of Cygnet is situated about fifty minutes drive from Hobart. But sleep is the last thing on anyones ageda throughout the festival.

All the venues are indoors - and all within a very short walk of each other. The whole village takes on open air festival atmosphere. Cygnet is a great place for renewing old friendships - and making new ones.

A wide variety of music is on offer throughout the event.

Cygnet has three pubs, all offering meals, or you can eat at any of the town's restaurants or takeaway food shops, or at one of the festival foods stalls in the venues or in the festival market.

There's also plenty of room at a secure, patrolled camping ground with plenty of provisions at the town's two supermarkets.

According to event organisers, 'You won't find a friendlier festival anywhere in Australia'.

Late January / Early February

This year in Brisbane, Laneway Returns! The festival returns to its adopted home at the RNA Showground.

The Laneway Festival is about leading new and revered seminal music. The festival has always been interested in finding what's fresh and great and bringing it to unique settings and surrounds to be appreciated by music lovers.

The size of the festivals, the locations and the way we encourage community all form part of the way in which the Laneway team strive to present an urban music experience like no other.

Featuring many artists from around the Globe, The Laneway festival is sure to let you indulge in your musical fancies.

Tickets aren't cheap (In excess of $100), but check it out, it may knock your socks off.

January 4th - January 5th

Enjoy the brilliant West Australian sun with an awesome music festival.

Southbound is an annual music, camping and arts festival held at the beginning of the year in the beautiful South West Western Australia town of Busselton.

It boasts a laid back atmosphere and an excellent line-up of local, Australian and International acts.

Campers enjoy not only the incredible line-up but also a wealth of activities to do in base camp.

Southbound also includes many arts and cultural initiatives that are as important to the festival’s ideology as the music.

Get your tickets early as this event usually sells out.