Perth's streets, public spaces and waterways will once again glow with creativity when Perth Festival returns this February, illuminating the City as a vibrant playground of art, music, performance and light.
Running from 6 February to 1 March 2026, Perth Festival 2026 will host 117 events in total, a third of which are free to experience.
This year marks the festival's 73rd year, cementing its legacy as Australia's longest-running arts festival.
City of Perth Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds said the City was proud to support the powerful celebration of culture, creativity and community.
"Perth Festival is a highlight of summer in the City of Light," Mr Reynolds said.
"On warm nights, with a buzzing atmosphere and extraordinary programming, the festival invites people to explore the City, discover something new and see Perth through fresh eyes."
The iconic Perth Town Hall will once again take centre stage, reimagined as The Embassy – a lively festival hub blending nostalgic music, creative conversations and classic cocktails inspired by the 1970s and '80s.
"The Embassy is all about atmosphere and connection," Mr Reynolds said.
Dance will take centre stage in the heart of the City when Forrest Place transforms into the open-air stage for CERCLES, a six-day dance workshop where 150 amateur dancers will learn and create under the guidance of renowned French choreographer Boris Charmatz.
"Everyone is invited to join and be part of the movement at Forrest Place through the Perth Moves Dance Battle," Mr Reynolds said.
"From first-time dancers to internationally acclaimed performers, Perth Moves encourages people of all abilities to get involved.
Local businesses will also play a starring role throughout the festival, with a series of curated activations bringing culture into unexpected places. Among them, Astral Weeks Sessions will deliver an intimate, secret gig series for music lovers, hosted in one of Perth's hidden listening bars.
As night falls, the City of Light will once again honour its Whadjuk Noongar name Karla Bidi (Fire Trail), with the Derbarl Yerrigan (the Swan River) illuminated by a chain of glowing beacons stretching from the hills to the sea, guiding and welcoming locals and visitors into the festival experience.
Perth Festival Artistic Director Anna Reece said that Perth Festival is built with and for this city.
"Each summer the city of Perth becomes the stage itself as we invite people to experience exceptional arts and culture in all forms, into streets, squares, parks and river edges, opening up doors to all kinds of city gems," she said.
"We are thrilled that The Embassy is returning in 2026 with Perth Town Hall being transformed into the forgotten dance halls of the '70s and '80s, and a program that features performers across jazz, blues, smoking soul and cabaret.
"New to this year's program is a fine music journey inside the luminous surrounds of St Mary's Cathedral. With international luminaries, Australian masters and WA's finest musicians sharing the stage, Sanctum Series offers a program of profound beauty and thrilling discovery.
"Another new work is Kwop Ben, meaning 'Good Light', a Boorloo Contemporary commission that transforms one of Perth's newest and most recognisable crossings – Boorloo Bridge – into a living digital canvas.
"Perth Festival is a moment to help our city see itself more clearly, and to inspire what might come next. It reflects Perth as it really is: a city on the edge, curious, The Festival turns everyday places into moments of connection, pride and surprise, and it's only possible because of the deep partnership between Perth Festival and the City of Perth. When the city thrives, the Festival thrives, and vice versa."
In 2025, City of Perth Council approved $400,000 in sponsorship to support Perth Festival, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to arts, culture and a vibrant City life.
Tickets for Perth Festival 2026 are now on sale via the Perth Festival website.
