Traveling to Australia or living in Australia? Here are just some events happening over the Month of April 2015.
Sydney Royal Easter Show (NSW), 26 March – 8 April
The Sydney Royal Easter Show is Australia’s largest annual event, attracting close to 900,000 people each year. It is a celebration of Australian culture, from its rural traditions to modern day lifestyles, providing unique experiences for everyone. Each year the country and city join together to enjoy agricultural competitions, animal experiences, entertainment, carnival fun, shopping and much more.
www.eastershow.com.au
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour – Aida (NSW), 27 March – 26 April
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour has become a huge part of the cultural landscape, combining all of world-class opera, champagne and fine dining, sunsets and spectacle on the harbour’s edge. The 2015 opera will be Aida, a tragic love story about an Egyptian commander, a Pharaoh and an enslaved Ethiopian princess, starring sopranos Latonia Moore and Daria Masiero alternating in the title role.
www.opera.org.au
BMW Sydney Carnival (NSW), March TBC
The BMW Sydney Carnival spans Sydney’s two premiere racecourses, Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick, delivering world-class racing, stunning fashion and fantastic entertainment. Each day has its own style with specific days designed to appeal to ladies, racing enthusiasts, socialites, families and more, providing a wide range of hospitality options, exciting entertainment and activities both on and off the track.
www.australianturfclub.com.au
Hobart Baroque (TAS), March TBC
Listen to a range of diverse and unique performers celebrating the music of the 17th and 18th centuries, the only music festival to do so in Australia.
www.hobartbaroque.com.au
APRIL
National Folk Festival (ACT), 2 – 6 April
celebrates the world of folk music and arts with the best folk and acoustic musicians and singers from all over Australia, and around the world, performing on big concert stages and in comfortable intimate surroundings. There’s a program of free workshops, dance classes, storytelling and poetry, films and artisan craft displays.
www.folkfestival.org.au
Bluesfest Byron Bay (NSW), 2 – 6 April
See some of the biggest names in blues and roots at the 26th Bluesfest in the relaxed beachside town of Byron Bay in northern New South Wales. The festival features seven stages and more than 200 performances of the best blues, roots, folk, soul and world artists, along with licensed bars and undercover food halls. Already artists including Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals, Paolo Nutini, David Gray, Ben Howard and the Counting Crows have been announced to perform at the event in 2015.
www.bluesfest.com.au
Australian Running Festival (ACT), 11 – 12 April
Incorporating The Canberra Times Canberra Marathon along with a Half Marathon and fun runs, the Australian Running Festival offers an event for all abilities, from serious runners to joggers, pushers and walkers. In 2014, the event will see the introduction of new one-lap courses, including new start and finish areas outside Old Parliament House. 5km and 10km fun runs will take place on Saturday afternoon, while the Half Marathon, Marathon and Ultra Marathon events will take place early on Sunday.
www.runningfestival.com.au
Australian Surf Life Saving Championships (QLD), 13 – 19 April
The largest sporting event of its type and uniquely Australian, the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships – also known as the Aussies – attract more than 6,000 competitors to Scarborough Beach to contest more than 295 events including board races, swim, Ironman and Ironwoman, beach events and more.
www.sls.com.au
Rip Curl Pro (VIC), 1 – 12 April
Surf’s up at the Rip Curl Pro at Victoria’s home of surfing, Bells Beach in Torquay. The world’s best male and female surfers compete as part of the ASP World Championship Tour. There’s also plenty happening on land for fans, visitors and surfers alike, between the famous Bells contest site, the local pubs and legendary parties around town.
www.ripcurl.com.au
ANZAC Day (National), 25 April
On ANZAC Day Australians remember young lives lost and honour those individuals who have served Australia. In small communities, towns and cities people rise early for moving dawn services. Later that day, veterans, descendants, returned service personnel and others march through the country and city streets to cheering crowds. 2015 will mark the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli with commemorative activities taking place throughout the ANZAC Day long weekend at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
www.awm.gov.au
Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival (QLD), 25 April – 20 June
The Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival is the highlight of the Queensland racing calendar, with eight Group One races at Eagle Farm and Doomben racecourses.
www.brc.com.au
Targa Tasmania (TAS), 27 April – 2 May
Over six days of Targa Tasmania, the world’s best touring, sports and GT cars compete in competitive stages on the Island’s toughest roads. They travel more than 2000 kilometres to challenge the best in their category.
www.targa.com.au