The 2026 WA Day Festival is spread across regional and metropolitan events, not one festival day. The next listed events are in Carnarvon on Friday 9 October and Fremantle on Sunday 11 October; the Metro WA Day Festival is scheduled for Burswood Park on 21–22 November. The October events are free, with distinct programs: Carnarvon focuses on cultural performances and family activities, while Fremantle combines live performances, heritage and waterfront attractions. Burswood’s detailed program is still forthcoming. Check the official festival program for updates before setting out.
What to know before choosing an event
Celebrate WA organizes annual WA Day celebrations. Although WA Day has traditionally been held on the first Monday in June, the festival moved to November in 2024 because of unfavourable winter weather. The 2026 festival’s October regional events and November Metro Festival are separate from the June public holiday. The organizer says the public holiday will move permanently to the second Monday in November from 2028. Its stated aims include community participation, civic pride, inclusion and Aboriginal engagement.
The October choices are free, but they are in different towns and on different dates. Choose based on where you can travel and the kind of program that suits your group; the ten ideas below are outings drawn from the listings, not an official ranking.
| Event | Date and time | Venue and character | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnarvon | Friday 9 October 2026, 3–7 pm | Gwoonwardu Mia Cultural Centre; cultural performances, children’s activities, food and Sundowner music | Free |
| Fremantle | Sunday 11 October 2026, 11 am–7 pm | Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour and Bathers Beach; performances, food, history and waterfront activities | Free |
| Metro WA Day Festival | Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November 2026, 10 am–9 pm each day | Burswood Park; listed precincts include Innovation Alley, a Lotterywest stage, Eat Street, free rides in the BHP Family Zone and a sporting precinct | Not stated on the current listing |
The November precincts are marked “Coming Soon,” so specific acts, ride details and a running order have not yet been published. See Celebrate WA’s event program for the latest details.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
Five things to do at Carnarvon on 9 October
1. Watch regional cultural performances
The Gwoonwardu Mia program names Pundara Dancers, the Gwoonwardu Boys and Creality – Living Histories. Their presentations explore stories connected to the Gascoyne region. The event runs from 3–7 pm at Gwoonwardu Mia Cultural Centre. Approach these performances as cultural presentations rooted in place, rather than treating distinct traditions as generic festival entertainment.
2. Let children dance at Kidchella Silent Disco
The listing includes a Kidchella Silent Disco where children can dance, alongside live stage shows. It is a family-friendly option within Carnarvon’s afternoon program.
Rank #2
3. Meet the roaming dinosaur characters
Look out for a dinosaur and baby dinosaur puppet, as well as a Timmy Turtle book reading. These character encounters and storytime add a gentler option for younger visitors.
4. Try a reptile encounter and cookie making
Red Dirt Reptile Encounters and an interactive WA Day cookie-making station are both named in the program, offering two hands-on activities for families.
Recommended Free Tools
5. Stay for the Sundowner music
The evening program names Raymond Edney and singer-songwriter Lilly Gogos. Local food vendors are also listed, making the Sundowner a chance to pair live music with something to eat before the event ends at 7 pm.
Five things to do at Fremantle on 11 October
6. See the Smoking Ceremony and Corroboree
The organizer lists an opening traditional Smoking Ceremony led by Neville Collard JP Nyungar Birdiyia, and a WA Day Festival Corroboree at Bathers Beach. These are cultural events with their own meaning and context; attend respectfully and follow any guidance from the organizers and cultural leaders. Fremantle’s program is listed for 11 am–7 pm across Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour and Bathers Beach.
7. Catch mermaid and character encounters
The program includes a Mermaid Aquarium Show, mermaid meet-and-greets, Unicorns by the Sea and other roaming characters. These attractions give families a way to explore the festival precinct between scheduled performances.
8. Choose a music or dance performance
Fremantle’s announced mix spans 80s anthems, a Bon Scott tribute, Cuban music, samba, Italian Tarantella, Filipino street dance, dragon dancing and Taiko drumming. Carnival Fiesta and Brazilian- and Venetian-themed performers are also listed. Check the event listing for the schedule so you can plan around the performances that interest you.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →9. Combine food with local history
Cooking with the Nonnas brings food into the program, while the Italians in Fremantle historic walking trail at the WA Shipwrecks Museum offers a history-focused outing. The museum lists its event from 9:30 am–5:30 pm, with activities from 11:30 am–4:30 pm. It also lists free gallery highlights and activities.
10. Make something, explore the museum and finish by the harbour
Family activities include Bricks, Builds & Big Fun, mini-kite making and WA-themed colouring. The museum’s listing also includes gallery highlights and activities. The festival advertises SUNSET OF FIRE, a fire-art performance by the harbour, as its finale. The museum lists a 1 pm author talk as sold out and offers a waitlist; do not count on getting a ticket.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Practical details to check
- Museum access: The Western Australian Museum says the WA Shipwrecks Museum is fully accessible and provides 1300 134 081 for assistance. This statement applies to the museum, not necessarily every outdoor part of the festival. See the museum’s event information.
- Transport, parking and weather: The event listings do not settle festival-wide arrangements or weather contingencies. Confirm these with the organizer before travelling.
- Fremantle entry: Both the organizer and the City of Fremantle list the event as free. The City’s event page is at Fremantle WA Day Festival 2026.
The Western Australian Museum’s Goldfields listing describes a Kalgoorlie event held on 1 June at Centennial Park; that event has passed and is not an upcoming option. See the Goldfields Museum listing for that historical event.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
