How to experience the Festival according to Anna

Want to experience the Festival like an insider?

Start planning your summer!

LACRIMA – edge of your seat stuff

This show is international theatre at its best! I queued for 4.5 hours in the heat of Avignon, dehydrated and in a haze of French cigarette smoke with hundreds of others to try and snaffle a ticket to this show! LACRIMA is edge of your seat stuff. Gripping cinematic theatre. Multiple characters, plot twists and more.  

A French fashion house is awarded a commission – to create the wedding dress for the next princess of England. It is a fictional story yes – but it draws on the global truths of the true but hidden cost of high couture. Follow the stories of all who touch the dress. It is spectacular.

West Coast Best Coast

There are too many amazing new Western Australian works to list. But we are so proud to be celebrating our local WA artists.

Check out the 'local' filter on our program page for the most existing and overwhelming list of visual arts, theatre, music and special events.

U>N>I>T>E>D 

I love how much our festival audiences love dance. So Perth, U>N>I>T>E>D is for you! Totally challenging what we think dance is today and can be, this is an explosion of energy, technology and high intensity movement. A brilliant collaboration between the acclaimed Australian dance company Chunky Move and some bold and colourful creative collaborators from Java and Bali.

Extremely talented dancers click in and out of wild metallic prosthetics to an unstoppable sound track.

Sanctum Series – choral ensembles and intimate chamber music

Let every note linger a little in a sublime series of choral ensembles and intimate chamber music within the exquisite surrounds of St Mary’s Cathedral. I walk through our city everyday always on the lookout for new places and spaces to take over with art. Tucked away in the heart of it all is St Mary’s.  

For me I just love the idea of experiencing the soaring voices of Sweden’s Akervinda and US octet Roomful of Teeth to fill my cup. And Martin Hayes I have always wanted to bring to Perth for an evening of virtuosic Irish fiddle playing. The Sanctum Series is a beautiful offering of sensational fine and traditional music artists from here and across the globe.

The Embassy – indulge and delight

I love snuggling up around a table with friends or strangers and settling into our beautiful Embassy, our transformation of the Perth Town Hall each February.

This year I really feel like The Embassy has come into its own. A huge program of big bands, sublime international jazz, joyous and sometimes hilarious cabaret and some of the smokiest blues, R&B and soul music we could find for you. The Embassy cocktail bar will be open, the venue intimate and sophisticated. Indulge and delight and let us entertain you.

East Perth Power Station – everything a Festival should be

The Power Station is to me, everything a festival should be. A place to gather with friends, family, neighbours, dogs, kids, strangers. Sit on the riverbanks, by the paperbark trees, with the industrial facade of the Power Station looming over you. As the sun sets, watch as the building transforms, hear the crowd gasp as the building is brought to life with colourful, beautiful and fantastic First Nations artwork. All while you are treated to truly great music acts from around the world on the Casa Musica stage – all for free. Or venture around the corner into our Main Stage – the engine room of music for summer in 2026. Step into a space of industrial grit, heaving walls. A humming, immersive night club under the stars.

If you ever are looking for me at the Power Station, I'll always be somewhere at the back, just watching with joy as people of all ages revel in this incredible space.