Just when we really started to struggle under the pressure of a full day working week, here you are, Labour Day Long Weekend. With the public holiday falling on the Monday, the only thing standing between you and a full blown mini-break is one sweet little sick day or cheeky approved leave.
Whether you’re looking for festival events or concerts, want to eat and drink your way to Tuesday, or just want to soak in some live music, there’s something for you this long weekend. So turn off your work email notifications: here are 20 great things to do in Perth this weekend!
Perth Festival
Let The Sunshine In at UWA Somerville
Crawley
One of your last chances to catch a film at UWA Somerville (which is, we’re calling it, the most beautiful outdoor cinema we’ve got), catch this French film: Let The Sunshine In. Oscar-winner Juliette Binoche plays the lead, a newly single woman who’s sewing her loose seeds, so to speak. Described as a ‘grown-up look at romance and sex’, we might not be ready for it, but it’s worth a shot!
The Second Woman at PICA | 3 & 4 March
Northbridge
To see something truly unique, head to this 24-hour live performance and cinema spectacle: The Second Woman. A cast of over 100 male volunteers have been invited to star opposite Nat Randall, to play out the same scene literally over and over, all weekend—but expect new meanings and different endings every time! Make like Carrie Bradshaw and go check if the show’s still going at 2am.
All Weekend
Sculptures by the Sea at Cottesloe Beach
Cottesloe
The annual Sculptures by the Sea is back again to clog Cottesloe street parking, swamp local business and, above all, provide the good people of Cottesloe and beyond sculptural delights from artists the world over. Delivering not only one of the world’s largest public sculpture exhibitions, but a bunch of public programs and artist talks too!
Club Swizzle Extended Show at The Ice Cream Factory
Northbridge
Guys, if you didn’t catch Club Swizzle before Fringe ended—this is your chance. The show was that freakin’ good that they’e decided to extend it for an extra week. So don’t be a fool—there’s a reason it sold out the first time round.
Cider and Pork Festival at Elizabeth Quay
Perth
This finger lickin’ good festy is back at the beautiful Elizabeth Quay. The Cider & Pork Festival is one of Perth’s fave pop-up food festivals, showcasing the very best pork-loving restaurants from around town and a bunch of delicious local and interstate cideries. Yes please!
The Dock Series 2 at B Shed Fremantle
Fremantle
The first series was such a hit, that The Dock at B Shed Fremantle is back for round two. Open for literally the entire long weekend (and by that we mean Thursday through Monday), The Dock is going to be offering up some cold bevies and good tunes. The best part? You can bring your doggo!
Hyde Park Fair | 3, 4 & 5 March
Mount Lawley
Running for over 50 years now, the Hyde Park Fair is a Mount Lawley institution! The weekend long festival features live entertainment and music, arts and crafts, demonstrations, pop-up market stalls, sideshow rides, workshops and, yes, a bunch of delicious food stalls! It’s an action packed weekend and you can pop down to get amongst it at any point throughout, including for the Barrels and Brews at Sunset on the Saturday night!
Vintage Brunch Wine Tour
Swan Valley
Brought to you by Up Close and Local Tours is this Vintage Brunch Wine Tour, a once a year interactive event where not only do you get to enjoy exclusive dining events and guided tastings, but you also get to be a winemaker for the day and get your hands dirty helping out on a vintage harvest! Take it from us: wine tastes better when you’ve worked for it.
Lot Twenty x Eagle Bay Brewing Co. Weekender at Lot Twenty
Perth
If all you wanna do is drink beers this long weekend (wouldn’t blame ya’) then check out this Eagle Bay Brewing Co. Tap Takeover at Lot Twenty. Soak up some long weekend, summer rays on the Lot Twenty deck while savouring the flavour of this acclaimed South West brewery—accompanied by some delicious eats, of course.
Thursday 1 March
Emily King at Chevron Gardens
Perth
Head down to soak up the last few days of Perth Festival at the Chevron Gardens and catch soul-pop queen Emily King whose vocals reportedly melt hearts and weaken knees. Joining her is The Cat Empire’s Harry James Angus and his latest outfit Struggle With Glory, who’ll bring you old-time jazz music with, we’re told, just a hint of gospel.
Friday 2 March
Op Shop Street Party at Jack Rabbit Slim’s
Northbridge
If you’ve been wondering when you’d get a chance to wear all those old clothes you can’t bring yourself to get rid of: here it is. Head to this Jack Rabbit Slim’s Op Shop Street Party dressed in your absolute worst and enjoy pop-up bars, silent disco, street food and special guest DJs!
Saturday 3 March
South West Beer Fest at 3 Oceans Winery
Margaret River
If you’re getting out of town for the long weekend, head no further than the South West Craft Beer Fest, where you can savour the taste of more than 100 craft beers from twenty-odd local breweries, as well as enjoy gourmet food, wine and cider and local live music all with the backdrop of vineyards and bushland and the salty smell of the ocean in the distance!
City Limits Festival at Badlands Bar Carpark
Perth
Following a massive sold-out debut last year, City Limits is back in Perth for another party. Dual stages in the Badlands carpark will host performances from British India, The Bennies and Ecca Vandal—among others! Think good vibes, food trucks and sensible drink prices—a music festival without the hassle!
Macbeth In Noongar at Subiaco Arts Centre
Subiaco
The legends at Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company are bringing a cracker of a show to Perth Festival’s final weekend: it’s Macbeth in Noongar! This is a dynamic retelling of the play—so don’t expect word for word translations, but do expect incredible talent and a totally unique experience. Acclaimed actress Kylie Bracknell is at the healm, so you know you’re in for something special.
Sunday 4 March
Biv Cha at Bivouac
Northbridge
Bivouac takes on the tastiest Sunday tradition going round: yum cha. Head to Biv Cha for the final instalment this weekend to grab some serious yum cha heroes like prawn shamui, soft shell crab, pork belly and egg tarts—with a Bivouac twist. You can book, but they’re also welcoming—true to the yum cha tradition—walk ins and serving off the trolley!
Castaway Festival at Hotel Rottnest
Rottnest
You all know the drill with this one: a party on Perth’s favourite island can’t be missed. Get your affairs in order: boat, ferry, accommodation, path of sand—whatever. Just get there, ‘cos you don’t want to miss San Cisco and The Preatures with your toes squelched in the sand and a G&T in hand, do you now?
Leedy Streets Open
Leederville
How we love a good street festival. This one’s no exception! Lighting up the already beautiful streets of Leederville for the last time this weekend is Leedy Streets Open, with a whole bunch of live music, entertainment and heaps of places to shop, eat and drink. Seriously—there are some crazy specials on offer to celebrate the day—so be sure to check ‘em out. (Read: half price Sangria at Duende…)
Pure Vibe Sundays at The Rosemount
North Perth
This summer courtyard party only has two weekends left before it disappears for the season, so a long weekend Sunday seems like the time to take advantage, amirite? Join in the pure vibes, soak up some funky tunes and liquid gold (beer) in the gorgeous surrounds of The Rosemount courtyard, and do it like you have nowhere to be the next day (‘cos you don’t!).
Lee Fields & The Expressions + Tank & The Bangas at Chevron Gardens
Perth
Closing out this year’s Perth Festival Chevron Gardens line up is Lee Fields & The Expressions, who’ll have you hot shoe shuffling before you know it, and Tank & The Bangas who became internet sensations after this breakout NPR Tiny Desk performance. Together they’ll be pumping out RnB grinders and soul exploders for a seriously good last night of the Perth Fest.
Monday 5 March
Ye-Shi Movement Classes at Stackwood
East Fremantle
After a long weekend full of debauchery, you’ll definitely be needing to realign before the week ahead. Why not try this Ye-Shi Movement Class? Ye-Shi is a Chinese martial arts based form of movement and yoga, and you can learn how to do it this Sunday at Stackwood.
Click here for more great things to do in Perth.
Image credit: The Dock