Thousands grin and bare it for swim at crack of dawn
Wearing nothing but a red swimming cap, hardy souls have taken a brisk river dip for an annual winter solstice celebration as part of Dark Mofo festivities.
festive event (including carnival)
Bring the yoga mat, this arts festival salutes the sun
The 2026 Brisbane Festival is designed for a city of early risers, with DJ sets and yoga classes part of an arts program that starts at dawn.
Indie Birthday Trip flick finds own way to the cinema
When satirical feature The Birthday Trip was left out of major film festivals, its makers decided they could get it onto the big screen themselves.
Legal landmark celebrated with free Mabo Day concert
Mabo Day will be celebrated with a free concert to mark the watershed legal decision paving the way for native land title claims across Australia.
Mural artists creating downtown city wonderwalls
Darwin has a higher per capita concentration of wall murals than any other major Australian city, making it the street art capital of Australia.
Shower of sparks as singer serenades to the stars
The stars have aligned at an opera festival in the outback, where a star tenor has performed under a meteor shower.
Highway to the highfalutin’: opera hits the outback
Put on your fancy pants and cowboy hats: opera's annual run through a state's outback towns is back. Just look out for flying locusts.
arts, culture and entertainment
award and prize
breaking_news
festive event (including carnival)
human interest
music
television
Delta soars into Eurovision final with sparkling act
Singer Delta Goodrem has led Australia into the Eurovision final with a sparkling powerhouse vocal performance.
Delta Goodrem aims to Eclipse favourites at Eurovision
Delta Goodrem has unveiled the staging for her Eurovision entry Eclipse, as betting markets put Australia in contention but outside the top favourites.
From Slow Horse to smash hit, author heads Down Under
Despite the bestselling Slough House novels and Slow Horses television series, author Mick Herron is pleasantly surprised to have an audience in Australia.
Trump hopes for extension to Ukraine-Russia ceasefire
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners, and President Donald Trump would like to see "a big extension".
Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of violating truce
Ukraine has targeted Moscow with drones during a short ceasefire, Russia says, while Kyiv accuses Russia of breaking its own truce by striking Ukraine.
Fuel crunch looms but the show must go on
Shortages and logistical woes haven't fazed passionate agriculturalists as Australia's biggest farm show reports not a single exhibitor has pulled out.
Famed outback music festival cancelled after heavy rain
Music festival Birdsville Big Red Bash has been cancelled for 2026 after heavy rains. It's more bad news for live music lovers after the collapse of Bluesfest.
Hit cake-swap event plates up for Australian debut
A globally popular cake swap picnic event is being held in Australia for the first time, with about 1600 cakes on show - and yes, there are seconds.
Prayers, protesters at end-of-Ramadan celebrations
Australia's Muslim community has marked the end of Ramadan, but the prime minister's appearance at a major mosque was met with a cold response.
arts, culture and entertainment
economy, business and finance
festive event (including carnival)
music
music industry
popular music
rock and roll music
Blues fans see red as organisers pull plug on festival
A popular Australian festival has been abruptly cancelled three weeks before it was due to begin, blaming poor ticket sales and rising production costs.
Festival of world music scrambles due to world conflict
More than 120 artists and crew heading to the WOMADelaide festival have been caught up in travel chaos, with some making massive journeys so they can perform.
Mardi Gras marchers rest feet after night of nights
The task of cleaning up Sydney's streets after the biggest LGBTQI party of the year is under way after Mardi Gras revellers celebrated the festival's 48th year.
Roars, rainbows and revellers take over Harbour city
Thousands of onlookers lined the streets to cheer, whistle and show their love for the marchers and 170 floats in the 48th Mardi Gras parade.
Fears for tears as lion dancers gird for Lunar New Year
Kicks, leaps and the ability to tear up a lettuce with your bare hands: a Chinese lion dancer reveals what it takes to ring in the Lunar New Year.
Tech companies campaign to bring SXSW back to Australia
Brisbane might have secured the Olympic Games but a grassroots campaign is asking the state government to consider adopting another big event.
‘From the heart’: Wolfe Brothers sweep Golden Guitars
The Wolfe Brothers have swept Australia's peak country music awards, winning five Golden Guitars including the top gong for album of the year.
arts, culture and entertainment
country music
entertainment award
festive event (including carnival)
music
Rising Australian country star comes full circle
Lane Pittman won millions of hearts and minds when he auditioned for The Voice as a teenager. Now, he's performing with the biggest names in country music.
Elvis has left the building: Parkes express rolls out
A bumper crowd is all shook up and set to descend upon the regional town of Parkes to once again celebrate the legacy of Elvis Presley.
Millions party safely as vigilant police deter trouble
Respectful revellers have welcomed the new year at largely trouble-free celebrations across the nation, as a highly visible police presence deterred violence.
World bids goodbye to 2025 with fireworks, icy plunges
People all over the world are saying farewell to 2025 and ringing in the new year with traditions old and new.
Australians focus on peace as they ring in the new year
New Year's Eve revellers have had a moment of silent reflection for the Bondi victims before enjoying brilliant firework displays across the county.
New Year revelry ‘act of defiance’ after Bondi terror
Partying in Sydney on New Year's Eve is an opportunity for people to thumb their noses at terrorists, says the premier in the wake of the attack at Bondi.
Israel clears for Eurovision, prompts multiple boycotts
Several European countries have pulled out of competing in Eurovision 2026 after Israel was cleared to enter.
Let There Be Rock: Australia thunderstruck by AC/DC
AC/DC's Power Up tour is about to kick off in Australia, and at the MCG a black steel stage is standing ready for the band to rock.