With over 300 events on our events guide, January is looking action-packed with everything from live music to theatre to sports as Perth coasts through summer.
We’ve scoured our guide and picked five events you’ll want to make plans for over the new year break, with sports the main draw with three massive events.
If nothing strikes your fancy, the whole month is available to explore here.
United Cup
January 2 – 7
You’ll have to be quick for this one. RAC Arena will see some of the world’s best tennis players play in this innovative mixed-team event at this year’s United Cup, held across Perth and Sydney.
Nine teams comprised of up to three male and three female players form three groups, competing for WTA ranking points, prize money, and of course, the coveted trophy. Perth sees Team USA, Great Britain, Japan, Switzerland, Greece & France compete in the group stage and quarterfinals, while the semifinal and final are played in Sydney.
With 11 different blockbuster matchups to attend, featuring names like Coco Gauff, Emma Raducanu, Stefanos Tsitsipas & Naomi Osaka, there’s a world of possibilities for planning your week of all-star tennis.
The highlights are the quarterfinals, played on Wednesday January 7, teams TBC!
Hoopsfest
Jan 15 – 17
This one’s another one for the sports fans. RAC shifts from a tennis hub to a basketball haven, fusing sport, culture, music and entertainment together over four days.
Basketball diehards can watch nine matches overall with a four-day pass, or you can choose one day to attend, with each day featuring a double-header between the NBL and WNBL teams.
Community engagement is top of the list with Hoopsfest, set to include a fan zone in Forrest Place – DJs, merch, the highly-anticipated Sneakerland (Australia’s largest sneaker culture festival), with a pop-up half court, 3 x3 events, skill competitions and more.
A perfect one for school holidays.
Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix
Jan 17 & 18
Bather’s Beach is set to host the world’s best athletes at the SailGP, marking the first time the Australian leg of the event has been held outside Sydney.
High-tech catamarans race at speeds over 100kms an hour, all visible from the beach club and waterfront grandstand experiences.
This can be a casual day on the beach watching the on-water action, or an elevated experience with packages like Waterfront Platinum, promising a dedicated viewing area and waiter service, or Waterfront Premium, where you’ll receive front-row race views on a shaded deck, and all-inclusive food and beverage offering.
Fringe Festival
Jan 21 – Feb 15
With over 500 shows taking place across the city as part of this year’s Fringe Festival, you’ll be missing out if you don’t attend at least one show over the festival period.
Comedy, cabaret, burlesque and all kinds of debauchery combine throughout bars, clubs and iconic Perth venues like the State Theatre Centre and Northbridge’s Pleasure Garden over the three weeks of performances.
Plus, hubs host shows outside the city centre to spread the love, with nights out at FringeConnect Stirling, Rocky Fringe, Kalamunda Fringe and other venues making laughs more and more accessible.
From big names to up-and-comers, from there’s certainly something for everyone– whether it be kids comedy, quiz nights, or a Shrek-themed burlesque.
Explore the program on our Fringe guide!
Froth & Fury Fest
Jan 24
Australia Day long weekend just got a whole lot louder!
After cementing its reputation in Adelaide, Froth & Fury is heading west as a new ritual for WA heavy and alternative music fans. A stellar lineup featuring Aussie heavyweights Polaris and In Hearts Wake is only improved by international groups like Soulfly, Nailbomb and Lagwagon.
It’s not just music though, with merch market stalls, food trucks and even tattoo stations set to put Froth and Fury at the top of music lover’s lists.
