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AUSTRALIA: From a sparkling new winter solstice festival in Sydney to an illuminating event in Adelaide and crossing to the dark side in Hobart, Aussie cities have a huge array of festivals to get you through the chilly season. Here's eight of the best to get you started...

Sydney Solstice redefines the longest night of the year with a 12-day celebration from June 8 focused on the arts, culture, music, food and drink. Darling Harbour will have an ice-skating rink, fireworks and a moonlight kayaking experience. There’ll be a craft beer festival in Pyrmont, an eclectic program in the buzzy YCK Laneways and South Eveleigh precincts, and the work of six female First Nations artists lighting up the Opera House.

The luxe A by Adina Sydney and the Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Surry Hills are great choices for soaking up all the fun of Sydney Solstice and Vivid Sydney, which returns from 6 to 28 August with a kaleidoscope of light shows and entertainment. Get ready for some fresh new experiences including an awesome floating walkway at Darling Harbour.

In Melbourne, a new moon is rising from 26 May to 6 June that promises to be bold and provocative. A celebration of art, music, performance and ceremony, Rising will begin on the evening of the total lunar eclipse, with many events taking place after sunset. 

Check into the Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne or Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne on Flinders and be prepared for everything from nude discos to mud wrestling. The program has something for everyone including food events, visual art, performance, live music and a giant lantern installation on the Yarra River.

Tasmania’s epic arts festival, Dark Mofo, returns to Hobart from 16 to 22 June with old favourites like Winter Feast and the Nude Solstice Swim, alongside work by artists from all over the world. For guests at our sister property, Vibe Hotel Hobart, it will be easy to get lost in the magic of a new after-hours art path snaking through the city.

New this year, Illuminate Adelaide from 16 July to 1 August is a celebration of innovation, music, art, light and technology. Highlights include over 40 large installations and projections, the world premiere of Light Cycles from Canada, and the multi-sensory Van Gogh Alive the Experience. All are within easy reach of the Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury.

Australia’s warmest winter arts festival, in Darwin from 5 to 22 August, is also one of the most colourful thanks to the Territory’s Indigenous and multicultural population. The Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront is conveniently located for Darwin Festival’s eclectic program of outdoor concerts, workshops, theatre, dance music, comedy, cabaret, film and visual arts. 

Bringing ‘joy and hope’ to every corner of Brisbane is the goal of Brisbane Festival, from 3 to 25 September. Brisbane River and city landmarks will be the stage for giant outdoor installations, intimate street concerts, suburban symphonies and an epic new light and laser installation. Many events are free and within easy reach of Adina’s two Brisbane apartment hotels - Adina Brisbane and Adina Anzac Square. The much-anticipated stage production of Trent Dalton’s super-popular Boy Swallows Universe will premiere at the festival.

The WA Day Festival celebrates everything that is great about Western Australia, and the locals are ready to party after lockdown. The free festival will be held at Burswood Park on 6 and 7 June. Catch some live entertainment, feast on Insta-worthy food from the Eat Street food trucks and hang around for spectacular fireworks over the Swan River each night. 

Enjoy the city from the comfort of Perth’s two Adina apartment hotels - Adina Perth and Adina Perth Barack Plaza - and try to catch some of the great new offerings from the German Film Festival, screening at Palace cinemas in Perth from 3 to 20 June.

2020 was a doozy but in 2021 it’s time to book your staycation and celebrate at some of these great Aussie festivals.

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*Activities listed may be subject to Covid restrictions.