Six Perth Events Worth Leaving the House for This Winter

Winter is upon us, but why stay at home? WA’s cultural calendar is stacked with events worth rugging up and heading out for. On the music front, you can enjoy rare performances by international acts in intimate bandrooms, or a community-driven live music festival taking over neighbourhood bowlos. Plus, a monumental show of First Nations art returns to PICA, a roving vintage market rolls into Fremantle, and more.

Here’s what to do with your mates, your dates and everyone in between this season. Xchange Market If your idea of a great weekend involves losing track of time in an op shop or vintage store, this is for you. On June 21, roving Australian second-hand market Xchange will drop its anchor in Fremantle as part of a national tour. Hit the heritage-listed Naval Store in Freo to rummage through items from more than 50 vendors.

With pieces spanning ’70s vintage, rare streetwear and designer finds through to jewellery and tooth gems, you never know what you’ll walk away with. Plus, the market offers tiered ticketing – you can enter for free if you arrive in the final hour before it closes. Hidden Treasures Freo gets chilly in winter, but that’s no reason to stay home. The port city’s beloved neighbourhood music festival Hidden Treasures is back for 2026, taking over two suburban bowling clubs, North Freo Bowlo and Hilton Bowling Club, across two June weekends.

Curated by Boox Kid, Drea, Lubly Dae Crew and Siobhan Cotchin, the program brings together WA artists spanning funk, soul, jazz-tinged bedroom pop, post-punk, experimental folk, doom and high-energy electronic. With three stages at each venue, there’s plenty of room to roam and discover. Plus, between sets, you can check out pop-up performances and a silent disco. This intimate, proudly local event will certainly add a few fresh local names to your Spotify Wrapped this year.

Lightscape If you love Kings Park, wait until you see it after dark. Lightscape returns for its fourth year from June 5, taking over the iconic gardens with an after-dark trail of large-scale light installations, colour and music. Follow the illuminated 1.8-kilometre path and keep an eye out for Herbum, a standout work by French artistic lighting studio Tilt, with eight-metre-tall stems that both blend into and stand out against the bush backdrop. Alongside international works, there are luminous new pieces from Western Australian artists, too.

Warm up with mulled wine, hot chocolate and snacks along the way. Revealed at PICA If you see one exhibition this winter, make it this one. Revealed: New and Emerging WA Aboriginal Artists, is back for its 18th year. Across more than 180 works by 101 artists, you’ll be transported from the towering karri forests of the Great Southern to urban Boorloo and the pindan-rich Kimberley.

Curated by Zali Morgan, a Noongar woman with ancestral connections to Whadjuk, Balladong and Wilman Boodjar, the expansive exhibition showcases many mediums – from painting to photography, weaving to sculpture. Select pieces are available to purchase, with proceeds going directly to artists, art centres and their communities. WA’s most significant celebration of First Nations art runs until June 14. It’s free to visit, with artist talks and workshops running throughout.

Melissa Palinkas pops up at Willespie Estate Winter calls for slow weekends, preferably away from the city. This season, embrace the tradition down in Margs with one of WA’s best-loved chefs. Following the closure of Young George, Melissa Palinkas is popping up at Willespie Estate for special weekend lunches until July 5 – and seats are limited. On Saturdays, book a four-course long-table lunch ($120pp), with a changing menu that highlights Margaret River’s best producers.

For something more casual, there’s a Sunday lunch ($45pp) with a different main each week served alongside starters, sides and a dessert. Each event is set around a custom-made asado fire pit, with Palinkas cooking your lunch in full view. This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Asahi Super Dry, for audiences 18+ only. Please drink responsibly.