Australian Heritage Festival

The Australian Heritage Festival is the biggest and longest-running event honouring Australia’s indigenous, natural, multicultural, and historical heritage.

The first event was held in 1980, and today, it’s Australia’s largest festival celebrating culture and heritage. It remains unparalleled regarding the event’s national reach.

Returning to New South Wales from 18 April – 19 May 2024, the Australian Heritage Festival is an opportunity for the community to access events and exhibitions, gather stories and tell them, celebrate through ceremony and performances, share knowledge through talks, walks and tours, and have fun bringing heritage to life.

The 2024 Theme is Connections, encouraging celebration of our nation’s rich and diverse stories, strengthening cultural and historical ties, and forging new bonds.

The theme acknowledges our connection to people, places, and the past and the enduring connections that will shape the future of heritage.

The festival is celebrated throughout the country, with states and territories participating in almost a thousand events in Australia. It takes place between April and May, with ample time for citizens and tourists to catch at least one event nearby.

For event organisers in your respective communities, you will be provided with dedicated listings on the website, media coverage, digital and social media collateral, buntings, promotions, and added support from the state coordinators.

The government supports the Australian Heritage Festival through the National Trusts Partnership Program. True to its community-driven nature, interested volunteers may apply to help in their respective areas. This is also an excellent opportunity to become a Trust member, which enables you to support the cause while helping conserve Australian heritage. Other perks include discounted entries to various Trust events locally and worldwide.

Most venues are easily accessible by private or public transport (trains, buses, ferries or light rail). Be aware that traffic delays may occur when reaching any inner-city venues at various times; public transport may be your best option.

With so many events, there are too many to mention on this page. Please check out the event schedule on the official event website for complete details.