What’s happening in January?

From the 60th anniversary of the iconic Festival of Busselton to the Cape Mentelle movies under the stars, the region is Jan-packed with events that will make your calendar sparkle.

Savour ocean delights paired with delicious Riesling, cheer on talented junior surfers giving it their all, and experience world-class shows at the strange and spectacular Karnidale Circus Festival. Cap off the month with some magical sunsets and music serenades, and you’re set for a memorable summer in the Margaret River Region.

Read on for some of the best events and festivals happening in January.

The Festival of Busselton is synonymous with summertime, with events and activities staged across the city throughout January each year. 2024’s festival will be its 60th anniversary, and to celebrate, Festival of Busselton will have new events, special events and merch for sale.

All the annual suspects will be there as well such as Pirate Dress-up day, Dogs Day Out and the iconic Petticoat Lane Twilight Markets.

Catching a movie just got so much better because Cape Mentelle Movies are back! Every summer Cape Mentelle’s immaculately manicured lawns transform into the outdoor cinema of your dreams. Think cozy beanbag chairs and a big cinema screen set under the stars, with a lush vineyard as your backdrop. Sip world-class wine and savour some Little Hands Dumplings, or opt to bring your own gourmet picnic.

The Lions Vasse Twilight Markets are moving to a new location! Find them on Napoleon Promenade in the heart of the Vasse Village and enjoy live music, sausage sizzle, market stalls and a bunch of family-friendly activities.

Nothing says summer like seafood and sunshine! Add in some zesty, crisp white wine and you’ve got Howard Park’s fan-favourite event, Oysters & Riesling. The iconic and indulgent culinary pairing of fresh-shucked oysters and vibrant Riesling is at the centre of this event, but it’s the live DJ, food trucks, and gorgeous cellar door setting that have cemented it as the ultimate South West summertime event.

Sway as you swirl your wine to live music throughout summer at Clairault Streicker. The cellar door will be open from 10am, vineyard kitchen from 11am, and live music from 12pm onwards.

Shop local this summer at the Cove Summer Market at the picturesque Dunsborough Foreshore. Bring the family and enjoy jewellery, art, homewares, fashion, kids wear, gifts, and so much more. Food vans will be available so hang around for the day for a bite to eat and a dip in the Bay.

Bring your dogs along for all the fun! There’ll be plenty of market stalls for dog lovers, a sausage sizzle and a coffee van, and you can enter your pooch in the pet parade to win some pawesome prizes. Plus, there will be prizes for best dressed too, so you can even dress your little pooch up… Entry is free.

Award-winning WA Songwriter Sash Seabourne is quickly making a name for himself as one of Australia’s rising Folk artists. As a WAM Award winner, Triple J Unearthed Artist to Watch, RTRfm feature artist and Top 10 finalist on Australian Idol, Sash is one of the most exciting upcoming singer/songwriters in the country. Don’t miss him live at Settlers Tavern!

Dive into the ultimate summer feast as Busselton Jetty presents the BBQ Seafood Feast – an evening of coastal delights. Immerse yourself in live music, soak in the magic of the bay’s sunset, or explore the observatory for captivating ocean views as the sun sets. Then, gather ’round the long table for a feast curated by Chef Tony Howell, showcasing a BBQ Seafood extravaganza paired with delectable salads and sides.

It may have ‘small’ in the name but don’t let that fool you, this is hands down WA’s biggest, best and most prestigious junior surfing event. Started in 2006, this comp was named after Yallingup local and international surf legend, Taj Burrow. Now in its 18th year, Taj’s Small Fries is still the spot to catch the most promising young surfers before they are catapulted into the big leagues. Come cheer on this incredibly talented crew as they shred their way to the top!

Every January, on an unassuming, backroads country estate in Karridale, the Karnidale Circus Festival big tops go up, the bars assemble, the stalls converge and magicians, circus, cabaret, and comedy performers descend for two full days of frantic, frenzied, wacky and wonderful fun! You will not believe the jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring international acts that grace the stage of this utterly unique and unparalleled celebration of all things carnie, sideshow, and spectacular.

The days are filled with kid-friendly fun from magic shows to rock paper scissors competitions and workshops, while the nights are dedicated to risqué burlesque, death-defying stunts, and DJs that play til the early morning.

Busselton Art’s Society proudly presents the annual 2024 Art in the Park event! Enjoy a stunning art exhibition featuring artworks from local Art Society members on display and for sale, as well as artist demonstrations and exhibits.

Join Leeuwin Estate Winery for Music for Voice, Piano and Strings in the surrounds of the Leeuwin Art Gallery with canapes and wine. Enjoy some of Western Australia’s finest musicians while they perform a heartwarming concert of popular classics for voice, piano and strings.

Join Swimming WA on January 26 for the Community Open Water Swim as part of the 2024 Ocean Swim Festival and your chance to swim an Olympic Qualifying course. There are options for swimmers of all ages and abilities, from 500m to 10km, so everyone is welcome to join in the fun!

The Arts Margaret River Sundowners are an annual series of free family concerts that are well loved and well attended. The Sundowners support local musicians and enable Arts Margaret River to give back to the community, and for the community to be exposed to differing music styles. Bring a picnic or support the local community groups selling a variety of food and drinks.

Brenda’s first memories were of growing up in a loving white foster family, before she was suddenly taken away and returned to her Aboriginal family. Head to Margaret River HEART – Nala Bardip Mia to watch The Last Daughter, a documentary about Brenda’s journey to unearth the truth about her past, and to reconcile the two sides of her family.

The iconic Busselton Jetty Swim is just around the corner! This is the annual 3.6km ocean swim around the iconic Busselton Jetty spread across two days, and is open to swimmers of all levels from pro to ‘give it a go’. With multiple options from the full solo swim around the Jetty or do it as a team in a relay. There’s also a one-mile swim, Simon’s Shortcut (500m) or a kid’s swim of 222m. The focus is having fun at whatever level you choose.

If you would rather stay dry and cheer on the athletes on the day, good news, there is lots of family-friendly entertainment & activities all weekend long on the Busselton foreshore.

With fabulous breweries dotting the region, of course, there is a stellar local beer festival and it is coming back in March 2024 – the South West Craft Beer Festival. The best South West craft breweries will converge upon Busselton foreshore to celebrate the region’s amazing produce, food, music, and best of all, brews! All your fav spots will be serving up their classic range with a few wild and wonderful gems and new releases thrown in. With delicious local bites and groovin’ DJ beats to round things out, this is a festival you will be frothing on for years to come!