What’s Happening in July?

It’s when down south shakes off the sun and sand stereotype to really lean into those winter vibes and showcase the best of what it has to offer.

The festival runs from July 15 to 24, and this year is packing some real heat with over 40 events focusing on indulgence, decadence, fiery feasts, wild music and more. The programme encompasses everything from luxe fine-dining dinners to food markets; DJ sets to drag queen shows. A small snippet of experiences to expect? Hot chips and hot sauce; brunch; vinyl records; roaring coals/fireplaces/bonfires; soup; farm tours; street eats; masterclasses in beef, wine, cheese, chocolate, coffee and sake; pub singing; brews and cocktails; cheese toasties and fondue. Phew!

In a special twist for 2022, the festival team is introducing The Cabin for the first time ever – presented by Shelter Brewing Co at the Busselton foreshore. The space will be a festival hub over three days from July 15 to 17, 12pm to 9pm: a marquee space with lounge areas, live music, warmth, beverages and merrymaking.

The beginning of July also marks NAIDOC Week, the annual national celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Margaret River Region honours the traditional owners of this land, the Wadandi (Saltwater) people, and their elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the Wadandi people’s 60,000-year custodianship of this special place, and we thank them for generously sharing with us their immensely deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land.

The events schedule at Origins Market is always active, with a diverse array of artisanal, food or kids activities. On the workshop front this month, there are multiple sessions of beeswax candle-making, yarn spinning on a wheel or spindle, wildflower bouquets, polymer clay or sushi-making. Yallingup Cheese Co will be running a cheese-making class (paired with wine, of course!) on July 16. Kids workshops include making fairy gardens, cookie decorating, pottery and flower crowns. On July 1, Origins is running its monthly Classic Cars and Bikes Under Lights at the Friday night market, as well as complimentary cheese and wine tasting that happens for free every Friday at the Tasting Hall.

Running over a slew of dates this month, Seussical the Musical is a family-friendly musical theatre event highlighting the beloved works of the Dr Seuss children’s books. On stage at Busselton’s Weld Theatre, the famous Cat in the Hat will be telling the story of Horton, an elephant, and the Whos, including Jojo.

Wine Wine at Eagle Bay will be filled with the sounds of sweet and classical voices on July 2, for a special evening with the Winthrop Singers. The group is WA’s premier university choir, specialising in classical Anglican choral music. The singers and Wise head chef Matt Wright will lead an evening of song, food and wine over looking Geographe Bay. The finest food will accompany award-winning Wise wine and a pre-dinner cocktail using the Wise sprit range.

Homegrown talent Banjo Lucia is back at her old stomping ground for an intimate show at The River. After touring Australia with Stella Donnelly and San Cisco, the artist is performing on the back of her debut EP ‘Peccadilloes’; with songs of grief, love and growth influenced by Frank Ocean, Björk and Julia Jacklin. Banjo is the offspring of legendary musicians John Butler and Mama Kin, and this show will be a triumphant return to a hometown stage.

It’s fair to say that Deja Moo is the biggest cow-themed event in the Margaret River Region, paying homage Cowaramup’s roots as a town in the heartland of dairy country. This year the event is celebrating 10 years since the iconic “Cowtown” moo cow statues were placed along Cowaramup’s main street. Expect a big cake, and for the locals to dust off their cow onesies (really!) for the festivities. The programme includes vintage machinery, fire brigade demonstrations, pony rides, laser tag, a bouncy castle, plenty of yummy food and a marketplace of arts, crafts, homegrown and handmade products. This year participants will be forming the shape of a giant cow on the oval for an aerial photo!

Cabin Fever is the ultimate fixture on the Margaret River calendar each July, sure to cure any winter doldrums with a good dose of fiery feasts, wild music and decadence. Beloved by locals and visitors alike, the festival is hotly anticipated thanks to its well-curated event list (with more than 40 entries!) from luxe fine-dining dinners to food markets; DJ sets to drag queen shows. The brains behind the festival have recommended a few special entries to us this year, including ‘Ground Up’ at Voyager Estate, where coffee, chocolate and cabernet will collide in an intimate tasting that reveals the terroir behind these classic single origin products. Settle by the fireplace and hear from some of the best minds from Yahava KoffeeWorks, Bahen and Co and Voyager Estate, accompanied by wines and delicious snacks of course. The uber trendy Lady Lola bar is pairing up with Wines of Merritt for ‘Lady with Merritt’, an exclusive 20-person dinner where a curated cheese pairing session will be followed by two courses of food (all perfectly matched to the wines, obviously). ‘Beer Yourself’ at Black Brewing Co hardly needs an introduction, with beer at the heart of a four-course dinner, (or more specifically, used as an ingredient) alongside seven different beers matched throughout. The fire will be cranking, as will the live music! And finally, there’s the Festival favourite Cheese Toastie Battle at The Common, where local chefs and venues go head-to-head to crown 2022’s cheese toastie winner. Tickets include five cheese toastie samples plus wine or beer on arrival.

CinefestOZ celebrates 15 years in 2022, as Australia’s equivalent to the Cannes Film Festival and the country’s largest film prize of $100,000. The festival offers an unforgettable six-day getaway; with feature film premieres and events held across local cinemas and venues. More than 35 locations in Busselton, Margaret River and Bunbury will play host to 270 film events this year. The line-up includes special film screenings, festival opening and closing nights, film industry passes and free community events. The Festival provides immersive film experiences within the region’s cinemas, wineries, boutique breweries, small bars and galleries. The programme is a feast of world premieres, red-carpet events, after-parties, intimate in-conversation lunches, and screenings of finalists for the prestigious CinefestOZ Film Prize.  Pre-release tickets are available online now.