Published on July 7, 2025
Moving to or visiting Australia doesn’t mean leaving Indian culture behind. In fact, with the growing Indian community across cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, Indian festivals are now celebrated with just as much colour, joy, and food (of course!) as back home.
Whether you’re a new student, a recent migrant, or planning to visit family, attending Indian festivals in Australia can be one of the most heartwarming ways to stay connected with your roots. From Diwali to Holi, Navratri to Onam; you’ll find it all, just with a bit of Aussie sunshine thrown in.
Here’s a look at the biggest Indian festivals celebrated across Australia: where to find them, what to expect, and why they’re worth adding to your calendar.
1. Celebrate Diwali in Australia
Where to Celebrate Diwali in Australia?
- Federation Square, Melbourne
- Darling Harbour, Sydney
- Brisbane City Hall & South Bank Parklands
- Adelaide Riverbank Precinct
- Perth Cultural Centre
What to Expect?
Diwali in Australia is one of the largest Indian community events of the year. Picture this: fairy lights everywhere, live Bollywood performances, traditional dances, food stalls with samosas and jalebis, and a breathtaking fireworks display lighting up the sky.
City councils, Indian associations, and cultural groups collaborate to host free public celebrations featuring live music, kids’ activities, diya painting, and sometimes even henna corners. Many temples and community halls also hold pujas and aartis, followed by community feasts.
Don’t miss: The Diwali fair at Federation Square in Melbourne—it draws crowds of over 50,000!
2. Celebrate Holi in Australia
Where to Celebrate Holi in Australia?
- Centennial Park, Sydney
- Werribee Racecourse, Melbourne
- Seventeen Mile Rocks, Brisbane
- Langley Park, Perth
What to Expect?
Holi in Australia is less about tradition and more about pure joy. Expect an explosion of colours, DJs playing Bollywood remixes, live Dhol, food trucks, and massive open-air parties where people from all backgrounds come together to throw gulaal and dance like no one’s watching.
Most Holi events are ticketed and run by event organisers or student communities. They often provide colour packets at the venue (so don’t bring your own!) and have strict rules about eco-friendly, skin-safe powders.
Pro tip: Wear white, arrive early, and be ready to go home looking like a rainbow.
3. Celebrate Navratri & Garba Nights in Australia
Where to Celebrate Navratri in Australia?
- Springers Leisure Centre, Melbourne
- Whitlam Centre, Sydney
- Rudraksha Events in Brisbane
- Navratri Utsav Perth
What to Expect?
Come October, Indian Australians, especially the Gujarati and North Indian community—put on their best traditional wear and head to packed indoor arenas to dance the night away to the beats of Garba and Dandiya.
From professional bands flown in from India to fusion DJs mixing Garba with EDM, Navratri nights in Australia are a beautiful blend of tradition and fun. Many events offer prizes for best-dressed or best dancer, so dress to impress!
Family-friendly? Yes. You’ll find entire families dancing together, food stalls on the side, and a very warm community vibe.
4. Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in Australia
Where to Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in Australia?
- Shree Ganesh Temple, Brisbane
- Hare Krishna Temple, Sydney
- Melbourne’s Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple
What to Expect?
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with deep devotion at temples across Australia. While the large-scale public processions of Mumbai may not be possible, you’ll still find vibrant murti sthapana ceremonies, aarti gatherings, bhajans, and prasad distribution.
In some cities, especially in Brisbane and Melbourne, you might find community-led Ganesh visarjan events in local water bodies, complete with music and dancing.
Good to know: Many temples allow you to participate in pujas by pre-registering or contributing online.
5. Celebrate Onam in Australia
Where to Celebrate Onam in Australia?
- Malayali Association events in Sydney & Melbourne
- Perth Malayali Samajam
- Brisbane Malayalee Association
What to Expect?
If you’ve never experienced a full-blown Onam Sadya in Australia, you’re missing out. Banana leaves, 20+ traditional dishes, folk music, and cultural performances, it’s a feast for all senses.
Onam is celebrated mostly by the Kerala community, but everyone’s welcome. From traditional dance forms like Thiruvathira to competitions like pookalam making, these events are rich in culture and community spirit.
Fun fact: Many of these celebrations also include a tug-of-war, kids’ games, and even mini “boat race” simulations!
6. Celebrate Durga Puja in Australia
Where to Celebrate Durga Puja in Australia?
- Bengali Association of NSW, Sydney
- Durga Puja Melbourne
- Adelaide Bengali Cultural Association
- Brisbane’s Bondi Sanskriti
What to Expect?
Durga Puja in Australia is beautifully nostalgic. The puja pandals, dhunuchi naach, shondhya aarti, and bhog take you straight back to Kolkata.
Bengali communities across cities set up multi-day events, often in school halls or community centres, complete with live performances, dramatic plays, and food stalls selling everything from khichuri to chops.
Many of these events are open to the public, and you’ll often find people from all Indian backgrounds joining in for the cultural richness and, of course, the food.
7. Celebrate Janmashtami, Raksha Bandhan & Other Temple Events in Australia
Apart from the big festivals, temples across Australia celebrate a wide range of Indian festivals—from Janmashtami to Ram Navami, Mahashivratri, and Karwa Chauth. Most temples organise community satsangs, spiritual talks, bhajan nights, and cultural activities.
Some notable temples in Australia include:
- Sri Mandir, Auburn (Sydney)
- Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Melbourne
- ISKCON Temples in major cities
These events are quieter but deeply spiritual, perfect if you’re looking for a more traditional and devotional atmosphere.
And of course… the FOOD!
No Indian festival is complete without food, and that’s no different in Australia. At almost every celebration, you’ll find food stalls selling:
- Samosas, vadas, pav bhaji
- Jalebis, gulab jamun, laddoos
- Chole bhature, biryani, dosas
- Fusion treats like Indian tacos, paneer burgers, or masala popcorn!
Many events even have live cooking stations, chai carts, or community potlucks. So come hungry.
Why Celebrating Indian Festivals in Australia Matters
Living abroad can sometimes feel isolating, especially during festive seasons. But showing up for these events, even if you don’t know anyone yet, is a great way to meet people, make friends, and feel at home.
These festivals also serve as beautiful reminders that culture travels with you. Whether it’s dancing to dandiya beats or watching kids in kurta-pyjamas run around with gulaal on their faces, it’s heartening to see Indian traditions being celebrated with such pride thousands of miles away.
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