Free festival returns to Perth's port city with stellar acts
The Port City's free WA Day community event will showcase dragon dancers, unicorn stilt walkers and Latin music among the multicultural melting pot of entertainment that will transform Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour and Bathers Beach into a long-weekend holiday hot spot.
Fremantle's turn to play host comes after the State's major celebration in Burswood was pushed to November to avoid seasonal poor winter weather again spoiling the party.
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'After two years of weather disruptions, a decision was made to shift the timing of our large-scale Burswood event,' Celebrate WA chairman Scott Jones told PerthNow.
'We expect Fremantle to be buzzing this year as it is the only metro WA Day celebration in 2025. Fremantle's iconic backdrop, combined with the expanded program, makes it the perfect setting for a city-wide celebration of who we are as Western Australians.'
The festivities in Fremantle will run from 11am to 6pm on WA Day. Festival goers can expect to see Mews Park and Bathers Beach decorated with flags, lanterns, and lights representative of our favourite holiday destination - Bali.
The Bathers Beach boardwalk will play host to a vintage fashion parade and the WA Shipwrecks Museum will be decked out for children, with unicorns and mermaids among the attractions. Pictured is Nathaniel Webb, Mermaid Yau, Mermaid Kat, Bethany Kimm (Back) and Joseph Webb on Bathers Beach. Riley Churchman Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian
The traditional crowd-drawing derby between WAFL rivals East Fremantle and South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval will also be a highlight of the public holiday.
'It's a full-day experience designed to engage all ages and backgrounds,' Mr Jones said.
'There really is something for everyone. Expect an atmosphere that's colourful, inclusive, and full of surprises — from interactive workshops and cultural story-telling to music and carnival magic.
'It's a joyful celebration of everything that makes WA unique — our people, our stories, and our incredible diversity.' Pictured is Mermaid Kat, Mermaid Yau, Bethany Kimm, Nathaniel and Stanley Webb on Bathers Beach. Riley Churchman Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian
The large-scale Burswood event has been rescheduled to November 22-23 to avoid weather disruptions which have marred festivities in previous years.
'We're committed to delivering an outstanding celebration later this year,' Mr Jones said.
'When the sun is shining and we can tie in with the buzz of the summer of cricket at Optus Stadium. In the meantime, we invite everyone to enjoy our vibrant festival in Fremantle.'
Regional WA Day events are being held in Albany, Geraldton, Carnarvon, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Port Hedland, Newman and Karratha.
WA Day was formally established in April 2012 following bipartisan political support in the Western Australian Parliament to make the change from Foundation Day.
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