Albany 2026 Celebrations

Your base for exploring Albany
BIG4 Emu Beach Holiday Park is metres from the beach at Emu Point and just 10 minutes from the centre of Albany. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly base for discovering the city in its biggest year.

Major cultural highlights

Lighting the Sound (March) - Finnish light artist Kari Kola lit up the Albany coastline across three weekends in one of the largest outdoor light installations ever staged. It was the centrepiece of the bicentenary program.

First Lights - A three-night event that began with a guided walk and sound journey across Menang Country, followed by a drone light show connecting story, constellations and place.

Sculpture at Binalup (April) - Large-scale contemporary artworks lined Middleton Beach, with a strong focus on the voices of Menang Noongar artists.

Food, wine and arts

Taste Great Southern (March) - The region’s much-loved food and wine festival returned, celebrating the Great Southern’s local produce, wineries and culinary talent.

Maritime Festival and International Folk N Shanty Festival (July) - A month of art exhibitions, film screenings and music celebrated Albany’s rich maritime history, finishing with the lively Folk N Shanty Festival.

Bloom Festival and Southern Arts and Crafts Festival (spring) - The 23rd annual Bloom Festival showcased the region’s stunning wildflowers, alongside workshops, markets and exhibitions across multiple venues.

Immersive local stories

Albany Is - An immersive soundscape co-created with the Menang people and the wider community, designed to be listened to on your phone while you explore Albany’s coastal and town trails.

Kaarla Wirren - A one-night performance under the stars at Albany’s Historic Whaling Station, celebrating resilience and featuring local young people.

Albany’s history, all year round
You can experience Albany’s 200-year story any time you visit. Step aboard the full-size Brig Amity replica at the Museum of the Great Southern, take in the views over King George Sound from the National Anzac Centre, and explore Albany’s Historic Whaling Station. Back at the park, the coastal path to Emu Point and Middleton Beach is easy to reach for a walk or ride.

Lantern walk - Saturday 7 November
Albany’s bicentenary closing celebration starts at Emu Point, just outside the park. At 7pm on Saturday 7 November, thousands of people will carry handmade lanterns along the coastline to Middleton Beach, creating a glowing ribbon of light filmed from above. It’s free, and registrations are open at albany2026.com.au.

Plan your visit
The bicentenary year draws to a close in December. For the final events and dates, visit www.albany2026.com.au. Then book your stay at BIG4 Emu Beach Holiday Park and enjoy Albany at its best.