What's On in Perth this King's Birthday Long Weekend

This year, in Western Australia, the King's Birthday public holiday falls on Monday 28th September, making this weekend a long weekend, running from Saturday 26th September to Monday 28th September. It's a great opportunity to relax, go on an adventure, or even work and make some extra money. We've put together this list of things to do in Perth this long weekend!

AFL Grand Final

Date: Saturday 26th September
Time: 12:30pm AWST
Location: Channel 7 and various venues
Cost: FREE to watch on TV, some venues may charge an entry fee

Western Australia's own Fremantle Dockers will be playing in this year's AFL Grand Final in Melbourne. You can watch the game from the comfort of your home on Channel 7, or click here for a list of venues showing the game.

Perth Wildcats vs NZ Breakers

Date: Saturday 26th September
Time: 7:30pm
Location: RAC Arena
Cost: From $40

Love sport but not keen on the AFL? Why not head to a basketball game? See the Perth Wildcats in action against the New Zealand Breakers at RAC Arena. Click here to buy tickets.

Perth Royal Show

Date: Saturday 26th Sept - 3rd Oct
Time: 10:00am - late
Location: Claremont Showgrounds, 1 Graylands Rd, Claremont
Cost: Concession tickets from $28.65

The Perth Royal Show has been a spring tradition for generations, with its first event held in 1834 to showcase the best of WA's livestock and farming practices. It is now one of Western Australia's longest-running and most significant community events, attracting more than 350,000 people each year. 

It's a vibrant celebration of agriculture, food, community, and entertainment. You can enjoy watching livestock competitions, woodchopping, fireworks, rides, showbags, and try WA's award-winning produce, plus much more!

Book online for $28.65 concession tickets, and don't forget your student ID. Check the website for terms and conditions.

Subi Night Market @ Market Square

Date: Saturday 26th September
Time: 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Market Square, Subiaco
Cost: FREE entry

Experience the magic of Subi Night Market, running this summer from 12 September 2026 to 8 May 2027. Inspired by the charm of European village squares, the market is a vibrant hub for food lovers and cultural enthusiasts alike. 

Enjoy a selection of Perth's finest pop-up food stalls, offering over 40 international cuisines, gourmet delicacies, and insta-worthy desserts. 

Joondalup Night Market

Date: Saturday 26th September
Time: 4:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: Joondalup City Centre, Central Walk car park, 70 Boas Ave, Joondalup
Cost: FREE

Discover the vibrant Joondalup Night Market, where the heart of the city comes alive with delicious street food, unique market stalls, family-friendly entertainment. Perfect for families, friends and visitors of all ages, this popular evening market offers a lively mix of flavours, shopping and entertainment under the stars.

York Medieval Fayre

Date: Sunday 27th September
Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Avon Park, Lowe Street, York
Cost: $15

Step back in time and experience the magic of medieval life at the York Medieval Fayre! Wander through the bustling medieval market stalls, where you'll find unique treasures, handcrafted goods, and plenty of old-world charm. Meet fascinating creatives up close with the snake and raptor encounters, and watch the skilled blacksmith bring fire and metal to life right before your eyes.

Adult tickets are $15, kids under 15 enter for free.

Perth TCG Fest

Date: Sunday 27th September
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Location: Kingsway Indoor Stadium, Madeley
Cost: From $10

Perth's dedicated trading card show, TCG Fest, is bringing together more than 220 vendor tables, trade zones and creators for a huge day of collecting, including Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Magic and more, with plenty of chances to buy, trade, and meet fellow collectors. Adult tickets from $10, kids under 10 enter for free.

Freopalooza

Date: Sunday 27th September
Time: 2:00pm onwards
Location: Port Beach Brewery
Cost: $44.90

Freo's massive 90s tribute festival, Freopalooza, returns for a long-weekend Sunday sesh packed with throwback anthems from The Prodigy, The Offspring, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Nirvana, Powderfinger, The Cranberries, and more. You can also enjoy live 90s hip hop, DJs, and food trucks! Tickets are $44.90.

Boombox Bingo

Date: Monday 28th September
Time: Starts at 7pm
Location: The Berwick Bar & Kitchen, Baillie Hill, Victoria Park
Cost: FREE entry

Boombox Bingo - think bingo, but with a soundtrack. Head to The Berwick with a group of friends for dinner, drinks, and a fun game of bingo! Enjoy specials like $20 pizzas, $10 Baillie Hill Lager and $9 Baillie Hill Distillery Vodka/Gin & Mixer. Bookings recommended, walk-ins welcome subject to availability. You'll also need to bring your phone to play! 

Chatty Table at Holy Grounds

Date: Monday 28th September
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Holy Grounds Cafe, Level 1, 3 Pier Street, Perth
Cost: FREE

Feel like a catch-up or a chat? Holy Grounds' Chatty Table runs every Monday, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to connect, chat, and enjoy some friendly company. Chatty Table is all about simple, positive interactions that brighten someone's day, embodying the true spirit of Aussie mateship. Whether you stay for 5 minutes or the whole session, you're helping build a stronger, more connected community.

No RSVP needed, just bring yourself.

Everlastings Kings Park Festival

Date: All weekend
Time: All day
Location: Kings Park & Botanical Gardens
Cost: FREE

Located within Kings Park, Perth's major inner-city park, the Everlasting Kings Park Festival is back to celebrate the extraordinary diversity and beauty of Western Australia’s famous wildflowers!

Thousands of wildflowers and more than 3,000 WA plant species will be on display throughout the month of September, and there are events for everyone to enjoy throughout the month. Take part in workshops, displays, guided walks and talks, family activities, and much more. Plus, there are colourful Instagrammable spots around every corner.

Bloom Joondalup

Date: All weekend
Time: 6:30pm - 10:00pm
Location: Central Park, Joondalup
Cost: From $16.50

Experience Bloom Joondalup, an outdoor light and sound show that transforms Central Park into an immersive after-dark experience celebrating the connections between sky, water, land, and life. Featuring holographic wildlife, projection, lasers, interactive installations and immersive storytelling. Bloom invites visitors of all ages to explore nature in a whole new way.

ZOOlights at Perth Zoo

Date: All weekend
Time: Zoo open from 9am, lights from 5pm - 8pm
Location: Perth Zoo, South Perth
Cost: Zoo entry from $31.70 (with student ID)

Experience Perth Zoo after dark at ZOOlights, a magical light exhibition illuminating the Zoo with hundreds of sparkling lanterns. Enjoy ZOOlights as part of your Zoo entry ticket.

The Story of Kooyar

Date: All weekend
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Elizabeth Quay
Cost: FREE

Experience Elizabeth Quay after dark with The Story of Kooyar, an immersive light and water show that follows the journey of Kooyar through the Noongar 6 seasons. Guided by his sacred song, Kooyar helps restore and heel Boordja (country), sharing a story of the connection between people, place and nature.

Working on the public holiday?

Depending on your award or enterprise agreement, you may have one or more of the following entitlements:

• Extra pay (for example public holiday rates)
• An extra day off or extra annual leave
• Minimum shift lengths on public holidays
• Agreeing to substitute a public holiday for another day

Click here for more information about working on public holidays, and to find out if you are entitled to any of the above.

Use Fair Work's Pay Calculator to find your award and calculate your public holiday pay rate.

Tips for making the most of your weekend

• Plan according to weather: Perth is expecting rainy weather this weekend, so keep an eye on the forecast and plan for outdoor activities accordingly.  
• Public Holiday Reminders: Monday 28th September is a public holiday. Check your favourite restaurant or cafe for opening hours, and some places may charge a public holiday surcharge. Supermarket and shop trading hours may also vary.

Enjoy the long weekend, whether you're reflecting, celebrating, or simply relaxing with loved ones!