From blockbuster museum exhibitions and high-energy sports to Christmas markets, night events, and the wild finale of The Pinnacles season, this month brings a packed line-up of experiences across the city. Whether you’re planning a family outing, looking to soak up the festive atmosphere, or keen to discover something new, there’s sure to be an event for you.
Terracotta Warriors exhibition at the WA Museum
Life-sized, stoic, and intricate — the Terracotta Warriors have called the WA Museum home since late June.
Touted as the most significant museum exhibition ever staged in Western Australia, the display includes more than 225 ancient artefacts. Among them are eight of the world-famous Terracotta Warriors from the mausoleum of China’s First Emperor, Qin Shihuang, each carrying thousands of years of history.
Running until February 22nd, 2026, Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor offers fresh insights into the life, legacy, and afterlife of the First Emperor. With immersive, cutting-edge technology and artefacts never seen outside China, this exhibition brings the legacy of an ancient civilisation to life right here in Perth.
For those planning a visit, the museum has added a compelling incentive. By purchasing your exhibition ticket online and agreeing to become a WA Museum subscriber, you’ll automatically enter the draw to win an all-inclusive trip for two to Xi’an.
The prize includes return flights to China, five nights in a five-star hotel in the heart of the city, airport transfers, a guided city tour, and a visit to the Terracotta Warrior Mausoleum.
When: Until February 22nd, 2026
Where: WA Museum Boola Bardip
Christmas Festival at Optus Stadium
Credit: Optus Stadium
Optus Stadium’s free Christmas Festival returns for one huge weekend in December, bringing festive energy to Stadium Park. Across the two days, the riverside precinct transforms into a lively Christmas marketplace filled with food trucks, local gift stalls, and live entertainment. Families can settle in for a Christmas movie on the amphitheatre screen, take an “elfie” with Santa, and enjoy free rides and activities for kids, making it an easy way to soak up the holiday spirit.
Adults can unwind at The Jingle Bar with an ice-cold drink as the sun sets over the Swan River, and even our four-legged friends are welcome to come along for the fun.
There is limited on-site parking available for $10.00, so the best way to get there is to catch the train to Optus Stadium.
When: Saturday, December 20 – Sunday, December 21
Where: Stadium Park at Optus Stadium
Volunteer at Whiteman Park
Credit: Whiteman Park
The most impactful thing you can do this month is volunteer your time for a community initiative.
December 5 is International Volunteer Day — a day to celebrate the people who keep some of WA’s most cherished community spaces running. At Whiteman Park, more than 600 volunteers play a vital role in supporting the not-for-profit organisations that call the Park home. Their time, skills, and passion help preserve local history, maintain iconic attractions, and create memorable experiences for visitors year-round.
For anyone looking to give back or try something new, Whiteman Park has a wide range of volunteer opportunities currently available. Bennett Brook Railway is seeking drivers, station staff, and people to assist with track, signalling, and rollingstock work. The Motor Museum is looking for enthusiastic customer service volunteers, and Perth Electric Tramway has openings for Motormen, mechanics, electricians, restorers, traffic crews, administrators, cleaners, and researchers. The Tractor Museum is also seeking customer service volunteers as well as mechanics, electricians, and fitters.
It’s a chance to join a welcoming community, learn new skills, and make a real contribution to organisations that help keep WA’s heritage alive.
Cheer on the Perth Wildcats
Credit: Perth Wildcats
It’s time to join the Red Army.
The competition is heating up in the NBL, and the Perth Wildcats are fighting for their next Championship title. If you haven’t been to a game before, now is the time. It’s an always entertaining fan experience from the minute you arrive at The Jungle — the name that The Wildcats fans have given to the homecourt at RAC Arena — right up until the game ends.
In December, there are two games you should go to:
December 4 — the Perth Wildcats are playing Melbourne United. These two teams have a long-standing rivalry that always brings out the best in both teams. You can expect a hard-fought, high-tempo game that will have you on the edge of your seats.
December 18 — It’s Retro Round! We’re rewinding the clock, and the team will be wearing Retro Jerseys. This game is for those who’ve grown up with the Wildcats, watching legends like Ricky Grace, James The Alabama Slammer Crawford, and Andrew Vlahov, through to the recently retired Damian Martin.
And both of these games are on Thursday nights, so grab an afterwork wine or cocktail with the crew, then head to the game. It’s sure to become the new ‘after-work drinks’.
Where: RAC Arena
Tickets are available here.
Gold Rush Day
Credit: Perth Racing
The grand finale of The Pinnacles season — Gold Rush Day — It’s the most vibrant, celebratory chapter of The Pinnacles. Whether you’re joining the ultimate tipping showdown in the TABtouch Punters Club or getting merry at Ascot’s Biggest Christmas Party, this is the high-energy finale that sends the series out with a bang.
When: Saturday, December 13
Where: Ascot Racecourse
Tickets are available here.
Edge of the Earth Exhibition by Michael Haluwana
Credit: Michael Haluwana
Michael Haluwana — arguably Perth’s best photographer and cinematographer — is hosting an exhibition at the WA Maritime Museum, called Edge Of The Earth. The Exhibition is a showcase of the immense beauty and fragility of the Arctic and Antarctic, shown through his lens. Through large-scale photography and immersive digital artwork, the exhibition draws you into the stillness, colour, and power of the planet’s most remote landscapes.
With a career that includes work for National Geographic, Virgin Galactic, the BBC, and Sir David Attenborough, Haluwana has had the fortune (driven by hard work) of experiencing parts of the world that most people will never see. Find out more about the exhibition here, and follow Haluwana on Instagram here.
When: Saturday, December 13th – Monday, April 27th
Where: WA Maritime Museum
Tickets are included with General Admission to the museum.
Stirling Night Markets
Macedonia Park is set to welcome a fresh community event this summer with the launch of the Stirling Night Markets. Beginning this Friday, the fortnightly markets will bring together food, culture, entertainment, and local makers in a lively evening setting. Each event will feature a rotating mix of food trucks, artisan stalls, live music, and family-friendly activities.
When: Fortnightly, starting Friday, December 5th
Where: Macedonia Park
Epic Events Christmas Race
This one is for those who love puzzles, games, and The Greatest Race. Oh, and those who love the chance to win a bit of money — $1,500 cash.
The Epic Christmas Race is on in the Perth CBD on Saturday, December 13, offering a light-hearted challenge for families, friends, and anyone keen for a bit of festive adventure. Participants receive a single clue before racing through the city to find a hidden QR code, with the first person to track it down taking home $1,500 in cash. It’s designed to be fun, energetic, and accessible, encouraging teamwork and a sense of play as the Christmas season gets into full swing. But mostly, it’s about competition and beating your friends and family to the prize, claiming bragging rights throughout the entire Christmas season.
Tickets are $20.00 per person, with free entry for those under 16, making it an easy choice for families looking for something different to do in the lead-up to Christmas.
When: Saturday, December 13
Where: Perth CBD
Tickets are available here.
Melville Summer Music series
Credit: Supplied
The Melville Summer Music series returns for its fifth season, running until Saturday, March 21st. The free, family-friendly concert series will feature ten afternoons of live performances across five scenic parks, each showcasing a different mix of local and visiting talent. Across the program, you can expect a broad selection of artists spanning soulful storytellers, high-energy ensembles, and creative voices from across the musical landscape.
See dates and line-ups here.
Perth Cup Day at Ascot
Credit: Perth Racing
Start 2026 with atmosphere, energy, and one of Perth’s most iconic summer traditions: TABtouch Perth Cup Day. Held on New Year’s Day at Ascot Racecourse, it’s a celebration where friends, fashion, and big-ticket racing collide. The program is stacked, including the Group 2 TABtouch Perth Cup, the Group 3 La Trice Classic, and the Listed Summer Scorcher, delivering a full afternoon of high-stakes, heart-pounding action.
Once the racing wraps up, the track transforms into a sunset celebration, with a live band taking over and playing into the night. Whether you’re there for the thrill of the racing, the style stakes, or the summer party atmosphere, Perth Cup Day remains one of the most memorable ways to welcome a new year.
When: Thursday, January 1
Where: Ascot Racecourse
Tickets are available here.
