The City of Joondalup is set to become an open-air gallery next March, with the full program for the 2026 Joondalup Festival now revealed. The festival will feature three significant, free-to-view public artworks designed to captivate residents and visitors across the northern suburbs.
Major Artworks Light Up Parks and Waterways
Running from March 7 to March 22, 2026, the festival will launch with a mesmerising installation in Iluka. Titled Crystal People, it will see 52 luminous human figures emerge from the lakes at Sir James McCusker Park. This solar-powered artwork gathers energy by day to emit a soft, translucent glow after dusk, creating a 24-hour artistic experience in nature.
Hillarys Boat Harbour will host a spectacular Australian premiere. The renowned French company Ilotopie will present Acqua Forte Parade, a floating water theatre performance. Over four nights from March 12, quirky illuminated characters on floats will travel along a 400-metre aquatic route, accompanied by soundscapes and pyrotechnics for a fully immersive show.
The third major installation, The Whale, invites public participation. Created by Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, this interactive marionette will be stationed at Tom Simpson Park in Mullaloo from March 19 to 22. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to stand beneath the giant airborne creature and help animate it, becoming part of the art itself.
A Full Program of Community and Spectacle
Beyond the flagship art pieces, the festival boasts over a dozen other events designed to entertain diverse audiences. Highlights of the 2026 program include:
- Confetti & Chaos (March 13-14): A hilarious comedy dinner experience at Hillarys Yacht Club, where guests find themselves at a catastrophically funny wedding reception, brought by the team behind the Fawlty Towers Dining Experience.
- Mamma Mia! Immersive (March 21-22): A singalong and dancealong cinema event crafted by local performers Tone & Cheek, featuring drag artists, shadow dancers, and all the classic ABBA anthems.
- Common People Dance Eisteddfod (March 8): This beloved community dance competition returns to Joondalup for another sequin-filled showdown, following a complete sell-out last year.
The festival will also feature activities like sunrise yoga overlooking the Crystal People installation and music and storytelling sessions led by Indigenous community leaders.
Bringing Community Together Through Art
Joondalup Mayor Daniel Kingston emphasised the festival's goal of uniting the community. He stated the 2026 program was carefully designed to blend large-scale artistic spectacles with opportunities for shared joy and the celebration of extraordinary local and international talent.
The Joondalup Festival continues to be a cornerstone event for Perth's northern corridor, offering accessible art and entertainment. The full 2026 program and further details are available at the official festival website, joondalupfestival.com.au.
