Perth is gearing up for an extraordinary year of world-class entertainment in 2026, with a cavalcade of major stage productions, festivals, and comedy events locked in for the city's calendar. Following a bustling 2025, the new year promises an equally impressive array of performances, from Broadway musicals and daring circus acts to side-splitting comedy festivals.
Festival Fever: Fringe World and Perth Festival Lead the Charge
The year kicks off with the return of the world's third-largest fringe festival. Fringe World 2026 will run from January 21 to February 15, featuring a vast program. Headline acts include the Perth debut of The Lady Boys of Bangkok and the world premiere of Gasha by Japanese contemporary circus company Cirquework.
Hot on its heels, Perth Festival 2026 will showcase truth-tellers and mischief-makers from February 6 to March 1. The 23-day program boasts an impressive lineup of 13 festival commissions, 20 world premieres, and nine Australian premieres across music, theatre, dance, and cabaret. The opening act for the East Perth Power Station Mainstage will be Max Cooper.
Blockbuster Musicals and Spectaculars Heading West
A slew of major musical theatre productions will dominate Perth's stages throughout the year. The romantic adventure Anastasia arrives at Crown Theatre Perth from March 3 to 28. This lavish Broadway show, inspired by the legendary Romanov story and the animated film, features principals Georgina Hopson, Robert Tripolino, and Rhonda Burchmore.
April brings a homegrown highlight with Pretty Woman: The Musical. Starring Perth-raised performers Samantha Jade and Ben Hall as Vivian and Edward, the show runs at Crown Theatre Perth from April 18 to May 10.
In a major coup for fans, the award-winning MJ The Musical will make its final Australian tour stop in Perth. Celebrating the music and complex life of Michael Jackson, the show features 25 of his greatest hits and runs at Crown Theatre Perth from June 7 to July 5.
Later in the year, the cult film adaptation Heathers The Musical will take over The Regal Theatre from September 30 to October 11, featuring a soundtrack by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe.
Magic, Comedy, and Circus Extravaganzas
Illusion takes centre stage with Now You See Me Live at Crown Theatre Perth from January 23 through February. Inspired by the hit film franchise, the show features illusionists Andrew Basso, Gabriella Lester, Matthew Pomeroy, and Pablo Canovas performing death-defying acts.
Laughter will be in abundant supply during the Perth Comedy Festival 2026 from April 20 to May 17. The already-announced lineup includes big names like Daniel Sloss, Stephen K. Amos, Dave Hughes, and The Umbilical Brothers.
To cap off the winter, the Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Spectacular will pitch its Big Top at Ozone Reserve in East Perth. This acrobatic and aerial live show, set to the film's reimagined soundtrack, runs from August 28 to September 27 with an all-Australian cast.
With this incredible diversity of performances locked in, Perth audiences are assured a thrilling and culturally rich year ahead, solidifying the city's reputation as a major destination for national and international touring productions.
