Mid-winter may make it a little tougher to get out of the house, but the events throughout July and August didn’t come to mess around. Across the country, venues are stacked with massive headline tours, parties, local gigs and one very cursed Shrek-themed rave.

Whether you’re planning interstate weekends around live music or just trying to make your bank account survive the next ticket drop, these are the gigs and events worth locking into your calendar right now.

And between all the tours and festival announcements, there’s one non-music date worth locking in too: Census night. Held every five years, the Census helps build a picture of how Australia is growing and changing. Census data contributes to future planning around infrastructure, transport, education, community services and the public spaces Australians use every day — including the cities and nightlife precincts that keep live music culture moving.

The 2026 Census takes place on Tuesday, August 11. Instructions on how to complete it will arrive beforehand, and households can complete the Census early if they know who will be home on Census night.

Alongside Census night, these are the gigs to lock in this winter. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzH-YORpZ_Q

The Jungle Giants

After years of dominating international festival lineups and indie dance playlists alike, The Jungle Giants are taking their latest tour around the country this winter. The electro-pop band are returning to the stage with their fifth studio album, Experiencing Feelings of Joy. The four-piece band will debut their new sound evolution alongside support acts, The Tullamarines and Tear Drive. Catch them touring the whole country (literally) throughout winter.

Full Flower Moon Band
One of Australia’s most exciting live acts right now, Full Flower Moon Band are playing The Tivoli this winter. After their 2024 album Megaflower debuted at number one on the ARIA charts, Full Flower Moon Band are headlining The Tivoli on July 18 with their moody, psychedelic rock as part of Brisbane’s winter festival, Open Season. 

Image by Billy Zammit //

Ninajirachi
Ninajirachi is back on Australian soil this winter with a national run of shows. After a whirlwind few months breaking in the US (Coachella, anyone?), Ninajirachi is back and ready to blend hyperpop, EDM and internet-era chaos. Catch her Dark Crystal V tour across the country this July.

Hiatus Kaiyote 

There are few venues more iconic than the Sydney Opera House, and few Australian bands more globally respected than Hiatus Kaiyote. To celebrate their 15th band anniversary, the Melbourne jazz/ funk band Hiatus Kaiyote will be headlining the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall as part of Vivid LIVE. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGSloIOkJG8

Hooligan Hefs

Western Sydney hip-hop artist, Hooligan Hefs, is playing a hometown show at the Miranda Hotel on July 17. As part of his Year of the 6 Tour, the rapper will play tracks from his new album Sixth Sense, which drops on June 26. Grab your tickets now as this local set is likely to sell fast. 

Thick As Thieves x Kitty Amor
Melbourne music institution, Thick As Thieves, is teaming up with UK DJ and producer Kitty Amor for a late-night session as part of their winter series. As part of her debut Australian tour, Kitty Amor will be headlining a Revolver Upstairs slot at 7am on Sunday, August 23. Get ready for deep grooves, afrobeats and stacked dancefloors.

Shrek Rave at Oxford Art Factory 

There’s no easy way to explain Shrek Rave if you haven’t experienced it before. Taking over Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory on August 15, the party combines chaotic remixes, green outfits, early-2000s nostalgia and absolute mayhem into one very strange night out. Somehow, it works. 

For more information on the 2026 Census, visit census.abs.gov.au