As the sun sets on our warmer months, have a look at what's on in Perth in March to make the most of the beautiful outdoors.
During this change-over season, AFL will be ramping up, the Perth Festival is winding down, and we can enjoy the calm before the school holidays.
All year round there are so many things to in Perth that it's hard to choose, so we've picked out some highlights to create this guide to what's on in Perth this March. In true Perth style, most are outdoors, with a couple of not-to-be-missed arts events too.
Sculpture by the Sea
1-18 March, Cottesloe Beach
Sculpture by the Sea is a key date on the Cottesloe calendar and one of Perth's largest free public events. Meandering around the astonishing artworks spread along the fabulous beach and foreshore is one of the best things to do in Perth, bringing thousands each year.
As the light changes through the day, the intriguing sculptures seem to change too, some designed to work with the sunset, others inviting interaction. Visitors love to choose their favourites and take weird and wonderful photos - one of our top Instagrammable events!
More than 70 artists are expected to display their work this year, in the sand, along the grassy banks above the beach or on the groyne that juts out to sea.
Take your time, grab a coffee, drink or snack from one of the many cafes and restaurants along Marine Parade, and soak up the atmosphere.
Twilight Hawkers Market
1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 March, Forrest Place, Perth
The time to experience the Twilight Hawkers Market is in March, as Perth's largest street food event runs every Friday night through the warmer months.
This is among the top things to do in Perth at the end of the week. Catch up for delicious food from around the world in a buzzy atmosphere, and enjoy some live music as the sun goes down.
Once you've refuelled, ride that surge of energy and move on to one of Perth's many bars and pubs to make a night of it. From here, it's a short stroll to the laneways around King Street, the rooftops of Elizabeth Quay and a number of great cocktail bars. The Hawkers Market is also a great option to fill up before a show or movie.
Desert River Sea: Portraits of the Kimberley
1-31 March (except Tuesdays), Art Gallery of Western Australia, Northbridge
When trawling what's on in Perth this March, you're sure to come across this impressive exhibition, which marks the culmination of the Art Gallery's six-year visual arts project in WA's Kimberley region.
Lose yourself amongst brand new artworks by Kimberley artists, gathered from six art centres and three independent artists of the region. The Gallery has added other works from its collections to add even more layers to one of the most essential things to do in Perth this autumn.
The artworks are inspired by the people and landscape of the extraordinary Kimberley, famous for its rich earthy colours and rugged gorges, with a fascinating history of indigenous culture and multicultural settlement, yet one of the few relatively untouched pieces of Australia remaining.
Gypsy Jazz Festival
2-3 March, Drakesbrook Fine Wines, Waroona
This colourful festival is a day trip out of Perth in early March, or a quick trip from Mandurah, to Drakesbrook Fine Wines. This year the star of the show is legendary guitarist Hank Marvin, who will perform on both evenings with Nunzio Mondia and Gary Taylor.
Entertainment continues throughout both days in the winery's Django Gypsy Jazz Village, and there will be heaps of stalls and food trucks spread around for you to browse.
If you want to stay the night but you don't have a gypsy caravan to hand, there are plenty of accommodation options in Mandurah 35 minutes away, and the fabulous Footprints at Preston Beach is just under half an hour.
Upper Reach Twilight Concerts
16 March, Upper Reach Winery, Baskerville
Enjoy the last of our balmy evenings with delicious food, wines and live music as the sun sets behind the vines of the Swan Valley. There are few more enjoyable things to do in Perth's wine region.
In the final two concerts, Upper Reach Winery brings the ever-popular Adam Hall to the valley once again. On Saturday 2 March he will perform soul hits by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake, and on the 16th he returns with The Velvet Playboys by popular demand. This will be a fabulous night of jazz, rhythm and blues from the 40s and 50s that will get you up and dancing.
Either bring a picnic or dine in the RiverBrook Restaurant with a view of the entertainment. And of course be prepared to indulge in some fine wines from the Upper Reach cellar door.
Hyde Park Fair
3-4 March, Hyde Park, North Perth
Of all the many community fairs held over the warmer months, this is one not to miss! It's been going for more than 50 years, which means they've pretty much got it right! So if this is your kind of event, take a look at what's on this March in North Perth's picturesque Hyde Park. Apart from an endless array of stalls, sideshows and demonstrations, there will be live entertainment and food trucks to keep the whole family happy.
Stall holders to watch for this year include My Mandala Shop - Kathmandue mandala paintings plus silk and cashmere gifts; Aatahua - handmade-to-fit dresses designed by you; Daniel(ink.) - T shirts with hand-drawn designs by an amazing man; Darling Bee Products - a range of items made from from WA honeys and pee pollen; Lush Baubles - stunning and unique handmade jewellery; Urban Massage Studio - can you resist a quick therapeutic massage?
Jazz on the Rocks
8 March, Quarry Amphitheatre, City Beach
This will be a big night of jazz under the stars at the gorgeous Quarry Amphitheatre. The Mace Francis Orchestra is an 18 piece big band promising a tremendous sound, alongside vocalists Victoria Newton and Annie Mitchell performing swing classics from Count Basie and Duke Ellington.
Bring a picnic and a few drinks, and get ready to dance! You won't be alone - there will be dancers there from Swing It! dance school to kick things off.
Why not get to City Beach in time to enjoy a lazy lunch at Odyssea, Hamptons or The Kiosk? There are lovely walks along the coastline here, and the beach seems endless. Among all the things to do in Perth, this combination of oceanfront and open-air jazz will be the one to get you into a totally chilled frame of mind.
Perth Japan Festival
9 March, Forrest Place, Perth
Japanese culture is a unique and fascinating aspect of Perth that isn't obvious unless you go looking for it. This festival brings all things Japanese to you, placing it among the most fascinating things to do in Perth this March.
Perth does love Japanese food, which has become almost a staple for office lunches. This festival is a chance to dig deeper and find out more about the country that produces not only delicious sushi but beautiful traditional clothing, impressive martial arts and dance, and intriguing music.
Enjoy sampling food and browsing stalls, watching martial arts demos and dancing, at this free event suitable for the whole family.
You Know We Belong Together
20-31 March, Heath Ledger Theatre, Perth
When you're looking for what's on this March in Perth's theatres, you'll find an overwhelming choice. To help you out, if you only go to one stage show this month, make it this one.
After a sell-out premiere season last year, the show is back to give more people a chance to experience the joy, passion and humour praised by critics.
In a mix of voice, video, dance and song, Julia Hales presents a personal account of her life as a daughter, actor and person with Down's syndrome. The performance pays homage to community spirit in a way that touches the heart.
You Know We Belong Together is co-produced by Black Swan, Perth Festival and DADAA - an organisation that provides access to cultural activities for people with physical or mental challenges.
Perth Makers Market
22 March, Yagan Square, Perth
On 22 March, Perth Makers Market will be in Yagan Square! These popular markets are known for supporting local creators by providing a space to showcase and sell beautiful items that are guaranteed to be hand-crafted in WA. You'll find some young emerging artists here too, Perth Makers Market encourages new talent by offering discounted stalls.
Yagan Square is centrally located, straddling Perth CBD and Northbridge, where you'll find plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars to keep your energy up and make the most of this fabulous event.
Fish & Sips Festival
29-31 March, Port Beach, North Fremantle
Celebrate WA seafood and wine on the coast at Port Beach. This gourmet festival is one of the most delicious things to do in Perth, bringing you seafood dishes from some of our finest chefs with world class wines from WA vineyards.
Among the many treats are a beach barbecue, long table seafood lunch, degustation dinners with the amazing Kate Lamont, seafood and wine masterclasses, live music on the beach, pop-up restaurants, and the chance to sample products from WA wineries and breweries. Families should head down in the morning to see mermaids emerge from the ocean.
Make sure you book ahead for this event!
Wine Machine
30 March, Oakover Grounds, Middle Swan
Wine Machine invites you into the Swan Valley's sweeping landscape of Oakover Grounds for an energy-fuelled afternoon and evening among the vines.
This huge 18+ event combines the vineyard experience with food and live dance music from some of Australia's best bands. This year, the lineup includes The Presets, Hayden James, Hot Dub Time Machine, Confidence Man and Graace.
Start with a fresh coffee or lunch from the Grounds Cafe, and spread out on the grass to indulge in a fresh white or award winning red from the boutique winery. There will be food vendors on site for the event to keep you going well past sunset.
Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest
It's number 13, we said we'd list 12, but we can't go past mentioning the Mandurah's favourite - the Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest.
It's the largest free community event in Western Australia and will be held on 16 and 17 March; a celebration of Mandurah and the native blue manna crab. You'll enjoy fresh food, live music, performances, children’s entertainment, cooking demonstrations and more.
For more things to do in Perth, go to: What's on in Perth
