Shinju Matsuri Festival

Each winter, there’s a point where you need to move closer to the equator. That’s when you need to get on Broome time. Our midwinter is the dry season in the north-west of Australia, when the water’s warm, the skies are clear, and the wildflowers are out. The vibrant coastal town, on Yawuru Country, shifts up a gear in August with Shinju Matsuri, an annual culture, arts and food festival now in its 56th year – providing the perfect excuse to visit.

Pioneered by local businesspeople in 1970, Shinju Matsuri has become a unique celebration of Broome’s multicultural community – shaped by an influx of Southeast Asian workers through the pearling industry – by combining annual cultural celebrations of Chinese, Japanese, Malay and First Nations communities.

Over 16 days, the vibrant festival will spread across Broome, featuring sunset feasts, live performances, cultural ceremonies and heartwarming community events. It all kicks off with a free, all-ages opening ceremony at Guwarri/Town Beach. Head down for a Yawuru Welcome to Country and the waking of Sammy, the beloved 30-metre-long Chinese dragon who’ll rise for another year of festivities.

You can easily eat your way around Broome during the festival. For something laid-back and buzzy, book the Chinatown Feast. This hawker-style food fest lets you sample a bit of everything from the town’s best food stalls (it might be Indonesian satay or Filipino chicken adobo), right in buzzy, bright-red Chinatown. For something more decadent, book the Sunset Long Table Dinner on Walmanyjun/Cable Beach. Feast on dishes made with local, seasonal produce by guest chef Arnott Olsen alongside Western Australian wine and beer, all against the backdrop of a spectacular Broome sunset. After dark, it’s live music and dancing on the sand – no shoes necessary. If you’re hanging around between events, head to the festival hub for food and entertainment overlooking Town Beach.

For a slower pace, head to the Floating Lanterns Matsuri at Gantheaume Beach. Inspired by the Japanese Obon celebration, locals and visitors write on lanterns for loved ones who have passed and release them to float over the ocean. This longstanding ceremony also honours the pearl divers who lost their lives, and whose descendants make up part of Broome’s local community today.

Shinju Matsuri Festival 2026 takes place from Friday August 21 to Sunday September 6. Tickets are on sale now.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Tourism Western Australia.