Western Australia Day celebrates the day British captain Charles Fremantle claimed Western Australia for the British in 1829, setting up the Swan River Colony. While the day was originally called “Foundation Day,” it has since been renamed to include all Western Australians, including aboriginal communities. WA Day takes place on the first Monday in June, falling on June 1 this year.
Western Australia Day Activities
Hit a free festival
WA Day is marked by free festivals across Australia — including Mandurah, Bunbury, Albany, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Geraldton, Onslow, Newman, and Port Hedland.
Gala Dinner
The highlight of WA Day is the Western Australian of the Year Awards. Folks nearby can purchase tickets to the Gala Dinner, while others can stream the event.
Attend SOTA
SOTA is a live music festival, held in Elizabeth Quay to celebrate WA Day — which features everything from alt-rock to Aussie hip-hop.
Why We Love Western Australia Day
Western Australian Pride
WA Day, as it's colloquially known, is a public holiday in Western Australia — and also serves as a basis for the Western Australian of the Year Awards, which celebrate outstanding achievement in these categories: Community, Professions, Sport and Youth, Aboriginal, Community, and Arts & Culture.
It's now more inclusive
From a day that celebrated British colonization, WA Day has become a way to celebrate all Western Australians, no matter how long they've been in the country.
It's a musical
WA Day even has its own playlist — which can be found here http://www.celebratewa.com.au/toolbox/ — with plenty of classics all Western Australians are bound to love.
Western Australia Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | June 1 | Monday |
| 2027 | June 7 | Monday |
| 2028 | June 5 | Monday |
| 2029 | June 4 | Monday |
| 2030 | June 3 | Monday |
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